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BOSTON (AP) — With the season's first hurricane bearing down on New England, Boston was preparing to stage one of its signature events Thursday night — the Boston Pops Fourth of July outdoor concert and fireworks show.

The event, which airs nationally and draws more than half a million visitors to the capital city, was moved a day earlier when it became clear that the region would feel the brunt of Hurricane Arthur on Independence Day.

The severe weather has prompted the cancellation of July 4th events in coastal Massachusetts, particularly in the summer retreats of Cape Cod and the islands south of Boston.

Weather for the rest of the holiday weekend, however, promises to be seasonably sunny and hot. Local officials are warning beachgoers, though, about the likelihood for high waves and strong undertow.

But on Boston's Esplanade along the Charles River Thursday evening, there were few hints of the gathering storm.

Temperatures were in the high 80s and there were few clouds in sight.

Sailboats glided in the waters nearby.

Concertgoers, some of whom had lined up outside the park as early as noon, were more concerned with heat and strong sun.

"We could use a few clouds, actually," said Marek Morawski, a Connecticut resident who secured a spot for him and his wife, Dee, under a row of shady trees and with a clear view of the concert hatch shell.

A number of concertgoers said they were visiting Boston for the first time and had planned their trip specifically to catch the concert.

"We watch it on the TV every year, so we figured we'd see it in person," said Mercedes Przecioski, a Phoenix, Arizona, resident who arrived in Boston early Thursday morning with her husband, Steve, and daughter, Vanessa.

"Coming from Phoenix, we're happy for rain," said Przecioski. "We haven't seen it in six months."

Orlando, Florida, residents Bob and Diane Rindfuss said changing the day for the concert and fireworks show meant they'd have more time to tour the city.

"Now we got a day to do something nice," said Bob Rindfuss. "But inside. Maybe a museum or the aquarium. We haven't thought that far."

Concertgoers who staked out an early seat in the park were treated to the sounds of the Beach Boys and Broadway star Megan Hilty as they ran through their soundcheck Thursday afternoon.

Typically, the Boston Pops holds a rehearsal show the day before the actual concert that draws thousands to the Esplanade.

Thursday's headliners will be joined by the Boston Children's Chorus and the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra

The concert has been delayed in the past because of threatening weather during a performance, and the fireworks have been rescheduled.

Hurricane Arthur is forecast to pass well east of New England beginning Friday night. Moisture bands ahead of the storm are expected to bring rain and thunderstorms.

PRETORIA, South Africa (AP) — Testimony in the murder trial of Oscar Pistorius focused Tuesday on a pillar of the prosecution's case — the screams that neighbors heard on the night that the athlete killed girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.

Chief prosecutor Gerrie Nel questioned an acoustics expert who had been called by the defense team as part of its effort to suggest some neighbors who said they heard the screams of a woman were wrong, and that they actually heard the high-pitched screams of the double-amputee runner.

Several neighbors called by the prosecution have testified they heard a woman's terrified screams on the night Pistorius shot Steenkamp, which could bolster the prosecution's claim that the couple were arguing before Pistorius opened fire. The defense has suggested the screams came from Pistorius after he realized he had mistakenly shot Steenkamp.

Pistorius fatally shot Steenkamp through a closed toilet door in his home in the early hours of Feb. 14, 2013. He has testified that he fired in the mistaken belief there was a dangerous intruder in his home. The prosecution has alleged that Pistorius killed Steenkamp after a Valentine's Day argument.

The acoustics expert, Ivan Lin, has testified that he conducted tests that showed ambient noise and other factors can make it difficult to hear accurately from a distance.

Nel said the screams of a woman have a "tonal character" and referred to the testimony of the neighbors who were convinced they had heard a screaming woman.

Lin responded that he could not say whether the neighbors were "correct or incorrect."

Pistorius faces 25 years to life in prison if found guilty of premeditated murder, and could also face years in prison if convicted of murder without premeditation or negligent killing. He is free on bail.

On Monday, the court received reports from mental health experts who concluded Pistorius was not suffering from a mental illness when he killed Steenkamp and was able to understand the wrongfulness of what he had done. The reports were compiled during a month of tests at a state psychiatric hospital.

CLEVELAND (AP) — A person familiar with the discussion says the Cavaliers met with the agent for LeBron James about the superstar's possible return to the team he left four years ago.

Cavs officials and Rich Paul visited this week as James continued his family vacation, said the person who spoke Thursday night to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the talks. It was not immediately clear if owner Dan Gilbert was at the meeting.

James recently opted out of the final two years of his contract in Miami. The two-time NBA champion has gone to four straight finals with the Heat. However, after the team was throttled by San Antonio in this year's finals, James said he would weigh his options this summer.

ESPN has reported that Paul met with several teams.

BOSTON (AP) — Visitors were staking out their spots for the annual Boston Pops Fourth of July outdoor concert and fireworks show Thursday, one of the city's signature events, which was moved up a day because of potential heavy rain ahead of Hurricane Arthur.

Many had their umbrellas out, but they were more concerned with heat and strong sun. There were few clouds in sight, with temperatures in the 90s in the early evening.

Some early arrivals said they were visiting Boston for the first time and had planned their trip to catch the concert, one of the city's biggest events.

Many lined up as early as noon. Security officials began letting people on the park grounds about 4:30 p.m.

The performance takes place in the Hatch Shell along the Charles River Esplanade, with fireworks set off from barges on the river. Hundreds of thousands of people usually attend.

"It's not optimal. We wish it were, but we've got to deal with this," state police Col. Timothy Alben said.

He said security arrangements are ready, because the public final rehearsal would have been held Thursday night anyway.

The fireworks display will be streamed live for the first time starting at 8 p.m. on www.BOSTONPOPSJULY4.org and www.CBSBOSTON.com. The webcast also will be available for 24 days on demand at www.BOSTONPOPSJULY4.org.

The concert has been delayed in the past because of threatening weather during a performance, and the fireworks have been rescheduled.

Arthur is forecast to pass well east of New England beginning Friday night. Moisture bands ahead of the storm are expected to bring rain and thunderstorms.

Other Massachusetts communities also have rescheduled fireworks shows because of the weather.