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Heat Closes North Carolina Fair, Trump Seeks $10 Million Funding

7/30/2026

Summary

Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration requests $10 million from Congress for Freedom 250 costs.
Republicans allocated $150 million for the anniversary in the One Big Beautiful Bill.
Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Oregon) said the request bails out Freedom 250 and demanded accounting of the $150 million.
North Carolina declined booth funding, prompting private sponsors to step in.
Extreme heat forced early closure of the Great American State Fair, hospitalizing at least 11 people.

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Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration requests $10 million from Congress for Freedom 250 costs.
Republicans allocated $150 million for the anniversary in the One Big Beautiful Bill.
Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Oregon) said the request bails out Freedom 250 and demanded accounting of the $150 million.
North Carolina declined booth funding, prompting private sponsors to step in.
Extreme heat forced early closure of the Great American State Fair, hospitalizing at least 11 people.