00:01Iran gets set to memorialize and say goodbye to the supreme leader who ruled the country with an iron fist
00:07for decades until the United States took him out at the start of the war.
00:12Plus, putting the brakes on more Epstein files while the Justice Department says that's it.
00:17And pop superstar Taylor Swift and Chiefs tight end Travis Kelsey prepare to say I do at Madison Square Garden
00:25in front of about 1,000 family members and friends in what some are calling America's royal wedding.
00:34The stories that matter, clear and credible from across the country to around the world.
00:40These are your unbiased updates from Straight Arrow.
00:46Good morning, I'm Craig DeGrelli.
00:48This morning, the United States and Iran have once again paused peace negotiations as pretty much the entire country prepares
00:55for a multi-day funeral for its deceased supreme leader.
00:5986-year-old Ayatollah Ali Khamenei died in U.S.-Israeli strikes that started the war on February 28th.
01:06His funeral is set to begin tomorrow and last until July 9th.
01:10Security is now tightened in Tehran as up to 20 million people are expected to show up for the event,
01:17according to Iranian state TV.
01:19It is not known if Supreme Leader Mottaba Khamenei will attend his father's funeral, but Iran's army general has already
01:26warned the U.S.
01:27and Israel against launching attacks during the funeral.
01:30A viewing of Khamenei's coffin and prayers are planned for Saturday and Sunday at the Grand Masala in central Tehran,
01:37followed by a funeral procession through the streets of the capital on Monday.
01:41The Islamic cleric will be buried on Thursday in his hometown of Mashhad.
01:46Qatar says indirect technical talks between the United States and Iran are scheduled to resume after the ceremonies.
01:53The Justice Department says it will not turn over or unredact any more of the Epstein files.
02:00A federal judge had given the Trump administration until yesterday afternoon to release the information or explain why it could
02:07not.
02:08In a court filing yesterday, the Justice Department pushed back against the judge's claim that it conceded it had violated
02:15the law.
02:16Lawyers said some of the emails included in the order were communications to and from victims, and they were redacted
02:23to protect them.
02:24The DOJ also says redactions to a 2007 draft indictment from the Southern District of Florida were already there when
02:32it was given a copy,
02:33and the Justice Department has not been able to locate an unredacted version of this specific photocopy.
02:39The DOJ also said handwritten interview notes from a woman who made claims against President Donald Trump,
02:46which have not been substantiated, were deemed duplicative.
02:51A former Olympic canoe racer who admits he touched a pool flap or piece of liner that he says was
02:58floating in the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool,
03:00is now charged with a felony.
03:02David Hearn now faces the charge of property destruction and faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted.
03:09The top federal prosecutor in Washington, D.C. alleges that Hearn ripped up the recently installed sealant of the pool
03:16by grabbing with both hands and pulling.
03:19She says he violently and forcefully pulled up the liner in a deliberate act.
03:24The White House claims the reflecting pool has been marred by vandalism in recent weeks.
03:28Authorities have made six other misdemeanor arrests.
03:31Lawyers representing Hearn were quick to defend him, calling the charges outrageous,
03:35and they should be alarming to every American.
03:37The 67-year-old Hearn says he's just a curious American who reached into the pool in late June
03:43to see what the rubbery substance was while on a bike ride.
03:48Today is about accountability for damaging a national resource, a national treasure,
03:53and that is the reflecting pool that runs from the Washington Monument to the Lincoln Memorial,
04:00which is, of course, a symbol of D.C.'s beauty and history.
04:05Now, it was recently renovated with significant funds and investments.
04:12Any tampering undermines that.
04:15And make no mistake, if anyone decides they want to damage that,
04:19whatever they think their reason is, or whether they think it's justified,
04:23or whether they think it's not important, will be held to account.
04:28This is a priority not only for the president, but for myself as well.
04:33The $16 million project has been marred by the bottom coating peeling off and a visible green algae.
04:41Meanwhile, in preparation for Independence Day activities and fireworks in the nation's capital,
04:46crews have covered the reflecting pool with large nets.
04:49The Interior Department says the nets are there to ensure public safety
04:53since the site is a launch pad for the annual 4th of July fireworks display.
04:59Finally this morning, Independence Day is not the only grand event being celebrated this weekend.
05:04By all accounts, pop icon Taylor Swift and Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelsey
05:10are tying the knot tonight at the most famous arena in the biggest city in the country.
05:15The huge wedding is expected to take place at Madison Square Garden in New York.
05:19Security is tight.
05:20Right streets are blocked, train routes into and out of Penn Station are limited.
05:24People have spotted decor and supplies, including knobby tree branches,
05:29as well as boxes of alcohol and lobster meat getting wheeled into the arena, according to CNN.
05:34Reports indicate the superstar couple held a dinner rehearsal at the Garden last night.
05:39According to various reports, tonight's festivities include a cocktail hour,
05:44wedding ceremony, and reception that will continue until 4 tomorrow morning.
05:48It's been dubbed the wedding of the century and the American equivalent of a royal wedding,
05:53with roughly 1,000 guests, including many celebrities expected to be there.
05:59And get this, page 6 of the New York Post is reporting they may already be legally married.
06:05So, if you're on the guest list, what would you get a couple that seemingly has everything?
06:09I know, a gift card to the resurgent bed, bath, and beyond.
06:15Wouldn't that be a surprise?
06:17Likely the only one.
06:19Original, at least.
06:21Unbiased Updates is the fastest, fairest few minutes in news.
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06:30We thank you for making us part of your morning routine.
06:32Those of your Unbiased Updates for this Friday have a happy and safe 4th of July.
06:37It is expected to be one of the hottest on record.
06:40So, try to stay cool as the heat index soars past 100 in many parts.
06:45Find a pool or a friend with a pool and just hunker down.
06:49At any rate, we'll be back here on Monday.
06:51For all of us here at Straight Arrow, I'm Craig DiGrelli.
06:53Have a great day and a fantastic weekend.
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