NPR News: 07-04-2026 9PM EDT
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Live from NPR News, I'm Dan Ronan. In Washington, D.C., July 4th celebrations were ordered to evacuate the National Mall as severe storms moved into the area. NPR's Shonda Lee Stuster reports.
What happened during the July 4th celebrations in Washington, D.C.?
Thousands on the National Mall were ordered to evacuate and seek shelter as severe storms moved into the Washington, D.C. area. Freedom 250 organizers and National Park Service officials directed attendees to shelter in place at nearby buildings, including museums. U.S. Secret Service also closed security screenings and checkpoints. July 4th events have already been delayed or canceled because of dangerous heat that made temperatures fill up to 115 degrees. The Great American State Fair opened two hours later because of the heat. President Trump was scheduled to give a July 4th speech from the National Mall on Saturday, with a major fireworks display planned for after the speech. Shondalese Duster, NPR News.
Months after his death, Iran's Saturday began several days of funeral services for the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in the first hours. of the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran. NPR's Hadil Ashi reports from Istanbul, Turkey, on why the service was delayed several months.
The spokesperson for the funeral preparation said it was delayed this long because of, quote, the war conditions and what he called the brutal U.S. invasion. But really this week, the funeral is about Iran trying to show Israel stability and power to Iranians and the world. They're trying to send a message that the Islamic revolutionary power that leads the country is still popular.
This Fourth of July, some Americans think the nation is on the wrong track, but the majority say they're proud or very proud to be Americans, according to the latest NPR-PBS News Marist poll. NPR's Maha Javid has more.
American feelings about the country appear to be divided along partisan lines. Republicans are the most proud, at 93%. Independents are at 61%. And the least proud are Democrats at 45%. Christopher James, a Democrat based out of Maryland, says it's complicated.
My feelings are mixed. I'm proud of some of the achievements that we've made in a variety of ways in the world. It's hard to feel like absolute pride considering the I guess, the conflicts that are going on in our society right now.
He says he's referring to Americans who won't compromise with people they disagree with, as well as those who value emotion over logic. Maham Javed, NPR News.
Authorities in Walworth County, Wisconsin, say three people died, seven others were rescued when storms blew through the southern Wisconsin community, causing a boat to capsize on Lake Geneva. The lake is a popular tourist destination for people from the Chicago and Milwaukee area. You're listening to NPR News. The National Transportation Safety Board in a preliminary report on the June 14th Missouri skydiving crash that killed 11 people showed no major safety failures in the airplane that could account for the crash. The report found no evidence of a pre-impact mechanical or engine malfunction that would have brought the plane down. The NTSB also said it found the plane met the weight and balance requirements and the pilot had a good safety record.
The ongoing heat wave didn't stop the competitive food eaters from seeing who could down the most hot dogs in Coney Island. Reporter Steve Kassenbaum was at the annual Nathan's 4th of July hot dog eating contest.
Carnival barker George Shea's voice echoed out across Coney Island. The heat wave impacted performances and Chestnut was off his record pace. He ate 66 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes for his 18th win. This is America. We endure and we keep going. Thousands of spectators, including Hans Mada of Edison, New Jersey, persevered under the sun to watch Chestnut devour the competition.
I'm a huge fan. I think whenever someone can dedicate so much of themselves to something that's a little off the beaten path, it just shows true passion.
Mickey Sudo won the women's belt for the 12th time. For NPR News, I'm Steve Kastenbaum in Coney Island, New York.
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