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White House to Host July 4 ‘Independence from Virus’ Bash

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden wants to imbue Independence Day with new meaning this year by encouraging nationwide celebrations to mark the country’s effective return to normalcy after 16 months of coronavirus pandemic disruption. The White House is expressing growing certainty that July Fourth will serve as a breakthrough moment in the nation’s recovery.…

Schmitt Closes Sunshine Complaint against Missouri Governor

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Missouri’s attorney general has closed an open-records complaint filed against Gov. Mike Parson. Records provided to The Associated Press show Attorney General Eric Schmitt’s office last week closed the complaint filed by a Missouri news outlet. A Missouri Independent reporter had asked Schmitt’s office to investigate after Parson’s office refused to…