Skip to main content

© 2026 WEKU

NPR for Central and Eastern Kentucky

Support WEKU!

Play Live Radio

Next Up:

0:00

0:00

0:00 0:00

Available On Air Stations

Thank you to everyone who has supported WEKU and our 1850 campaign! We are now just 11 away from reaching this goal of 1850 new supporters donating at least $10 a month. Existing supporters can help by increasing their monthly support by $10, and that will count towards the goal. Click here to join the campaign!

Thoughts on the Nation's Birthday in Bristol, Rhode Island

Ocean State Media | By David Wright

Published July 2, 2026 at 4:20 PM EDT

We talk with Heidi Vermilyea, who runs the souvenir stand for the Bristol, R.I., Fourth of July celebration, the nation's oldest observance of the holiday.

Copyright 2026 Ocean State Media

David Wright

Support nonprofit, fact-based public service journalism

WEKU depends on support from those who view and listen to our content. There's no paywall here. Please support WEKU with your donation.

Contribute now

Related Content

NPR News

Recovering the missing in Venezuela

Eyder Peralta

Thousands remain missing more than a week after the twin earthquakes struck Venezuela, as the search for loved ones continues, even after nightfall.
The Commonwealth

New change limits where Kentucky medical cannabis cardholders can purchase

Lily Burris

The commonwealth has around 26,000 cardholders.
Runners in Atlanta prepare for a hot 10k race on the Fourth of July

Amanda Andrews

Runners in Atlanta will be dealing with more heat during this year's Fourth of July Peachtree Road Race.
The effort to get benefits to American civilians exposed to toxic burn pits

Ryan Lucas

A burn pit law from Congress left out thousands of American civilians working for the government who were exposed to the same toxins. Now there's an effort to change that.
June gloom for the job market as employers add just 57,000 jobs

Scott Horsley

U.S. employers added fewer jobs than expected last month. The unemployment rate fell, but only because a large number of people stopped looking for work.