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Thursday Afternoon News Updates: Brutal Jobs Numbers, Trump's Stock Schemes, DOJ's Jack Smith Leak, and More – 7/2/26

Your Thursday afternoon update is here.

Ben Meiselas and MeidasTouch Network Jul 2 ∙

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth concludes his remarks at an event with National Guard soldiers at Meridian Hill Park, site of recently re-opened fountains touted by the Trump administration, in Washington, D.C., U.S., July 2, 2026. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

Hi all, Ben here. It’s Thursday, and there is a whole lot I want to cover today, so let’s dive right in. Here’s what we’re tracking:

• More on Trump’s obscene financial disclosures and the Micron conflict of interest

• Trump Cabinet officials getting booed

• The empty fairgrounds continue at Trump’s so-called Great American State Fair

• A brutal June jobs report

• Trump officials scrambling to spin that report

• Stalled U.S.-Iran talks in Doha

• Russia’s massive overnight assault on Kyiv

• Funeral plans for Khamenei and calls for “vengeance”

• Behind-the-scenes reporting on the Witkoff and Kushner push to get Iran to “think bigger”

• The manufactured outrage over Mayor Mamdani’s thermostat advice

• A DOJ leak involving the hidden Jack Smith report and a blown Epstein files deadline

• Heat and fireworks pollution concerns ahead of July 4th

• The FBI surging resources into the Georgia 2020 election probe

• Exclusive MeidasTouch reporting on a new Democratic report alleging Trump allies misled donors and diverted money from America’s 250th birthday celebration into a shadow operation called Freedom 250

Before I go any further, if you haven’t yet joined as a paid subscriber, consider doing so now by clicking here to support our work. This is how we grow. It will give you access to all recaps like this, our exclusive Ask-the-Editor series, and more. Plus, it is the best way to help support the growth of this network.

Let’s get into it.

Micron, Crypto, and a Trump’s Schemes

Trump posted this morning praising Micron, calling it a great American company for pledging 250 million dollars into so-called Trump Accounts. He claimed the stock jumped nine points as a result and thanked the company personally. There’s just one small problem. Micron stock has actually been sliding over the past several days, not climbing.

There’s a bigger problem too. As MeidasTouch reported yesterday, Trump’s own financial disclosure forms show he purchased a meaningful chunk of Micron stock before this announcement. He conveniently left that part out of his glowing post. And let’s get into Micron for just a moment. The company reported record profits this year while also collecting nearly three billion dollars in taxpayer-funded government incentives. So the president is publicly cheerleading a stock he personally owns, timed to a corporate announcement, while that same corporation cashes taxpayer checks. By the way, Micron’s growth over the past few years has been in large part thanks to former President Biden and his CHIPS Act. Worth noting.

Booed at His Own Event

Trump sent his top officials, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Stephen Miller, and Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, to address National Guard troops as part of a D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force Ceremony at Meridian Hill Park. A protest erupted nearby, and the noise from demonstrators was loud enough that it nearly drowned out the speakers. Hegseth tried to play it off, saying the background noise was the sound of what he called “ingrates” blinded by ideology. Blanche visibly struggled to get through his remarks over the crowd. Meanwhile Miller delivered his usual rhetoric.

Great American State Fair Updates

Fox News, of all networks, accidentally has provided the best coverage of how badly this event flopped (while trying to claim it’s been a massive success). Fox’s live shots have shown tens of people scattered across the fairgrounds, and at some points, literally not a single person in the frame. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins went on Fox to insist the event was hitting every mark and claimed 150,000 people would show up over the course of the week.

One attendee who did show up, wearing Trump gear, ended up needing medical attention after overheating in the 96 degree heat because several of the booths had no air conditioning. She said she started seeing stars, found a baptism tent, and jumped in the water to cool off before heading to a medical tent for electrolytes.

And per MeidasTouch’s exclusive reporting, there’s now a Democratic investigation to go with the empty fairgrounds. MeidasTouch DC Bureau Chief Scott MacFarlane has obtained a new 52-page report from House Natural Resources Committee Democrats describes how Trump allies effectively hijacked the congressionally approved America 250 celebration and replaced it with a shadow operation called Freedom 250, which allegedly misled donors into sending money intended for the nonpartisan birthday commission straight into Freedom 250’s own bank accounts instead. Committee Democrats say confidential disclosures show donors were affirmatively misled by fundraisers, including Trump’s own lead fundraiser.

