ending August 31
President Bush observes
Labor Day. Photo © Reuters.
Tribes in Idaho, Nebraska and Arizona are hoping voters will do this November what lawmakers in the state refuse to do -- authorize expanded casino gaming. The outlook for Idaho tribes is good, as they scored a legal victory in their fight to put their gaming initiative on the ballot. But if voters approve it, Republicans and their allies stand ready to mount another court challenge. Tribes in Arizona also seem assured of success. Having spent at least $10 million to push two different initiatives, they are trying to steal votes from the racetrack industry. The picture was less rosy for Nebraska tribes, who don't have their own ballot initiative but would benefit from another. Get the Story:
Neb. governor opposes gaming to a point (8/28)
Idaho tribes score another victory (8/29)
Idaho gaming foes promise court battle (8/29)
Neb. lawmakers oppose gaming initiative (8/29)
Tribes shell out cash for gaming bids (8/30)
Neb. gaming foes go to court (8/30) Contempt decision against Norton pending
It's been seven months since a federal judge wrapped up contempt proceedings against Secretary of Interior Gale Norton and Assistant Secretary Neal McCaleb. According to attorneys representing 500,000 American Indians, a decision is coming down down. The Bush officials face five charges for their handling of Indian trust assets, a debacle more than a century old. The wait for the Internet to return to the Bureau of Indian Affairs has been even longer. Computer bugs have yet to be resolved, leaving e-mail, web site and other services off the hook. Get the Story:
Norton refusing to testify on trust (8/26)
BIA reconstructing computer systems (8/26)
Editorial: Trust is broken, period (8/28)
Norton contempt decision will be 'huge' (8/29)
Eight months later, BIA still offline (8/29) more stories
There's still more to read in the recap of the top stories.