US celebrates July Fourth with parades, picnics, fireworks

Americans are celebrating their country's 241st birthday with big-time fireworks, small-town parades and the quirky spectacle of competitive hot dog eating. Tuesday's festivities stretch from a baseball home run derby in London to a picnic at the White House to a Utah ski town where residents initially weren't even sure they'd be home for Independence Day after recent wildfires.

Cruz gets an earful in McAllen for July Fourth

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz , R-Texas, waded into this Democratic stronghold Tuesday to celebrate the Fourth of July -- and predictably got an earful from protesters, many upset with the Senate's efforts to repeal and replace Obamacare. Cruz, who has a knack for confrontation with his political opponents in Washington and far outside it, had to speak over the demonstrators for most of his speech at an Independence Day ceremony, twice pausing to address the commotion.

VP Mike Pence walks in Fourth of July Parade

The airport confirmed to FOX 17 on Monday that representatives for the VP had reached out to them last week, urging them to prepare for a possible arrival on Independence Day. Federal Aviation Administration restrictions to airspace around Ford Airport were put into place recently - VIP restrictions that also ban flights over Grandville during the parade.

TV’s nonpartisan July 4th: fireworks, the US Constitution

This image released by HBO shows President Barack Obama, left, with filmmaker Alexandra Pelosi during the filming of "The Words That Built America," airing on the Fourth of July on HBO. This image released by HBO shows President Donald Trump during the filming of "The Words That Built America," airing on the Fourth of July on HBO.

Despite police findings, Muslim students still see bias in death of Muslim girl

Despite a contrary finding by local law enforcement, the UC-Berkeley Muslim Student Association held a vigil last Tuesday for a Muslim teenaged girl was killed on June 18 in what they regard as a "hate crime." In Virginia, Nabra Hassanen and other young Muslims were returning home on June 18 from their mosque after a pre-dawn breakfast during Ramadan when they were confronted by Darwin Martinez Torres , an illegal immigrant from Honduras.

Donald Trump ends decades-long White House tradition of celebrating Ramadan with iftar dinner

Donald Trump's government has not held an iftar dinner for the end of Ramadan, breaking a Muslim tradition held at the White House for more than two centuries. Donald Trump's government has not held an iftar dinner for the end of Ramadan, breaking a Muslim tradition held at the White House for more than two centuries.

Jay Z Writes Bail Bond Industry Article For Time

After getting inducted into the Songwriter's Hall of Fame, thanking the entire rap game on Twitter and getting a shout out from former President Barack Obama, JAY Z decided to give his two cents on the justice reform and bail bond industry before Father's Day takes place. In an op-ed written for TIME magazine, Jigga speaks on an issue that affects many minority households because of unwarranted charges and arrests.

Congress back to work while Trump overseas: Budget, Russia

In fact, the nation's legislative branch is still trying to get some work done. Both chambers will be back in session on Monday, and it will be interesting to see if President Donald Trump's long overseas trip will lower the daily drama in Washington or if his international events will lead to more controversies that lawmakers will wake up to each day and have to react.

Congressional panels pledge thorough probe into Comey firing

Members of key congressional committees pledged today to proceed with aggressive investigations into Russia's meddling into the U.S. election and any ties with the Trump campaign, saying the American people need a full airing as to why former FBI director James Comey was ousted. Comey was fired by President Donald Trump earlier this month.

Ex-FBI chief Comey to testify to Senate panel in public session

In an Oval Office meeting with senior Russian officials last week, Trump called Comey a "nut job" and said firing the intelligence chief had relieved "great pressure" on him, The New York Times reported . Earlier this week, revelations that Comey kept memos detailing his conversations with Trump, including one in which the president apparently pressed his former Federal Bureau of Investigation director to drop the inquiry into former national security adviser Michael Flynn, roiled Washington .

Iran’s reformist ex-president Khatami says re-elect Rouhani

The family of a 48-year-old mom of five children is in mourning this Mother's Day weekend, after her slaying at the Ohio nursing home where she was a nurse's aide. The family of a 48-year-old mom of five children is in mourning this Mother's Day weekend, after her slaying at the Ohio nursing home where she was a nurse's aide.