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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.
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Ruth, 11, gets cold water poured on her head to cool off at the Great American State Fair on the National Mall, Thursday, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
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Finding freedom from the heat on July 4th will be a challenge in eastern US
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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.
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- 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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Trump Accounts launching, giving newborns $1,000
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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.
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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.
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Employers still reluctant to add many jobs as hiring slows in June
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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.
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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.
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Three dressed mini hot dogs at Hot Dog Ranch in Pittsfield, Mass., June. (Katie Workman via AP)
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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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That’s all from me today, thanks for reading. I’d love to hear your thoughts. You can invite a friend to subscribe here. For news in real time visit APNews.com. - Nadja
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