A fireworks shortage, a heat wave and Trump's Ohio rally: 5 things to know this weekend

Editors
·3 min read

Seattle, Portland brace for 100-degree heat

The normally mild Pacific Northwest faces a potentially record-breaking heat wave this weekend. Temperatures will near or surpass 100 degrees in cities such as Portland and Seattle. That's hotter than in Miami, where highs in the upper 80s are expected. "More than one hundred record high temperatures are forecast this weekend through Thursday," the National Weather Service tweeted. The heat will also add to drought and wildfire threats.

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Trump heads to Ohio for a rally

Former President Donald Trump heads to Ohio on Saturday for his first campaign-style rally since leaving the White House, an event that could signal how engaged he will be in next year’s congressional elections and possibly offer clues about whether he plans another presidential bid in 2024. Trump's event will mark his return to the kind of mass rallies that fueled his White House campaigns. Since he left office in January, Trump’s public appearances have been limited. Save America said Trump’s Ohio rally will be the first of many appearances in support of candidates and causes he supports.

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Southwest Airlines cancels flights

Citing “expected storms and probable air traffic control initiatives,” Southwest Airlines has canceled nearly 300 weekend flights and delayed more than 1,000 others. It’s the continuation of a rough month for the nation's largest domestic carrier and its passengers. The disruptions come a week after Southwest canceled or delayed hundreds of flights due to two separate technology issues, and a week after American Airlines struggled with operational woes during the busy Father's Day travel weekend.

What to watch in the frantic final weekend of the US Olympic track and field trials

The U.S. Olympic track and field trials will wrap up at Hayward Field at the University of Oregon this weekend with what promises to be an exciting stretch of finals. It will feature some of the sport's brightest stars and several marquee events. All told, there will be 17 finals on Saturday and Sunday, with more than 50 spots on Team USA's roster for the 2021 Tokyo Olympics up for grabs. If there's only one event you're going to watch, make it the showdown between reigning Olympic gold medalist and world champ Dalilah Muhammad and 21-year-old wunderkind Sydney McLaughlin in the 400-meter hurdles.

Could a fireworks shortage affect July 4th celebrations?

Phantom Fireworks, the nation's largest consumer-based retail fireworks company, is urging customers to shop early as the industry faces a potential shortage for the second year in a row. Last year, personal fireworks sales surged to record highs nationally. Many communities canceled or postponed public fireworks displays at the height of the pandemic, and sporting events and amusement parks weren't filling the void. Many public fireworks displays are returning next weekend for Independence Day, but families are still celebrating at home. But Phantom says supply chains face slower turnaround times due to lagging global shipments.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Fireworks shortage, heat wave and Trump's Ohio rally: 5 things to know this weekend