NPR is reporting that the upcoming 250th birthday of the United States and its Independence Day celebrations are being significantly affected by an intense heat wave stretching from Texas to the East Coast. It said some communities, including Philadelphia, have already canceled or reduced their festivities. The outlet noted that it remains unclear what will happen in Washington, D.C., where President Donald J Trump has made the anniversary a major focus. Capitol Police said they would decide this morning whether the public can attend the Capitol Fourth concert and fireworks, with forecasts predicting temperatures near 102 degrees and a heat index as high as 113. NPR also reported that Trump mentioned plans to deliver a "really long" speech on the night of the Fourth, when it is expected to be nearly as hot.
NPR also reported that Democrats on the House Natural Resources Committee released a 55-page report yesterday, accusing an organization called Freedom 250 of helping Trump transform America's milestone into a "hotbed of corruption and self-enrichment" through tactics that potentially constitute criminal fraud.
In international news, NPR is reporting that rescue workers in Kyiv recovered more bodies overnight from an apartment building crushed by a Russian missile. It said officials reported 30 people were killed in missile and drone strikes on Ukraine’s capital, which Russia launched in response to Ukrainian drone strikes targeting Russian oil refineries. NPR's Joanna Kakissis, reporting from Kyiv, said residents are deeply shaken, noting a massive crater beside a kindergarten where a missile struck. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the attack exposed Ukraine's shortage of missile interceptors and renewed his call for Europe to strengthen its own defenses.
Regarding U.S. politics, NPR is reporting that Congress is on its July 4th recess, but lawmakers will soon focus on this fall’s midterm elections. It said Democrats are searching for ways to energize their base, and several primaries have revealed growing frustration with the party establishment. Democratic socialists have successfully unseated incumbent Democrats in Denver and New York City, believing them not left-leaning enough. NPR's Elena Moore said some candidates unseated Democrats by focusing on core issues, largely calling for the Democratic Party to adopt more ambitious economic policies to tackle the affordability crisis. Moore added that these candidates are also vocal about the influence of money in politics and criticize elected Democrats for accepting donations from corporate PACs and pro-Israel groups. While Democrats broadly agree on key economic issues, there is concern that the positions held by more leftist candidates could muddy their overall message. Moore said appealing to moderate voters will require a balancing act as Democrats try to regain control of the House.