Return to Transcripts main page
CNN Live Event/Special
CNN Headlines: Dangerous Heat This Week for a Big Part of the U.S. as Outside Celebrations Start Up for the 4th of July; Little Baby Pulled from a Rubble in Venezuela as Rescuers Hope to Rescue More Lives in the Devastating Quakes that Hit Venezuela; Uber Unveils a New Plan for Background Checks. Aired 5-5:30a ET
Aired June 29, 2026 - 05:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[05:00:00]
BRAD SMITH, ANCHOR, CNN HEADLINE EXPRESS: One hundred degrees or hotter, dangerous heat this week for a big part of the U.S. as outside celebrations start up for the 4th of July. Also --
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
(BABY CRYING)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SMITH: A little baby pulled from the rubble, and it gave rescuers hope as they search for the missing in the devastating quakes in Venezuela. And Uber has a new plan for background checks. We've got the latest on that safety push.
And something you didn't know you needed, a waffle house jersey. And it's the biggest prize for some World Cup fans. If you get your hands on one, let me know. We'll get to that story in a little bit. I'm Brad Smith, good morning to everyone, this is CNN HEADLINE EXPRESS, glad that you're with us.
Let's get this started. Parades, cookouts, sporting events, fireworks and heat. Lots and lots of heat. Forecasters say that millions will see dangerously hot and humid conditions this week as Americans count down to the country's 250th birthday. Hot days and sticky nights mean highs near 100 or more. That will feel even hotter.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GOV. KATHY HOCHUL (D-NY): We are expecting some really, truly extreme heat over the next week. And if you see what's happening elsewhere, this could be potentially deadly. So, I want everybody to be cognizant of this.
Our meteorologists are forecasting dangerous heat starting Tuesday through Friday, with Wednesday and Thursday expected to be the hottest days. In many parts of our state, that will exceed over 100 degrees.
(END VIDEO CLIP) SMITH: Record-setting temperatures are even possible, and not just in
New York, but places like Chicago, Boston, and Washington, too. CNN meteorologist Allison Chinchar breaks down the forecast.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ALLISON CHINCHAR, METEOROLOGIST (on camera): As many European countries finally get a relief from the heat that has been plaguing them for a week, the U.S. is headed in the opposite direction. Here, the temperatures will actually be going back up, especially in the eastern half of the country as we head Monday, Tuesday, and especially Wednesday, Thursday and Friday for places like the northeast and the Mid-Atlantic.
That's when they're going to see those temperatures really peaking. We take a look at the map here again, Chicago, for example, the average this time of year is 84 degrees. They will spend the next three days in the 90s.
Same thing for St. Louis getting awfully close to triple-digits here. Washington D.C., New York and Boston also going to start to see their temperatures jumping rapidly in the coming days. Take D.C. for example, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday.
All three of those days into the triple digits with Saturday maybe, possibly also hitting those triple digits. The key thing here is that a lot of folks are headed to Washington D.C. for July 4th celebrations. They're going to be dealing with those temperatures about 10 to 15 degrees above where they normally would be.
And even other cities like New York, for example, also looking at temperatures reaching triple digits for Thursday and Friday. And while we do see the temperatures dropping back in time for July 4th, it's still going to be at least 10 degrees above where they normally would be this time of year.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SMITH: All right, thank you, Allison. Forecasters caution that this week's heatwave is different. Experts urge you to plan ahead before going out, and even after dark, to avoid heat-related illnesses like stroke, heat stroke, scientists say that heat is the deadliest type of weather in the U.S.
Just a devastating story here as three firefighters are dead after being overtaken by a fast-moving wildfire along the Utah-Colorado border. Two others were hospitalized with burn injuries. The blaze has already scorched more than 28,000 acres.
And Colorado's governor has declared a disaster emergency, deploying the National Guard to help. Now, meantime, Utah's largest blaze has exploded to nearly 100,000 acres with 0 percent containment as of last night, with dangerous winds and extreme fire conditions, officials are also restricting 4th of July fireworks across much of Utah. Let's take you now to Kentucky.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
(FLOODS)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SMITH: That's just some of the scenes playing out in Kentucky. That from Madison County. Widespread devastation and dozens of rescues as deadly floods rushed through parts of central Kentucky over the weekend.
[05:05:00]
It was so intense that, get this, about 30 miles south of Lexington, a church got completely knocked over by the flood waters. A nearby family says that they lost everything.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SHANNON WEBB, FLOOD VICTIM: It was very devastating. It was very loud. A lot of glass break in, a lot of -- I mean, of course, wood pop in -- the church. It was very loud when it broke.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SMITH: At least, four people were killed in the storms which overwhelmed communities, wiping out bridges and flooding homes. Kentucky's governor says that conditions are improving, but the damage has been done.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GOV. ANDY BESHEAR (D-KY): It's really about 20 of our 120 counties that were hit, hit hard. Most all those got at least 5 inches of rain in a very short period of time. One got 8 inches of rain in about a six-hour period.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SMITH: The governor notes that this is the 16th weather disaster in Kentucky, that has the state -- have enduring these types of system in just the last six years -- six-and-a-half years actually. The state faces months of repairs to roads and bridges.
