Extreme heat forces program changes as the US stages its 250th anniversary: President Donald Trump will speak at the National Mall and will watch fireworks at Mount Rushmore while large, nationwide displays are planned for July Fourth.Organizers have banned public attendance at the Capitol Fourth rehearsal and Amtrak has canceled Northeast trains; cities from Boston to Gettysburg are adding cooling centers, water stations and expanded medical teams to festival footprints.Competing organizing groups
Freedom 250 and
America250 are running separate events, and polling shows about 40% of adults feel pride and about 30% feel excitement, even as officials prepare contingency cancellations.