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CNN Headlines: CNN: Democratic Socialist Kiros Wins Colorado Democratic House Primary; Triple-Digit Temps On Tap For Millions As Heat Wave Intensifies Across East; Justices Uphold Birthright Citizenship For All Born In U.S.; Venezuelan Authorities: 1,900+ Dead, 10K+ Injured After Powerful Earthquakes. Aired 5:30-6a ET
Aired July 01, 2026 - 05:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
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[05:30:29]
BRAD SMITH, CNN ANCHOR: It is half past the hour. Let's hit the refresh button on our top stories.
Democratic socialists struck another blow against the Democratic establishment in Colorado. CNN's decision desk projects that 29-year- old Melat Kiros will defeat incumbent and 15-term congresswoman, Representative Diana DeGette, in Tuesday's primary. Now, Kiros is the third progressive challenger to defeat a sitting House member in eight days.
And it's wheels up for the new Air Force One. President Trump is expected to fly on the plane for the first time later today. Two sources familiar with the matter telling CNN. Now he's going to the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library dedication event in North Dakota. The new Air Force One was donated by the Qatari government. The president has called it, quote, "The world's most luxurious plane."
And the sprawling heat dome already afflicting the Midwest and the South is expanding to the Mid-Atlantic and the Northeast today. Hundreds of temperature records are likely to fall in the coming days.
And for more, let's go to CNN's Reid Binion on what people are doing to beat the heat.
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MAYOR ZOHRAN MAMDANI (D), NEW YORK: More than 2,200 LinkNYC kiosks to display real time directions to the nearest NYC cooling center.
REID BINION, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Leaders from New York to Nashville taking measures to keep people safe as a potentially deadly heat dome closes in on half the country.
MAMDANI: We're also launching a fleet of 15 never-before-used cooling outreach on location vans. BINION (voice-over): Half of all Americans are facing a long stretch
of dangerously hot temperatures as they head outdoors to celebrate the country's 250th Independence Day. Many areas will see back to back days of temperatures in the mid 90s to low 100 seconds, plus humidity.
On the East Coast, cities like New York could get hotter than they've been in more than a decade. And it's not just the daytime high temperatures. The heat will be long lasting and won't relent when the sun goes down, leaving little cool down time for those without proper cooling or hydration. Officials are asking residents to look out for one another.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Pay extra attention to older adults and children and those living alone or without reliable air conditioning or houses without air conditioning are going to get really hot.
BINION (voice-over): As the oppressive heat bears down, community members are stepping up. A restaurant owner in Chicago donating dozens of air conditioners to people struggling to stay cool.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's not something that's really changing a life, but it's helping make their lives a little easier.
BINION (voice-over): I'm Reid Binion, reporting.
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SMITH: Thank you, Reid.
And for all of your holiday weather needs from any location, you can download the CNN Weather app for your iPhone. Check it out, CNN.com/CNNWeather.
Well, this morning, President Trump and GOP leaders are calling on Congress to pass legislation that limits birthright citizenship. And this comes after the Supreme Court ruled that the Trump administration could not use executive power to end that status.
CNN's chief legal affairs correspondent Paula Reid reports with more.
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PAULA REID, CNN CHIEF LEGAL AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT: Well, Tuesday was the last day of the Supreme Court term, and they released their final three decisions. All three have a lot of significance for the country and specifically for the Trump administration. Of course, the most significant was the fact that President Trump lost his effort to try to limit birthright citizenship through executive order.
In a 6-3 decision, Chief Justice John Roberts joined with the three liberal justices as well as Justice Kavanaugh and Barrett, to emphasize that this is a right enshrined in the Constitution and cannot be overturned with a stroke of a pen through executive order.
Now, in addition to that case, they also released their opinion on something a lot of folks have been watching a case about whether transgender athletes can be banned from participating in girls sports. Now these cases, a pair of cases, one from West Virginia, one from Idaho. They represent more than half of the states in this country that have similar bans.
And here, the Supreme Court held that those bans are not unconstitutional. So those bans currently in place will stand. And we expect some of the states that do not have those bans and that do allow transgender athletes to participate in girls sports could see some future litigation.
But that is not a directly a Trump case, but certainly a Trump adjacent case. The president took to social media to praise that decision. But the decision that could likely have the largest impact on Americans is a case about campaign finance, where the justices removed a cap on the amount of spending that political parties can do in coordination with political candidates.
