Heatwave leaves over 842,000 homes in the dark as US endures scorching heat

A sweeping heatwave across the Midwest and Northeast has knocked out electricity to more than 842,000 homes, with total outages approaching a million as crews race to restore service amid record heat. The strain on the grid comes as heat indexes reach 110–115°F in some areas, prompting the cancellation of Independence Day parades/events and disrupting travel (Amtrak), while sparking national debate over energy infrastructure, renewables vs. nuclear, and how best to bolster resilience against climate change.