The report also alleges sponsorship packages were sold for as much as ten million dollars, some tied to a photo opportunity with Trump himself, and that a contractor connected to the January 6th rally on the White House Ellipse has now collected tens of millions of dollars in federal contracts tied to the anniversary events. Ranking member Jared Huffman put it bluntly, describing what he called a feeding frenzy where insiders profited off a supposedly patriotic celebration.

The Jobs Report Trump Doesn’t Want You Reading

The economy added just 57,000 jobs in June, far short of the 115,000 economists expected. April and May were both revised sharply downward, a combined loss of 74,000 jobs from what was originally reported. On top of that, 720,000 people left the labor force entirely, 507,000 fewer people are employed than before, and the employment to population ratio fell to 59 percent, its lowest point in roughly five years. Inflation sits at 4 percent, still outpacing wage growth of 3.5 percent.

Washington Post economics writer Heather Long summed it up about as clearly as anyone could. The unemployment rate technically dropped to 4.2 percent, but only because so many people gave up looking for work that they no longer count in the statistic. Hospitality alone lost 61,000 jobs, a sector you’d expect to be booming with the World Cup happening in the United States right now. Economist Justin Wolfers pointed out that virtually all net job growth since Trump took office has come from healthcare and social assistance, while the rest of the economy has actually shed jobs. He also highlighted that the manufacturing revival Trump promised never materialized, with payrolls still down since the start of his so-called Liberation Day tariffs, even after the Supreme Court struck those tariffs down.

But hey, at least Trump made at least $1.4 billion in crypto last year.

The Spin Machine Kicks Into Gear

Faced with all that, Trump’s cabinet did what it always does. Energy Secretary Chris Wright claimed the country would be dealing with blackouts under a hypothetical Kamala Harris presidency. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer took aim at unemployed graduate workers, dismissing people with advanced degrees as having failed upward. UN Ambassador to NATO Matt Whitaker, when given the chance to talk about what makes America great, chose to highlight convenience food chains rather than healthcare, wages, or paid leave. And over on Fox Business, host Maria Bartiromo described the moment as feeling like the golden age, prompting a widely shared MS NOW supercut showing administration officials, Howard Lutnick, Scott Bessent, and Kevin Hassett among them, repeatedly promising spectacular growth just around the corner, quarter after quarter, for over a year now.

Manufactured Thermostat Outrage

Meanwhile, MAGA media spent real energy manufacturing outrage over New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani suggesting residents set their air conditioning to 78 degrees during a heat wave to ease strain on the power grid. Fox panelists mocked him as a communist. Ted Cruz, Rand Paul, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Marjorie Taylor Greene, and Nikki Haley all piled on with variations of the same joke. It seems everyone on the right got the same memo. The problem is that this exact recommendation has been standard guidance from utility regulators in Texas, Florida, Arizona, Ohio, Missouri, Maryland, North Carolina, and many other states, for years, under governors from both parties, including Republicans. Haley herself posted nearly identical energy conservation advice back in 2015 as governor of South Carolina, a fact that resurfaced almost immediately after she tried to dunk on Mamdani. New York outlets have run nearly identical guidance for decades. It’s the same recommendation Eric Adams gave New Yorkers. Even Rudy Giuliani gave the same guidelines. This wasn’t a scandal. It was recycled outrage aimed at a Democratic mayor for repeating advice Republican officials give constituents every single summer. It’s a microcosm of the way the MAGA media works, which is why I wanted to flag it here.

Iran, Ukraine, and a Region Still on Edge

Reuters reported that the latest round of indirect U.S.-Iran talks in Doha wrapped up with no real progress, both sides essentially re-litigating issues they had already claimed to resolve under the interim agreement announced two weeks earlier. Axios reporter Barak Ravid added that Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner have been pressing Iran to abandon its demand for tolls in the Strait of Hormuz, arguing Iran could make far more money simply developing its oil resources freely if sanctions were lifted. It’s a hard sell to a country that has watched this administration break commitments before.

In Ukraine, Russia launched one of its most devastating strikes of the war overnight, more than 70 missiles and nearly 500 drones aimed largely at Kyiv, killing at least 13 people and leaving residential buildings in flames. And in Iran, funeral preparations continue for Khamenei, with Pakistan’s prime minister expected to attend events running from July 4th through the 9th, while Iran’s parliament speaker has called on citizens to flood the streets and demand what he called vengeance for Khamenei’s blood.

