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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Jeanine Herbst. Fourth of July celebrations are getting underway in cities and towns across the country today, but a dangerous heat wave is forcing schedule changes, prompting some cancellations and raising concerns about heat related illnesses. NPR's Brian Mann has more.
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For a lot of Americans, like 8 year old Logan Longsworth from New Jersey, this holiday is just about having fun.
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How I'm going to be Celebrating the 4th of July is I'm going to light some firecrackers and stuff like that. And we also saw the Statue of Liberty.
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But people in much of the country are facing dangerous heat. An Independence Day parade scheduled for today in Washington, D.C. was canceled. Many events have been rescheduled to start later to avoid the hottest part of the day. February fireworks have been banned in parts of the country because of high wildfire risk. Officials are warning the public to take lots of precautions. Limit your time outdoors, bring water and stay in the shade whenever you can. Brian Mann, NPR News, New York.
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As the west faces hot and dry conditions, many large wildfires are burning uncontrolled across Colorado, including one outside of Pueblo that's destroyed more than 150 structures. Meanwhile, Grand Junction hosts a public memorial tomorrow for three wildland firefighters killed last week. Colorado Public Radio's Dina Sig has more.
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Emily Barker, Nick Hutcherson and Sydney Watson will be remembered in an outdoor public memorial under skies still smoky from wildfires burning across the region. Governor Jared Polis has ordered flags to be flown at half staff. The firefighters died near the Utah border after deploying their fire shelters while fighting what would eventually be known as the Snyder Fire, a blaze that crews have now almost completely contained. Several other large wildfires are burning within a few hours of where they died, including one that's forced evacuations outside the mountain town of Ouray. For NPR News, I'm Stena Sieg in Grand Junction, Colorado.
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In Venezuela, hospitals are overwhelmed in the aftermath of twin deadly earthquakes that struck the country more than a week ago, killing more than 2,000 and injuring thousands of others. Survivors are still living in tents where dehydration and respiratory illnesses are a major concern. NPR's Duri Biskarin.
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least three hospitals were destroyed in the earthquakes, and according to the World Health Organization, another six are only partially functional. Many health workers lost their lives. Dr. Li G. Gordon is an OB GYN for Project Hope, a medical nonprofit. Gordon and her team have set up a mobile clinic at a shelter offering primary care, especially ultrasounds, for pregnant women who survived the earthquakes with minor injuries and are now staying in tents. Dari Busgarin, NPR News.
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You're listening to NPR News from Washington. A month after Peru's presidential runoff election, Keiko Fujimori has officially been declared president elect, winning by a slim margin. Simeon Tegel has more.
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Her victory has triggered fears that Peru could slide back into dictatorship. Fukimori is the daughter of 1990s strongman Alberto Fukimori, whose presidency collapsed in 2000amid accusations of vote rigging, human rights abuses and corruption. She has sought to assuage those concerns by talking about the need for dialogue and national reconciliation.
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Simeon Tegel reporting from Lima, Peru. The World Health Organization is declaring the hantavirus outbreak officially over. NPR's Jonathan Lambert reports. The final contact of a person exposed to the virus on a cruise ship has completed their quarantine.
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The outbreak was first reported in early May, when passengers aboard the MV Hondias cruise ship tested positive for hantavirus. The disease can be deadly. Typically, humans get the virus through exposure to rodent urine, feces or saliva. But the outbreak on the cruise ship sparked concern that it might be spreading more readily through the air from person to person. Ultimately, only 13 cases were confirmed, three of whom died. But the WHO said over 30 countries and territories responded to the outbreak, tracing more than 650 possible contacts who might have been exposed to the virus. Now the last of those contacts has tested negative after quarantine, leading the WHO to close the book on the outbreak. Jonathan Lambert, NPR News.
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And I'm Jeanine Herbst, NPR News, in Washington.
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Host: Jeanine Herbst
Date: July 4, 2026
Duration: 5 minutes
This NPR News Now episode delivers concise updates on major national and international developments as of noon on July 4th, 2026. Dominant themes include Fourth of July celebrations overshadowed by extreme weather, wildfire activity in the American West, disaster aftermath in Venezuela, political shifts in Peru, and global health news regarding a recent hantavirus outbreak.
Timestamps: 00:18 – 01:16
Summary:
Across the U.S., Independence Day festivities are underway, but an intense heat wave is causing last-minute changes, cancellations, and concerns about health risks.
Notable Moment:
"How I'm going to be Celebrating the 4th of July is I'm going to light some firecrackers and stuff like that. And we also saw the Statue of Liberty."
(00:43)
Timestamps: 01:16 – 02:18
Summary:
Colorado faces significant wildfire danger, with several large fires burning out of control. A memorial is planned for three firefighters who perished battling the Snyder Fire near the Utah border.
Notable Details:
"Emily Barker, Nick Hutcherson and Sydney Watson will be remembered in an outdoor public memorial under skies still smoky from wildfires burning across the region."
(01:37)
Timestamps: 02:18 – 03:14
Summary:
Venezuela struggles with the aftermath of two deadly earthquakes:
Notable Quote:
Timestamps: 03:14 – 03:53
Summary:
Keiko Fujimori is officially declared president-elect after a narrow win in the presidential runoff.
Notable Quote:
"Her victory has triggered fears that Peru could slide back into dictatorship. Fukimori is the daughter of 1990s strongman Alberto Fukimori, whose presidency collapsed in 2000 amid accusations of vote rigging, human rights abuses and corruption."
(03:30)
Timestamps: 03:53 – 04:54
Summary:
The World Health Organization officially ends the hantavirus outbreak that started on the MV Hondias cruise ship in May 2026.
Notable Quote:
“But the outbreak on the cruise ship sparked concern that it might be spreading more readily through the air from person to person. Ultimately, only 13 cases were confirmed, three of whom died.”
(04:10)
Logan Longsworth (8, on July 4th plans):
"Light some firecrackers... saw the Statue of Liberty." (00:43)
Stena Sieg (on firefighter memorial):
"...remembered in an outdoor public memorial under skies still smoky from wildfires..." (01:37)
Simeon Tegel (on Fujimori's election):
"...triggered fears that Peru could slide back into dictatorship..." (03:30)
Jonathan Lambert (on hantavirus response):
"Over 30 countries and territories responded to the outbreak, tracing more than 650 possible contacts..." (04:10)
The episode maintains NPR’s trademark concise, factual, and empathetic reporting style, balancing urgent headlines with the personal voices of those affected. Community impact and human stories—such as an 8-year-old’s excitement for fireworks or the tribute to fallen firefighters—add warmth without sidelining urgent facts.
Useful for:
Anyone seeking a complete, quick snapshot of global and U.S. news events for July 4th, 2026.