It's crunch time for lawmakers as the Massachusetts Legislature nears the end of its session. On this episode of In Common:

• Lawmakers on Beacon Hill are locked in as the Massachusetts Legislature deadline is approaching. Katie Lannan of MASSterList breaks down the must-pass bills that still need action and more.
• NEPM’s Carrie Healey talks with author Vincent Yu about his debut novel, "Seek Immediate Shelter,” set in western Massachusetts.
• The first installment of our series "Meanwhile..." takes us to New Hampshire
• CAI’s Kurt Achin explains why we should eat more insects, and a chef and local restaurant shows us how to add more bugs into our food.
• Members of Boston-based band Copilot join Jeremy Siegel in-studio to play some songs and talk about their set at the Levitate Music and Arts Festival in Marshfield.

From hiking in the mountains to swimming at the beach, Massachusetts has a lot to offer when it comes to outdoor recreations, and a lot that still needs to be done to make these activities accessible for everyone. On this episode of In Common,

• We learn about the rising concerns about lone star ticks and alpha-gal syndrome, reported with the CAI newsroom
• The push to make hiking trails across the state more accessible from the NEPM newsroom
• An update on the Charle’s River cleanliness ahead of this year's annual City Splash event
• Plus, a survival guide at the Brimfield Antique Flea Market, the largest outdoor antique market in the country.

On our debut episode, we hear how people from all around the commonwealth are celebrating the biggest Fourth of July celebration in Massachusetts history. We break down the cost of celebrating Independence Day this year, from backyard barbecues to the state's biggest fireworks shows. An award-winning high school civics teacher helps us understand how Massachusetts paved the way for revolution. And we get a behind-the-scenes look into the most iconic and scene-stealing piccolo solo ever. Plus, America 250 stories from the GBH, NEPM and CAI newsrooms!