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Rescue Teams Form CA, VA Arrive In Venezuela After Earthquakes; TX School Board Votes To Require Bible Stories In K-12 Curriculum; U.S. Strikes Iran Military Targets Around Strait Of Hormuz; IRC: Quake Response Will Take Months, Not Weeks; Extreme Heat Blame For More Than 200 Deaths Across Spain; Dangerous Heat Wave Builds Across Central And Eastern United States. Aired 7-8a ET

Aired June 27, 2026 - 07:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

[07:00:00]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

VICTOR BLACKWELL, CNN ANCHOR: Welcome back to CNN THIS MORNING. Here's what you need to know today. Time is running out in Venezuela to find survivors after earthquakes rocked the country this week. We have a live report from the disaster zone as more help arrives.

Also, bible-based lessons have been approved for public schools in Texas. I'll be joined by a member of the Texas state school board -- the board of education, rather, to discuss the changes.

Plus, the U.S. Strikes Iran after ships were attacked in the Strait of Hormuz. We'll break down where things stand today.

And a record-breaking heat wave is changing daily life across Europe. I'll talk to a tour guide in Paris about how people are coping.

Saturday, June 27. Welcome to CNN THIS MORNING. Good to have you along. I'm Victor Blackwell.

We start this morning with the earthquake response in Venezuela. U.S. search and rescue teams from California and Virginia -- they've now arrived in the country to help search for survivors trapped in this rubble. The State Department released this video of those crews landing in Venezuela and said more help will be heading to that devastated region. As crucial hours pass and the rescue window shrinks, there is some hope. Rescue teams were able to pull this woman from the wreckage.

There is also a lot of despair, as you might imagine. There's video of people looting grocery stores and shops and warehouses. They're looking for the basic essentials, for food, for medicine. According to a Venezuelan lawmaker, the death toll is now up to at least 920. The lawmaker says more than 3300 people are injured.

Let's go straight now to Journalist Mary Triny Mena. She's in Caracas, Venezuela. Mary, what's the latest?

MARY TRINY MENA, JOURNALIST: Well, as the hours goes by, desperation grows. And the authorities are concentrating right now the efforts in securing the area. And that is why the Venezuelan government has decided to militarize the La Guaira area. This state, which is the place more affected by the earthquakes, where the death toll is higher in Venezuela, and the damages are extensive.

Right now, there's a -- they implemented a new operation. And all persons -- all people that needs to go to La Guaira state, which is 25 minutes from Caracas, should register as a volunteer. The first few days were kind of chaotic between the looting and the situation itself.

We witnessed the best and the worst in humanity in the same place. People looting not only food but also electronics. And also, we witnessed the courageous acts of civilians that went there using motorcycles to give away free water, food.

So, it's kind of difficult to control the situation right now for the authorities. That is why they are checking not only the personnel going there, also the civilians going there. They are asking citizens not to go to the ground zero area.

And also checking journalists. Even journalists who -- like me, who has a press card, they are going to set a special credential issued by the government for journalists to go to that area. Victor.

BLACKWELL: All right. Mary Triny Mena there. So many complicated angles to try to find survivors and bring some comfort to the people who are left after this earthquake -- these earthquakes, I should say. Thanks so much.

After the U.S. and Iran traded attacks this week, there are some serious questions about the sustainability of the ceasefire. CENTCOM announced Friday that it struck Iranian targets and posted this video. Iran's state media says it retaliated, too. But the U.S. military is not confirming that.

CNN's Kristen Holmes explains how the Trump administration is responding.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KRISTEN HOLMES, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Vice President JD Vance, who has been the face of the negotiations of the deal with Iran, is now the face of this retaliation that were seeing from the U.S. after Iran launched its attacks on that commercial vessel in the Strait of Hormuz. He posted this on Twitter, saying Iran signed a ceasefire agreement. We have honored it. If they have a disagreement about how the MOU, the memorandum of understanding, is being applied, they can pick up the phone. But violence will be met with violence.

[07:05:15]

And likely what he is referring to is that before Iran had actually attacked that commercial vessel, they had warned that any commercial vessels could only travel the routes in the Strait of Hormuz that Tehran had dictated. But it's unclear if that's actually part of the memorandum of understanding. However, it seems from this tweet that he is referring to that -- the fact that Tehran believes it can dictate the routes on the Strait of Hormuz.

