Life-Threatening Heat Broils 180M+: ABC World News Tonight with David Muir – July 3, 2026

David Muir, ABC's World News Tonight, America's most-watched newscast. Now streaming same day with all the breaking news of the day. On Disney+, most-watched, most-trusted. Now on Disney+, every night. On World News Tonight, America's 250th. We're high atop New York Harbor here. The torch of the Statue of Liberty as ABC News celebrates the wonders of this country. Our team getting ready for 24 hours of coverage, all 50 states, every corner of this country. But first tonight, the breaking news on this Friday night. This life-threatening heatwave and news of multiple shark attacks. More than 180 million Americans under extreme heat alerts. New York City feeling like 105 degrees. Washington, D.C., 110. And tonight, beachgoers warned of sharks in the New York City area. Also, just in tonight, severe storms in this heat. News of a boat capsizing, several people dead. Others rescued from the water. And the heat now affecting July 4th events. The Great American State Fair in D.C. postponed. The Philadelphia Independence Day Parade canceled. Lee Goldberg standing by with the 4th of July forecast. Also tonight here, dramatic images showing a skydiver crashing into a crowd during opening night. The American flag he was flying appearing to get caught in a tree. We do have news on his condition tonight. Right now here in New York City, the heavy security presence in midtown Manhattan. Wrapped around Madison Square Garden for Taylor Swift and Travis Kelsey's wedding. Streets closed, the guests arriving, the heightened security, snipers on rooftops. And tonight there is news of a major gift from the couple. Tonight, President Trump marking America 250 at Mount Rushmore. The White House tonight now suggesting his face should be up there too. Tonight, the new disturbing body camera video released. The deadly alligator attack, a deputy racing to the scene. A woman killed when an alligator attacks, biting both of her arms. The horrific scene tonight, a pickup truck plowing into a group of Buddhist monks. Off the U.S. coast, an amazing feat underway tonight. The woman rowing from California all the way to Hawaii on her own. She is almost there. And ABC News at America 250. The seven natural wonders of America about to be revealed. Diane, Debra, Robin, Michael, Juju, and the entire team all across this country. We start at the Statue of Liberty, 10 p.m. tonight. From ABC News World Headquarters in New York, this is World News Tonight with David Muir. Good evening. We are back on solid ground. But we are very excited to take you right up to the top of the Statue of Liberty, the top of the torch tonight at 10 p.m. Eastern. But first, the news tonight. And we begin here with a life-threatening heat wave and now the shark warnings tonight. News of a shark attack outside New York City. More than 180 million Americans in 28 states under extreme heat alerts at this hour. The heat index, the feel-like readings at 101 tomorrow. Philadelphia will feel like 105, 108 in D.C., 110 in Norfolk. Already tonight, New York City feels like 105 degrees. Multiple shark attacks and sightings outside New York City and down the coast. A swimmer attacked today at Jones Beach on Long Island. Another large shark caught just miles away. And tonight, with this extreme heat news coming in, severe storms, a storm hitting, and a boat capsizing, this is Geneva Lake in Wisconsin. The dangerous heat now having an impact on events planned for tomorrow on the 4th of July. The Great American State Fair on the National Mall postponed today for a time due to the heat. Philadelphia canceling its Independence Parade tomorrow. Lee Goldberg standing by with the forecast. And ABC's Matt Rivers leads us off tonight with the warnings from authorities on this heat. And now these shark concerns, too. Tonight, with 180 million people sweltering under a brutal heat dome, looking for relief this 4th of July weekend, some beaches turning into a nightmare. A swimmer bitten by a shark at New York's Jones Beach. This image, appearing to show the victim being carried away by lifeguards, later rushed to the hospital. Reporter Krista McNally from our New York station, WABC, on the scene. A swimmer was bit on his left foot here at Jones Beach this afternoon. People were immediately ordered to get out of the water for an hour. We spoke with swimmers who were in there at the time, didn't even realize what happened. I was, like, kind of close to the guy, and then I just see him, like, getting up, and then he's, like, holding his foot, and then people came and, like, got him. Then they were like, everyone get out. Just a few miles east of that shark attack, fishermen reeling in this large shark, thrashing in the surf at Gilgo Beach. And just 24 hours ago, a 9-foot-long shark spotted at Point Lookout Beach on Long Island. Someone came up to the lifeguard and said, shark. Also tonight, a