For the first time ever, the Times Square NYE ball is dropping 8 times this July in a historic celebration of America’s 250th birthday

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Staff Writer

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June 17, 2026

Name something more iconic than the New Year’s Eve Times Square Ball Drop. We’ll tell you: two ball drops.

To celebrate the United States’ massive Semiquincentennial (its landmark 250th birthday), New York City is turning the world’s most famous countdown into a rolling, 24-hour nationwide party on Friday, July 3rd, 2026.

For the first time since the tradition began in 1907, the iconic Times Square Ball will drop during the summer–eight separate times in a single day, no less!

Here’s everything you need to know about this historic event, including why you actually can’t watch it from the streets of Times Square.

🪩 A 24-hour marathon: eight drops for eight time zones

Organized by America250 and One Times Square, the “Giving 4th Broadcast Benefit Show” will use the crystal ball to unite the entire country, counting down to midnight across every single American time zone.

Even wilder? Each of the eight drops will feature its own special custom Ball design.

The marathon schedule tracks the sun from sea to shining sea (all times EDT):

10 am: The first drop kicks off for the Chamorro Time Zone (Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands)
Rolling Afternoon Drops: Special countdowns and musical performances will follow for Puerto Rico and the continental U.S
11:59 pm: The main event—the signature New York City countdown signaling the official arrival of July 4th on the East Coast
Late Night & Morning: The party keeps moving west through Central, Mountain, Pacific, Alaska, and Hawaii-Aleutian time zones
7 am (July 4th): The eighth and final ball drop concludes in American Samoa

Rosie Rios, Chair of America250, said:

This is more than a countdown. It’s a moment that brings the entire country together…we are creating a shared experience where every American can see themselves in this celebration and be part of something bigger than any one city or moment.

🚫 The catch: you can’t watch from the streets

If you’re planning to head down to the Crossroads of the World with a lawn chair, change your plans.

Unlike New Year’s Eve, there will be no public viewing areas in the plazas or streets of Times Square. The event is being produced strictly as a mega-broadcast and livestream event, and the drops won’t even be visible from the ground outside the building

How to watch from home:

The good news: millions will be able to stream the event live in real time.

The broadcast will feature high-energy cultural moments and musical performances, all building into a massive July 4th concert broadcast live from the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum (hosted by Queen Latifah and featuring Chris Stapleton and The Smashing Pumpkins).

Keep an eye on America250.org for official streaming links.

🇺🇸 How to get inside One Times Square this July

While the streets are closed for the broadcast, One Times Square is opening its brand-new Times Square Skywalk (located on the 19th floor) for two highly exclusive, complimentary ticketed public events over the holiday weekend.

July 4th: America’s Block Party in the Sky

Lucky ticket holders will get access to a 360-degree wraparound viewing deck with a river-to-river vantage point of Manhattan. The event will honor classic American summer traditions, flavors, and rituals from an elevated perspective.

July 5th: America’s Day of Reflection

Visitors can view the Declaration of Independence transcribed across a massive glass wall against the backdrop of the NYC skyline. Even cooler? You can write your own message of hope or reflection on a piece of confetti that will be saved and officially released over Times Square during the upcoming 2027 New Year’s Eve celebration.

You can sign up to snag free complimentary tickets to both events online here.

🤝 Partying for a cause: the “Giving 4th” movement

This historic summer countdown isn’t just about fireworks and confetti.

The entire 24-hour broadcast is a benefit show designed to kickstart Giving 4th, an initiative aiming to make July 4th, 2026, the largest single day of charitable giving in American history. Rios explained:

Charities receive one-third of their revenue at the end of the year. What if we move the needle from the end of the year…to the middle of the year? What better way to think about the 250th than to create a legacy that will become a movement for every Fourth of July.

Oh, and don’t forget that NYC is inviting residents to help create a citywide time capsule that will remain sealed until America’s tricentennial in 2076–giving future generations a glimpse into what life in the five boroughs looked like in 2026! Find out how to participate.

