INTERIOR DEPT.

Update: 500 Native American boarding school deaths so far

Interior Secretary Deb HaalandFLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – A new federal study shows the U.S. government supported more than 400 Native American boarding schools aimed at assimilating Native children. The Interior Department’s findings released Wednesday expanded the number of schools known to have operated. It also said nearly 20 of the schools accounted for over 500 child deaths. So far, more than…

South Dakota governor sues feds for denying Mt. Rushmore fireworks permit

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem has sued the U.S. Department of Interior for denying the state’s application to shoot fireworks over Mount Rushmore on Independence Day. The Republican governor successfully pushed last year for a return of fireworks after a decade-long hiatus. The state’s application to hold fireworks this year was denied by the National Park…