Morning Briefing, July 4

Today is Independence Day, July 4, the 185th day of 2011.

HEADLINES

• For the newest stories and advice on fostering and adopting rescue pets, check out today's "" column at 9 a.m.
• Check out our "" column at 11 a.m. for attorney Jeremy T. Simon's tips and insights on how the court system works.

TIDBITS

• Today is Independence Day and banks, local schools, the U.S. Postal Service and government offices for the City of Tampa and Hillsborough County are closed.

EVENTS

• 12 p.m.  The Great American Holiday – A 4th of July Celebration, 701 Channelside Dr. Live music and entertainment. Fireworks display begins at
• 9 p.m. Fireworks Display, 701 Channelside Dr. No lawn chairs, personal fireworks or coolers permitted.

See Patch's Events Calendar for the rest of today's happenings.

MEETINGS

City of Tampa

• City of Tampa Office are closed due to the holiday.

Hillsborough County

• Hillsborough County offices are closed due to the holiday.

FORECAST

• Independence Day: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 93. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
• Monday Night: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 77. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

POLLEN LEVEL

• Tree: No Actiivity
• Grass: High
• Weed: Medium

TODAY IN HISTORY

• In 1776, the American Revolution begins with the adoption of the Declaration of Independence by the Second Continental Congress.
• In 1803, the Louisiana Purchase is announced to the American people.
• 1826, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, our nation’s third and second presidents, die on the same day — on the 50th Anniversary of the Adoption of the Declaration of Independence.

*Headlines compiled from Patch.com and other regional media outlets; Forecast and Pollen Level obtained from the National Weather Service and Weather.com; 'Today in History' items compiled from History.com, Wikipedia and other sources.