'Independence Day' turns 30! Why the blockbuster is the best 4th of July movie ever!

Will Smith, Jeff Goldblum, Bill Pullman, and Vivica A. Fox star in the iconic film, which hit theaters July 3 1996.
By ABC 12 at KTXS (ABC 12) Abilene News · · 1 min read

Will Smith, Jeff Goldblum, Bill Pullman, and Vivica A. Fox star in the iconic film, which hit theaters July 3 1996.
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Stamford is turning into cowboy country again as the Texas Cowboy Reunion marks 96 years of Western heritage.

BLACKWELL, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) — For the Burwick family, the Fourth of July has long been about bringing celebration to others. One year after the historic July 4, 2025, flood claimed the life of Tanya Burwick, the only person who died in the flooding, the family is honoring her memory...

Despite a heat wave that blanketed the eastern U.S. with high temperatures and stifling humidity, Americans took part in Fourth of July festivities on Friday.

Washington, D.C., is set to host major public festivities today and tomorrow as the United States marks its 250th anniversary.

ABILENE, Texas (BCH Sports) - Abilene Christian women's basketball has already hit the court running, with the Wildcats returning to practice at the Moody Coliseum this summer. The Wildcats likely won't open up the season until the end of October, but that doesn't mean they won't have some compet...

Will Smith, Jeff Goldblum, Bill Pullman, and Vivica A. Fox star in the iconic film, which hit theaters July 3 1996.

At least two people were killed and another was hurt after a shooting broke out at a mall in Michigan on Friday afternoon, according to authorities.

House Speaker Mike Johnson urged Americans to celebrate the Fourth of July, calling the U.S. "the greatest nation in the history of the world."

SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) — Ballinger residents will soon be able to tune into their favorite radio station once again after KRUN announced it would return to the airwaves, bouncing back from severe storm damage that shut it down. In an announcement issued on July 2, KRUN-AM 1400...

ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) – Fireworks are illegal within the Abilene city limits, including the Lake Fort Phantom area, as city officials prepare for increased fire danger during the Fourth of July holiday. The City of Abilene is closing Kirby Lake Park at 6 p.m. on Friday, July 3, Saturday, Jul...

Fireworks were flying off the shelves at Sky King Fireworks as shoppers packed the store ahead of what could be an especially big Fourth of July celebration.

"Summer’s Last Resort" stars Sophia Bush, Jerry O’Connell and Violet McGraw have at least one thing in common: embarrassing parents!

The Great American State Fair temporarily closed on Friday due to extreme heat conditions in Washington, D.C.

In a video shared from outside Madison Square Garden, Chief Timothy Beaudette delivered a string of Swift-inspired one-liners.

The "Life of a Showgirl" singer and NFL star donated $2 million to Parton's charity.

Texas is moving toward a statewide reading list for public schools that includes biblical passages.

As thousands of Texans hit the road and prepare to celebrate Independence Day, state troopers and local fire officials are reminding residents to put safety first this Fourth of July weekend. The Texas Department of Public Safety has launched its annual Crash Awareness and Reduction Effort (CARE)...

A couple arrested for climbing to the top of the Empire State Building appeared unfazed by the ordeal, sharing a makeout session in front of cameras.

TAYLOR COUNTY, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) - Turnout for jury summons is seeing a significant decrease, according to District Judge Jeff Propst. The decrease follows a change to the jury cards sent by mail. Propst said Taylor County has used the former, larger cards for decades before making the recent cha...

Trump will kick off the Fourth of July weekend with a visit to Mount Rushmore, the South Dakota monument where he has previously suggested adding his own face.

This Fourth of July, a historic American flag that has traveled the world will complete its journey with a special escort into the nation's capital.

New changes could soon be coming to the Pentagon's worldwide school system after years of concerns about the growing role of DEI in the classroom.

Taye Diggs played Dr. Sam Bennett on "Private Practice" from 2007 to 2013, but would he ever go back?

Are you proud to be an American?

From baseball to sharks to history, we have your perfect Independence Day viewing guide!

Wake-Up Weather: triple digit heat

ABILENE, Texas (BCH Sports) - Almost 5,000 miles away from where the sport was created in Rugby, Warwickshire, England, a group of Abilene women gather to play rugby. But how they found their way to the sport varies. "For me, walking down the hallway in 11th grade, a girl grabbed me and said, 'Wo...

The Supreme Court capped an explosive final week of its term with a string of major rulings.

As Americans celebrate Independence Day during the nation's 250th anniversary year.

Lawmakers are taking a fresh look at one of the CIA’s most notorious Cold War-era programs, reopening questions about secrecy, oversight and whether similar eff

ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) – Abilene is home to a brand-new mural after being selected as one of three winning cities in the Star-Spangled Texas Mural Competition. The contest, organized by Arca Continental Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages in partnership with Texas Monthly Studio, aimed to celebrate...

The U.S. Men's National Team's World Cup knockout-stage win became the most-watched English-language soccer match in U.S. television history.

Pregnancy Resources of Abilene is expanding its support for expectant and new fathers with the launch of a new program.
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Police bodycam video shows the moments when officers arrested the couple who climbed to the top of the Empire State Building and appeared to get engaged.

The Trump administration is taking a more direct role in the rollout of advanced artificial intelligence, reportedly stepping in to limit OpenAI’s new model.


The tourism boost from the World Cup was supposed to create tens of thousands of jobs.

ODESSA, Texas (KMID/KPEJ) - The Texas Department of Public Safety has issued an Amber Alert for an 11 month-old boy who is believed to be with a 20-year-old woman. The two were last seen on the 7000 block of West Westmoor Road in Odessa, Texas on June 30 at 10:00 AM. 11-month-old Maverick Young h...

ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) – The Abilene Zoo is celebrating the arrival of its newest resident, Lewis, a black-and-white ruffed lemur born on June 15. Lewis was born to parents Ozzy and Fleur, marking the first offspring for first-time mom Fleur. Courtesy of the Abilene Zoo "Given how endangered ...
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