Now, from Central Command, we heard that they believed that Iran had violated the ceasefire. However, it seems as though they are acting in a fashion that the ceasefire is still holding, despite the violation, despite the retaliation from the United States. They said that they are going to continue to have a military presence in the Strait of Hormuz and in the area in order to ensure that Iran continues to comply with the deal, meaning the deal seems to still be in place.

Now, President Trump seemed to be growing frustrated earlier today when he was asked repeatedly if Iran had violated the ceasefire and if the U.S. was going to respond. Take a listen.

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I don't like the fact that they took a shot yesterday -- actually four, we knocked down three -- at a ship. Not an allied ship, but a ship -- a very expensive ship. And it was fine, but it took a little beating. They shouldn't be doing that. So you'll find out.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Will the U.S. --

TRUMP: I mean, you'll find out.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Will the U.S. respond? What is your message to Iran?

TRUMP: Will we respond? You're going to find out.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Sir, why do you think they did that? If the talks you've said repeatedly they're going, well, what do you think the motivation is for Iran in attacking the ship?

TRUMP: They're a little bit different. That's why I think of it. 47 years. No president did what we're doing. So, you just asked a question. You'll find out. OK, I think we had enough.

HOLMES: Now, after just a short burst of questions on Iran, President Trump ushered those reporters out of the room. Very uncharacteristic for somebody who likes to take questions, usually for a lengthy period of time. And just moments after that exchange, we heard reports from Iranian state media that there were sounds of explosions in southern Iran.

Obviously, that response had already been in place and had already taken place. Now, of course, we hear from Central Command that they believe that the ceasefire is still holding. But there are still a lot of questions about what this means for the negotiations, what this means for the deal moving forward.

We have been hearing from administration officials just how fragile and just how tenuous these negotiations were. Still unclear what these latest strikes are going to do for those tenuous negotiations. Kristen Holmes, CNN, the White House.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLACKWELL: President Trump is ramping up his attacks on Democrats after the success of several Democratic socialists in last week's primaries.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TRUMP: These are not social Democrats. These are hardcore, godless communists. They're godless communists. All communists are godless.

They don't believe in god. This is the most serious threat to our country since its existence, in my opinion, 250 years ago. This is a major threat to our country.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLACKWELL: In New York's Democratic primary this week, voters in two deep blue districts selected self-identified Democratic socialists as their candidates for Congress.

A prosecutor in the Charlie Kirk murder trial is being held in contempt by a Utah judge for violating a pretrial publicity order. But the judge is leaving the death penalty on the table as a possible sentence. Prosecutor Christopher Ballard told reporters this spring about an inconclusive ballistics report mentioned in a defense filing. He also talked about the strength of the case against the suspect, Tyler Robinson. Well, on Friday, the judge ruled that those remarks risked prejudicing the jury pool.

A red flag warning has been issued for the Cottonwood Fire in Southwest Utah. Low humidity levels and wind gusts reaching 50 miles per hour are fueling these flames. Over 72,000 acres have burned so far. More than 650 firefighters are battling the fire. According to the governor, the Cottonwood Fire may already be the most destructive fire in the state's history.

Coming up. The debate over taxing the rich. California Governor Gavin Newsom says he's against a wealth tax in his state. We have details on the plan he's proposing, instead.

Plus, Europe is sizzling under a deadly heat wave that is rewriting some of the records there. The country that just saw its all-time high.

And bible stories are headed into some public school lessons. After the break, what the new requirement means for classrooms in Texas?

[07:10:19]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLACKWELL: The Texas State Board of Education has officially approved a new curriculum that mandates bible verses be taught to more than five million public school students. Starting in 2030, K-12 -- k through 12 children will be required to read passages like David and Goliath and Adam and Eve, alongside classic American texts. It's a first-of-its-kind move that supporters call historically vital, but critics argue that it's unconstitutional

[07:15:26]

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

EVELYN BROOKS, BOARD MEMBER, TEXAS STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION: Teachers need to be -- have their autonomy. They've been selecting books for decades -- for years. This is nothing new. This is not a new concept to teachers.

We are simply giving them a mandated list, which I believe is unconstitutional. But regardless of what I believe, let's not take their autonomy away.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLACKWELL: Joining me now is one of the members of the Texas Board of Education, Tiffany Clark. Thank you so much for being with me this morning. You are a board member, and typically, I wouldn't mention this, but a Christian as well. And your views are that this should not be mandated for the five million or so public school students. Tell me why.

