Senators say a pandemic isn't a good reason not to celebrate Independence Day, so they passed a measure that would prevent cities from blocking parades or fireworks displays by civic groups. They also passed yet another bill to reopen more businesses during the pandemic – this time amusement parks and entertainment venues, and fairs and carnivals were tacked on as well. But Gov. Roy Cooper vetoed an earlier bill that would have allowed gyms to reopen and bars to serve customers outdoors. And what's a church service without guns? Lawmakers don't want to know, approving legislation that would allow people with concealed carry permits to be armed inside a church even if it's in a school building that the church uses to hold services.

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