DEVELOPING: National Parks Fee-Free Calendar Overhaul Sparks Controversy

Breaking News: National Parks Fee-Free Calendar Overhaul Sparks Controversy The Trump administration has removed Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth from next year's calendar of entrance fee-free days for national parks, and added President Trump's birthday to the list. The changes will take effect starting January 1, 2026. The updated calendar includes President Trump's birthday, which coincides with Flag Day on June 14, as well as the 110th anniversary of the National Park Service on August 25, Constitution Day on September 17, and President Teddy Roosevelt's birthday on October 27. Non-U.S. residents will still be required to pay entrance fees on those dates. The decision has sparked controversy, with critics arguing that the removal of Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth undermines the significance of these holidays in American history. The changes come as the administration continues to push back against a reckoning of the country's racist history on federal lands. The National Park Service has confirmed the changes, citing a new "America-first pricing" policy that will apply to non-U.S. residents. The policy is set to take effect on January 1, 2026. This is a developing story, and we will provide updates as more information becomes available.