Shinnecock Case Could Set National Precedent - 2004-01-25
When the Shinnecock Indian Nation started building a 65,000-square-foot casino in Hampton Bays last summer, tribe leaders knew they were in for a battle. That's because according to the U.S. government, it is is not officially a tribe at all.

They had applied for federal recognition, a prerequisite for opening a casino, almost 25 years earlier, and were still waiting for a decision.

But soon after New York State and Southampton Town sued the tribe to make it stop construction, something unusual happened: In an unprecedented move, U.S. District Judge Thomas Platt announced that he would bypass the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs and decide for himself whether the Shinnecock should be recognized.
Read the full story at Newsday

Lottery Proposals May Resurface in Legislature - 2004-01-25
Lottery proposals could re-emerge in next month's regular session of the Alabama Legislature.

Lawmakers are scrambling to come up enough with enough funds to balance the state's two main budgets.

A statewide lottery already is being discussed, despite its rejection by voters five years ago. The regular session begins February 3rd.

Alabama is now surrounded by states which offer legal gambling -- lotteries in Georgia, Florida and Tennessee and casino gambling in Mississippi.
Read the full story at WTVM