NPR News: 07-04-2026 3AM EDT

The heat wave that smothered much of the Eastern United States this week is easing, but only slightly. Many cities opened cooling centers and offered water to people without access to air conditioning, and many outdoor events were rescheduled or delayed. In Kansas City, it was 88 degrees when the game kicked off, with a heat index of 96. In the nation's capital, the Great American State Fair shut down early on Friday because it was simply too hot on the National Mall downtown, reopening Friday night. President Trump will ring in the 250th anniversary of the U.S. on the mall on Saturday.

The Great American State Fair: Mixed Reviews

The Great American State Fair, held on the National Mall to celebrate the 250th anniversary, is getting mixed reviews, according to NPR's Frank Langford. Many Trump supporters liked the event. Joan Gleeber, who flew in from California, enjoyed the exhibits from different states, saying, "It's a privilege to live in this country and then to be able to celebrate it in such a great way." Others see the fair as an extension of Trump. There is a tent promoting Trump investment accounts and a faith and family pavilion filled with conservative Christian groups. Robert Chase, who teaches history at Stonebrook University, said, "I think Donald Trump has tried to associate himself at this event and to associate dislike with him with dissent and unpatrioti