Kristi Noem says Biden admin. blocked July 4 Mt. Rushmore fireworks for third straight year

South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem said Thursday the Biden administration has blocked the state from hosting July 4th fireworks at Mt. Rushmore for a third straight year.

"The best way to celebrate America’s Birthday is with fireworks at Mount Rushmore," Noem tweeted. "Today, the Biden Administration rejected them. Again."

2023 marks the third straight year that Noem's application to host Independence Day fireworks at Mt. Rushmore has been rejected by the National Park Service.

In 2021, the NPS cited reasons relating to the coronavirus, environmental concerns, wildfire risks, and ongoing construction as its reason to deny the permit request to host fireworks at the federal landmark.

NOEM VISITS MOUNT RUSHMORE, SLAMS BIDEN ADMINISTRATION FOR BLOCKING FIREWORKS

The permit request for fireworks was again rejected in 2022, as a letter from the U.S. Department of Interior, Mount Rushmore National Memorial Superintendent Michelle Wheatley stated that wildfire conditions could create a high likelihood of a fire, also citing opposition from Native American tribes.

"There is ample documented opposition for the Tribes to the 2020 event, and we understand from ongoing meetings with the Tribes that these concerns have not diminished," Wheatley wrote in the letter.

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE DENIES SOUTH DAKOTA REQUEST FOR MOUNT RUSHMORE INDEPENDENCE DAY FIREWORKS

Noem sued the Biden administration in April 2021, arguing that the Biden administration has "departed from longstanding precedent and reneged on this agreement without any meaningful explanation."

"We are asking the court to enjoin the Department of Interior’s (DOI) denial of the fireworks permit and order it to issue a permit for the event expeditiously," Noem said.

The lawsuit was tossed by a federal judge, who argued that federal officials had the right to block the fireworks from taking place.

During the summer of 2020, under former President Trump, the fireworks were allowed to take place for the first time since 2009.

Fox News' David Aaro, Brooke Singman, and the Associated Press contributed to this report.

Arkansas judge strikes down Cherokee Nation's license for new casino

An Arkansas judge voided a state panel's decision to allow the Cherokee Nation to build a casino in the state, ruling on Thursday that the license was issued in violation of the state's constitution.

Pulaski County Circuit Judge Tim Fox struck down the license issued in 2021 to Cherokee Nation Businesses, and Legends Resort and Casino — the company set up by the Cherokee Nation — to build a casino in Pope County.

Pope County was one of four sites where casinos were allowed to be built under a constitutional amendment that voters approved in 2018. Casinos have already been set up in the other three locations, but the Pope County license has been tied up in ongoing legal battles.

CASINO CLOSURES DURING CORONAVIRUS HIT NATIVE AMERICAN TRIBES ESPECIALLY HARD

Fox ruled that the state Racing Commission did not have the authority to issue a license jointly to Legends and Cherokee Nation Businesses. He also ruled that Legends was not eligible for a license since it didn't have prior casino experience.

Cherokee Nation Businesses said it planned to appeal the ruling, and that construction has not yet begun on the casino.

"While the circuit court’s ruling is disappointing, in the interest of forward progress, we are pleased to have a decision," Chuck Garrett, CEO of Cherokee Nation Businesses, said in a statement. "We remain confident in our legal position and will move quickly to have our appeal heard by the Arkansas Supreme Court."

FRED DAKOTA, NATIVE AMERICAN GAMBLING PIONEER, DIES AT 84

Mississippi-based Gulfside Casino Partnership, a competing applicant, had filed the lawsuit challenging the license.

"Gulfside remains committed to building a first-class entertainment destination in Pope County and bringing good-paying jobs and economic development to Arkansas, and this ruling that Legends was not qualified is a step in that direction," Lucas Rowan, attorney for Gulfside, said in a statement.

Gulfside had been issued a license for the casino in 2020, but that license was voided after the state Supreme Court said it needed to have the endorsement of current elected officials in the area. The Gulfside application had been submitted with the backing of Pope County's former judge.

About Us

Virtus (virtue, valor, excellence, courage, character, and worth)

Vincit (conquers, triumphs, and wins)