WINSLOW — In the hours leading up to the Fourth of July, sales of consumer fireworks were skyrocketing. So were complaints.

WASHINGTON — A majority of economists in the latest Associated Press Economy Survey expect the national unemployment rate to stay above 6 percent — the upper bounds of what’s considered healthy — for at least four more years.

BELGRADE — Seven-year-old Alyssa Crotty waited patiently behind her brightly decorated lemonade stand, ready to quench a passer-by’s thirst for just a quarter, but the weather was less than cooperative. The clouds and a gentle breeze conspired to cool the crowds that streamed up and down Main Street on Wednesday.

BATH — A boat-building family best known for its high-end yachts has collaborated with a surfing rescue boat designer to produce vessels that could soon be used for search and rescue or special forces missions in even the roughest conditions.