Epstein Files, a DOJ Leak, and More

Back at home, a court-ordered deadline stemming from MeidasTouch host Katie Phang’s lawsuit for the Trump administration to release additional Epstein files came and went today with no compliance whatsoever (at least not yet). Separately, journalist Kyle Cheney reported that the Justice Department accidentally handed over a copy of Volume II of the Jack Smith report to defense lawyers in an unrelated case. Prosecutors had to notify the judge. This is the same report Trump has been desperate to hide from the public, and the Judge Cannon effectively buried.

And the FBI, under Director Kash Patel, is now surging hundreds of intelligence analysts nationwide into a priority investigation tied to the 2020 election results in Georgia, according to MS NOW, with each analyst expected to complete more than 700 records checks by mid-July. Overtime has reportedly been authorized, including on weekends and holidays, all in pursuit of a conspiracy theory that Republican-led investigations in Georgia have already debunked.

What’s Coming for the Fourth

As if the scorching heat wasn’t already a problem, a Washington Post exclusive reveals that internal National Park Service modeling predicts the July 4th fireworks show on the Mall could produce hazardous, even very unhealthy, air pollution levels across central D.C. So between the heat, the smoke, and the ongoing spin, that is the backdrop heading into Trump’s big anniversary weekend.

Thanks for reading and for spreading the word. We’ll see you back later with more, and remember to listen to the MeidasTouch Podcast for additional updates.

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You reminded me about FIREWORKS! 

Crowd-Pleasing Fireworks Are Not So Pleasing to the Planet

by Jessica HanDec 30th 2024

Fireworks are used to please crowds, celebrate big holidays, and end festivals with a bang – literally. But at what environmental cost? Especially when climate change has made its way to the forefront of the planet, it is important to consider the environmental impact of fireworks.

Society has a growing (and strange) desire to set off and watch explosives for the sake of entertainment and celebratory purposes. 

According to the American Pyrotechnics Association, consumer fireworks, which are low-hazard and used for recreational purposes, reached a consumption of 416.3 million pounds in the United States in 2021, while display fireworks, high-hazard and used professionally, amounted to 12.5 million pounds. This totalled an overall American consumption of 428.8 million pounds in 2021, 24.3 million pounds more than in 2020, and 155.8 million more than in 2019. 

On the business side, fireworks are a profitable industry where the average retail price for consumers to buy fireworks is about three times the wholesale price. In other words, a consumer buying one case of fireworks for $100 can result in a profit of $300 for the business owner. 

Fireworks, as spectacular when displayed and profitable when sold, are a real-life horror show for the environment. Put aside the thought of entertainment and moneymaking for a few minutes because the planet we live on is hurting from fireworks. 

What Are Fireworks?

In order to understand the damaging effects a firework has on the environment, it is necessary to first understand what fireworks really are.

The most basic component that all fireworks have is black powder, also known as gunpowder. When black powder – which is made from a mixture of 75% potassium nitrate, 15% charcoal, and 10% sulphur – is placed inside a shell and ignited with a fuse, a loud, gaseous, and hot chemical reaction is created, essentially an explosion. 

Exploding black powder does not seem very entertaining to watch, at least not to some. Mineral elements are mixed with black powder, providing colour to these explosions. Some colours simply require one element to produce the targeted colour. For example, only strontium is needed to make red, sodium for yellow, and barium for green. Other colours, such as orange, require a combination of mineral elements which are strontium and sodium, or purple necessitates a mix of strontium and copper. Additional chemicals, such as carbon, sulphur, aluminium, and manganese, are added to the fireworks, functioning as stabilisers, oxidisers, and extra colours. 

The chemical composition of a firework. Graph by: Penn Today/University of Pennsylvania

The chemical composition of a firework. Graph: Penn Today/University of Pennsylvania.

Trained experts designing and handling fireworks, known as pyrotechnicians, measure the correct amount of black powder, mineral elements, and other chemicals, and arrange these compounds under a specific order to provide the firework with a particular shape and colour. Pyrotechnicians also calculate the altitude of each firework so that explosions happen at the right time and location. After everything is neatly calculated and wrapped together in a shell, a fuse is attached to the shell, and when lit, the chemical mixture reacts with the fuse’s heat, and exploding fireworks ensue. 

