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

State Rep. Angie Nixon Condemns Deadly ICE Shooting, Calls for Independent Investigation

Published

2 days ago

July 10, 2026

FNN NEWS

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (FNN NEWS) — Following the fatal shooting of 52-year-old father and construction worker Lorenzo Salgado Araujo by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent in Houston, Democratic U.S. Senate candidate and Florida State Representative Angie Nixon released the following statement:

Statement from Rep. Angie Nixon

“Lorenzo Salgado Araujo was a father who spent decades building homes and providing for his family. He was fatally shot in the street by an ICE agent operating from an unmarked vehicle. My heart breaks for his wife and three sons.

“Our nation faces a moral choice. We must stop investing billions of taxpayer dollars in an agency that, in my view, terrorizes communities, operates with too little accountability, and often conducts enforcement actions without body cameras or clear identification. Those resources should instead be invested in strengthening our communities and helping families meet their basic needs. I believe ICE should be abolished.

“I stand in full solidarity with Lorenzo’s family in calling for a fully independent and transparent investigation into his death. I also call for the immediate release of his brother and the other individuals who were detained during this incident if they are being held without legal justification.”

Key Points

Rep. Angie Nixon expressed condolences to the family of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo.
She called for a fully independent and transparent investigation into the fatal shooting.
Nixon criticized ICE’s enforcement practices and renewed her call to abolish the agency.
She urged the release of Lorenzo’s brother and others detained during the incident if their continued detention is not legally justified.

US NATIONAL NEWS

U.S. Expands Sanctions Targeting Iran’s Financial Networks and Regime Financiers

Published

2 days ago

July 10, 2026

FNN NEWS

WASHINGTON (FNN NEWS) — The Trump administration announced a new round of sanctions Friday targeting individuals and businesses accused of helping finance Iran’s ruling elite and facilitating international financial transactions on behalf of the Iranian regime.

The sanctions, announced by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, target a global financial network that U.S. officials say supports Iran’s Supreme Leader and other senior regime officials.

Global Financial Network Targeted

According to the administration, the sanctions focus on Ali Ansari, a Dubai-based Iranian national accused of managing an extensive network of real estate and commercial holdings across multiple countries on behalf of Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of Iran’s Supreme Leader, and other regime insiders.

U.S. officials said the network includes assets and business interests in:

Germany
United Kingdom
Spain
Cyprus
United Arab Emirates
Other international jurisdictions

The administration alleges the network has been used to help Iranian regime officials maintain access to international financial markets.

Currency Exchange Houses Sanctioned

The Treasury Department also imposed sanctions on three Iran-based currency exchange firms and their associated leadership:

Mohammad Darbani and Partners
Lavasani and Partners
Mohsen Khandan and Partners

The sanctions also extend to the firms’ managing partners and affiliated front companies.

According to the administration, these entities allegedly enabled Iran to obtain foreign currency and conduct international financial transactions despite existing U.S. sanctions.

Administration Cites Maximum Pressure Campaign

The White House said the latest designations are part of President Donald Trump’s broader strategy to increase economic pressure on Iran.

Administration officials said they will continue targeting individuals, businesses and financial institutions—including foreign entities—that facilitate illicit Iranian commerce or assist the regime in evading U.S. sanctions.

The administration maintains that the sanctions are intended to pressure Iran to end what it describes as destabilizing activities in the region and to hold accountable those who enable corruption within the Iranian government.

Authorities Used for Sanctions

The sanctions were imposed under multiple executive authorities, including:

Executive Order 13902, targeting Iran’s financial and petroleum sectors.
Executive Order 13876, focusing on Iran’s Supreme Leader and affiliated individuals.
Executive Order 13224, as amended by Executive Order 13886, which provides counterterrorism sanctions authority.

Treasury officials said the latest designations build upon previous actions by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) targeting Iran’s shadow banking system and currency exchange networks.

US NATIONAL NEWS

White House: Trump Administration Deports Convicted Child Sex Offender After Minnesota Pardon

Published

2 days ago

July 10, 2026

FNN NEWS

WASHINGTON (FNN NEWS) — The White House announced Friday that the Trump administration deported a Laotian national convicted of sexually abusing a child after Minnesota officials granted him a pardon.

Conviction and Deportation

According to the White House, Tou Lue Vang, a Laotian national, was convicted in Minnesota of repeatedly sexually abusing a 10-year-old girl. An immigration judge ordered his removal from the United States in 2006.

The White House said Secretary of State Marco Rubio terminated Vang’s legal status, allowing the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to carry out his deportation.

White House Criticizes Minnesota Leaders

The administration sharply criticized Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison, alleging they attempted to prevent Vang’s deportation by granting him a pardon.

In a statement, the White House accused the two Democratic leaders of placing the interests of a convicted child sex offender ahead of public safety and federal immigration enforcement.

The administration argued the deportation demonstrates President Donald Trump’s commitment to removing noncitizens convicted of serious crimes from the United States.

Administration Statement

The White House said the case underscores the administration’s immigration enforcement priorities.

“Under President Trump, criminal illegal aliens who rape children will be found, arrested, and removed,” the White House said.

The administration also asserted that state actions would not prevent federal immigration authorities from enforcing U.S. immigration law.

Political Dispute

The case has become part of the broader national debate over immigration enforcement and the relationship between state criminal justice decisions and federal immigration authority.

Minnesota officials have not been included in the White House announcement, and any response from Gov. Walz, Attorney General Ellison or their offices was not immediately available.