The sponsor of this year’s Fourth of July fireworks at Gas Works Park, JPMorgan Chase, announced that it will not be picking up the $500,000 bill next year. This puts the show in jeopardy — the last remaining Seattle 4th of July fireworks show — unless a new sponsor steps forward in the middle of a recession. “It takes a special kind of company to do that, and I hope we find them,” said Norman Langill, the president of the company that organizes the show. “Otherwise we can’t do the event.

Benjamin Schroeter has filed suit to stop Seattle’s fireworks show at Gas Works Park on the basis of environmental impact. “I like fireworks, but the city should do some kind of review,” he told the Seattle Times, explaining he’s worried that people will stir up toxic materials in the soil and the fireworks may harm fish in Lake Union. The city maintains it believes it’s done a good job minimizing the risk of any environmental impact.

This bit of news struck a nerve with Comedy Central’s Stephen Colbert (watch video). Thanks Steve for the link!