THE WAR ON IMMIGRANTS: Trump’s Immigration Budget Sparks Boom for Private Prison Industry

$45 Billion Detention Plan Draws Scrutiny as GEO Group, CoreCivic Eye Massive Profits and Expanded Influence

San Diego, CA | The private prison industry is poised for a major windfall following President Donald Trump’s signing of a $45 billion federal budget package that dramatically expands immigration detention capacity. The funding, outlined in what the White House calls the “Big, Beautiful Bill,” is intended to support what the administration describes as the largest mass deportation operation in U.S. history — and private prison corporations are positioned to reap the benefits.

The funding represents a long-anticipated victory for firms like GEO Group and CoreCivic, two of the nation’s largest private prison operators. Both companies spent years cultivating close ties with Trump’s political circle through campaign donations, lobbying contracts, and job offers to former administration officials. These efforts now appear to be paying off.

Executives from the two companies had already begun preparing to reactivate dormant facilities and expand capacity before the bill passed. On investor calls, they expressed confidence that Trump’s immigration platform would deliver substantial new revenue opportunities. GEO Group has estimated the new budget could help fill 18,000 detention beds, equating to roughly $400 million in annual revenue. CoreCivic has similarly pitched plans to house an additional 28,000 detainees.

Federal records show that during the 2024 election cycle, over 90% of political contributions from GEO Group and CoreCivic PACs and employees went to Republicans, including maximum donations to Trump’s campaign. Both companies also gave $500,000 to his 2025 inaugural committee.

Limitless Expectations: Hugh Freeze Sets Bold Tone for Auburn at SEC Media Days

With an upgraded roster, returning staff, and back-to-back top-10 recruiting classes, Freeze says the Tigers are built to compete in every game this season.

ATLANTA | Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze took center stage Tuesday at SEC Media Days with a clear message: the Tigers are ready to turn potential into performance.

Speaking from the College Football Hall of Fame, Freeze struck an optimistic tone about the upcoming 2025 season, emphasizing improvements across the roster, renewed team chemistry, and heightened expectations as Auburn gears up for Year 3 under his leadership.

“At Auburn, we couldn’t be more excited about this fall,” Freeze said during his media availability. “Our president Chris Roberts often says that Auburn has earned the right to dream big, and that’s how I feel about our football team — for our fans, our administration, and most of all, our players.”

Simpson Dominates to Capture 121st Trans-Mississippi Amateur Title

Tennessee’s Lance Simpson shoots 17-under to win by four at The Pfau Course, joining elite company in amateur golf history

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. | Tennessee redshirt senior Lance Simpson etched his name into amateur golf history on Saturday, capturing the 121st Trans-Mississippi Amateur Championship in commanding fashion with a 17-under-par total at The Pfau Course.

Simpson, the world’s No. 24-ranked amateur, opened the tournament with a flawless 7-under 64 to take the 18-hole lead and never looked back. The Knoxville, Tennessee, native followed up with consecutive 67s in rounds two and three before closing with a steady 2-under 69 to secure a four-stroke victory over Kansas State’s Cooper Schultz.

Over the course of 72 holes, Simpson displayed remarkable consistency, carding 53 pars, 18 birdies, and just a single bogey. He played The Pfau Course’s par-5s at 5-under, par-4s at 9-under, and par-3s at 3-under for the week—showcasing a complete and balanced game across all challenges the layout presented.

A 2025 All-America Honorable Mention selection, Simpson now adds one of amateur golf’s most prestigious titles to his résumé. His name joins a storied list of Trans-Mississippi champions that includes PGA Tour standouts such as Bryson DeChambeau (2013), Will Zalatoris (2014, 2016), Cameron Champ (2017), and golf legends Ben Crenshaw (1972) and Jack Nicklaus (1958-59).

Simpson's victory cements his status as one of the premier collegiate golfers in the country and continues a strong summer campaign that positions him as a rising force on the amateur and professional stages.

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By Bronwyn A. Stone

© 2025 JWT Communications. All rights reserved. This article may not be republished, rebroadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without prior written permission.

Ole Miss Softball Adds UCLA Transfer Liesl Osteen to 2025 Roster

Veteran defender brings Women's College World Series experience to a reloaded Rebels squad

OXFORD, Miss. | Ole Miss head softball coach Jamie Trachsel has added another impact player through the transfer portal, officially welcoming Liesl Osteen to the Rebels program ahead of the 2025–26 season.

Osteen, a versatile defender and native of Simi Valley, California, joins Ole Miss after two seasons at UCLA, where she appeared in 83 games and made 16 starts. She arrives in Oxford with two years of eligibility remaining.

Primarily utilized in a defensive and flex role for the Bruins, Osteen posted a perfect fielding percentage with 20 putouts, contributing to UCLA’s success on the national stage. Offensively, she owns a career .250 batting average (2-for-8), a .455 on-base percentage, two RBI, 25 runs scored, and three stolen bases.