Let's take you now to Iran. A senior U.S. official says that the U.S. and Iran will stand down for now, after an exchange of fire near the Strait of Hormuz this weekend. They tell us that the talks are still on track, despite strikes from both sides straining the fragile truce between the two countries.
That official also saying that vessels can move freely in the street. So far, though, there's been no word from Iran. But amid the latest escalation, Iran does say it targeted U.S. military sites in neighboring nations.
According to an American official, those drones and missiles were, quote, "shot down", intercepted or failed to reach their intended targets. Let's turn now to Venezuela. That's where more than 1,400 people have been killed after two earthquakes struck the country last week.
Desperate rescue efforts are underway, with teams digging through the devastation to find any signs of life. CNN's Stefano Pozzebon is there with more.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
STEFANO POZZEBON, CNN CONTRIBUTOR (on camera): We have joined a team of rescue workers from Fairfax County in Virginia. We're in the city of La Guaira, which is one of the most affected by the Venezuelan twin earthquakes.
And right now, these rescue workers have heard two distinct tap-tap when they're trying to communicate with people who are still trapped under the rubble. This used to be several floors. It used to be -- this used to be a several floor building.
But of course, all of those floors are now stacked up. But they do believe that there are still people trapped alive, especially children. They try to communicate with them with sound. And this is why -- this is truly a race against time.
But it's a race against time that is happening in utter silence. Nobody dares to speak. Nobody dares to shout because a sound could mean a life saved. And all of this is also happening as the relatives of the -- of the people trapped inside and other survivors are still here.
And this is, of course, so crucial. Everyone knows that more than 72 hours have passed since the earthquake struck, and that is the golden window, where the vast majority of survivors are located and rescued in these types of situations.
Of course, miracles do happen overnight. For example, an 11-month-old baby was rescued from under the rubble, and this is what's giving people hope. And there were other things that is giving people hope, of course, is the fact that they keep hearing sound from inside. But that clock is ticking, and the window is definitely about to pass.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
(BABY CRYING)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SMITH: And as Stefano was mentioning, officials say American search and rescue teams rescued an infant from beneath the rubble, posting that, quote, "against impossible odds, hope endures." Well, happening today, Alex Murdaugh -- Alec Murdaugh, excuse me.
The former South Carolina attorney accused of killing his wife and son is expected in court today. His attorney has filed several pretrial motions last week, including a request to move the trial. They're also asking for DNA evidence to be reviewed by an independent lab.
This is his first hearing since his murder convictions were overturned on appeal. And Luigi Mangione, the man accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO, Brian Thompson, is also expected in court today. Attorneys are expected to discuss juror questionnaires and jury selection.
The 28-year-old faces charges in both federal and state cases. He has pleaded not guilty. Now, to some scary moments on the runway as a United Airlines pilot says he nearly collided with a drone as he was coming in for a landing in New Jersey.
[05:10:00]
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And we almost hit a drone right there at Gimme United 1513, about 100 feet below us.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Right where you are now.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Exactly.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: OK, and United 1513, did you get a look at it? Do you know the color or any -- how much propellers or anything like that, whatever they're called?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, it was -- it was like a circular shaped, and that was about it. Looked like it was about 3 feet wide.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
SMITH: That's pretty large drone there. The plane landed safely at Newark's airport. Another pilot flying there also reported seeing a drone about 2,000 feet though in the air. FAA says there are about 100 drone sightings a month near U.S. airports.
The agency bans the use of drones in controlled airspaces, or near manned aircraft without permission. And then in Miami, an American Airlines flight headed to Bermuda was about to take off when a business jet entered the same runway.
An airline spokesperson says that the flight received clearance, but stopped the takeoff after the crew saw the other plane. Take a listen to the tense exchange that played out between the business jet pilot and an air traffic controller.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Four Quebec Sierra.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Four Quebec Sierra.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Four Quebec Sierra, you just crossed an active runway. Hold short of runway 8 left.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You just told me to cross the runway, sir.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No, we said Amerijet at 461.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SMITH: A rep for American Airlines says the flight did eventually go to Bermuda, and CNN reached out to the FAA for comment. We've got lots more to come on CNN HEADLINE EXPRESS. The tourists ride on a duck boat. It took a dangerous turn after unfortunately leaving several people injured there.
Details on that later on in the hour. Plus, a weekend of pride celebrations across the country for annual Pride parades, including New York City, where tens of thousands took to the streets. And the July 4th holiday is upon us. What you need to know about the more than 60 million people expected to travel this week.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[05:15:00]
SMITH: A sea of rainbows across the nation this weekend, as cities held big parades to help close out Pride Month. Sunday was the anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall Uprising, which was the catalyst for the modern-day LGBTQ rights movement.
