On the eve of America's 250th birthday, NPR's Michel Martin asks House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York about the Democratic Party's midterm future.

When the United States bought Alaska from Russia in 1867, it took ownership of the Pribilof islands, home to the Russian-American Company's commercial fur-seal enterprise — and to the Unangax^ people who were forced to harvest the seals as "wards of the state." Indigenous residents continued to live under government supervision until 1983, when Congress finally transferred local control of the Pribilof Islands to the Unangax^ people themselves. From Theo Greenly of Alaska Public

The heat dome encasing much of the eastern U.S. is reviving concerns about protecting workers from the heat. Many states have laws in place but some, including Florida, have rolled them back.

A father who lost his 18-year-old daughter in the flooding at Texas' Camp Mystic now advocates for greater protections at other camps for young people.

If you're looking to stay in this holiday weekend, NPR has a list of unsung TV shows worth watching, including a spy thriller, a British comedy and a therapy reality show.

Cape Verde surprised everyone by playing in its first-ever World Cup - and then advancing to the knockout round. On Friday, they're rewarded with a matchup against Argentina, the defending champion.

Bristol, Rhode Island, claims to have the nation's longest continuous celebration of July 4th. A nearly year-round effort gets Bristol ready for its big day.

Tomorrow, the United States of America celebrates its 250th anniversary. The planning of events has been marked by the cancellation of long scheduled programs.

Millions are suffering through extreme heat, and nights don't bring much relief. NPR's Michel Martin speaks with Ashley Ward, director of Duke University's Heat Policy Innovation Hub.

The designer of today's American flag remembers the day he created it for a student project.