The One Big Beautiful Bill Act approved by Congress this week offers rewards first – and pain after the midterms.

No matter where I have found myself on the Fourth of July, or what I have seen, it’s all felt comfortably familiar.

Plus: ‘Operation Dry Water;’ famous dive bar to close; a scorching 4th; and a baseball-hoarding homeowner.

Despite the popularity of fireworks, especially on July Fourth, large parts of the state have had no fireworks-related convictions since 2020.