NPR News: 07-03-2026 7AM EDT

Windsor Johnston· Host0:00

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston. Millions of Americans are getting ready to celebrate the nation's 250th birthday with parades, concerts, and fireworks across the country this weekend. But as NPR's Anastacia Lucas reports, record-breaking heat is forcing some cities to modify their plans.

Speaker 20:21

Some places have already decided to cancel or cut back on their festivities. The city of Philadelphia, which of course is central to our independence story, has already decided to substantially cut its annual Fourth of July parade route. Many communities in Colorado, like Durango and Vail, have canceled their fireworks displays due to the risk of wildfires. And it's not clear yet what's going to happen in Washington, DC, where President Trump has, of course, been emphasizing this 250th anniversary.

Windsor Johnston· Host0:53

That's NPR's Anastacia Lucas reporting. Forecasters say heat index values could climb as high as 115 degrees in some areas. The hot weather is also driving up demand for electricity, putting added strain on the nation's power grid. The war in Iran has caused a number of products around the globe to increase in price, including fertilizer. NPR's Joe Hernandez reports experts say US farmers, not consumers, will pay the additional costs.

Joe Hernandez1:25

Around one-third of the world's fertilizer shipped by sea passes through the Strait of Hormuz,