A HEAT WAVE has hit the MIdwest, South and Northeast (Shutterstock),

What’s being termed a “dangerous heat wave” is scorching the Midwest, South and Northeast and is considered likely to last through the Independence Day weekend.

According to the National Weather Service, over 165 million people in the Midwest and East are at risk of “major or extreme health-related issues” with triple digit highs during the day, falling to the mid-80s at night in some areas.

Temperatures in New York City’s Central Park hit 100 degrees in the afternoon on Friday. High temperatures in certain cities included Boston at 97, Nashville (98), Washington, D.C. (104) and Cincinnati (98).

The South, where hot summers are not uncommon, is forecast to be experiencing scorching temperatures from Dallas (100) to Orlando (90), with Raleigh at 102 and New Orleans the coolest at 92.

Travis loves Taylor in NYC

It’s hot in New York City. but the “hottest” ticket in the Big Apple is the wedding of football star Travis Kelce and superstar singer-songwriter Taylor Swift.

The event, to be held in Madison Square Garden on Friday evening, is taking place with tremendous security and secrecy.

According to CNN, the crowds and traffic generated by the ceremony and the events surrounding it have led to streets being shut down and traffic jams ensuing all the way to New Jersey.

Among the guests, the Los Angeles Rams will be represented by quarterback Matthew Stafford, who was the NFL Most Valuable Player for the 2025 season.

Death toll rises in Ukraine

The number of people killed in Russian attacks on the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv has been raised to “at least 30 people,” according to the State Emergency Service on Friday.

RUSSIA VS. UKRAINE (Shutterstock).

President Volodymr Zelensky commented on social media that “First responders have already managed to clear a significant part of the rubble, but 10 people are still missing,” he wrote. “The search operation will continue as long as needed.”

United Press International is reporting that Russia launched an aerial attack of ballistic missiles and drones against Ukraine. About 25 ballistic missiles and 12 drones got past Ukrainian air defenses, says the government.

These attacks represent a flare-up of the long-stalled war between the two nations that began with a Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Weather: Living in the Eighties

Not nearly as hot as is is back East, but the Independence Day weekend will be warm here in West Orange County. The forecast for Saturday calls for a daytime high of 82 with an overnight low of 68 with mostly cloudy skies. Sunday will be similar at 83 (64) and mostly sunny. Monday will also be familiar at 83 (64) and partly cloudy. Tuesday’s daytime high inches up to 84 (64) and also partly cloudy.

Great Thoughts (patriotism)

“The life of the nation is secure only while the nation is honest, truthful, and virtuous.” – Abraham Lincoln

“Patriotism means to stand by the country. It does not mean to stand by the president or any other public official, save exactly to the degree in which he himself stands by the country.” – Theodore Roosevelt