The General Assembly passed its long-awaited budget last week with bipartisan support — the first in more than two years. The $34 billion plan includes teacher pay raises and additional money for Hurricane Helene recovery, but it also contains a provision that would force Charlotte and other governments to repay money already spent on the rejected I-77 toll lanes.

This year marks the 250th anniversary of the United States. For many Americans, Independence Day means a celebration of hot dogs, fireworks and freedom. For historian Beverly Gage, the holiday is much more complicated. Her new book recounts the long history of the United States through a road trip to places that helped shape the country. She joins us to unpack 250 years of American history in her latest book, “This Land Is Your Land.”