Heat disrupts July Fourth plans as Kyiv mourns Russian strikes

A severe heat wave is forcing changes to July Fourth celebrations tied to the United States’ 250th birthday, NPR reported. At the same time, Ukrainian officials said Russian missile and drone strikes on Kyiv killed 30 people, adding to a holiday-week briefing dominated by weather, war and U.S. politics.

NPR reported that Independence Day events were planned across the country for the milestone anniversary. But heat from Texas to the East Coast has pushed some communities to cancel events or scale them back.

Philadelphia shortened the route of its annual Fourth of July parade, according to NPR. In Washington, D.C., Capitol Police said they would decide Friday morning whether the public could attend the Capitol Fourth concert and fireworks.

Forecasts cited by NPR called for temperatures near 102 degrees in Washington, with the heat index reaching as high as 113. NPR’s Anastasia Tsioulcas reported on Up First that uncertainty remained over the capital’s events, where President Trump has made the anniversary a major focus.

NPR reported that Trump said at a public event this week that he planned to give a “really long” speech on the night of July Fourth. The evening is expected to remain nearly as hot as daytime conditions, according to the report.

Political fight over anniversary events

The anniversary planning is also drawing scrutiny from House Democrats. NPR reported that Democrats on the House Natural Resources Committee released a 55-page report accusing Freedom 250, a White House-backed group, of helping Trump turn the celebration into what the report called a “hotbed of corruption and self-enrichment.”

The Democratic report alleged that some tactics may amount to criminal fraud, according to NPR. Freedom 250 was described by NPR as part of the anniversary celebrations connected to the White House.

Kyiv searches rubble after Russian attack

In Ukraine, rescue crews recovered more bodies overnight from a Kyiv apartment building that officials said was crushed by a Russian missile. Ukrainian officials said 30 people were killed in the Russian missile and drone attacks on the capital, NPR reported.

Russia launched the strikes in response to Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian oil refineries, according to the account cited by NPR. NPR’s Joanna Kakissis reported from Kyiv that residents were shaken by the attack.

A missile strike left a large crater next to a kindergarten, NPR reported. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the attack showed Ukraine’s shortage of missile interceptors and renewed his call for Europe to strengthen its own defenses, according to NPR.

Democrats face midterm pressure

NPR also reported that Congress is on its July Fourth recess before lawmakers turn attention to the fall midterm elections. Democrats are looking for ways to energize voters after primaries showed frustration with party leadership.

In Denver and New York City, democratic socialists defeated incumbent Democrats they viewed as insufficiently left-leaning, according to NPR. NPR’s Elena Moore reported that those candidates focused on more ambitious economic policies aimed at the affordability crisis, criticism of money in politics and opposition to donations from corporate PACs and pro-Israel groups.

Moore reported that Democrats broadly agree on major economic issues, but some party figures worry that more left-wing positions could blur the party’s broader message. She said Democrats trying to win back the House face a balancing act with moderate voters.

Heat safety warnings

NPR reported that large parts of the Midwest and eastern United States were under heat advisories for the holiday weekend. The outlet noted that hundreds of people in the U.S. die each year from heat-related illnesses.

• NPR advised people to check medications, including some blood pressure drugs, that can raise heat-illness risk by worsening dehydration.
• NPR reported that heat exhaustion can bring fatigue, heavy thirst and rapid breathing, while heat stroke can include vomiting, seizures and slurred speech.
• NPR advised limiting outdoor time, seeking shade and drinking water, especially when activity is strenuous or temperatures are highest.

This story draws on original reporting from NPR.