St. Paul mayor scraps July 4 fireworks over budget concerns

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter says Minnesota’s capital city will go without fireworks this Fourth of July.

Carter made that announcement Wednesday, one week before Independence Day. He cited on Facebook concerns about the city’s budget climate.

The new mayor says costs associated with a fireworks display could top $100,000 after insurance and public safety expenses.

But the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports Carter did not rule out the possibility of a major donor stepping forward.

A spokeswoman for the mayor says St. Paul had not yet spent money this year on a fireworks display.