Happy Fourth 🌭
Happy Birthday, America!🙋🏼♀️ I'm Nicole Fallert. Welcome to a special July 4 edition of the Daily Briefing. 😎
🎇A few Independence Day highlights 🎇
- Kick off your long weekend with a free doughnut.
- Check if you meet the requirements to buy fireworks.
- Need to run some errands? Here's what's open today.
Will the weather impact your fireworks plans?
There's good news: About two-thirds of the country will have clear weather perfect for viewing fireworks shows on the Fourth, AccuWeather forecasters said. The weather will be clear and dry in the Great Lakes region and Northeast and most of the West on the Fourth of July, AccuWeather reported. Heat and humidity with temperatures in the 90s are forecast across several states. Check out the fireworks forecast near you.
Trump has big plans for America's 250th
The Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence 249 years ago, on July 4, 1776. President Donald Trump said Americans can expect much pomp and circumstance around the semiquincentennial starting this Fourth of July through 2026, with Trump predicting that the celebration under his watch will reach "extraordinary" levels. According to the America250 website, every state, U.S. territory and D.C. has a "commission" to "to plan, coordinate, and support commemorative activities." Find your state's America250 celebration.
More news to know now
- Celebrating with a barbecue? Here's why it will likely cost more.
- Double check your beach destination for high bacteria levels.
- Don't pack up the family only to arrive at a closed lake (and know what to do if driving an EV in hot weather).
- Joey Chestnut revealed how he became the GOAT at hot dog eating.
What's the weather today? Check your local forecast here.
You pup may need some extra love today
Fireworks may be enjoyable for humans, but they can be a great source of anxiety for our pets. The loud bangs, flashing colors and smell can cause them a lot of distress, resulting in behaviors like hiding, shaking and barking. One tip: Give your dog some extra exercise before all the mayhem starts. This could be an extra long walk or a few more rounds of fetch. Hopefully, they’ll be nice and tired by the time the fireworks start. Here are a few more tips for pet parents.
Why doctors dread the Fourth of July
'These are horrific injuries. People just don't realize that even publicly available fireworks pack enough punch to rip a finger or a hand off.'
~Dr. Jeffrey Goodloe, an emergency room physician in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He is among doctors across the country bracing for accidents on July 4 caused by fireworks. They try to save eyes. They have to amputate limbs. And sometimes they have to deliver the worst news imaginable to loved ones. Here's how to stay safe.
A little more July 4
- Don't forget to pack these camping essentials.
- Update a fire pit and umbrellas for your patio.
- Beyoncé is bringing country to the nation's capital on Friday.
- Craving AC? Maybe go see "Jurassic World Rebirth."
- Cut up some strawberries and watch the tennis at Wimbledon 2025.
- Participate in American democracy and vote on "Love Island USA."
Nicole Fallert is a newsletter writer at Paste BN, sign up for the email here. Want to send Nicole a note? Shoot her an email at NFallert@usatoday.com.