Noem will be rewarded for her optimism Wednesday with a speaking slot at the Republican National Convention. Noem supported the event as health experts warned it could become a super-spreader event. They like that.Noem, 48, has angled for increased attention from Trump since shortly after taking office as South Dakota's first female governor in 2019. Early on in the pandemic, Noem discouraged large gatherings, closed schools and issued an order in April directing vulnerable people in two hard-hit counties to stay home. She has yet to appear at a news conference with a mask to the exasperation of health experts and moderate Republicans in her state.

Shortly after fireworks above Mount Rushmore disappeared into the night sky on Friday, South Dakota Gov. Noem had tested negative for COVID-19 shortly before welcoming Trump to South Dakota on Friday. But that runs counter to guidance from public health experts, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, that advises people to wear masks when interacting with people outside their household. As the number of people hospitalized from COVID-19 in South Dakota has decreased in recent weeks to just 59 people statewide, Noem has doubled down on her relaxed approach to the pandemic. Seidel said the governor worries about other effects of the virus, such as unemployment and domestic violence.

Kayla is a Web Producer for ClickOnDetroit. Before she joined the team in 2018 she worked at WILX in Lansing as a digital producer.

People shop for Trump memorabilia in Keystone, S.D. on Friday, July 3, 2020 ahead of a fireworks display at Mount Rushmore the president is expected to attend. The Latest on President Donald Trump's July Fourth celebration at Mount Rushmore (all times local):5:30 p.m. Protesters blocked the main road into Mount Rushmore ahead of President Donald Trumps arrival Friday for a Fourth of July fireworks show. Most of the fireworks show attendees had already arrived before protesters blockaded the road.

But concern about coronavirus risk and wildfire danger from the fireworks, along with protests from Native American groups, will also greet the president. Kristi Noem, a Trump ally, has said social distancing won't be required during the event and masks will be optional. Some Native American groups are using Trump's visit to protest the Mount Rushmore memorial itself, pointing out that the Black Hills were taken from the Lakota people against treaty agreements. Security is expected to be tight, with the road leading up to Mount Rushmore shut down. Noem pushed to get the fireworks resumed soon after she was elected, and enlisted Trump's help.