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Episode Date: July 3, 2026

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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston. Millions of Americans are getting ready to celebrate the nation's 250th birthday with parades, concerts and fireworks across the country this weekend. But as NPR's Anastasius Lucas reports, record-breaking heat is forcing some cities to modify their plans. Some places have already decided to cancel or cut back on their festivities. The city of Philadelphia, which of course is central to our independence, story has already decided to substantially cut its annual 4th of July parade route. Many communities in Colorado, like Durango and Vale, have canceled their fireworks displays due to the risk of

wildfires. And it's not clear yet what's going to happen in Washington, D.C., where President Trump has, of course, been emphasizing this 250th anniversary. That's NPR's on Estacio's Lucas reporting. Forecasters say heat index values could climb as high as 150,000. 15 degrees in some areas. The hot weather is also driving up demand for electricity, putting added strain on the nation's power grid. The war in Iran has caused a number of products around the globe to increase in price, including fertilizer. NPR's Joe Hernandez reports, experts say U.S. farmers, not consumers, will pay the additional costs. Around one third of the world's fertilizer shipped by sea passes through the Strait of Hormuz,

which became a choke point during the war. For U.S. farmers, that's meant higher fertilizer prices due to an overall shrinkage of the global fertilizer market. But food systems experts say those costs are unlikely to hike prices at the grocery store. Fertilizer is just one part of a farmer's budget, and growers are typically unable to increase crop prices in response to rising operating costs. Some fertilizer prices have come down recently, but experts say it could take weeks or even months before the sector returns

to normal. Joe Hernandez, NPR News. Spotify says it's removed more than a half a million streams that sent a song surging on music charts. The music platform suggests the streams were purchased as part of a prediction market. NPR's Bobby Allen reports. The song Earings by Malcolm Todd shot to the top of charts over a 24-hour period on Spotify. Meanwhile, on the prediction market site, Kalshi, betters were placing wagers over what song would be number one, and those who bet on Todd received a payout. But after Spotify looked into the streams, it determined that automated bots, which can be purchased, appear to have contributed to hundreds of thousands of streams. Spotify has deleted the streams and adjusted its rankings. It's the latest instance of

suspected market manipulation on fast-growing prediction markets, where people can bet on elections, war, and White House policy. Critics have called for tighter regulation, but the Trump administration has embraced the industry. Bobby Allen, NPR News. This is NPR News. in Washington. Telecats of the World Cup are drawing record numbers of U.S. viewers for Fox Sports. NPR's Mandelit Del Barco reports that 48% are watching Telemundo's Spanish language coverage. NBC Universal says no matter what language they speak, fans are tuning in to Telemundo's telecast, streaming it on Peacock and viewing its social media coverage of the Copa Mundial, as it's known in Spanish.

Miguel Lorenzo is a senior vice president at Telemundo Deportes. Half of the country of the United States is watching the World Cup in Spanish on Telemundo, but we also know that only 20% of the U.S. population is Hispanic. Last night as the U.S. men's national soccer team knocked out Bosnia-Herzegovina's team 2-0, Gisal Rojas, and her mother, Gracia la Reyes, cheered along with Telemundo's famous announcer, Andres Cantor. Yeah, that's a best part for everybody. I think it's more fun to watch in Spanish?

A million percent. We like the excitement. Mandolid del Barco, NPR News, Los Angeles. Mandatory evacuation orders are in place as a wildfire in southern Colorado keeps growing in size. The blaze has burned nearly 48,000 acres and damaged or destroyed more than 150 structures. It's the largest fire burning in the state and is zero percent contained. Fire crews say dry vegetation, low humidity, and strong winds are fueling the flames.

Crews are also battling a number of other large wildfires across the west as hot-dry conditions continue. I'm Windsor Johnston, NPR News, in Washington.