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Welcome back. A heat wave is here as Fourth of July celebrations begin. Also in the news today: What to know about the Trump Accounts for children launching on July 4; and a jobs report shows hiring in the U.S. slowed down sharply. Plus, the history and many variations of the iconic American hot dog, and new details revealed about Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s wedding.
Ruth, 11, from Burke, Va., gets cold water poured on her head to cool off at the Great American State Fair on the National Mall, Thursday, July 2, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Finding freedom from the heat on July 4th will be a challenge in eastern US
Dangerous, record-breaking heat will continue across much of the central and eastern U.S. through Friday and will continue along the East Coast through the weekend, the National Weather Service said Thursday. Read more.
What to know:
- Temperatures in the high 90s were forecast for the Northeast; New York and Boston both hit 100 degrees Thursday. Humidity is expected to make it feel even hotter. Some communities have canceled, postponed or otherwise changed their Independence Day plans.
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Heat adds to strains on areas with data centers, raising the temperature on AI debates
Eastern heat threatens World Cup players and fans
Trump Accounts launching, giving newborns $1,000
Under the program, parents can open special investment accounts for any child born during Trump’s second term and automatically receive $1,000 from the government. Read more.
What to know:
- That money is invested in the stock market by private firms. Children can’t access the money until they turn 18, and then only for specific purposes, like paying for a home or school. Parents can contribute up to $2,500 annually in pretax income, much like they do for retirement accounts.
- Critics point out that the accounts do little to help children in their early years, when they’re most vulnerable and most likely to be in poverty. And even with government contributions, critics say the Trump Accounts will widen the wealth gap. Affluent families that can afford to make the maximum pretax contribution to the accounts will realize the greatest benefits.
Related coverage →
Supreme Court declines to halt $800-a-day fine for ex-Fox News reporter refusing to divulge sources
Trump administration proposes a rule it says could save Medicare patients $1.1 billion on drugs
New Jersey is set to charge companies with workers on Medicaid. Other states may follow
Former Olympian indicted on felony charge over alleged Reflecting Pool vandalism
Trump and Republicans return to communist attacks against Democrats ahead of the midterm elections
FACT FOCUS: Experts say Trump’s claims linking Democrats to communism are inaccurate
Trump got the Senate candidates he wanted. How much will he spend to help them?
Trump’s ties to Erdogan sold him on this year’s NATO summit. Turkey may win big in other ways
Democratic governors press US Postal Service to drop plan tied to Trump’s election order
Democrats accuse Trump-linked fundraisers of fraud over diverted donations for America’s anniversary
Trump administration’s $46 billion ‘smart wall’ races ahead on the US-Mexico border
ICE arrests 10,000 in 5 days, a sharp late-June surge in Trump’s deportation push
Judge seeks stronger Trump assurances on plans for DC golf course project
Employers still reluctant to add many jobs as hiring slows in June
U.S. employers slowed hiring last month and added only 57,000 jobs, less than half the previous month’s total. It’s a sign companies still have a cautious economic outlook. Read more.
Why this matters:
- The Labor Department said Thursday that the unemployment rate declined to a low 4.2% from 4.3% in May. However, the drop mostly occurred because many people out of work gave up looking and were no longer counted as unemployed.
- The job market has been stuck in a “low-hire, low-fire” rut in which the employed enjoy some job security with layoffs low, but those out of work are struggling to get hired.
Related coverage →
A grim job outlook meets a scrappy workforce as administrative assistants harness AI
Questions about resume gaps are expected. Here’s how job seekers can address them
Average 30-year US mortgage rate falls to 6.43%, its lowest level in seven weeks
IN OTHER NEWS
Khamenei funeral: Powerful Iranian general appears in public
Bombing: Suspect named in Monaco attack that reportedly targeted tycoon
Plans revealed: Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s wedding schedule
Viral 1-ton seal: Australian officials ask fans to respect animal’s privacy
Quiz: How much do you know about the Fourth of July?
Now Streaming: ‘Enola Holmes 3’ and Madonna
Today in History: In 1863, Union troops won the Battle of Gettysburg
WATCH
New York: French aerobatic team performs flyover for 250th anniversary of US
Philadelphia: Drone show lights up night sky over Independence Hall
Pride: Runners in high heels dash through Madrid for annual event
Three dressed mini hot dogs are displayed at Hot Dog Ranch in Pittsfield, Mass., in June 2026. (Katie Workman via AP)
A Fourth of July journey through America’s hot dog culture
I prefer my hot dog with mustard and onions (caramelized, please, not raw). Chopped up and slathered in curry sauce works too. But frank-ly speaking, my taste seems boring compared to regional variations across the U.S. In the Southwest, the Sonoran dog comes wrapped in bacon. West Virginia serves up “slaw dogs,” which are available “all the way” with a meaty, beanless chili, coleslaw and chopped onions. A Chicago native will expect a pickle, tomato, onion, celery salt and mustard, but never ketchup. We’ve got the history of how the hot dog became an American icon. Prefer something sweet? Check out this Stars and Stripes Pie recipe. And have a lovely holiday weekend.
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