deadly tragedy on Geneva Lake in Wisconsin. Authorities say three people were killed, seven more rescued after a boat overturned. Powerful storms had just moved through that area. It comes as the life-threatening heat is peaking in the northeast, New York City feeling like 105 degrees. Heavy demand and equipment problems straining the electric grid, knocking out power to 60,000 customers in the Bronx, New York's mayor urging residents to set their thermostats at 78 degrees. This is very serious. These temperatures are dangerous. Those dangerous temperatures forcing major changes to Fourth of July events nationwide. In Philadelphia, where it felt like 111 today, officials taking the dramatic step of canceling the Independence Day parade in the city where America was born. Empty floats pulled off the streets. And in the nation's capital, the Great American State Fair postponed due to heat. First responders treating people for heat-related illnesses, others huddling under a replica of President Trump's triumphal arch for shade. In Central Florida today near Daytona Beach, dangerous rip currents leading to more than 120 water rescues and more than 100 tall ships arriving in New York Harbor. Thousands of people turning out for the unprecedented display of everything from sailboats to warships, all to celebrate America's 250th birthday. And David, this relentless heat wave is fueling a surge in visits to the ER and it likely won't let up until Sunday. And as people head to the beaches this weekend for the holiday, those shark attacks do remain a concern. One today here in New York, another one earlier this week in Georgia. David? Yeah, we just want everyone to be safe. And as you point out, Matt, the cumulative effect of this heat, we've got to keep an eye out for our neighbors. Thank you. Let's get right to senior meteorologist Lee Gilbert back with us tonight. Lee? All right, David. So suffocating heat here in New York. Still feels like 101, and that's sparking storms. We have a severe thunderstorm watch here until 11 o'clock at night. Big storms from basically Syracuse over to Detroit. There is a tornado warning west of Rockford, Illinois, and flash flooding going on in Nashville. The heat tomorrow, similar spots from the Midwest to the East Coast, although you're seeing some relief in upstate New York, New England, northern Great Lakes, but still feeling like 110, places like Norfolk, up to D.C. and Philly, very hot in New York, too, at 101. And the problem is there are more storms tomorrow night that could impact fireworks displays from, let's say, D.C. to Philly, New York, maybe down to Richmond, a level 2 out of 5 severe risk. So in terms of the 4th, you're talking about scattered storms and heat in the East, drier in the West, but we have to watch out for fireworks that could spark wildfires. But you know what? If you have storms in the area or if you have extreme heat, just like we said last night, you can come inside and be with us all day on America 250, the ABC special. David, I know you've been working on that for weeks and months. Months now, and the whole team ready to go. Thanks, Lee, for that. By the way, we start tonight 10 p.m. Eastern at the Statue of Liberty. We'll be on for 24 hours all day tomorrow on the 4th, our teams across the nation on the wonders of this country. It's really a stunning journey. Come along with us. We continue with the news tonight and the dramatic images showing a skydiver crashing into a crowd during opening night at a rodeo in Northern California. The American flag he was flying appearing to get caught in a tree, sending him into a tent, and you can hear the crowd in horror. But he survives this, and here's Alex Stone. Tonight, this heart-stopping moment caught on video. That skydiver soaring high above the Folsom Pro Rodeo outside of Sacramento yesterday, descending toward the stadium with a red, white, and blue parachute and a weighted American flag below. As Lee Greenwood's God Bless the USA plays. But then the giant American flag seems to clip a tree, and the skydiver is catapulted toward the ground, landing on a tent to the horror of the crowd. Onlookers rushing to the skydiver's aid. Tonight, the rodeo is saying the skydiver is okay. And, David, despite that scare, the rodeo is saying he'll be skydiving into the same arena tonight as a sort of do-over. David. Alex Stone tonight. Alex, thank you. Tonight here in New York City, there is heavy security right now in Midtown Manhattan, and it's wrapping right around Madison Square Garden at this hour for Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's wedding. Streets are closed. The famous guests arriving. Heightened security with snipers on rooftops. And tonight, there's news coming in of a major gift now from the couple. Rhiannon Alley at Madison Square Garden for us. Tonight, it's official. Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce tying the knot at New York's Madison Square Garden with Adam Sandler officiating the ceremony. The screen outside flashing the news. It comes just hours after more than 1,000 guests arrived in SUVs with tinted windows, slipping into privacy tents. The star-studded event expected to go into the wee hours of the morning. Outside, Swifties are braving the heat, hoping to catch a glimpse of their favorite couple. It is very private. Look, there's so much security, so no one can get in. But I still think this is her way of letting us experience it with her, which I just think is so special. And the security ring expanded tonight with snipers covering the roof, police closing off more streets and limiting access to trains and subway stations as crowds race to leave the city for July 4th. Not everyone's thrilled. It's inconvenient. I think it's unfair to regular people. I get it, they want to have their big day, but shutting the street down for Taylor Swift and some guy from Ohio? I don't know. Ahead of the festivities, Taylor and Travis celebrating with a massive donation of $26 million to 20 charities across the country, including food banks, children's hospitals and Dolly Parton's book gifting charity. Taylor and Travis, it's Dolly. And I was just told that you two are making a donation of $2 million to my imagination library. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I'm blown away and overjoyed with that gratitude. And Dolly thanking the happy couple with a song. So thank you and know that I will always love you. David, the wedding celebration will go into the early morning hours. After that, things should get back to normal here at Madison Square Garden. David? Rhiannon Alley in Midtown Manhattan for us, Rhiannon, thank you. Tonight, President Trump celebrating America 250 at Mount Rushmore. The White House now suggesting tonight that President Trump's face should be up there too. Here's Mary Bruce. Tonight, as President Trump heads out to Mount Rushmore, the White House now suggesting his face should be right up there too. A spokesperson telling ABC News there would be no better addition to the iconic Mount Rushmore than the 45th and 47th President of the United States, Donald Trump. Mount Rushmore will stand forever as an eternal tribute to our forefathers and to our freedom. Trump has long hinted he belongs on the monument, posting back in 2020, sounds like a good idea to me. Recently sharing images of his own face next to Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt and Lincoln. Tonight's trip kicking off a whirlwind 24 hours for the president. Though his great American State Fair in Washington was paused today due to the scorching heat, Trump says his big speech tomorrow on the National Mall will go on. On July 4th, it's going to be approximately 107 degrees out. And I'm going to go and I'm going to make a really long speech just to show that I can do anything. Now as for Mount Rushmore, David, the park has previously said there isn't enough space to add anyone else, but the interior secretary says there's certainly more room. David. Mary Bruce at the White House tonight. Mary, we'll see you for our coverage here tomorrow. Thanks, Mary. Now to a disturbing, a new body camera video just released tonight of that deadly alligator attack in Seminole County, Florida. A woman killed when that alligator attacked, biting both arms. Victor Akendo with the video tonight that shows that urgent effort to try to save her. Tonight, newly released body camera video shows deputies racing to the scene of that deadly alligator attack in Central Florida. Where are we? A woman swimming in three feet of water, horrifically injured. Officials say 31-year-old Brittany Clark was bitten on both arms Sunday at Little Big Econ State Forest outside Orlando. Her boyfriend calling 911. Friends crying Clark from the alligator's mouth, then bringing her to shore. She later died at the hospital. The attack, the third one in Central Florida in one week. On a GoFundMe page, Clark's family calling her an amazing and fun-loving soul, adding, please pray for our family as we navigate through this tragic journey. David, as officials investigate, samples were taken from two alligators that were captured and killed near the site of the attack. David. Just a horrific scene, Victor, thank you. With America set to mark the 4th and America 250 tomorrow, tonight here an exclusive look at the security. In some places, in fact, undercover officials will be in the crowds with radiation detection equipment. Pierre Thomas shows us. Tonight, ahead of America's 250th birthday, ABC News granted exclusive access to security preparations aimed at protecting large-scale celebrations from New York City to the nation's capital. Watch as this F-16 fighter jet blasts off from Joint Base Andrews in pursuit of this Cessna, which has entered restricted airspace as part of a training exercise conducted by the U.S. Coast Guard and NORAD. Within minutes, the Cessna is intercepted, with NORAD