we will likely turn the focus back to the economy as new job numbers come out for june. lynn? scientists at the large hadron collider have announced they have likely discovered the so-called god particle. it may explain how stars, planets, even life, how these things were created and held together. science editor, lawrence mcginn tri from itn explains. reporter: this is about as excited as scientists get. what god them on the feet was the revelation that the la bore torey had discovered a new particle. peter hicks who predicted it would exist 50 years ago was moved to tears. for me, it is really an incredible thing that it happened in my lifetime. [ applause ] reporter: back in 1964, peter higgs was one of six scientists
we are going to begin this morning with no relief. in many parts of the nation, it was a fourth of july for the record books with record heat as in early summer heat wave continues. in the mid-atlantic, crews worked through the holiday to get the power back on after last week s deadly storms. john yang reports from chicago. reporter: across the eastern half of the country, americans spent the nation s 236th birthday trying to beat the heat. it is definitely really hot. reporter: chicago had only its second triple digit score since they began keeping records. it is good and hot out here. reporter: milwaukee set an all-time record high as did madison, wisconsin, south bend, indiana, and paducah, kentucky. and st. paul s half marathon was cut to five miles. philadelphia s july fourth parade, they sweltered as they passed independence hall. similar scenes in downtown st. louis which hit triple digits. the oppressive temperatures with highs near 100s from the plains to t
columbia spent the fourth just like the founding fathers, no electricity, no air-conditioning. last week s ferocious storms are blamed for at least 26 deaths. in washington, no holdy. work crews are moving downed trees so utility workers can begin restoring power zichlt can t wait to go home. reporter: this family grory store has been without power since friday night. we have lost everything. we have lost everything that required refridge railings. that was nbc s john yang reporting. elsewhere, fire crews are battling to try and contain the wildfires burning in nine western states. montana s largest fire has burned at least 16 homes and charred 386 miles. the ash creek fire is 55% contained and in colorado, fire officials are predicting full containment by sunday, scorching 28 square miles and destroying almost 350 homes. to the campaign trail where president obama begins a bus tour through ohio and pennsylvania. mitt romney spoke out in new hampshire about the heal