Celebrating America + Fireworks Watch Spots + Keep Your Pets Safe

Rise and shine, Dallas! It's Friday, July 2.

Today's Headlines:

As we head into our first post-COVID Independence Day, it's time to reflect on where America's been — and where we'd like it to go. And, if you're curious about where to watch fireworks in the metroplex or how to keep your four-legged friends from freaking out from the noise, we can help with that, too.

First, today's weather: Rain until evening. High: 88 Low: 73.

Among the top stories today in Dallas today:

1. Dallas Fire and Police to Monitor 4th of July Fireworks Activities (NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth)
2. Memorial set for Mark Lee, legendary figure in Dallas' rock music scene (CultureMap Dallas)
3. In Dallas shooting that left a 4-year-old wounded, police are asking for help (Fort Worth Star-Telegram)
4. Study: Dallas has 3 of the deadliest 5-mile stretches in Texas (FOX 4 Dallas)
5. Dallas Leaders To Talk Fourth Of July Safety, Task Force | Live 2PM (CBS Dallas / Fort Worth)
6. These are the 9 best things to do in Dallas this Fourth of July weekend (CultureMap Dallas)

Today's Dallas Daily is brought to you by our friends at Verizon. They're building the fastest 5G network in the country. To learn how 5G is going to change life for you and your community — and to get access to this amazing technology — click here. And thank you Verizon for sponsoring this community resource in Dallas!

Today in Dallas

• DIESEL Returns to Northpark Center (10:00 AM)
• Patriotic Salute – Allen Philharmonic – Creekside Live! (6:00 PM)
• Wes Case Cénario (8:00 PM)

Dallas Patch Notebook

• North Texas Food Bank: "The North Texas Food Bank is looking for stories from volunteers, donors, food recipients, and supporters from the ti..." (Instagram)
• SPCA of Texas: "PLEASE HELP! As we head into the holiday weekend we are out of space and still have dogs scheduled to come in. As of ..." (Instagram)
• Dallas Park and Recreation Department: "Get some fresh air while letting your pup run and play at one of #DallasParks 4 off leash dog parks. Find one of our ..." (Facebook)
• City of Dallas - City Hall: "Popping off fireworks in Dallas could cost you $2,000 in fines and that's not a load of barnacles. Keep your money in..." (Facebook)
• SPCA of Texas: "PLEASE HELP! As we head into the holiday weekend we are out of space and still have dogs scheduled to come in. As of ..." (Facebook)
• Dallas Animal Services and Adoption Center: "Happy July 1st! Which one of these red, white, and WOOF rockstars are you taking #HomeForThe4th? We're open 1 PM - 6 ..." (Facebook)
• Dallas Museum of Art: "Did you know that the water lily is one of the birth flowers of July? Ring in the first day of the month with a visit..." (Instagram)
• Dallas Mavericks: "Another big W for @lukadoncic and Slovenia 18 points, 6 rebounds and 10 assists for LD #MFFL @fiba @kzs_si" (Instagram)
• Dallas Zoo: "SAVING SEA TURTLES SUCCESS: This past weekend your Dallas Zoo's Wild Earth Action Team, along with 45 amazing volunte..." (Instagram)
• Dallas Park and Recreation Department: "Join #DallasParks for Water Fitness Classes. Stay cool while working up a sweat! See flyer for locations, days & clas..." (Facebook)
• Dallas ISD: "We loved having First Lady Jill Biden and Dallas Cowboys legend Emmitt Smith out this week to tour the pop-up vaccina..." (Facebook)

You're officially in the loop for today. I'll see you around!

— Kevin Phinney

About me: Kevin Phinney has lived and worked as a writer and editor in Austin, Los Angeles, New Orleans, Seattle and New York City. He was born in Brooklyn, New York and was raised in El Paso. Phinney attended college in Austin. He has done television work as a reporter and commentator, and is a former host of a weekday drive-time radio show called "Kevin & Kevin in the Morning" on KGSR-FM (now known as Austin City Limits Radio). He is also the author of "Souled American, " a book tracking race relations in America through music. It was published by BILLBOARD Books, and is often used in college classrooms across the country.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Dallas Daily? Email all inquiries to me at kevin.phinney@patch.com.