CNN 5 Things

As the US approaches its 250th birthday [https://www.onour250th.org/], thousands of people are putting their hopes for the future on colorful wish walls across the country [https://www.thecivicseason.com/wish-walls/]. This pilot flies at-risk shelter animals to places where they have a better chance of getting adopted. In St. Louis, Missouri, this all-Black swim team and their parents [https://blackswimmersalliance.org/] are diving into more than the deep end. Plus, the top five best towns to visit in America [https://www.cnn.com/travel/2025-america-best-towns-to-visit], per CNN’s readers and contributors – what towns should be on next year’s list? [https://www.cnn.com/travel/feedback-best-towns-america] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

We begin with some of the big and small items you may have missed in President Donald Trump’s domestic agenda bill. Officials report multiple deaths from catastrophic flooding in parts of Texas. We have details on Trump’s call with Ukraine’s president hours after Russia’s largest drone attack. Some countries could get higher tariff notices from the US. Plus, a new study finds "cool" people have these six things in common. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

President Donald Trump is expected to sign his “big, beautiful bill” today. He also says he’ll speak Ukraine's President after a disappointing conversation with Russia’s leader yesterday. Moscow is recognizing the Taliban’s government in Afghanistan. State lawmakers say they were turned away from inspecting Florida’s “Alligator Alcatraz” detention center. Plus, a high-profile boxer has been arrested just days after fighting a social media influencer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

President Donald Trump is expected to sign his “big, beautiful, bill” tomorrow after marathon voting sessions in Congress. Florida lawmakers are raising concerns about a new migrant detention facility. Israeli strikes killed scores of Palestinians in Gaza as negotiations to reach a ceasefire ramp up. Gloomy weather could dampen some Fourth of July weekend plans. Plus, an alternate juror in Sean “Diddy” Combs’ trial spoke exclusively to CNN.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

President Donald Trump has landed his first major legislative win of his second term. Trump and Russia’s president spoke days after the US paused some weapons shipments to Ukraine. A freed Israeli-American who spent 18 months in Hamas captivity is at the White House. Wildfires are tearing through a popular tourist hotspot in Greece as a heatwave in Europe turns deadly. Plus, how inflation and tariffs might affect your Independence Day shopping list. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]