TIFFANY CLARK, BORAD MEMBER, TEXAS BOARD OF EDUCATION: Yes. Good morning, Victor, and thank you for having me this morning. I think it's just not appropriate.

We have so many students who we serve amongst that 5.5 million from Christians to Jews to Muslims to stick religion. Like, there are so many different religions that we have. Hinduism, Buddhism. There's so many students that we serve amongst that 5.5 million. So, to regulate one Christian mandate, I just don't think it's fair to the students that we serve.

BLACKWELL: And so -- and I mentioned that there are these sections of David and Goliath story and Adam and Eve. The David and Goliath is a picture book adaptation for elementary school students. Bible passages about Adam and Eve for older students.

And tell me if I'm wrong here. The suggestion here is that it would make the students of other religions or no religions uncomfortable unnecessarily.

CLARK: For sure. It's no reason to bring that into the classroom.

BLACKWELL: Yes. So, let me ask you this. The English Three -- and I looked at the list of proposed literature -- includes two chapters of the book of Genesis, but it also includes writings by Ayn Rand, who was an atheist and called religion primitive.

You've got writings from Paul Laurence Dunbar, who questioned piety and religious performative. Writings from Ray Bradbury, Fahrenheit 451, about rejecting censorship and reclaiming literature. The opposition to what you believe is that give all these students a menu, include the bible, and then let them critically think about all of this. What's wrong with that approach? CLARK: Yes. This mandated list is no longer allowing students the ability to critical think. We do understand that it's being lost. We saw it this past week when we had students get up reading testimonies. And then when being questioned, it was like, I don't know what I'm talking about. I'm just reading this paper.

So, I think it's important for us to remember. Teachers know what to do. Teachers have been doing this. We are professionals in our industry. We are professionals in our craft. So, teachers know what their students need.

Not every community looks the same. Not every community believes the same. So, it's important to restore local control and make sure that our educators are getting what they need so they can compete globally. Our students need to focus literally on reading comprehension and understanding how to dissect information, but we can't get there through this method.

BLACKWELL: You point out an interesting element of this story is that typically what we hear from people who are advocates of adding religious texts to curriculum, they are talking about local control and the values of a small community. But here on the statewide level, there is the reversal of that, where there in -- trying to have these biblical texts offered to every community across the state.

Let me ask you one more thing. Beyond just the reading list, there has been a change to the social studies curriculum as well, in which the sixth grade world cultures class is eliminated, and the social studies curriculum is more Texas-focused and U.S.-focused. Why the contraction of the courses to focus only on the U.S. or mostly on the U.S. and not the entire world?

CLARK: So, based off what the rhetoric that they are using, it's honestly that the founding fathers, you know, focus heavily on the U.S. instead of globally. So, what I'll say and what I've been saying is in my -- it's a way to erase the contributions of black and brown Americans when you stripped world cultures. Because you no longer are allowing students again, to hear and understand the contributions from around the world.

[07:20:21]

You're seemingly focusing it on the United States, in Texas, which is problematic within itself. Because Texas right now, we are the majority. Right now, most of our students and who reside are Hispanics and Black Americans within the public education system. So, we've lost sight of that by just saying we want to focus on Texas and Christians and the Constitution and the founding fathers. Because the Constitution wasn't written for people who look like me, if we're going to be honest.

BLACKWELL: Yes, I did see 'We Wear the Mask' by Paul Laurence Dunbar and Thomas Sowell's writings in the agenda, some of the suggested writings. But I hear your point. Tiffany Clark, thanks so much for being with me this morning. Rescuers in Venezuela are still racing to find earthquake survivors as aid starts to arrive to the devastated area. We'll speak to a leader of an organization responding to that call for help.

Plus, Bahrain claims an Iranian attack after the U.S. strikes Iranian targets in response to an attack on a cargo ship. We're live in the region with the latest on the new back and forth. Next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[07:25:57]

BLACKWELL: Live look at the traffic on the Strait of Hormuz right now, just hours after the U.S. military conducted strikes on Iran. The Joint Maritime Information Center raised the threat level in the Strait to substantial. CENTCOM shared video of the attack last night, that retaliation after Iran struck a commercial ship in the Strait on Thursday. A U.S. Official tells CNN, Friday's strike do not indicate a return to major combat operations.

