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U.S. NEWS Friday 3 July 2020
From big cities to backyards, July 4 not usual blowout bash

Continued from Front large area events cance-
led, and so many locals still
Marching bands blaring furloughed or without work,
tunes while kids wave their I think our town is really
handheld flags can’t hap- looking forward to celebra-
pen as usual with the virus ting the Fourth this week-
refusing to let go of its grip end,” Williams said. “It will
on some places and even be the first real chance for
strengthening in others. this tight-knit community to
So, no live Boston Pops per- get together — with social
formance on the Charles distancing of course — sin-
River Esplanade, no live ce March.”
concert from the West lawn Some places won’t have
of the U.S. Capitol in Wa- that option.
shington, and no Navy Pier Beaches are closed in parts
fireworks show in Chicago. of Southern California and
Even personal events will South Florida, where many
have a different look. Jason fireworks shows are cance-
Wanzer has hosted a party led and everyone who at-
in Danbury, Connecticut, tends the ones that remain
for more than a decade, are being told to watch
with a professional disc joc- them from inside their cars.
key, organized games and Bars aren’t serving alcohol
fireworks. In this July 4, 2019 file photo, fireworks go off over the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, Thursday, there, either.
He trimmed this year’s July 4, 2019. Associated Press Beer may be out in Miami
guest list from 100 to 30, but hot dogs are still on the
fearing bringing older vised finale Saturday. The city’s parade is can- to be watched on TV or menu in New York — pro-
people more susceptible By not announcing the lo- celed and Muriel Bowser streaming devices — and bably dozens of them for
to the disease or young cations and keeping the reminded those conside- some will be replays. champion chomper Joey
children who could easily performances to five minu- ring the National Mall show Bryan Williams is ready for Chestnut.
spread it. And the activities tes, crowds can’t gather in — held on federal grounds either. The Nathan’s Famous
he spends days setting up large numbers like they usu- and not under the city’s ju- The owner of the Keller Fourth of July International
are on a hiatus. ally do along the riverfront. risdiction — to “Ask yourself, Feed & Wine Company in Hot Dog-Eating Contest
“This year is basically just Crowds are being welco- do you need to be there?” Cottonwood Falls, Kansas, will be held in Coney Is-
the food,” he said. med on the National Mall, That was never a concern, is advertising items such land, but without the usual
But whether it’s big cities where U.S. Secretary of the when July 4 was a day for as ribs and pulled pork for crowd of live spectators on
or small towns bursting with Interior David L. Bernhardt dressing up in red, white people who want to order the boardwalk. A private
pride, there’s a desire to promised a fireworks dis- and blue, coming out to catering for an at-home venue will stage the com-
make sure some show goes play that would be “the salute military heroes, then holiday weekend. But with petition, which will feature
on, no matter what it looks largest in recent memory,” staying out until dark to the virus numbers low in his five eaters in the men’s
like. with more than 10,000 to watch fireworks light up the county even as they climb and women’s competitions
In New York, the Macy’s be launched following a sky. elsewhere in the state, his instead of the usual 15, al-
annual summer spectacle Defense Department air This year, many celebrati- town’s fireworks are still on lowing for more social dis-
was replaced by a series show. ons will be virtual. Outdoor and he thinks people will tancing.
of smaller, surprise shows. But while President Donald events such as the Boston be eager to go. For Steve Edenbo, this
They’ve been ringing out all Trump is eager for excess, Pops performance or Phila- “Unfortunately tourism is Fourth of July is the biggest
week, leading into the tele- Washington’s mayor is not. delphia’s fireworks will have down, and with so many challenge of his career.q

Florida felons seeking voting rights back face court setback

By BOBBY CAINA CALVAN ruling by U.S. District Judge resenting felons seeking
Associated Press Robert Hinkle called the access to the ballot box
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — law a "pay-to-vote system." under Amendment 4, a
A federal appellate court But Republican Gov. Ron voter-approved measure
has stayed a lower court DeSantis immediately ap- that sought to return voting
ruling that gave impover- pealed that ruling to the rights to released felons.
ished Florida felons the right Atlanta-based 11th U.S. The governor's spokeswom-
to vote. The order issued Circuit Court of Appeals, an, Helen Ferre, said there
Wednesday disappointed requesting a stay of Hinkle's would be no comment on
voting rights activists and ruling and a review of the the litigation until it is set-
could have national impli- case by the full appeals tled.
cations in November's pres- court. The appellate court, Under Amendment 4, fel-
idential election. in a three-sentence order ons who have completed
In May, a federal judge Wednesday, granted both their sentences would have
in Tallahassee ruled that requests. The court gave voting rights restored. But In this Thursday, May 14, 2020, file photo, Florida Gov. Ron
Florida law can't stop an no timeline as to when it the legal dispute arose af- DeSantis speaks at a news conference in Doral, Fla.
estimated 774,000 disen- would hear the case. ter state lawmakers moved Associated Press
franchised felons from vot- "Today's decision is a set- to define what it means
ing because they can't pay back," said Paul Smith, vice to complete a sentence. all legal financial obliga- have to be settled before
back any legal fees and president of Campaign In addition to time served, tions, including unpaid fines a felon could be eligible to
restitution they owe. The Legal Center, which is rep- lawmakers stipulated that and restitution, would also vote. q