"While attention is focused on the pending decision from the U.S. Supreme Court on Obamacare, the court will issue another decision that could have major ramifications for the state of Alabama.

Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians v. Patchak (Patchak) could substantially affect tribes such as the Poarch Creek Indians. Patchak deals with whether local residents have standing to challenge the U.S. Department of Interior when they take land into trust for Indian tribes that were not recognized by the federal government prior to 1934.

David Patchak filed the lawsuit in federal court in Michigan after the Interior Department agreed to put land purchased by the Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Indians into protective federal trust. At that time, the Indians claimed they had no plans to use the land for a casino. Apparently, they changed their plans shortly after the land was placed into trust."

Get the Story:
Gary Palmer: Supreme Court hard to ignore in Escambia County (Watchdog.org 6/14)

Also Today:
Alabama Supreme Court to hear PCI case (The Atmore Advance 6/14)

Related Stories:
Editorial: Poarch Creeks and county can address casino dispute (6/13)
Supreme Court debates challenge to Gun Lake casino land (4/25)