Now, Iranian state media says Tehran did retaliate by also targeting the U.S. military in the area. But the U.S. military has not confirmed that. With me now from Abu Dhabi is CNN's Paula Hancocks. Paula, how could this affect the MOU?

PAULA HANCOCKS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Victor, it's certainly shaken confidence in the Strait of Hormuz. The fact the U.S. president said that this crucial waterway was free and open has now been brought into doubt, as we see this tit for tat from both the U.S. and the Iranian side.

Now, we know from Central Command that they have targeted military targets. So, radar sites along the Strait of Hormuz, missile and drone stockpiles, they say. And we hear from the foreign ministry in Tehran that they have struck U.S. military targets in response.

Bahrain has come out and said they were the ones targeted. This, of course, is where the U.S. Navy Fifth Fleet is based. Bahrain condemning the retaliation by Iran.

At this point, we have not heard of further retaliatory strikes on either side. It will be clear in the next few hours or so whether or not there is an appetite to head back to full military operations. We're certainly hearing from a U.S. Official that that is not the case on the U.S. side.

We've heard from JD Vance as well, the U.S. vice president. I want to read you part of his statement where he says "Iran signed a ceasefire agreement. We have honored it. If they have disagreements about how the MOU is being applied, they can pick up the phone. But violence will be met with violence."

Now, this is the first time that we have seen this kind of flare up in violence since that MOU was signed. And it's really pointing to a number of issues with the MOU and how both sides see it. The U.S. considers the Strait of Hormuz should be completely open. And certainly, we're seeing from the Iranian side, we've heard from the revolutionary guard that they want any vessels transiting to go through the Iranian route. So, to continue to ask permission, to fill out forms, whereas, unsurprisingly, the majority of these vessels are choosing to hug the Omani Coast on the southern part of the Strait of Hormuz.

Now, the UK Maritime Agency has said that they believe that the security threat in the Strait at this point is substantial. So, we will have to see how many vessels actually choose to try and traverse the Strait of Hormuz. Now, one bit of good news.

We have heard there has been a trilateral agreement signed. This is between Israel, the U.S., and Lebanon. This was mediated by the U.S. in Washington.

And we know that Israel has said that they will withdraw from two areas in Southern Lebanon. And they are also, they have said, going to be withdrawing some of their troops. The U.S. Secretary of State says it's just the beginning and knows there is a long way to go. Victor.

BLACKWELL: Yes. And Iran has made Lebanon critical -- central to maintaining this MOU. Paula Hancocks, thanks so much.

The death toll in Venezuela is above 900 now, after those catastrophic earthquakes. That's according to a Venezuelan lawmaker who says so far, 920 people have been killed, more than 3300 injured.

With me now to discuss the rescue efforts is Loyce Pace. She's the director for the America's division of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, or IFRC for short.

[07:30:06]

Loyce, thanks for being with me. Let's start here. And we have seen the pictures of the desperate search for survivors, but also food and water. Talk to me about the most urgent needs right now.

LOYCE PACE, REGIONAL DIRECTOR, FOR THE AMERICAS, INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF RED CROSS AND RED CRESCENT SOCIETIES: Well, you've got it. And thanks, Victor, for having me on.

The search and rescue efforts continue. The good news is that there are more teams arriving from neighboring countries, which has been really great to see this show of solidarity and support. But in addition to search and rescue, you have to give these people something that you are pulling from the rubble.

You have to tend to their wounds, both visible and invisible, frankly, and also ensure that those who have been injured, even those who have just been unhoused, receive that food, shelter, and those basic needs. And so, that's why we've been able to ship more. Our plane arrived yesterday with more hygiene kits, cooking kits, beds, blankets, you name it, we are just trying to do our best to help the people of Venezuela. BLACKWELL: How have these aftershocks, which I understand have continued since the initial earthquakes on Wednesday, hampered the efforts to serve the people there?

PACE: That's a great question. Yes, it's -- I don't know if people realize how constant this threat has been. Of course, there were the two major earthquakes a few days ago now, but ever since, there have been rolling tremors. Every time we are on the phone with my team down there and our volunteers, there is an aftershock.

So, it's pretty constant, and it's quite scary. It means that our teams have to be quite careful going into these communities to further assess the damage or deliver these services, and of course, the education of these communities who are out in the streets is really important.

People want to get back home, they want to get back inside, they want to feel safe again, and yet, there is some insecurity when it comes to these -- to their infrastructure, these buildings that are literally falling down. So, we have to be quite careful in the weeks ahead.

