NPR News: 07-04-2026 8PM EDT
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What are the weather concerns for the Fourth of July celebrations in Washington, D.C.?
Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Dan Ronan. On this Fourth of July, Washington, D.C. officials are closely watching the weather. People on the National Mall are being told to evacuate because of the possibility of thunderstorms before tonight's big fireworks demonstration. NPR's Jeff Brumfield reports. Temperatures topped 100 degrees as fighter jets flew over the National Mall.
Watching was Patricia Smedley. She was visiting from England.
I'm not used to this sort of heat coming from the UK.
Smedley has been visiting the US for decades.
What issues are arising with lethal injection methods in Tennessee?
She doesn't begrudge Americans at all for that little war they fought with her country way back when.
No, you'd made the right decision in 1776, believe me.
Many others told NPR they were excited to be there witnessing America's 250th birthday.
Jeff Brumfield, NPR News. Concerns over lethal injection methods are mounting in Tennessee where state corrections officials failed to execute a man in May. Tony Gonzalez with member station WPLN reports high-ranking Republicans in the state want an independent investigation.
Medical contractors couldn't establish an I.V. into the arms or chest of Tony Carruthers. After about an hour, Governor Bill Lee called off the execution on May 20th. The man's death row attorneys had been warning about inadequate training.
How is the heat wave affecting parts of Europe and the U.S.?
Now a group of state senators, all Republicans who say they support the death penalty, have written to the governor seeking an independent review. They say the Department of Corrections showed it wasn't competent. They want to know the credentials of those involved and whether training is sufficient. Tennessee paused executions for about three years after finding the prior protocol had never been fully followed. The rules were then revised but continue to draw scrutiny. For NPR News, I'm Tony Gonzalez in Nashville.
As the eastern U.S. melts with high temperatures and humidity, parts of Europe are also sweltering with another heat wave barely a week after the record-breaking temperatures in several countries. Alison Roberts reports.
The last heat wave caused thousands of excess deaths in France alone, and this one is expected to last longer.
What are the implications of President Trump's legal battles?
Temperatures are forecast to climb all the way to southern England. In Portugal, more than 1,000 firefighters are battling a blaze that started Thursday, injuring at least seven people. The government has activated the European Civil Protection Mechanism, sourcing four extra water-bombing planes and a military emergencies team from Spain. It's declared a state of alert through Monday, raising readiness and banning public access to forests and the use of machinery in them. Almost all of mainland Portugal is now at maximum or very high fire risk. For NPR News, I'm Alison Roberts in Lisbon.
A federal judge in New York today rejected a request from President Trump's lawyers to delay payment to writer E. Jean Carroll after she won a $5.8 million civil judgment against him. This is NPR. Months after his death in Iran, Iran's Saturday began several days of funeral services for its late supreme leader, the Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in the first hours of the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran this when his compound was struck. Three people died, seven others were rescued when storms blew through southern Wisconsin Friday, causing a boat to capsize on Lake Geneva.
How are rising grocery prices impacting July 4th celebrations?
The lake is a popular tourist destination for people in the Chicago and Milwaukee area. Americans seeking a break from inflation on the 4th of July might want to steer clear of the beef counter. NPR's Scott Horsley reports pork or chicken could be more affordable.
While beef prices have jumped by double digits over the last year, pork prices have risen only slightly. And chicken prices are actually down, thanks in part to cheaper feed. Food economist Robin Wenzel of Wells Fargo notes that after a price spike last year, eggs are also a relative bargain this summer. That's because a mild season of bird flu allowed egg farmers to rebuild their flocks of laying hens.
It's the year to serve deviled eggs, so go for it and go ahead and add it to your potato salad too.
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Chapters
6 chapters
1
What are the weather concerns for the Fourth of July celebrations in Washington, D.C.?
0:00–0:36
2
What issues are arising with lethal injection methods in Tennessee?
0:36–1:24
3
How is the heat wave affecting parts of Europe and the U.S.?
1:24–2:12
4
What are the implications of President Trump's legal battles?
2:12–3:25
5
How are rising grocery prices impacting July 4th celebrations?
3:25–4:17
6
What new financial opportunities are emerging with the Texas Stock Exchange?
4:17–4:54