Osteen also gained valuable postseason experience in 2025, scoring a run in the Los Angeles Regional against San Diego State and taking the field in the Women’s College World Series against Oregon and Tennessee.

THE WAR ON IMMIGRANTS: House Democrat Demands Kristi Noem Resign Over Alleged ICE Deception in South Sudan Deportations

Outrage grows among lawmakers after report reveals ICE misled detainees and used offshore detention in Djibouti before expelling them to conflict-ridden South Sudan.

WASHINGTON, D.C. | Several Democratic members of Congress, joined by Sen. Bernie Sanders, are demanding accountability following revelations that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) misled eight immigrant detainees who were recently deported to South Sudan, despite having no ties to the country. The lawmakers are condemning the deportations as a violation of human rights and international law — and calling for resignations at the highest levels of the Department of Homeland Security.

The investigation, published by 'TELL IT LIKE IT IS' News, revealed that the eight men — all of whom had completed sentences for criminal convictions in the U.S. — were detained in a shipping container on a U.S. military base in Djibouti for several weeks before being expelled to South Sudan over the July 4 weekend.

Razorback History Made: Four Arkansas Players Selected in First Round of 2025 MLB Draft

Wood, Aloy, Root, and Davalan highlight record-setting Day One as Arkansas ties for most first-round picks in the nation

ATLANTA | In a landmark moment for Razorback baseball, a program-record four Arkansas players were selected in the first round of the 2025 Major League Baseball Draft on Sunday, July 13.

Right-handed pitcher Gage Wood was chosen 26th overall by the Philadelphia Phillies, followed by Wehiwa Aloy, an infielder taken 31st overall by the Baltimore Orioles. Shortly after, left-handed pitcher Zach Root and outfielder Charles Davalan were selected with consecutive picks—40th and 41st overall—by the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Arkansas’ four first-round selections tied with Tennessee for the most by any school in this year’s first round, which featured 43 total picks. The 2025 draft marks the first time in program history that the Razorbacks have had multiple players selected in the first round of a single draft.

With this quartet, Arkansas has now produced 14 all-time first-round MLB Draft picks, including 11 under head coach Dave Van Horn. The Razorbacks have had at least one player drafted in 51 consecutive years, dating back to 1975.

Atlanta Braves Select LSU Right-Hander Kade Woods in 10th Round of MLB Draft

Woods Becomes Eighth LSU Player Taken in 2025 Draft, Fifth Pitcher From Tigers’ Staff

BATON ROUGE, La. | LSU redshirt junior Kade Woods was selected by the Atlanta Braves in the 10th round (No. 307 overall) of the 2025 Major League Baseball Draft on Monday.

A right-handed pitcher from Monroe, La., Woods is the eighth LSU player taken in this year’s draft and the fifth pitcher selected from the Tigers’ staff. His selection came during Day 2 of the MLB Draft, which began with Round 4 on Monday morning and was streamed live on MLB.com.

Woods joined a strong LSU draft class that includes left-hander Kade Anderson (1st round, No. 3 overall – Seattle Mariners), right-hander Chase Shores (2nd round, No. 47 – Los Angeles Angels), right-hander Anthony Eyanson (3rd round, No. 87 – Boston Red Sox), outfielder Ethan Frey (3rd round, No. 95 – Houston Astros), second baseman Daniel Dickinson (6th round, No. 185 – Milwaukee Brewers), and right-handers Jared Jones (9th round, No. 263) and Jacob Mayers (9th round, No. 268) – both picked by the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Woods made five relief appearances over two seasons at LSU, totaling 2.2 innings with four strikeouts and four walks.

South Carolina’s Matthew Becker Drafted by Minnesota Twins in 19th Round

Senior Lefty Caps Four-Year Gamecock Career with MLB Selection; Second Straight USC Pick by Minnesota

ATLANTA | University of South Carolina senior left-handed pitcher Matthew Becker was selected by the Minnesota Twins in the 19th round of the 2025 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft on Monday, July 14.

A native of Chapin, S.C., Becker wrapped up a productive four-year career with the Gamecocks, appearing in 79 games and compiling 14 wins, six saves, and 263 strikeouts over 193.1 innings pitched. Known for his versatility as both a starter and reliever, Becker showcased his value on the mound throughout his collegiate tenure.

In the 2025 season, Becker made 19 appearances, including six starts, finishing with three wins and 64 strikeouts across 47.1 innings. He struck out a season-high nine batters in his first start against Sacred Heart on February 15, followed by an eight-strikeout outing against Milwaukee on February 22. He also tallied seven strikeouts in 4.2 innings of relief against Mississippi State on April 6 and earned a key win versus LSU on May 15.

Becker’s career highlights include being named SEC Freshman of the Week in 2022 after an 11-strikeout performance against then-No. 1 Texas on March 13.