BLACKWELL: Yes, I was on air on Wednesday night after the first major earthquakes, and we were reporting that there were people sleeping outside because they were afraid that the buildings that were still standing were going to collapse.

(CROSSTALK)

PACE: Yes.

BLACKWELL: Is that still the case? I mean, is there the ability, even so soon after this event, to get people basic shelter in these compromised buildings?

(CROSSTALK)

PACE: Yes. Yes, the answer is yes to both of those questions. So, it is still the case that people are outdoors, we want to get them to safe, adequate shelter. It will be temporary, of course, but there are already these centers and staging areas being set up, which is really good to hear. And there is more help coming.

So, it's -- I think, right now, we are trying to help people know that these facilities are available. And yet, there are thousands and thousands of people we are talking about. Right? If you are just given the population.

And so, it will take time to ensure that everyone has access to those shelters. But again, we do have teams on the ground working with other agencies and the government of Venezuela to ensure that those resources are available.

BLACKWELL: Yes. You know, something you -- your organization mentioned in your latest news release, and I'm so glad you did, and I never want to skip over, is that there are the wounds that we don't see. We count the injured based on scrapes and cuts and broken bones, but you are also offering the trauma, and as you describe it, psychosocial care. Talk to me about that.

PACE: Yes. Yes, when you talk about psychological first aid, you know, oftentimes, when you think about injury, when you think about emergencies, yes, it's sort of like put the band aid on it, put on the splint, whatever, you know, fix the broken bones and bruises.

But there is so much anxiety right now that's circulating in the community. Even amongst our own volunteers. I mean, we have volunteers on the ground with the Venezuelan Red Cross who still can't find family members.

I have team members who lost their homes. Right? And they started working immediately. It's one of the reasons why we have been so keen to get surge teams there, get staff on the ground who can take over for them. It's really too much, honestly.

And so, a lot of what the Venezuelan Red Cross is doing, in addition to surveying the damage, is surveying those psychological needs and providing that support on site.

So, to the degree, we can't yet get people back home or even into a shelter, we are able to literally walk around and understand how we can otherwise support them emotionally or mentally.

BLACKWELL: Loyce Pace, I thank you for your time this morning, and for the work that you and your team are doing there across Venezuela. Thanks so much.

All right. Coming up, it's been a brutal week across much of. Europe with a heat wave blanketing the continent.

[07:35:02]

How people are coping with the hot weather as this weekend continues.

And if you are heading out, whether it's hot or chilly, where you are, with a heat wave blanketing the continent, how people are coping with the hot weather as this weekend continues. And if you're heading out, whether it's hot or chilly, where you are, I want to go take us along. You can stream my show from anywhere in the U.S. right now from the CNN app, and you can also go to cnn.com/watch.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[07:40:02]

BLACKWELL: California Governor Gavin Newsom is proposing a national tax on the super wealthy. He calls it the first step of an economic reset for America.

In November, California governors will decide on a state billionaire's tax proposal that Newsom opposes. He even tried to keep this one off the ballot. But Newsom is calling for a national tax on anyone worth more than $100 million that requires them to pay at least the same rate as the average American. The search has been suspended for a missing father and a 16-year-old son from Korea, after they were swept into the ocean four days ago off the coast of Oahu. Rescue crews have combed through 30 coastal miles, but heavy winds hampered their efforts.

Family members say the two left their Waikiki hotel early in the morning to explore a local trail and never return.

Right now, millions of people across Europe are still dealing with the historic and deadly heat wave.

Listen to this: in Spain, officials say more than 200 people have died in the past week because of these temperatures. And because of all this, several music festivals have been canceled. It's also bringing attention to the issue that only about one in five homes in Europe has air conditioner, compared to nearly nine out of 10 in the U.S.

But fortunately, there may be finally a bit of relief this weekend. Let's go to Sophie Gacheny. She is a tour guide in Paris. Thank you for being with me. Glad you all are getting a break, because it has been a really rough week. 105 in Paris, 109 in Bordeaux -- Fahrenheit, of course.

I'm in Georgia. So, these numbers really are not big for us. But for you it's major. How has it been? What's it felt like?

SOPHIE GACHENY, TOUR GUIDE, PARIS: Bonjour, thanks.

So, yes, in Paris it has been a very, very hard week, actually. Now, everybody is like finger crossed. We hope that tomorrow is going to be better. But as you might know, here in France, we don't have good A.C. system. Like, this is not part of our culture, because, before, we didn't need them.