In New York, organizers say roughly 75,000 marchers took part in the parade, and it was a similar scene in San Francisco, that's where organizers expected about 1 million people would show up. This year's theme is "Resistance in Action", which is a response to the Trump administration's policies when it comes to the LGBTQ community.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's all about finding community, it's all about going to where you're wanted, going to where you're accepted, going to where you're loved. Coming to a place like San Francisco or trying to find more outings in events like this is really the place to find people that you really care about, and people that really care about you as well.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SMITH: In Chicago, more than a million people turned out to see that city's 55th annual parade, which featured around 150 floats. Governor J.B. Pritzker was one of the many marchers. Well, sticking with the festivities, if you're traveling for the 4th of July, get ready for a lot of traffic.
AAA estimates more than 72 million people will be on the road this week. So, pack some patience with you. CNN's Jenn Sullivan has the details.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JENN SULLIVAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The one-week countdown to July 4th has begun, and some Americans are already traveling for the big America 250 celebrations this year.
AIXA DIAZ, SPOKESPERSON, AAA: We over the years saw that people really either take off the entire week, or they'll leave the weekend before --
SULLIVAN: AAA's spokesperson Aixa Diaz says more than 72 million Americans are expected to travel 50 miles or more between June 27th through July 5th. That would be a new record. Most travelers will drive with nearly 62 million hitting the road. And there's good news when it comes to gas prices.
DIAZ: We are seeing some improvement there, and that might motivate some people who maybe weren't planning to take a road trip to jump in the car and do it.
SULLIVAN: As of Saturday, the national average for a gallon of regular gas was $3.88. Prices have dropped 58 cents in the last month, but they're still higher than a year ago, according to AAA.
TOM KLOZA, CHIEF ENERGY ADVISER, GULF OIL: Gasoline prices are dropping, and in the next 30 days, you're going to see them drop.
SULLIVAN: Tom Kloza with Gulf Oil says prices have dropped because more tankers carrying oil are starting to travel through the Strait of Hormuz.
KLOZA: It's helping enough right now so that the next 30 or 40 days, I think you'll see a lot of oil, and you'll see generally weak prices.
SULLIVAN: The Strait of Hormuz has seen more traffic in the last week than it has in the past three months, since the war with Iran began. Maritime traffic in the Strait had essentially halted, disrupting oil production and sending gas prices soaring.
It appeared the U.S. and Iran were close to finalizing a Memorandum of Understanding. But as tensions escalate with Iran again, there's fear traffic could halt again, which could cause gas prices to go up as millions of Americans get ready to travel this week. I am Jenn Sullivan reporting.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SMITH: All right, thank you, Jenn. Still to come on CNN HEADLINE EXPRESS, former President Biden with some biting words for the current commander-in-chief. And the World Cup Cinderella story. How team Cape Verde is defying all odds. Stay with us. You are watching CNN HEADLINE EXPRESS.
[05:20:00]
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
SMITH: Former President Joe Biden is going after President Trump. He spoke at a Democratic fundraiser in Maryland over the weekend, delivering one of his most direct critiques since leaving the office. In the ten-minute speech, Biden went after Trump's leadership and priorities. Here is the former President.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOE BIDEN, FORMER U.S. PRESIDENT: Reflecting poll reflects something even worse than the narcissism and incompetence at the core of this administration. It's the corruption, the corruption, the brazen, blatant corruption, corruption on a scale never seen before in American history in any administration.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
[05:25:00]
SMITH: This speech comes two years after Biden's debate with Trump that ended his re-election bid. Biden is now 83 and is dealing with prostate cancer that has spread to his bones. You can see and hear the former president's words.
Well, New Yorkers are gearing up for the heat by jumping into their local public pool. To mark the occasion, Mayor Zohran Mamdani has revived a Summer tradition. And Gloria Pazmino explains.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
GLORIA PAZMINO, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Mayor Zohran Mamdani joins the New York City public pool celebrations by jumping into the Thomas Jefferson pool in east Harlem in a full suit. Mamdani revived a New York tradition started by Mayor Michael Bloomberg in 2003.
The ceremonial pool jumps to mark public pool season opening was skipped by two previous New York City Mayors, Bill de Blasio and Eric Adams. But this isn't Mamdani's first suited dip. He wore one during the Polar Bear Plunge in Coney Island during his mayoral campaign.
So, whether it's in a pool on a city bike ride, or even while repping the Knicks, you can count on Mamdani to don his formal fit.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SMITH: All right, he's keeping some dry cleaners in business and having fun doing it, that's for sure. Ahead on CNN HEADLINE EXPRESS, get ready, this holiday week could be dangerously hot. Temperatures expected to be near or over 100 degrees across the country. That is coming up.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