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Jordan Brand Basketball Enters a New Era of Design and Innovation With the Air Jordan 41 — NIKE, Inc.

Welcome to a new chapter of Jordan greatness.

Jordan Brand is introducing the Air Jordan 41: a game shoe inspired by Michael Jordan’s legendary versatility and style, built with a future-forward philosophy that pushes the boundaries of technology and expression.

The silhouette’s introduction marks an evolution of Jordan Brand heritage design, blazing a new path to greatness that prioritizes performance innovation and modern style — redefining what it means to be a leader in basketball footwear and challenging opponents to keep pace.

“The Air Jordan 41 is a statement about where Jordan Brand is headed. It carries forward a legacy built on greatness, but it was created for the athletes, whose culture and style of play are defining the future of the game,” says Sarah Mensah, President, Jordan Brand. “This silhouette reflects our commitment to pushing performance innovation with purpose — delivering bold design, elite function and a point of view that only Jordan Brand can bring. It is more than the next Air Jordan. It is a signal of the next chapter of Jordan performance.”

The 41 is a testament to innovation, dominance and driving the future of the game — engineered for end-to-end dominance on the court, just like MJ himself.

Feedback from athletes at every level of the game, including MJ, Jordan Brand’s professional and collegiate roster, and players from Nike’s Elite Youth Basketball League, informed the design of a lighter and more responsive Air Jordan silhouette.

At the foundation of the Air Jordan 41 is the new-to-Jordan nano print mesh upper, engineered to deliver the lightweight containment and breathability demanded by today’s game.

The advanced woven construction helps reduce weight while creating targeted structure throughout the shoe, allowing athletes to move with confidence, precision and speed. By balancing airflow with support, the nano print mesh upper provides a secure, adaptive fit that helps players stay locked in through every cut, drive and defensive possession, reinforcing the Air Jordan 41’s focus on modern performance without compromising comfort.

“With the 41, we wanted to create an upper that could move with the athlete and feel lighter without sacrificing the containment and confidence they need to play at their best,” says Leo Chang, Senior Creative Director, Basketball & Sport, Jordan Brand.

“The nano-printed mesh allows us to engineer that balance, creating a material that feels light on the foot while providing targeted structure and support where players need it most. It’s a solution that reflects our ongoing pursuit of performance innovation, helping athletes move freely, react instinctively and stay locked into the game from tip-off to the final possession.”

The upper material also responds to a variety of graphic and color treatments. The cross-hatch print, with its two contrasting directions of lines, can each receive a color independently or cohesively. This allows for a number of different looks for the 41, both through graphic approaches and when in motion.

The 41 also features a full-length Zoom Strobel for underfoot responsiveness; a ZoomX midsole for industry-leading lightness and speed; and, in an evolution from the 40, adds an Air Zoom heel unit for enhanced impact protection. The addition of the Zoom air bag in the heel was inspired by Michael Jordan’s insights on the importance of defense and staying on your toes, and its cushioning ensures players can stay prepared to rock forward.

“The Air Jordan 41 prepares me for every movement; it gives me confidence in every cut, read and possession,” says Jordan Brand athlete Napheesa Collier. “When you trust your shoes like that, it makes all the difference.”

A carbon fiber and TPU shank provides stability, working in tandem with a full-length HART rubber herringbone traction pattern to enable rapid changes in direction. These features collectively modernize the shoe’s construction and ensure optimal comfort and performance for all hoopers.

The design evolution from the Air Jordan 40 to the 41 takes shape through both material choices and technological advancements. The new silhouette eschews the leather traditional to the Air Jordan lineage, opting for nanoprinting and thin textiles that create a lighter, nimbler feel. Details like a TPU window that exposes the shoe’s internal technology are reminiscent of a high-performance car, and while the shoe’s tech is sleek and understated on the surface, its sophistication is revealed upon closer inspection.

Each design element, from the asymmetrical collar to the metallic Jumpman hardware, signals Jordan Brand’s commitment to advancing the legacy of the Air Jordan lineage, setting the stage for the next generation.

