US NATIONAL NEWS

The Rolling Stones to perform at Thunder Ridge Nature Arena July 21

Published

2 years ago

May 23, 2024

(RIDGEDALE, Mo. – May 23, 2024) — Bass Pro Shops Big Cedar Lodge announced today that on July 21 the Ozarks will rock as the ancient hills, valleys and lakes never have when the world’s greatest rock-and-roll band, The Rolling Stones, light up Thunder Ridge Nature Arena for the last performance on their final North American tour.

The concert promises to be one of the most memorable and highly anticipated concert events ever. It is a pairing of the World’s Greatest Rock-and-Roll Band and the most breathtaking and awe-inspiring outdoor amphitheater in all of North America.

The Thunder Ridge concert stop is part of the “Hackney Diamonds Tour ’24” for The Rolling Stones, which includes 20 performances in 16 cities. Tickets will go on sale Friday, May 31, and will be available at ThunderRidgeNatureArena.com.

“We’re honored to host The Rolling Stones at Thunder Ridge Nature Arena and to showcase the amazing beauty of the Ozarks to music fans of all generations,” said Johnny Morris, visionary conservationist and founder of Bass Pro Shops. “The Stones are the most iconic rock-and-roll band ever, and we know they will put on a remarkable show that no one will ever forget! Their appearance will become a part of the history of this beautiful mountain in the Ozarks.”

Thunder Ridge is a world-class destination admired by legends of rock.

Representatives from The Rolling Stones scouted Thunder Ridge by attending the sold-out Garth Brooks concert in September 2022. After attending the show, the advance team reported back that Thunder Ridge was one of the most extraordinary and beautiful event venues they had ever seen.

A legendary night of entertainment began on a fishing trip with two of the leading conservationists of our time.

A partnership between The Rolling Stones, the Ozarks and Johnny Morris is something few would have expected; but, in fact, this is a relationship decades in the making. More than 20 years ago, the Stones renowned keyboard and piano player, Chuck Leavell, joined Johnny Morris to celebrate the opening of a Bass Pro Shops near Chuck’s home in Macon, Georgia. Out of this shared experience, Johnny and Chuck developed a special friendship founded on conservation, a love of the outdoors and a few remarkable shared fishing adventures. And now their adventure continues with a concert unlike anything that has ever been seen in the Ozarks.

A noted conservationist, Chuck Leavell is one of only three recipients of an Honorary Forest Ranger award from the U.S. Forest Service and is also a past recipient of the National Outstanding Tree Farmer award. Johnny Morris, is also a legend in conservation and is a recipient of the prestigious Audubon Medal, considered by many to be the highest award in conservation. In the 114-year history of Audubon there have been only 57 recipients for this prestigious award.

Rolling Stones keyboard player, Chuck Leavell, (right) caught and released this magnificent king salmon while fishing with Johnny Morris (left) in B.C., Canada.

Awe-inspiring, nature-based entertainment venue.

The Rolling Stones concert at Thunder Ridge Nature Arena underscores Johnny’s commitment to create one of the finest outdoor entertainment venues in North America and shares the beauty of his beloved Ozarks with others for generations to come. It’s more than just a place for spectacular concerts, rodeos and conventions. The property has been placed in a not-for-profit foundation, and all proceeds from events at the arena will go to further enhance the facilities and support conservation.

Located on about 1,200 acres near Ridgedale, Thunder Ridge is adjacent to the Bass Pro Shops Big Cedar Lodge on land originally purchased by Johnny Morris about 30 years ago. For the past decade, it has accommodated large gatherings, including concerts by Garth Brooks, Hank Williams Jr., Chris Janson, Dierks Bentley, Tracy Lawrence and other major acts.

It also has hosted air shows, hot air balloon shows, the U.S. Open Bowfishing Championship, the U.S. Open National Bass Tournament, the National 4-H Youth Council, rodeos, conventions, symposiums and special events and is set to host nature-based activities for all ages and interests for years to come.

Thunder Ridge is the latest jewel in Big Cedar Lodge’s proud tradition of hosting world-class hospitality and entertainment experiences that span a variety of recreational markets.

Inspired by historic national park and forest service fire and wildlife viewing towers, Johnny created the extraordinary new 120-foot “Veterans Tower” as a tribute to all veterans and especially his father, John A. Morris, a decorated WWII veteran who served in the Battle of the Bulge.

The vision for the future is to continue to host a wide variety of world-class outdoor events. The Rolling Stones performance is only the latest in a summer full of marquee concerts already announced for Thunder Ridge. This lineup includes:

May 25 – Morgan Wallen
June 13 – Chris Stapleton
June 15 – Fuerza Regida
July 21 – The Rolling Stones
July 27 – Luke Bryan
Aug. 31 – Slightly Stoopid & Dirty Heads w / HIRIE
Sept. 8 – Imagine Dragons
Sept. 21 – Pitbull

More than six decades of rock-and-roll royalty.

Over the last 60 years, The Rolling Stones have defined the rock-and-roll movement, led by vocalist Mick Jagger and guitarist Keith Richards. The group has estimated album sales of 250 million, making them one of the best-selling musical artists of all time.

The Stones have released 30 studio albums, 23 live albums and 12 official compilation albums; and CNN has called them “far and away the most successful act in rock today.” The Grammy Award-winning band was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1989 and the U.K. Music Hall of Fame in 2004 and have been ranked by music-industry watchdogs Billboard magazine and Rolling Stone magazine as one of the greatest bands of all time.

This tour is in support of their widely heralded Hackney Diamonds album release from 2022, which received rave reviews from fans and music critics everywhere.

