Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston.

President Biden is set to host military families on the South Lawn of the White House today

for a Fourth of July celebration.

NPR's Tamri Keith reports that remarks at these events often represent a political moment.

In 2020 at the height of the pandemic and in the midst of a presidential campaign, former

President Trump packed the South Lawn and delivered an address that was more American

carnage than Yankee doodle Dandy.

In his first year, President Biden said the nation was closer than ever to declaring

independence from the COVID pandemic, just as a new variant wave was taking hold.

And last year he alluded to the Supreme Court's then recent decision over turning Roe versus

Wade and dramatically reducing access to abortion in many states.

He said America was a work in progress and called on its people to defend democracy

by voting.

Whatever this year's message, the evening is set to end with a fireworks display on

the National Mall.

Tamri Keith and P.R. News.

An investigation is underway into a mass shooting in Philadelphia last night.

The alleged gunman opened fire in a neighborhood in the southwestern part of the city killing

four people and wounding two children.

This commissioner, Danielle Outlaw, says suspect has been taken into custody.

Our officers were able to apprehend the mail in the rear alley of 1600 Frager Street.

And when they did, this mail was wearing a bullet vest with multiple magazines in the

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