[05:35:01]
Now, these caps have been in place since the 1970s, and by removing them, especially in combination with a lot of other campaign finance restrictions, that the court has rolled back, this is expected to be a boon for the GOP because while Republicans already go in with a money advantage to this election season, when Democrats are able to outraise Republicans, that money usually comes from smaller dollar independent donors. So with this new flood of money that is really expected to primarily benefit Republicans.
But it will benefit both sides. Both parties can take advantage of this, and it will result in likely in an influx of political ads over the next couple of months as we head into the midterms. So this wraps a significant season. We did not, of course, hear any retirements from any of the justices, because that is, of course, something that would be the biggest win for any president, including President Trump.
Paula Reid, CNN, Washington.
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SMITH: Thank you, Paula.
And you just heard Paula mention retirements. Well, NPR's Supreme Court correspondent had to walk back and -- oops, after mistakenly reporting the retirement of Justice Samuel Alito. Nina Totenberg apologized and called it a rookie mistake. But the apology did not fully explain why NPR published the report without additional confirmation. The embarrassing episode also amplified questions about whether Alito is contemplating retirement, a possibility that some court watchers had already been discussing.
But as of now, Alito has not announced any plans of stepping down.
Well, today marks one week since the powerful back to back earthquakes that devastated Venezuela. Venezuelan authorities say that the death toll has now reached more than 1900. And more than 10,000 injured. CNN's Isa Soares takes us to the area where friends, family and
strangers frantically search for the missing. And sometimes, without even basic tools and supplies available.
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ISA SOARES, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): With nothing more than borrowed tools. Deivis Ramos digs through the rubble the twin mattresses of his two little girls are within sight, and he anchors his strength in knowing that soon he will hold them close, even if it's a final goodbye.
DEIVIS RAMOS, VENEZUELAN FATHER (translated): I can't think about crying right now. I can't bear the thought of it -- it tears my soul apart -- because tears -- tears won't move a stone.
SOARES (voice-over): While we hear rescue team from North Carolina arrive looking for signs of life or death.
JACK THORPE, RESCUER: I know that we have still been finding people alive in these in these buildings, so I'm not ready to give up yet.
SOARES (voice-over): Almost a week since those fateful back to back earthquakes, hope of finding survivors is fading fast but in the midst of unimaginable grief, a moment of compassion and humanity between an American rescuer and a grieving Venezuelan father.
The scene here in La Guaira is apocalyptic, with countless buildings pancaked by the ferocity of the quakes. And while families wait for answers, heavy machinery sits idle.
SOARES (translated): Sir! Why is the machine not on?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (translated): I don't have fuel!
SOARES: He doesn't have petrol. He doesn't have fuel. I mean, tell that to the families.
SOARES (voice-over): A sorry sight for one of the world's largest oil reserves.
Hassell Mendoza has seen this firsthand. She traveled from Tampa, Florida to search for her loved ones.
HASSELL MENDOZA: This guy, you know, worked with the --
SOARES: The hands.
MENDOZA: They tried -- the hands. They try to do everything without nothing. They don't have, you know shoes. They don't have machine like drills and big drills that you need. They don't have sensors. They don't have anything.
SOARES (voice-over): We walk from building to building. The scale of destruction stretches for blocks. Around every corner --
SOARES: Didn't have a chance.
SOARES (voice-over): -- a house of horrors.
Still, Venezuelans dig with rickety tools, shovels and buckets.
As we depart La Guaira, an arresting scene of casket after casket and of overwhelming loss.
Isa Soares, CNN, La Guaira, Venezuela.
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SMITH: Thank you, Isa.
Now to Capitol Hill. That's where the House overwhelmingly passed a resolution Tuesday, forcing the disclosure of sexual harassment settlements involving members of Congress. The measure was approved with 420 votes and one GOP lawmaker voting present. The Republican- backed effort is the latest attempt by lawmakers to be more accountable and transparent regarding sexual misconduct.
[05:40:01]
Republican Thomas Massie forced the vote, saying he believes the documents and information already turned over are not sufficient.
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SMITH: All right, it is time for Buzz Express. The stories that have people talking and people are talking about that. Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce wedding.
After months of speculation, it looks like Madison Square Garden may be hosting some of the celebrations starting tomorrow.
Here's CNN's Gloria Pazmino with the scoop.
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GLORIA PAZMINO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well that's right. You know, there had been so much speculation since last August when the couple got engaged about where the wedding would be. Would we get to see it? Who would get to attend?
But more and more clues have emerged over the past few days that the location, the celebration is going to be right here in the heart of Manhattan, inside Madison Square Garden, the world's most famous arena, where Taylor Swift has performed eight times.
