"Record Heat Wave Engulfs U.S., Nearly Half Under Alerts"

The East Coast is bracing for a record heat wave with temperatures and heat indices expected to soar above 100 degrees, prompting health emergencies and excessive heat warnings in major cities like Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., and Baltimore. Over 100 million people are under heat alerts, and cities are opening cooling centers to help residents cope. The extreme heat is expected to last until mid-week before a cold front brings relief.