So, yes, it has been very, very hard for the people living, especially in the big cities like Paris.

BLACKWELL: Yes, we talked last hour about how the homes are really designed to keep heat in thicker walls, more insulation, smaller windows. Is the air conditioning culture changing after this past week?

GACHENY: So, actually, many people bought, like, kind of mobile A.C., you know. But they are not very practical, because, you know, you need to have your window open, so basically the air is still getting in. But I think, maybe in the next like months and years, when people would like plan their next like real estate operations.

Maybe, they are going to include more A.C. to their decision. And also, about on which floor you want to live. Because in Paris, most of the time, people are looking for the upper floors. But now, when you are on the sixth floor, without A.C., it's quite challenging.

BLACKWELL: Yes, this is going to be happening more often. According to Meteo-France, of the 52 heat waves recorded in France since 1947, two- thirds have happened since the year 2000. So, these are happening more often.

You are a tour guide, as I said at the top. How has this affected business?

GACHENY: So, basically, I have been very lucky because I had the same family for the past week. So, I was with them on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and they were very flexible. So, basically, what we decided to do, it was to start very early in the morning, around like 8:00 a.m. until basically the moment when everybody was done. We are doing a lot of breaks, like at cafes. And also, Paris has a lot of fountains with water. But basically, we really had to add up this way.

So, I've been lucky to have the same family, because this way it was easy. If I had several groups, and maybe groups at, like -- from like 2:00 p.m. or to 4:00 p.m. I would have maybe canceled. And I know, some of my colleagues had to cancel their chores, or to readapt everything.

And also, many museums closed, like I don't know if you saw that, but the Louvre is closing before the normal time. So, for museum it's hard, and basically for walking tours, we can do them early morning or late, because now, it's getting dark around, almost 11:00 p.m.

BLACKWELL: Yes.

GACHENY: So, we do chores between like 9:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. So --

BLACKWELL: Well, Sophie, you have it all figured out, and I'm glad again that you all are getting a break, hopefully this weekend.

Sophie Gacheny, thank you so much, and stay cool. Coming up --

(CROSSTALK)

GACHENY: Thanks a lot.

[07:45:00]

BLACKWELL: Certainly.

The group stage is down to its final matches with the last spots in the World Cups knockout round on the line. Who is moving on and who is going home?

Tomorrow, the battle of the Alamo becomes a rallying cry for the Texas Revolution, reshaping North America and its balance of power.

A new episode of the CNN original series, "THIS LAND", airs Sunday at 9:00 p.m. on CNN. And then, Monday, it's on the CNN app.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLACKWELL: Europe shouldn't have to suffer through this on their own. We have got in the U.S. the first widespread heat wave moving in this weekend, and it's only going to get stronger.

[07:50:01]

CNN meteorologist Melissa Nord is here.

So, what should we expect?

MELISSA NORD, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Well, it's going to start in the central plains.

BLACKWELL: OK.

NORD: But then, it's going to move east. So, that means by Fourth of July weekend --

(CROSSTALK)

BLACKWELL: Oh, boy.

NORD: End of this week, getting ready for those holidays, hope you find a cool place to cool down: pool, lake, something like that, because yes, it's going to be hot, Victor.

We are talking about some places potentially seeing not just some record high temperatures, but overnight lows are going to be very warm, so, it doesn't provide a lot of relief, but it's multiple days in a row we are dealing with the high heat, high humidity as well. It's from a heat dome. It starts in the central U.S. It moves to the east.

Underneath that dome, though, it traps in the heat, a lot of sinking air. So, we don't get a lot of relief, not a lot of airflow either. You can see the jet stream going way to the north, pushing that east -- heat, rather, eastward as we head throughout the week.

So, that means even though it's not going to feel that bad to start the week in places like Washington and New York City, we are going to get really bad through the week.

For tomorrow, first series of heat alerts and advisories issued for tomorrow in the Plains, that does include St. Louis, Kansas City, and we will see that heat expanding eastward. Look at some of these high temperatures, and feels like temperatures is the heat index values. By the time we get into the early part of the week, 102 degrees there, Monday, Tuesday in Chicago.

So, heat index on Monday, highest there across the plains, 100 in Atlanta. Then, by Wednesday and Thursday, look at those numbers: 108 in D.C. for Wednesday, 112 on Thursday. The temperatures themselves could be really close to 100 degrees in places like D.C. and New York City.