Now, here's what we know. The celebrations are expected to begin on Thursday with what sources are describing to us as a rehearsal that will include about 100 guests. Then the big celebration, a wedding celebration is expected to take place on Friday. That will kick off in the afternoon with a cocktail party as most good weddings begin with.
And it will go on until late, very late into Saturday morning at 4:00 a.m. Now, throughout the day on Tuesday, we saw a lot of activity outside the Garden, equipment being moved in and out of the loading docks and one especially telling clue, a worker who was wearing a t- shirt that read "Taylor Swift Carpenters".
I do think it's worth perhaps a word of warning about all these clues and Easter eggs and little breadcrumbs, perhaps meant to throw us off the scent. It's been done before. We're talking about Taylor Swift here.
But our sources familiar with the plans tell us these two events are set to happen Thursday and Friday. The last important point about this major event, which, you know, people are describing as America's royal wedding, it's going to be taking place over July 4th weekend, the nation's 250th birthday, which is also going to be happening what -- during what could be a historic heat wave here in New York City, inside a very famous venue that is located in a very busy intersection of Manhattan.
Madison Square Garden is right on top of Penn Station. And of course, the World Cup is still underway. So this is going to be a very busy stretch of New York City, at least for the next few days.
Gloria Pazmino, CNN, New York.
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SMITH: All right. That is a lot of events all at once, everything everywhere. Thank you so much, Gloria Pazmino.
Next up on CNN HEADLINE EXPRESS, out of reach. Why buying that first house is getting harder and harder for many.
Plus, King James leaving the Lakers, where LeBron is taking his talents. LeBron. LeBron.
Stay with us. You're watching CNN HEADLINE EXPRESS.
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[05:47:36]
SMITH: Let's go around the globe to see what else is making headlines.
The manhunt is intensifying after an assassination attempt in Monaco. Reports say that the target was a Ukrainian real estate tycoon who was at one point, one of the richest in Ukraine. But he renounced his citizenship in 2019. Investigators say someone left a bomb inside a residential building yesterday and injured multiple people.
And a burning oil refinery is the latest sign that Ukraine is taking the fight deeper into Russia. Kyiv says it also targeted a major satellite communications site near Moscow in a sweeping overnight drone assault. Russia says it shot down more than 400 drones. Officials also say that one drone hit a home southeast of Moscow, and a baby later died. In Ghana, massive flooding has killed at least 12 people. Officials say that the near record rainfall has impacted almost 40,000 people, faulty drainage systems, illegal construction near waterways. They are blamed for making things worse.
And the Belgian zoo has a very tall new arrival, a baby giraffe. The zoo says she is healthy, drinking well and already greeting visitors at the giraffe lodge.
Well, it's game day for Team USA at the World Cup. The Americans will take on Bosnia and Herzegovina tonight in prime time, with a place in the round of 16 against Belgium or Senegal on the line on home soil.
CNN sports anchor Coy Wire gives us a preview.
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COY WIRE, CNN SPORTS ANCHYOR: This will be the first knockout match that Americans have played ever in the prime time. The story is no longer, can America get out of the group? The story is now, will this become the summer America fell in love with its team? It's a big emotional narrative.
Had a practice behind me a bit ago. A few players told me they're fully aware of the magnitude of this moment.
It isn't just survive in advance. It's more like inspire and advance. Embracing how America is rallying around them. And they know how tough this match with Bosnia and Herzegovina will be.
Listen to this.
SERGINO DEST, U.S. DEFENDER: It's a knockout round. And if you want to win this, this trophy, the World Cup, you got to beat everyone you know and be able to beat everyone. So if it's from Europe or Africa, it doesn't matter. We just -- we just want to win.
FOLARIN BALOGUN, U.S. FORWARD: We know we're going to need to be creative. We know we're going to need to be intense. Like we have been, you know, so far.
[05:50:00]
And, you know, there's no doubts we can go out there and win.
GIO REYNA, U.S. MIDFIELDER: You have very high expectations for ourselves, for the rest of this tournament. And, yeah, we don't want this to be over.
WIRE: Now, the U.S. hasn't beaten a European opponent since 2021. It's been 12 matches since they beat -- guess who -- Bosnia and Herzegovina in a friendly.
Now, this is a huge coaching moment for Mauricio Pochettino. He's one big club matches. Can he now guide America deeper than anyone has in 24 years? He got annoyed with a line of questioning about their loss to Turkey. They won their group and he's had to make some strategic decisions.
