In today’s newsletter: As July Fourth approaches, NBC News polled Americans on their views about flying the Stars and Stripes. The U.S. and Iran continued to trade strikes over the weekend, prompting Trump to warn of reviving the conflict. And experts say interest in the space race isn’t new, but the spike in public-private partnerships is.
Limited time: Save 25% on NBC News subscription
Get exclusive reporting, live Q&As and ad-free reading.
Here’s what to know today.
As the nation turns 250, many Americans say the Stars and Stripes is now a red flag
The American flag is a symbol with many meanings, whether it’s hung on front porches, waved in parades or used in protests. But as the polarized nation marks its 250th birthday, Americans have varied reactions to showcasing the Stars and Stripes.
This is Morning Rundown, a weekday newsletter to start your day. Sign up here to get it in your inbox.
“I couldn’t be prouder to be an American,” Dave Cavannah said. “I believe Americans should be proud to fly the flag and fly it the right way. What’s shameful is that people who hate Trump are flying the flag upside down.”
Some say displaying the flag is more about peer pressure than patriotism.
“I feel that if I don’t have a flag displayed somewhere, people will think I’m against our country or something,” said a Newtown, Pennsylvania, woman, who also asked to remain anonymous.
NBC News asked readers to share their feelings and practices around the flag in a moment, polls suggest, when patriotism, national pride and optimism for the country’s future are all fraying.
Read more about the sentiments readers shared here.
Read more:
- Trump’s Great American State Fair attendees say they haven’t noticed politics overshadowing the celebration.
- For subscribers: The Fourth of July fireworks show set for the National Mall is forcing Washington dog owners to rethink their plans.
Comcast to split into two companies, spinning off NBCUniversal and Sky
Comcast announced today that it plans to split into two publicly traded companies by spinning off NBCUniversal and Sky, the British broadcaster it bought in 2018.
The move will separate Comcast’s media and entertainment assets from its broadband and wireless business.
“Upon completion of the transaction, Comcast shareholders will own shares in both Comcast and NBCUniversal, creating two focused industry leaders, each with significant scale, strong financial profiles and distinct strategic opportunities,” Comcast, the parent company of NBC News, said in a statement.
It follows the spin-off of other cable networks previously owned by Comcast, including MSNBC (now MS Now) and CNBC, into a new separate company, Versant.
Read more about this story here.
NASA awards, ‘unicorns’ and the biggest IPO ever: A new commercial space boom is underway
NASA’s push to return to the moon and historic levels of investment in the private space sector have fueled a gold rush to the stars. Roughly a decade ago, a new wave of investor interest in the commercial space sector began, but experts say this time is different.
The pace of rocket launches has broken records this year, with more than 125 orbital liftoffs worldwide. Of that total, 75 were by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, whose recent splashy IPO heralds how lucrative this next chapter of commercial space flight could be.
A key force behind the recent boom is NASA’s aggressive push to return astronauts to the moon and build a base on the lunar surface, goals it plans to accomplish by partnering with private companies. Since it retired its space shuttle fleet in 2011, the company has looked to commercially developed vehicles to take its place.
The Trump administration is also doubling down on the public-private partnership strategy. Last month, NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman awarded nearly $1 billion in new contracts to private companies to build landers and three uncrewed moon missions scheduled to launch this year
Read All About It
- President Donald Trump has warned that the U.S. could be forced to return to war as a series of reciprocal strikes with Iran continued into Sunday.
- Millions of people across the central and eastern U.S. could face days of triple-digit heat index values ahead of July Fourth.
- A major overhaul of the student loan program will begin this week, including higher repayment requirements, fewer program options and greater loan limits.
- The shingles vaccine may significantly help protect older adults against dementia, a growing body of evidence shows.
- At least four people have died after torrential rain unleashed flash flooding across Kentucky, as emergency crews continue to search for survivors.
Staff Pick: Goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa’s emotional farewell leaves lasting legacy for Mexico fans
We spoke to lifelong fans of Guillermo Ochoa, Mexico’s revered goalkeeper, who stepped onto the pitch during Wednesday night’s 3-0 group stage victory against Czechia, possibly for the last time for the national team.
For Mexico fans, watching their national team isn’t just a tradition, it’s a religion and Ochoa — “San Memo” — is their saint. Wednesday marked his sixth World Cup and his fourth with play time.
Fans we spoke to recalled his Herculean saves over the years, the emotion of seeing him play Wednesday and the indelible legacy he leaves behind.
— Marlene Lenthang, breaking news reporter
💥 What you missed: In the first game of the knockout round, Canada beat South Africa with a late goal from Stephen Eustáquio to advance to the round of 16 for the first time. This is how it happened.
🗓 What to watch today: The knockout round continues today, with five-time champions Brazil facing Japan, who impressed in the group stage, at 1 p.m. ET, followed by Germany vs. Paraguay at 4:30 p.m. and the Netherlands vs. Morocco at 9 p.m. See the full schedule.
📩 Join the excitement: Sign up for The Sports Desk newsletter for more in-depth World Cup coverage.
NBC Select: Online Shopping, Simplified
Has anyone else been seeing weighted vests absolutely everywhere lately? Our reporter did a deep dive on the gear loved by fitness trainers. And while we’re on the topic of viral workout equipment, is Stakt’s viral folding yoga mat really worth almost $100? And what about their popular adjustable weights?
Sign up to The Selection newsletter for hands-on product reviews, expert shopping tips and a look at the best deals and sales each week.
Thanks for reading today’s Morning Rundown. Today’s newsletter was curated for you by Kaylah Jackson. If you’re a fan, please send a link to your family and friends. They can sign up here.