Fourth of July

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Mark Zuckerberg Pulls Off Another Fourth of July Stunt

Meta CEO got all dressed up for his latest video showing his Independence Day antics in Tahoe

(Newser) - Three summers ago, Mark Zuckerberg entertained (and completely annoyed) the masses with a "full-cringe" Fourth of July video that showed him riding an electric hydrofoil surfboard, American flag in hand. This year he's back with similar antics, albeit a slightly fancier version. Per Fox Business , the Meta CEO...

'Vast Majority' of California Evacuees Allowed Home

Crews are continuing to battle Thompson Fire near Oroville

(Newser) - Thousands of people evacuated during a Northern California wildfire were allowed to return home Thursday afternoon as crews continued battling flames amid scorching heat, officials said. Containment of the Thompson Fire near the city of Oroville in Butte County also increased to 29% from 7%, the AP reports. The "...

Truck Plows Into NYC July 4 Party, Killing 3

Driver in Manhattan tragedy was allegedly drunk, speeding

(Newser) - A Fourth of July celebration turned tragic in New York City on Thursday night when a pickup truck plowed into a group of people celebrating at a Manhattan park. The Ford F-150 ran a stop sign, jumped the sidewalk, went through a fence, and ended up in Corlears Hook Park...

Here Are America's 10 Most Patriotic States

Virginia is No. 1, according to WalletHub

(Newser) - If a new ranking is correct, Thursday—the Fourth of July—is a particularly big day for Virginians. A new ranking by WalletHub labels the state as the most patriotic in the nation. The site had to get creative to suss out the rankings: Among the factors were the percentage...

Farm Bureau Calculates Cost of 2024 July Fourth Cookout

This year, it's a record-high $71.22

(Newser) - The American Farm Bureau is out with its annual cost calculation of a Fourth of July cookout, and the 2024 figure is the highest one yet. The AFB looks at how much it would cost to feed a gathering of 10 people with the following: cheeseburgers, chicken breasts, pork chops,...

Sunday May Be the Busiest Air Travel Day Ever in the US

TSA expects to screen 3M passengers as part of the holiday weekend

(Newser) - The Fourth of July holiday will be a busy one for travelers, per the AP :
  • By air: Federal officials expect air-travel records to fall as Americans turn the timing of July Fourth on a Thursday into a four-day—or longer—holiday weekend. The TSA predicts that its officers will screen
...

Why Some Cities Have Ditched Traditional Fireworks

Drones don't leave a haze of smoke behind or increase wildfire risks

(Newser) - Cities including Boulder, Colorado and Salt Lake City, Utah have ditched traditional fireworks for the first time this year in favor of Fourth of July drone light shows, which advocates say are less polluting, safer—and don't stress out every dog in town. Rick Boss, the president of Sky...

At Hot Dog Eating Contest, They Were Their Own Biggest Rivals

Miki Sudo, Joey Chestnut defended titles at Nathan's but failed to beat personal bests

(Newser) - Defending champion Miki Sudo forced down 39 1/2 hot dogs and buns to claim a ninth women's title in Nathan's Famous Fourth of July hot dog eating contest, before stormy weather moved in and delayed the men's competition. Sudo beat Mayoi Ebihara's 33 1/2 hot dogs...

One Dead, 9 Injured in Fireworks Blast

It's not yet clear if explosion in western Michigan was part of organized Fourth of July event

(Newser) - A fireworks explosion in western Michigan killed one woman and left nine other people with injuries ranging from critical to minor, the Ottawa County Sheriff's Department said. The explosion happened Monday, but a news release from the department didn't say whether it occurred during an organized July Fourth...

This Is the Most Patriotic State in America

Virginia is for lovers (of the US), per WalletHub, while Arkansas needs to muster up more affection

(Newser) - It's the biggest holiday of the American summer, and flags are waving. As Americans light their grills and prepare to watch the Fourth's fireworks, WalletHub susses out which states are the most patriotic. To figure out where citizens are most likely to be decked out in their red,...

