Here are a few Fourth of July stories we’re tracking as we head into the holiday weekend.
1. Seven people were reported missing after a huge explosion at a fireworks warehouse in California Tuesday night. Several cities had to cancel or postpone their Fourth of July displays, because their fireworks were stored there. If you haven’t seen it, the footage of the explosion is insane.
One of several HUGE explosions LiveCopter 3 captured for us LIVE on @kcra.
This is at a fireworks facility in the Esparto area.
Three days before the 4th…this place was packed with explosives.
People are evacuated from nearby homes. Our crews are keeping their distance. pic.twitter.com/YhbdNgcXLI
— Heather Waldman (@KCRAHeather) July 2, 2025
2. A record 72.2 million people are expected to travel at least 50 miles from home this weekend. Triple-A says the worst time to be on the road today is between 2:00 and 6:00 P.M. But Wednesday was the worst day to travel. (If you left yesterday, you’re probably STILL stuck in traffic.)
3. Burgers topped the list in a new poll on our favorite foods to grill. Our top picks are burgers, steaks, and hot dogs.
4. Meanwhile, a study found there’s “no safe amount” of processed meat. A hot dog on the Fourth probably won’t kill you unless you choke on it. But even eating small amounts of processed meat on a regular basis can cause health issues.
5. “USA Today” did a video on how to keep pets safe and calm on the Fourth. For anxious dogs and cats, it’s the WORST day of the year.
6. A station in Houston did a story on how spaghetti can help keep your pet calm. (???) A veterinarian said getting them used to popping sounds can help. And if they’re REALLY touchy about it, you can start by snapping a bunch of dry spaghetti to simulate sudden pops. Then work your way up to bubble wrap.
7. “USA Today” also did a story on the town of Bristol, Rhode Island, because it’s been celebrating the Fourth of July longer than anyone else, since 1785.
8. “Good Morning America” did a segment on Fourth of July safety tips. When you factor in fireworks, pools, car crashes, and grilling mishaps, it’s one of the most dangerous days of the year. So have fun, but be careful out there.
9. And finally: 86% of Americans will celebrate the Fourth of July in one way or another, according to the National Retail Federation. That’s pretty much in line with the past two years, when 87% said they were celebrating. The lowest ever was 76% in 2020 because of the pandemic.