So now what? Fireworks explode, but where do all these chemicals go? One thing is for sure: what goes up must come down. 

Still Up in the Air: The Environmental Impact of Fireworks

Chemicals from fireworks do not just disappear into thin air. When burned and exposed to oxygen, substances undergo a chemical reaction called combustion. This chemical reaction produces two results: Short-lived entertainment and toxic atmospheric pollutants. 

The temporary enjoyment of fireworks releases a host of contaminants that affect air quality and can contribute to climate change, including carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen, sulphur dioxide, and particulate matter. 

During the five-day celebration of Diwali in India – the world-famous festival of lights – about 50,000 tons, or 100 million pounds, of fireworks explode, causing a toxic haze to cover cities. 

Toxic hazes, also known as particle pollution, are created by particulate matter (PM), a combination of minuscule solid and liquid substances found in the air and considered the most hazardous air pollutant due to its ability to affect people’s lungs and heart, along with causing environmental damage. In the case of India, PM found in the country’s air increased up to 35 times on celebration days when fireworks were present compared to normal days. 

diwali. Widely observed among more than a billion people from a variety of faiths across India and its diaspora, the five days of Diwali are marked by prayer, feasts, fireworks, family gatherings, and charitable giving. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

Widely observed among more than a billion people from a variety of faiths across India and its diaspora, the five days of Diwali are marked by prayer, feasts, fireworks, family gatherings, and charitable giving. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

Specifically, the city of Delhi had the highest amount of particulate matter back in 2017 when fireworks were used during Diwali, with an hourly PM2.5 concentration of 900 μg/m3. 

PM2.5 are inhalable fine particles with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or smaller. The measure (μg/m3) means one microgram of pollutant per cubic metre and micrograms are smaller than milligrams but larger than nanograms. As a comparison, the average strand of human hair is 70 micrometers in diameter, approximately 30 times larger than a fine particle with two-point-five micrometers in diameter. 

In the case of Delhi, there were 900 micrograms of fine particles in one cubic metre of air in an hour during the firework-filled festival – a lot considering the World Health Organization air quality guidelines state that the average concentration of PM2.5 should not exceed 5 micrograms per cubic metre of air in a year. 

Similar situations occurred in other parts of the world. In central London, for example, a study shows increased particle pollutant concentration during nights with fireworks – all thanks to the toxic elements and metals emitted from firework combustion. 

Aside from larger concentrations of particulate matter, firework activity also increases harmful gaseous concentrations, carbon monoxide (toxic by hindering a living organism’s ability to transport oxygen throughout its body), and nitric oxide (toxic by inhalation and skin absorption). The festival of Diwali in India is one example where there was a large spread of these two gases. 

Another occasion where there were increases in carbon monoxide, nitric oxide as well as carbon dioxide (CO2) was a firework event organised in celebration of Independence Day on July 4th in the United States. Researchers discovered that, when fireworks took place in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota, the atmospheric concentration of carbon monoxide increased by 32%, carbon dioxide grew by 17%, and nitric oxide fluctuated a bit before “doubling overnight.”

All these atmospheric pollutants produced by firework activity end up affecting the planet, resulting in changes in air temperature, humidity, air visibility, and other factors. During firework displays, it was found that atmospheric heat content becomes greater, surface air temperature is elevated, and air visibility can decrease as much as 92%.

You might also like: Air Pollution: Have We Reached the Point of No Return?

A Horror Show for Animals

Imagine being an animal, comfortably sleeping in your habitat, and suddenly being awakened by hearing a sequence of booming noises and witnessing unexpected bright flashes out of nowhere, yet unable to escape – a horrifying experience. Unfortunately, this is the reality for many animals.

According to the Humane Society of the United States, animals “become … frightened by the noise and commotion of fireworks,” resulting in them becoming lost, abandoning their habitats, and suffering from health consequences, whether it be stress or getting hit by a vehicle.

A study using GPS trackers conducted in three European countries – Germany, Denmark, and the Netherlands – shows fireworks’ effects on Arctic migratory geese during the New Year’s Eve celebration. The research revealed that the geese flew away from their sleeping sites in response to the fireworks. They never returned. 

