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US News

Thursday, July 2, 2026

• House Democrats accuse Trump of 'hijacking' America's 250th birthday for his own gain
  A 55-page report from House Democrats accuses Freedom 250 of America's birthday celebrations for profit, using questionable fundraising methods. Watchdog groups had already sounded alarms.
  
• America 250: What's the vibe?
  As America prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary, are people excited and proud to celebrate? And how does it compare to the last major anniversary, the bicentennial in 1976?
  
• The effort to get benefits to American civilians exposed to toxic burn pits
  A burn pit law from Congress left out thousands of American civilians working for the government who were exposed to the same toxins. Now there's an effort to change that.
  
• Photos: Fans gather in the Bay Area for the World Cup match between the U.S. and Bosnia-Herzegovina
  World Cup watch parties in Santa Clara and the San Francisco Bay Area brought fans together for the United States vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina match, where the U.S. earned a 2-0 win to reach the Round of 16.
  
• The days are hot, but so are the nights. That's a problem, experts say
  As much of the Eastern U.S. experiences potentially record-breaking daytime temperatures, the nights are also staying unusually warm, leaving the human body no time to recover.
  
• Former ethics lawyer says Trump's crypto poses 'clear conflict of interest'
  Former White House ethics lawyer Richard Painter says President Trump "stands alone" in having substantial financial conflicts of interest and that, "for every other executive branch official, it would be a violation."
  
• New York City to hold multiple celebrations during scorching Fourth of July weekend
  Fireworks, tall ships, a hotdog eating contest. New York City will host it all, as temperatures near 100 degrees this Fourth of July weekend.
  
• Federal civil rights data holds schools accountable. Under Trump, it's 6 months late
  The Education Department has long collected civil rights data about things like bullying, harassment and disability services in schools, but it hasn't made the latest information public.
  
• Morning news brief
  Trump and his family took in over $1 billion in crypto earnings last year, Democratic Socialists pose challenge for Democratic party, U.S. defeats Bosnia-Herzegovina in World Cup knockout round.
  
• Presidential library honoring Theodore Roosevelt opens in North Dakota
  President Trump visited the nation's newest presidential library in North Dakota on Wednesday. It honors the legacy of Theodore Roosevelt. NPR received a tour of the new facility last week.