Silly String? Forest Service's Idea for Fourth Doesn't Land

Environmental groups question the alternative to fireworks, but like the bigger message

(Newser) - Smokey Bear's admonition that "Only you can prevent wildfires" remains, in a time of drought, as important to remember as ever. But it's equally true that only you can prevent forests from being covered with Silly String. US Forest Service managers in the drought-stricken Southwest are urging...

Richmond Police: 'Hero Citizen' Thwarted July 4 Shooting Plot

The intended target was reportedly the Dogwood Dell

(Newser) - Updated with more details on the alleged plot. Police in Richmond, Va., on Wednesday said a mass shooting was planned for their city on July 4, but that they fielded a tip that allowed them to thwart the plot. In an afternoon press conference, Police Chief Gerald Smith said a...

The City of Orlando's July 4 Message Didn't Land Well

It's now apologizing for message acknowledging some might not feel like celebrating the holiday

(Newser) - Orlando's Independence Day message was seemingly an attempt to commiserate with those unhappy and stressed over recent events in the news, but all it did was create a backlash that extended all the way to the Florida governor's office. The city newsletter that went out on Friday acknowledged...

He Was Hesitant About Going to Parade, Ended Up Dead

6 people were killed in the Highland Park shooting

(Newser) - Updated with the identity of a second victim. Details about the six people killed at a July 4 parade in the Chicago suburb of Highland Park are beginning to emerge. Nicolas Toledo, 76, was among those killed, and the New York Times reports his family said he didn't want...

At Least 6 Killed, 24 Hurt in Parade Mass Shooting

Witnesses describe terror, chaos at Highland Park Fourth of July parade

(Newser) - This story has been updated with new developments. Police in the Chicago suburb of Highland Park say at least six people were killed and 24 injured in a mass shooting at a Fourth of July parade Monday morning. Witnesses said hundreds of people fled in panic when shooting erupted 10...

A Busy Travel Weekend Kicks Into Gear

TSA says business is booming again at US airports for the July 4 holiday

(Newser) - The July Fourth holiday weekend is off to a booming start, with airport crowds crushing the numbers seen in 2019, before the pandemic. Travelers seemed to be experiencing fewer delays and canceled flights than they did earlier this week. The Transportation Security Administration screened more than 2.4 million travelers...

Across US, Giant 'Lite-Brite' in Sky to Replace July 4 Fireworks

Drones increasingly being used in lieu of traditional July 4 pyrotechnics due to fire, noise concerns

(Newser) - Goodbye, fireworks finales; hello ... drone formations? That's what multiple cities across the US may be seeing this July Fourth weekend, with traditional pyrotechnics shows replaced with drone light extravaganzas—especially in the Southwest, where just one spark on the drought-affected landscape can set off an inferno. Axios reports this...

Rising Actor, 23, Dies on Fourth of July

Daniel Mickelson's cause of death is unclear

(Newser) - While much of the country was celebrating Fourth of July, others were mourning a rising Hollywood actor, who died tragically at age 23. Daniel Mickelson, who was featured in the 2019 independent horror movie The Killer Clown Meets the Candy Man and appeared in several episodes of Brat TV's...

Mark Zuckerberg's July 4 Post Was ... Interesting

Facebook CEO's somewhat bizarre Instagram video intrigued the internet

(Newser) - Amid a sea of July 4 social media posts, Mark Zuckerberg's stood out. The Facebook CEO posted an Independence Day greeting Sunday on Instagram , and while his caption was simple and straightforward—"Happy July 4th!"—the video he put up alongside it has reached "meme-worthy"...

July 4 Goal on Vaccinations Won't Happen

Young people especially are bringing the national rates down

(Newser) - Vaccination reality has not kept up with President Biden's hopes for giving at least one dose to 70% of adults by July 4, so there will be a new goal. The target to be announced Tuesday will be at least one dose of coronavirus vaccine administered to 70% of...

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