Likewise, the University of Amsterdam’s Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics used weather radars to detect how birds, mainly waterfowls, react to New Year’s Eve fireworks. The radars showed that thousands of birds flew up to altitudes of 500 metres in the air after the explosions.

Compared to humans, animals are more sensitive to high-frequency noise, driving them to leave their young and disrupting their breeding and feeding behaviours. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty (RSPCA) notes that the loud noises emitted from fireworks “are unpredictable and out of an animal’s control.”

“Being unpredictable, as well as intermittent and relatively infrequent, also makes it unlikely that animals will acclimatise to fireworks noise.” 

In an extreme case, hundreds of birds, primarily starlings, were found dead on the streets of Rome, Italy, after the 2021 New Year’s Eve firework event. What was the cause of these deaths? The International Organisation for the Protection of Animals (OIPA) believes it to be “related to a particularly loud display of firecrackers and fireworks.”

Aside from deafening noises and disruptive lights, the aftermath of a firework display consists of debris, such as shells and heavy metals, littered across the ground, providing opportunities for animals to accidentally ingest these hazardous materials and potentially leading to illnesses. And it doesn’t stop there.

firework debris

Firework debris left scattered. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

Fireworks also pose a threat of starting fires – hence the word “fire” in fireworks. In areas already susceptible to wildfires or when conditions are hotter and drier, embers and sparks produced from ignited fireworks have a higher chance of creating a flame that can lead to a destructive wildfire, consequently harming wildlife and their habitats. And while climate change has already increased the risk of longer and more frequent wildfires, fireworks only add to the potential threats. During the 2021 Fourth of July celebration in the US state of Utah, a wildfire started following a firework show in the city of Centerville – an area already prone to wildfires – leading to the evacuation of almost 100 households.

While spectators are left with feelings of amazement and satisfaction, firework displays leave wild animals feelings of trauma and oftentimes injuries. Wildlife rehabilitation centres have increased patients and calls of reported wildlife sightings on roads following firework-filled celebrations. 

Bad for Soil, Worse for Waterbodies, Worst for the Ecosystem

It is already established that fireworks pollute the air and traumatise wildlife. What’s next? Ever think about how fireworks harm the planet’s surface and its abundant ecosystems? 

Perchlorate, a chemical compound, is often added to fireworks, working as an oxidiser to facilitate their upward propulsion. Though, this chemical can affect the function of the thyroid gland in large amounts. When fireworks burst into their colourful lights, chemical debris is left scattered across the ground. Perchlorate is one of them and it is often associated with contaminating soil and water. This chemical remains in the environment for long periods, easily absorbed by neighbouring flora. When it ends up in waterbodies, it can also affect fish development.

Scientists with the United States Geological Survey (USGS) and the National Park Service studied perchlorate levels associated with fireworks found in soil, surface water, and groundwater at Mount Rushmore National Memorial in the US. They discovered that perchlorate was found in soil where fireworks occurred and where debris settled. There were also increased levels of this chemical in surface water and groundwater because of past fireworks activities nearby. 

Firework contamination at Mount Rushmore National Memorial; the environmental impact of fireworks.

Fireworks at Mount Rushmore National Memorial.

Similar research took place in Kerala, India, where investigators collected water and soil samples after fireworks were launched. It revealed that both samples had concentrations of perchlorate. It seems that wherever fireworks occur, perchlorate follows. 

Chemicals found in soil and water are one problem, but fireworks can also contribute to microplastic pollution in water – plastic particles 5mm in diameter and less. The River of Thames in England had an enormous (and rather shocking) increase in microplastic content following the New Year’s Eve firework show.

“Whilst we expected an increase in microplastics’ presence, we did not expect over a 1000% increase from the sample taken on the 30th December 2019 to the one taken 6 hours after the firework display on the 1st January 2020 roughly 24 hours later,” describes Ria Devereux, one of the researchers of this investigation which took samples of water from the river to examine the concentration of microplastics.

As explained earlier, fireworks release a number of emissions into the atmosphere, including particulate matter, sulphur dioxide, and nitric oxide, to name a few. PM and nitric oxide can stay in the atmosphere for a longer duration, causing these contaminants to be carried over to different regions. When PM, nitric oxide, along with sulphur dioxide, are transported by wind and then mixed with oxygen, water, and other chemicals, acid rain arises. This harms ecosystems, especially ones in aquatic and forested conditions. 

