National Pride Dips, Tesla Struggles, Tinder Adds Facial Scans, and L.A. Fireworks Options

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L.A. Times Studios

News, Daily News, Society & Culture, The Times, California

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🗓️ 4 July 2025

⏱️ 4 minutes

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Summary

A new Gallup poll shows national pride is dropping—especially among Democrats and Gen Z. Tesla sales continue to decline amid political backlash tied to Elon Musk. Tinder rolls out mandatory facial scan verification in California to fight scams. And despite growing divisions, Fourth of July fireworks celebrations are still happening across L.A., from the Hollywood Bowl to Catalina Island.

Transcript

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0:00.0	This is an L.A. Times Studios podcast.
0:10.1	Hi, I'm Angelica Cornado at L.A. Times Studios. Here are some of today's headlines from the Los Angeles Times.
0:18.2	Political strife and environmental concerns are changing how Angelinos celebrate the 4th of July,
0:23.6	but there are still plenty of spots to enjoy a bright fireworks show.
0:27.2	Reporter Malia Mendez says you can buy Hollywood bowl tickets to see fireworks and listen to
0:32.1	timeless tracks from Rock and Roll Hall of Famers, Earthwin and Fire.
0:35.6	Baldwin Park Sierra Vista High School is hosting a free event that starts at 530 and includes
0:40.3	music from a Marvin Gay Tribute band, followed by a fireworks show at 9.30.
0:45.3	If you want to plan a day trip, sail over to Catalina Island to play Judge in a home and
0:50.3	business decorating contest before the free fireworks show at Avalon Bay at 9 p.m.
0:56.1	Sports fans can watch the Dodgers play against the Houston Astros and stick around for a post-game
1:01.2	fireworks show. To learn about more places where the City of Angels plans to light up the skies,
1:06.0	head to the full article.
1:08.4	National pride is declining in the U.S., especially among young people, according to a new
1:13.6	Gallup poll. LA Times reporters say only 36% of surveyed Democrats feel extremely or very
1:19.7	proud to be American, compared to 92% of Republicans. Meanwhile, only 4 in 10 Gen Z adults said they
1:26.6	felt a high level of pride compared to 6 in 10 millennials and 7 in 10 adults from older generations.
1:33.0	While Republican National Pride has remained steady over the years, the survey shows a downward trend in Democrats that may be linked to Trump's presidency.
1:41.4	From 2016 to 2020, the number of Democrats who said they felt proud to be American
1:46.3	dropped from about two-thirds to just over 40%. That number went up slightly when Biden was in office.
1:52.8	Other surveys show a similar divide, but a CNN and SSRS poll found people on both sides
1:59.3	are disappointed with the country's politics.
	...

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