Politics

FORMER PRESIDENTS, CIVIL RIGHTS LEADERS GATHER FOR OPENING OF OBAMA PRESIDENTIAL CENTER

Published

2 days ago

June 18, 2026

FNN NEWS

FORMER PRESIDENTS, CIVIL RIGHTS LEADERS GATHER FOR OPENING OF OBAMA PRESIDENTIAL CENTER

Photo Credit: Angie McMonigal

CHICAGO (FNN NEWS) — The long-awaited Barack Obama Presidential Center officially opened Thursday with a star-studded dedication ceremony on Chicago’s South Side, drawing former presidents, national leaders, celebrities, and thousands of invited guests.

The ceremony began at 11 a.m. CDT with Chicago native and Grammy Award-winning singer Jennifer Hudson performing the national anthem.

Obama Center Opens

Former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama delivered remarks celebrating the opening of the center, which is designed to serve as a cultural, educational, and civic engagement hub.

The opening marks the formal debut of one of the most anticipated presidential centers in modern history. The campus opens to the public on Juneteenth and is expected to attract visitors from across the United States and around the world.

Former Presidents in Attendance

Among the dignitaries attending the ceremony were:

Former President Joe Biden
Former President George W. Bush
Former President Bill Clinton
Former First Lady Jill Biden
Former First Lady Laura Bush
Former Secretary of State and former First Lady Hillary Clinton

National Leaders and Celebrities Attend

The event also attracted prominent political leaders, civil rights advocates, entertainers, and business leaders, including:

California Gov. Gavin Newsom
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro
Civil rights leaders Andrew Young and Al Sharpton
Media icon Oprah Winfrey
Comedians David Letterman, Conan O’Brien, and Stephen Colbert
Actor Tom Hanks
Tennis legend Billie Jean King
Chicago Cubs Chairman Tom Ricketts

Several attendees, including Newsom and Shapiro, are widely viewed as potential contenders for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination.

A Landmark for Chicago’s South Side

The opening of the Obama Presidential Center represents a significant milestone for Chicago’s South Side, bringing national attention, tourism, and economic development opportunities to the community.

Thousands of invited guests attended the ceremony, while residents and supporters gathered at a free public watch party to celebrate the historic occasion.

The center is expected to serve as a lasting tribute to the legacy of the nation’s 44th president while inspiring future generations of leaders through civic engagement, education, and public service.

About the Obama Presidential Center

The Obama Presidential Center is a world-class campus dedicated to preserving and advancing the legacy of President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama. The center includes museum exhibits, public gathering spaces, educational programming, and community resources aimed at fostering leadership and civic participation.

Politics

State Department Offers Up to $15 Million in Rewards for MS-13 Leaders Wanted on Terrorism, Drug Trafficking Charges

Published

2 days ago

June 18, 2026

FNN NEWS

WASHINGTON (FNN NEWS) — The U.S. Department of State announced Thursday that it is increasing reward offers totaling up to $15 million for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of two senior leaders of Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13), a transnational criminal organization designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO).

Reward Offers Increased

The State Department’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs announced a reward of up to $10 million for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of Yulan Adonay Archaga Carías, also known as “Porky,” and up to $5 million for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of Víctor Eduardo Morales Zelaya, also known as “Cuervo.”

The reward offers were announced by Thomas “Tommy” Pigott, spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State.

MS-13 Leadership in Honduras

According to federal court documents, Archaga Carías and Morales Zelaya are the highest-ranking members of MS-13 operating in Honduras. Authorities allege they direct the gang’s criminal operations, including:

Drug trafficking
Money laundering
Murder
Kidnappings
Other violent criminal activities

Federal authorities also allege the two men are responsible for coordinating the importation of significant quantities of cocaine into the United States. Both remain fugitives.

Among America’s Most Wanted

Archaga Carías is listed on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list and is also among the most wanted fugitives sought by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

The case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) established under Executive Order 14159. The task force is a permanent, whole-of-government initiative focused on dismantling criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking networks operating in the United States and abroad.

How to Provide Information

The reward offers were authorized by the Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security under the Transnational Organized Crime Rewards Program (TOCRP), which supports global law enforcement efforts to combat transnational criminal organizations.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the FBI through WhatsApp, Signal, or Telegram at +1-832-267-1688.

Individuals located outside the United States may also contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Those within the United States may contact their local FBI field office.

Confidentiality Guaranteed

U.S. officials emphasized that all identities of individuals providing information will be kept strictly confidential. Government officials and employees are not eligible for rewards based on information obtained through their official duties.

US NATIONAL NEWS

Rubio, Jaishankar Discuss Strait of Hormuz Security During Diplomatic Call

Published

1 week ago

June 13, 2026

FNN NEWS

Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar discussed maritime security, commercial shipping and recent developments in the Strait of Hormuz.

WASHINGTON (FNN NEWS) — U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar to discuss recent developments in the Strait of Hormuz, according to a State Department readout released Friday.

According to Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott, the conversation focused on maritime security and commercial shipping in one of the world’s most strategically important waterways.

Focus on Maritime Security

During the call, Rubio stressed that commercial vessels operating in the Strait of Hormuz should immediately comply with instructions issued by U.S. forces as they work to maintain regional peace and security.

The secretary also emphasized U.S. concerns regarding the transportation of Iranian oil and warned that violations of U.S. enforcement measures would not be tolerated.

Critical Global Waterway

The Strait of Hormuz serves as a vital shipping route connecting the Persian Gulf to international markets and is one of the world’s most important energy transit corridors. Any disruption to commercial traffic through the region can have significant implications for global energy supplies and international trade.

The call highlights continued diplomatic coordination between the United States and India on regional security issues and freedom of navigation in key international waterways.