Gov. Kristi Noem loses appeal on Mount Rushmore fireworks display ruling [View all]
Source: Sioux Falls Argus Leader
A federal appeals court rejected an appeal Wednesday from Gov. Kristi Noem's administration, after the office was previously rejected for a fireworks display at Mount Rushmore.
Noem's administration had sought a permit from the National Parks Service for a fireworks show to celebrate Independence Day in 2021. Had a permit been granted, it would have followed a 2020 ceremony that was attended by President Donald Trump, which gave national attention to Noem, who spoke at the event. Noem has been positioning herself as a potential national candidate.
But under a new presidential administration in 2021, Noem's request was denied by the Parks Service, which cited COVID-19, wildfire safety, environmental concerns and tribal relations as among the reasons for denying the permit. The state sued, arguing the rejection was arbitrary and capricious.
Last year, a federal judge dismissed the lawsuit. The state's appeal Wednesday was rejected by three judges at the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Read more: https://www.yahoo.com/news/gov-kristi-noem-loses-appeal-162920658.html
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