Revelers pulled out the beer and barbecue to celebrate Independence Day on Wednesday, a tradition that's expected to fill the night sky with fireworks and music in many of the nation's small towns and big cities.
But some of those celebrating will do so without electricity, as power outages have left thousands in the dark while a heat wave scorches the country.
Warnings of temperatures near or above triple digits are in place for parts of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Indiana, Missouri, Illinois and Kentucky, according to the National Weather Service.
Several cities have scrapped plans to hold their annual fireworks displays over concerns of rising temperatures and dangerously dry conditions.