“What I love about 41 is that it lets me play my game without thinking about what’s on my feet. It’s light and responsive, and it gives me the confidence to move how I want,” says Jordan Brand athlete Paolo Banchero. “When you’re competing at the highest level, those details matter, and the 41 delivers.”

This move beyond nostalgia and heritage is brought to life through colorways that follow a gemstone theme, each reflecting MJ’s mentality and personal symbolism, such as the Ruby launch colorway that calls to mind his legendary three-peats in Chicago. Upcoming colorways include an Amethyst style modeled on MJ’s birthstone, and Opal, which nods to his alma mater.

This seasonal color approach coupled with the performance-driven design positions the Air Jordan 41 as a true evolution for Jordan Brand, setting a new standard for basketball footwear.

“The 41 matches the way I like to compete. It’s built for players who impact the game on both ends,” says Jordan Brand athlete Stephon Castle. “I trust it every possession because it keeps me feeling quick, connected and ready to react. When you’re playing with confidence, you can focus on being aggressive and letting your game take over.”

The Air Jordan 41 debuts with a limited release in China on August 28, with a global release to follow.

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Peters-Berger pleads guilty in homicide of Lily Peters, sentenced to life in prison

CHIPPEWA FALLS, Wis. (WEAU) – A major development in the criminal case against the man accused of killing 10-year-old Lily Peters is taking place in Chippewa County Court.

“I think this tragedy opened up a lot of eyes to just how fragile things are for all of us,” Dana Whitcome, a stepmother of two of Lily’s siblings, said.

18-year-old Carson Peters-Berger appeared in person for the first time when he pleaded guilty to the charge of first-degree intentional homicide in the death of Lily Peters. Chippewa County Judge Steven Gibbs accepted the plea and convicted Peters-Berger of the crime. The other two charges of sexual assault were dismissed but read in. Judge Gibbs then sentenced Peters-Berger to life in prison with the possibility of extended supervision after 25 years.

“I believe in giving people a second chance after you paid your debt to society,” Judge Gibbs said. “While you were a minor when you committed it, it is still a very serious offense, and it shook this community.”

While going through the proceedings, Judge Gibbs asked Peters-Berger if he understood that by pleading guilty to first-degree intentional homicide, he would be admitting to killing Lily Peters and planning to do so. Peters-Berger said he did understand.

“I don’t think you get closure in the criminal justice system. It’s not set up for that sort of thing,” Chippewa County District Attorney Wade Newell said. “It’s one point in time that is now over with, but it doesn’t give you closure regarding what occurred because nothing that’s done here will erase what happened to the poor young girl.”

Family members of Lily Peters spoke in the hearing. They discussed the impact the loss had on their families in the community and shared how much they missed her.

“She was my light,” Kiara Stevens, a friend of Lily Peters, said. “There were times where I just didn’t want to do it anymore, but Lily was that kind of person that made you want to keep going.”

Those connected to the family also shared concerns about the possibility of Peters-Berger being eligible for release and the worries that another crime may be committed.

Peters-Berger did not wish to speak in the hearing

Lily Peters disappeared the evening of April 24, 2022, after leaving her aunt’s home in Chippewa Falls. Her family reported her missing that night. The following morning, volunteers searching the area found the 10-year-old’s body in a wooded area near a walking trail.

Peters-Berger previously pleaded not guilty in December 2024 to adult charges of first-degree intentional homicide, first-degree sexual assault causing great bodily harm and first-degree child sexual assault. A jury trial was initially scheduled for this November, but because of that hearing, that will no longer take place.

Newell was asked why the case was no longer going to trial. He said trials always present some risk as you don’t know how a jury will respond. He also said trials can be very traumatic for the family. Those close to Lily said they are relieved this chapter is over and are ready to continue healing

“We just look forward to moving forward in healing and sharing that spirit of kindness with everyone in Lily’s memory,” Whitcome said.

“Lily was an amazing person and what I hung onto the most was the happy memories instead of that last bad one I had of her,” Stevens said. “I just want to say it does get better. We do heal.”

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