Particulate matter from fireworks can land on soil and water as well, altering nutrients in the soil and resulting in surface water becoming more acidic, with severe consequences on ecosystems. Similarly, atmospheric sulphur components, such as sulphur dioxide, are able to damage leaves and disrupt the growth of trees and plants.

A Greener Alternative?

There is no hiding that fireworks are not the best for the environment. The short spectacle that happens worldwide at countless holidays and festivals leaves potent and long-lasting footprints on the planet. Thus, there needs to be a call for change to minimise these effects, especially when climate change is in the limelight. 

Some countries have decided to take political routes, implementing policies to reduce the environmental impact of fireworks. 

The city of Zhengzhou in China enforced a policy prohibiting fireworks in 2016 so that air pollution could improve. In 2018, the firework prohibition policy was reinforced, expanding into other regions, which in turn, had considerable improvements in the Air Quality Index, progressing from the category of Unhealthy for Sensitive People to the Moderate one. Besides Zhengzhou, Beijing decided to ban the use of fireworks before the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics took place. This ban “helped China’s capital record its cleanest air for a Lunar New Year,” as reported by the National Post.

Figure 2: Air Quality Index (AQI). Source: Idaho Department of Environmental Quality

Air Quality Index (AQI). Graph: Idaho Department of Environmental Quality.

For those who desire firework-related entertainment, greener alternatives are on the rise. 

Canadian cities located in the province of Alberta, like Banff and Canmore, replaced fireworks with special effects pyrotechnic displays, which are quieter and have a lower altitude, in order to protect wildlife. The town of Collecchio in Italy also switched from standard fireworks to silent fireworks to help reduce stress on local wild animals. Although these fireworks do not have the traditional loud bang, they still have their colourful and illuminated displays, making them a great and more environmentally friendly alternative. 

You might also like: The Environmental Impact of Advertising

Another better option is a drone display, similar to the one presented at the Opening Ceremony of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Laser spectacles can replace fireworks, too, as they reduce the risk of wildfires and do not increase air pollution. Salt Lake City in Utah, the United States, has been substituting some of the city’s fireworks with lasers during the Fourth of July holiday to reduce environmental damage, and these lasers still have the same level of spectacle as fireworks. 

The government administers many of these policies and greener alternatives. As an everyday person, it may seem challenging to voice just how harmful fireworks are. There is really no need to fret. Even the smallest actions like writing to local government and politicians, spreading information through word-of-mouth or on social media, and signing petitions are all steps towards creating awareness of the impacts that fireworks pose on the planet.

With the slew of problems that climate change bring existing at the front line of this world, it is vital to take all necessary actions to strive for a greener and healthier planet, including taking action on the dazzling but damaging fireworks.

This article was originally published on April 19, 2023.

GO TO ORIGINAL FOR CHARTS & PHOTOS:

https://earth.org/environmental-impact-of-fireworks/

Provincetown is starting a new tradition on NYE: a drone show

NOT IN ARCHIVES: https://www.capeandislands.org/show/the-point & https://www.capeandislands.org/in-this-place

Holiday Lights and Holiday Hikes

By Mindy Todd

We start the hour with Michael Magyar, sculptor and glassblower who creates the lighted giant sculptures we see in Sandwich and around the Cape this time of year.

Then we hear about a lighted drone show planned for First Light in Provincetown. Dan Riviello Assistant Town Manager explains why the town is choosing drones over Fireworks this year.

Here is a link to an article spelling out some of the impacts of Fireworks on the environment and wildlife:

https://earth.org/environmental-impact-of-fireworks/

We end the hour with a round up of First Day Hikes planned for January 1. From a sunrise hike in Chatham to a QiGong meditative hike in Harwich we talk with Sue Sullivan from Barnstable Land Trust about the many options to get out and enjoy nature in the New Year.

The Point

CAI LOCAL NPR

Provincetown is starting a new tradition on NYE: a drone show

December 10, 2025

MacMillan Pier, Provincetown

PROVINCETOWN – The Town of Provincetown is hosting its first-ever New Year’s Eve drone show as part of the annual First Light Celebration.

The show starts at 6 p.m.

Officials say this innovative display will replace the fireworks show that has been hosted in recent years.

