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nation. Congress established Independence Day as a holiday in 1870.
• FIRE IN THE SKY
• The Macy's Fourth of July fireworks show in New York City is the nation's largest. Macy's says more than 1,600 shells will be launched per minute during the 25-minute display over the East River. Other major fireworks shows include those in Chicago on Lake Michigan and in San Francisco over the San Francisco Bay.
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• KILL DEVIL HILLS, N.C. (AP) -- Hurricane Arthur began moving offshore and away from North Carolina's Outer Banks early Friday after slashing into the state's barrier islands overnight.
• Arthur strengthened to a Category 2 storm with winds of 100 mph Thursday evening before passing over the southern end of the Outer Banks -- a 200-mile string of narrow barrier islands with about 57,000 permanent residents. The islands are susceptible to high winds, rough seas and road-clogging sands, prompting an exodus that began Wednesday night.
• The storm was moving northeast early Friday after turning slightly west late Thursday, which increased the threat to mainland communities from flooding, tornadoes and intense winds.
• "We're most concerned about flooding inland and also storm surges in our sounds and our rivers further inland," North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory said. An evaluation of storm damage would have to wait until after the sun rose Friday, McCrory said.
• About 22,000 were without power across the Carolinas early Friday, according to Duke Energy's website.
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• LOS ANGELES (AP) -- When American flag-waving protesters forced busloads of migrants to leave Murrieta earlier this week, the Southern California city became the latest flashpoint in an intensifying immigration debate that could heat up even more as patriotism surges on the Fourth of July.
• The city's mayor has become a hero to those seeking stronger immigration poli

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