And also, down in the Carolinas. Those temperatures could be close to 100 degrees. So, here is Chicago, 71 today, not bad, but we'll see that heat building up into the 90s for several days straight. Victor.

BLACKWELL: I'm going to be in New York on the Fourth of July. It's going to, what? 107 or -- (CROSSTALK)

NORD: Scorching. Find a place to cool down.

BLACKWELL: All right. I was having a good morning. Thanks, Melissa.

NORD: Yes.

BLACKWELL: All right. Cape Verde makes history at the World Cup with their draw against Saudi Arabia.

CNN's Carolyn Manno joins me now.

Cape Verde is the team, you got to love this fantastic story.

CAROLYN MANNO, CNN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT: It's an amazing story. It has been a dream run for this tiny island nation. It's not over yet, either, Victor.

Cape Verde, off the western coast of Africa, they have a very small but proud population of just over 500,000. Now, the smallest nation by that metric to ever make it to the knockout stage of a men's World Cup. They earned that right to advance after a scoreless draw with Saudi Arabia in their group stage finale on Friday. And now, they are going to face heavy hitter Argentina in the round of 32 in Florida on July 3rd. A tough assignment, but the team's coach said they are so proud to have arrived on this stage, showing that they are a small country, but that they fight for the things that they want to achieve.

The nation is a tournament debutante. They shocked everybody in their opener when they played tournament favorite Spain to a scoreless draw, and then, they scored the nation's first goals of the tournament with a 2-2 draw against Uruguay. But really fun story to watch, and the fans clearly loving every minute of it.

Spain beat Uruguay last night. They were gifted the lead in the 42nd minute when Uruguay's keeper accidentally swatted a save into his own net.

This was one of the most anticipated matches of the group stage, but it really lacked significant scoring chances on both sides. Kind of a ho-hum. Spain hasn't made a pass around the. 16 since winning the country's lone title back in 2010. And people looking for a little bit more from them.

And then, you had this highly charged physical Group G match between Iran and Egypt in Seattle. It ended in dramatic fashion after hitting the crossbar moments before this, Iran's defender, Shojae Khalilzadeh firing the ball into the back of the net. This was the 93rd minute, his bench sprinting onto the pitch, everybody celebrating this last gasp ticket to the knockout stage, but the celebration cut short. Video review revealing that he had strayed just centimeters offside before the ball was played.

This goal was disallowed, the 1-1 draw leaving Egypt safely through the round of 32. Iran now waiting to see if they qualify as one of the best third place teams, dramatic nonetheless heartbreaking, really.

And elsewhere, the 2026 NHL draft kicked off last night in Buffalo, Toronto, selecting 18-year-old forward Gavin McKenna with the number one overall pick.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JUSTIN BIEBER, CANADIAN POP STAR: Mr. McKenna, we would like to draft you to the Toronto Maple Leafs.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MANNO: Longtime Leafs fan Justin Bieber, looking very official, making it official, taking the stage with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman. Leafs Captain Austin Matthews was also drafted number one overall by Toronto and Buffalo, exactly a decade ago, he welcomed McKenna by way of a video message, too.

This kid is elite, known for world-class hockey I.Q., high volume scoring, and Victor, I don't know if he was really around during the Baby Bieber era. He is 18, but I feel like Bieb is a lifelong fan. So, still very cool to get that intro. Back to you.

[07:55:03]

BLACKWELL: He doesn't know the baby, baby years. Those YouTube years of Bieber.

All right. Carolyn Manno, thanks so much.

Hey, "FIRST OF ALL" is coming up at the top of the hour. We'll be joined by the Haitian plaintiff in the temporary protected status case. The Supreme Court ruled on this week. How his community in Springfield, Ohio, is reacting to the threat of deportation now?

Next week, marks 250 years since the Declaration of Independence was adopted.

I'm going to speak with a Native American journalist who wants to put a spotlight on the role of Native people in the U.S. history and the slur in our nation's founding document, she says, has largely been overlooked.

Plus, should Kanye West be banned from concerts in cities across the country because of his past hate speech? The mayor of San Antonio wants her city to scrap a performance scheduled for the Fourth of July, but the city council says that they don't want to censor him, and the city needs the money. San Antonio's mayor will be here.

Those stories and conversations you're not going to see anywhere else are coming up after a short break. On "FIRST OF ALL".

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