The Drone Show will take place over Provincetown Harbor. The MacMillan Pier municipal parking lot and areas around it will serve as the primary public viewing area, and free parking will be available there and throughout town. Local businesses along Commercial Street will also be hosting viewing parties.

The drone show will be produced and operated by Firefly Drone Shows, a nationally recognized leader in high-impact aerial drone entertainment.

According to the Town of Provincetown, “Firefly’s cutting-edge productions use GPS-guided, LED-equipped drones to create dynamic, choreographed imagery in the sky—offering a visually stunning, environmentally friendly, and noise-conscious alternative to fireworks. Their work has been showcased at major public celebrations, stadium events, and national broadcasts, bringing art and storytelling to life through synchronized movement, color, and light.”

“First Light has become one of Provincetown’s signature winter celebrations,” said Town Manager Alex Morse. “We are thrilled to bring something fresh, innovative, and family-friendly to the heart of town this New Year’s Eve. This drone show reflects Provincetown’s creativity while giving our community and visitors a memorable way to welcome 2026.”

For those wondering about the future of fireworks in P-Town, they say they will continue the annual Independence Day Fireworks tradition on July 4th.

“As has been the case since the non-binding resolution was passed by Town Meeting voters, these will be ‘low noise’ fireworks. The First Light Drone Show will further voters’ goal of having a celebration that does not disturb people, pets, and wildlife with excessive noise.”

By Jim McCabe, CapeCod.com NewsCenter

CapeCod.com

Town of Provincetown to Host First-Ever New Year’s Eve Drone Show as Part of First Light Celebration

Home Page

Posted on November 20, 2025

The Town of Provincetown is excited to announce that this year’s First Light celebration will feature Provincetown’s first-ever drone show to celebrate New Year’s Eve on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, beginning at approximately 6:00 p.m. This innovative display will be approximately 15 minutes long and will replace the First Light fireworks show that the Town has hosted in recent years. 

The First Light Drone Show will take place over Provincetown Harbor, offering a breathtaking and unobstructed backdrop for the 200 drone aerial display. The MacMillan Pier Municipal Parking Lot and areas around it will serve as the primary public viewing area, and free parking will be available there and throughout town. A Parking Ban will be in effect along Commercial St. between Johnson St. and Winthrop St. from Monday, December 29 through Saturday, January 3. Local businesses along Commercial Street will also be hosting viewing parties and additional details will be announced in the coming weeks.

The Town believes this will be an especially exciting holiday event – one of the first drone shows of its kind on Cape Cod and the only New Year’s Eve drone show on the Cape. The show’s 6:00 p.m. start time will be a great option for families, children, and anyone looking to celebrate before midnight.

The drone show will be produced and operated by Firefly Drone Shows, a nationally recognized leader in high-impact aerial drone entertainment. Firefly’s cutting-edge productions use GPS-guided, LED-equipped drones to create dynamic, choreographed imagery in the sky—offering a visually stunning, environmentally friendly, and noise-conscious alternative to fireworks. Their work has been showcased at major public celebrations, stadium events, and national broadcasts, bringing art and storytelling to life through synchronized movement, color, and light.

This year’s show is made possible in part through a partnership between the Town’s Tourism Department and Cape Cod X—106.5 & 102.3 FM, a local radio station that is partially sponsoring the event. The station will also broadcast a synchronized musical soundtrack to accompany the drone show formations. Those wishing to enjoy the full experience should tune to 106.5 or 102.3 FM on their radios during the show.

Local businesses and community organizations are planning additional First Light festivities and viewing events throughout town. More information about viewing locations, New Year’s Eve programming, and more will be available as the holiday approaches.

“First Light has become one of Provincetown’s signature winter celebrations,” said Town Manager Alex Morse. “We are thrilled to bring something fresh, innovative, and family-friendly to the heart of town this New Year’s Eve. This drone show reflects Provincetown’s creativity while giving our community and visitors a memorable way to welcome 2026.”

Provincetown will continue its annual Independence Day Fireworks tradition on July 4th. As has been the case since the non-binding resolution was passed by Town Meeting voters, these will be “low noise” fireworks. The First Light Drone Show will further voters’ goal of having a celebration that does not disturb people, pets, and wildlife with excessive noise.

For ongoing updates about First Light, please visit the Tourism Office website or follow the Town’s official social media channels.

TOWN OF PROVINCETOWN