Christian Pulisic, the engine that makes this American attack hum coming off an injury, he played about 30 minutes on Thursday against Turkey. And now, Pulisic would probably play 180 minutes if they'd let him. Pochettino's job is making sure he doesn't have to.
All right. Whoever wins this match will advance to the round of 16. America is favored to win. They're looking to move one step closer to their first quarterfinal since 2002.
For Bosnia and Herzegovina, a win in front of a massive pro-American crowd would be legendary. Nothing says we've arrived quite like knocking out the host nation.
We'll soon find out who's dream continues and who's comes to an end.
Back to you.
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SMITH: Thank you, Coy.
Well, the queen back in her castle. But the anticipated return wasn't what she had hoped for. Serena Williams returned to Wimbledon Tuesday for her first singles match in nearly four years. The 44-year-old lost against 20-year-old rising star Maya Joint of Australia. Williams will play again later this week for doubles alongside her sister Venus.
And LeBron James will return for a record extending 24th NBA season. Where were you when that career began? But it won't be with the Lakers. King James informed the team that he's going to play elsewhere next season. The Golden State Warriors, the Miami Heat and James hometown team, the Cleveland Cavaliers. Those Cavs are front runners to sign the 41-year-old as well as the Warriors, as we mentioned, and the Heat.
Well, still to come on CNN HEADLINE EXPRESS, a new home for Stephen Colbert's Late Show sign. Details on where it's coming going -- coming up next.
Plus, crabs in clothing. A bizarre scene playing out when police discover live crabs hidden within the clothes a couple was wearing. That story on the other side of the break.
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[05:56:53]
SMITH: In today's Money Express, new info shows a startling number of Americans cannot afford to buy their first home.
Let's go to Maribel Aber for more details.
Maribel, what do we know now?
MARIBEL ABER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Brad, most Americans can't afford a starter home, 62 percent of them, according to LendingTree. The financial marketplace says you need $62,000 a year to afford a starter home. That's because the average price, it's about $200,000, and the median income for non-homeowners is closer to $55,000.
Target is ending its partnership with Ulta next month. The all Ulta locations within Target stores will be replaced by the retailers own concept, called Target Beauty Studio. More than 600 Targets have Ulta stores in them now. Target says the beauty segment is a key area of growth and wants to bring it in-house instead of finding a new partner.
And Stephen Colbert's show may be off the air, but a big piece of its memorabilia moved across the country. The iconic Late Show sign from the Ed Sullivan Theater was auctioned off a restaurant in West Hollywood called WeHo purchased it. For now, it's on the roof where it blocks the restaurants own sign. In a few weeks, it will move inside the restaurant.
Brad, nice to see the Late Show sign get a second act.
SMITH: Yeah, indeed. Maribel Aber, thank you so much.
Let's get a check on other stories making news across the country. We start in Michigan. That's where two parents face murder and child abuse charges after their seven year old son died, weighing 255 pounds. Damian and Jessica O'Brien are expected in court tomorrow. Police say their son, Casper, died in November.
Paramedics had gone to their house after a 911 call reported a child having breathing problems. According to the autopsy, Casper died of heart disease often associated with severe obesity. Police say one of the abuse charges is related to their five year old daughter, who is now in foster care. The parents' attorneys say it's premature and too early to comment on the allegations.
And in Florida, deputies want to check out a crash where the driver had left. But then he came back with a tractor to get his truck out of the ditch. But there was a problem here.
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POLICE OFFICER: Okay. Can you come stand up and come over here, please? Now, we do have you driving your tractor.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, sir.
POLICE OFFICER: Okay. Are you aware that in the state of Florida that you driving anything -- any motor vehicle can be considered DUI when you enter Florida roadways?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No, sir, I did not.
POLICE OFFICER: Okay.
(END VIDEO CLIP) SMITH: He was taken into custody. Deputies say he had a 15 pack of beer in the truck, along with multiple open containers. The Nassau County Sheriff's Office posted that video with the message DUI laws apply to all motor vehicles.
And in Washington state, four people are accused of illegally hiding crabs in their clothes. It happened after police spotted a man stuffing one of them in the hood of a woman's jacket. The group submitted five crabs for inspection and when questioned, they denied having any more. Officers searched the suspect. They found 21 crabs.
That does it for CNN HEADLINE EXPRESS. I'm Brad Smith.
"CNN THIS MORNING WITH AUDIE CORNISH" starts right now.
