July 4th Heat Wave, Russian Strikes On Ukraine, Future Of Democratic Party
7/3/202612 min
The United States turns 250 tomorrow, but a brutal heat wave is already forcing cities to cancel parades and fireworks, and Washington D.C. will decide this morning whether the public can even attend its July Fourth events.
Russia hit Kyiv with one of the deadliest strikes of the war overnight, firing nearly 600 missiles and drones that killed at least 27 people, Moscow says it's payback for Ukraine's attacks on its oil facilities.
And Democrats are hoping to take back the House this fall, but infighting is getting in the way as progressive upsets energize blue-city voters while raising doubts about whether that message plays in the places the party actually needs.
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Today’s episode of Up First was edited by Luis Clemens, Tina Kraja, Jason Breslow, Mohamed ElBardicy and Alice Woelfle.
It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Nia Dumas.
Our director is Christopher Thomas.
We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott. Our technical director is Zac Coleman.
And our Executive Producer is Jay Shaylor.
(0:00) Introduction
(01:50) July 4th Heat Wave
(05:11) Russian Strikes On Ukraine
(09:03) Future Of Democratic Party
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Clips
Transcript preview
First 90 secondsMichel Martin· Host0:00
[intro music] Happy almost birthday, America. Tomorrow, the United States turns 250 years old.
A Martinez· Host0:07
And parts of the country may feel like it's 250 degrees. A heat wave from Texas to the East Coast is already forcing cities to cancel parades and fireworks.
Michel Martin· Host0:14
I'm Michelle Martin. That's A Martinez, and this is Up First from NPR News. [on-hold music] The death toll from Russia's attack on Kyiv is climbing. Ukraine's president says more air defenses could have saved lives.
A Martinez· Host0:27
And Democrats are hoping to win back the House this fall, but a fight within the party could get in the way. Progressive and Democratic socialist upsets are energizing voters in blue cities. The worry is whether that message can win in the places Democrats actually need to take back the majority. Stay with us. We've got news you need to start your day.
Speaker 30:44
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