making it clear turn around or be shot down. In another exercise, I'm on the helicopter being pursued. You can see the Washington Monument. That patch of land right there during Independence Day needs to be the most secure on the planet. Private boats banned from a three-mile stretch of the Potomac on the 4th. And for the first time ever, everyone entering the National Mall will have to go through security checkpoints, including magnetometers. The FBI deploying anti-drone technology, including portable radar systems like this. From the FBI's perspective, this next two or three weeks is an all-hands-on-deck. David, no credible threat has been identified, but authorities know it's a very dangerous threat environment. There will even be undercover officials walking amid the crowds with radiation detection equipment. Let's just have a safe day tomorrow. And Pierre Thomas tonight, Pierre, thank you. When we come back, the horrific scene of pickup truck plowing into a group of Buddhist monks. Also in New York, a trooper jumping out of the way just in time here. The nationwide recall tonight involving a popular grilling tool and what some people are ingesting in a moment here. And off the U.S. coast tonight, an amazing feat. Look at this woman. She's rowing on her own from California all the way to Hawaii and where she is tonight in a moment here. Tonight, a horrific scene in Thailand. Authorities say nine Buddhist monks were killed, 11 others injured. They were struck by a pickup truck driven by an 11-year-old boy. He allegedly took the truck after finding the keys that had been left inside. Back in the U.S. tonight near Buffalo, New York, a state trooper jumping out of the way just avoiding a chain reaction crash. Look at this, a pickup truck slamming into a car, sending it crashing into a park police cruiser on I-190. The trooper hopping a barrier, getting out of the way just in time. When we come back tonight, this important recall for the 4th impacting a popular grilling tool, what some people are ingesting in a moment. To the index of other news tonight, a voluntary recall of 1.7 million grilling brushes with metal wires. The recall involves eight Cuisinart models, the company Conair saying the bristles can detach and end up in food. Authorities say the company has reported three people had bristles removed from their stomach and throat. We have more on our website for you. Tonight, America Strong here, a woman rowing on her own, now on the brink of a new record, Kelsey Flender, and her nearly 2,500-mile journey is almost over. On track to become the first American woman to row solo from California all the way to Hawaii. On pace to break the record now. After 42 days of rowing, they believe Kelsey will finish sometime tomorrow. When we come back, are you ready? Getting ready for 10 p.m. Eastern. I'm going to take you all the way up to the torch and what we're about to show you in just a moment. Finally tonight here, taking in the view, that is the torch of the Statue of Liberty, 305 feet up, and we are about to take you right to the top later tonight. Tonight, from the beacon of liberty here in New York, the Statue of Liberty, we will kick off our celebration of America 250, 24 hours straight on ABC and the networks of Disney. We will take you to all 50 states, our team across this country, celebrating the wonders of America. Diane, Robin, Deborah, Michael, Juju, and our entire team on the air starting at 10 p.m. Eastern tonight and all day Saturday on the 4th, reporting on the beauty and the strength of the people, our neighbors, and on the natural wonders of this country. And all day tomorrow, the history and the small town triumphs of today. I'll take you to Independence Hall in Philadelphia, the chair where George Washington sat, and inside the vault, the extraordinary access, the Declaration of Independence just hours before it was printed, and the first draft of the U.S. Constitution, and what we noticed, what was written in the margin. And we will start right here tonight, taking you up into the Statue of Liberty given exclusive access. I'll be climbing right to the top, 305 feet in the air, all the way up to the torch. How are you? We enter through the pedestal on which she stands and begin our journey up, the National Park Service telling us we are the only ones they're taking up all the way to the torch, climbing up through Lady Liberty's right arm. Join us tonight as we celebrate America's 250th. All right, so let's do this. We'll see you at 10 p.m. Eastern, the climb to the top, and then all day tomorrow, in fact, tomorrow morning, 5 a.m., I'll be on the air for the first sunrise over America for America 250. Can you guess where that sunrise will be? I'll see you at the Statue of Liberty, 10 p.m. Eastern tonight, to kick this all off. I'll see you then. Good night. David Muir, the most trusted and most watched newscast in America. 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