The Double-A Tennessee Smokies drew the Betsy Ross American Flag on their infield Wednesday and tweeted Source

Our series A More Perfect Union aims to show that what unites us as Americans is far greater than what divides us. In this installment we meet Ernie Andrus, who is running from coast to coast to raise money to preserve a ship involved in the D-Day invasion. He started in Saint Simons Island, Georgia and is headed to San Diego, nearly 2,400 miles away. Now, he’s in Monticello, Florida, about 170 miles into the journey. Steve Hartman caught up with Ernie when he started in March. Source

A new law makes California the first state to ban discrimination against black students and employees over their natural hairstyles. Governor Gavin Newsom signed the bill into law Wednesday, which protects black people with styles like dreadlocks or cornrows. Michelle Miller reports. Source

A growing body of research links pet ownership to the emotional wellbeing of children. A review of 22 studies found that kids who grow up with animals are more likely to have higher self-esteem, better cognitive development and more social skills. In a New York Times article, psychologist and CBS News contributor Lisa Damour explains that older kids can especially benefit. She joins “CBS This Morning” to discuss the research. Source

The U.S. women’s national soccer team is celebrating July Fourth in France where they’ll play the Netherlands in Sunday’s World Cup Final. The defending champions beat England 2-1 on Tuesday to reach their third final in a row. The U.S. started the tournament with a 13-0 win over Thailand. Midfielder Samantha Mewis scored two of those goals in her first World Cup. She joins “CBS This Morning” to discuss Sunday’s big game and whether the team plans to visit the White House. Source

Parents can’t totally avoid the added expense, but you can work with your auto insurer to minimize the pain Source

The only Republican in Congress to accuse President Trump of impeachable acts says he’s leaving the Republican Party. In a Washington Post op-ed Rep. Justin Amash said he’s becoming an independent. He said he’s leaving the GOP because “modern politics is trapped in a partisan death spiral.” Source

A stone sculpture of Egypt’s famous King Tut is at the center of an international dispute. The bust of the revered “boy king” is set to be auctioned off on Thursday in London for an expected $5 million. But Egypt’s government says the artifact was stolen and wants the sale stopped. Charlie D’Agata reports. Source

A New Jersey judge faces calls for his removal amid nationwide outrage over the way he handled a rape case. The alleged assault was captured on cell phone video. But the judge declined prosecutors’ request to charge the 16-year-old suspect as an adult, in part because he said the teenager came “from a good family.” Meg Oliver reports. Source

A look back at what we’ve been covering on “CBS This Morning.” Source