SpaceX's Success; Scalise Hospitalized; 'Morning Joe's' High

Good morning! It's Thursday already, if you can believe it. Hopefully the Fourth of July holiday didn't throw your week off too much. Here's what you need to know to start your day.

SpaceX Finally Completes Its Launch

After two failed launch attempts, SpaceX's communications satellite is finally in our skies. On July 2 and 3, the private spaceflight company tried and failed to launch the satellite — leaving mere seconds on the clock before the missions were aborted. But on Wednesday, the attempt was finally successful. (CNN)

Scalise's Condition Worsens As He Heads Back To The Hospital

Congressman Steve Scalise is back in the intensive care unit at MedStar Washington Hospital, and his condition has changed from good to serious, officials said Wednesday night. Scalise, who was the most seriously injured when a gunman apparently targeted Republicans June 14 at a baseball practice in Alexandria, Virginia, was shot in the hip. Though he had been recovering from his wounds, he has come down with a serious infection. (Patch)

'Morning Joe' Hosts Reach New High

Mika Brzezinski and Joe Scarborough are enjoying their best ratings ever after their high-profile feud with their one-time friend and guest President Trump. Last Friday, the day after Trump launched into an attack that notably accused Brzezinski of suffering a bloody facelift, "Morning Joe" saw its highest ratings ever. Ironically, Trump's tirades, during which he said the hosts' show was "low rated," only served to boost their profile. (AP)

Quick Hits

5 Fourth of July Fireworks Mishaps (Patch)

Older People Have More Extramarital Sex: Study (Patch)

NYPD Bomb Squad Discovers Apparent 'Time Capsule' From Iconic 1980s Nightclub (Patch)

Sorry, Millipede: You Were NOT World's First Air-Breathing Land Creature: Texas Scientists (Patch)

Hansen Kirkpatrick, Teen U.S. Soldier, Killed In Afghanistan: 'He Always Had My Back'

America just lost one of its young soldiers abroad hours before the start of Independence Day. His loved ones back home are in disbelief. (Patch)

Hobby Lobby To Return Smuggled Iraqi Artifacts

The chain retailer will pay $3 million in fines after it was found to have imported smuggled historical Iraqi treasures which it said were apart of its mission to accrue a collection of items "consistent with the Company’s mission and passion for the Bible." (NBC News)

'Completely Disrespectful' Porta Potties Line Police Monument

A memorial honoring law enforcement in Kenosha, Wisconsin, was lined by portable toilets on the Fourth of July. Residents were not happy. (Patch)

Two Dogs Rescued From Hot Car; Owner Charged With Animal Cruelty

Authorities were called to the scene by a concerned citizen. The temperature inside the car reached 167 degrees. (Patch)

Greenland's Ice Sheet Is Raising The Sea Level

A new study found that clear skies, on top of rising global temperatures, are making the Greenland ice sheet the largest contributor to rising sea levels. (Salon)

This Day In History

1944 — Around 168 people are killed and about 700 wounded in the Hartford circus fire, one of the worst such incidents in history.

Famous Birthdays

1868 — Princess Victoria of the United Kingdom

1899 — Susannah Mushatt Jones, an American woman and daughter of sharecroppers who lived to be 116 years old

Photo by Bill Ingalls/NASA via Getty Images