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Howard Fischer, for the Navajo-Hopi Observer

Stories by Howard

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A planned mine at Oak Flat does not interfere with the ability of Native Americans to practice their religion, a federal appeals court has ruled.

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One of the state's Native American tribes is suing to bring a halt to off-reservation wagering on sports just weeks before it is scheduled to begin.

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Residents of the Navajo Nation won’t get extra time to cast their ballots and be sure they are counted.

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Members of the Navajo Nation are asking a federal judge to require the state to count mail-in ballots from voters on all the state’s reservations that are not received until after Election Day.

State lawmakers are looking to let students wear items of “cultural significance’’ to their graduation ceremonies.

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A spat between ranchers and Native American tribes is threatening to torpedo a special panel which seeks to keep construction projects from damaging tribal remains and antiquities.

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Two lawmakers are proposing to let at least several Native American tribes keep some of the taxes generated from sales on reservations.

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The Navajo Nation is threatening a new lawsuit against the state over changes demanded by Attorney General Mark Brnovich to a proposed election procedures manual.

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The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled July 29 that any legal action contesting the decisions of the federal government to grant the necessary permits must also include the Navajo Transitional Energy Co.

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The lawsuit filed July 15 in federal court contends the agency failed to look at the consequences, environmental impacts and adverse effects of oil and gas drilling.

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The U.S. Supreme Court has rebuffed a bid to void a federal law that challengers claim is racist because it places the desires and rights of Native American tribes over the constitutionally protected best interests of children.

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Drought contingency plan for Southwest on hold?
Gila River Indian Community and Safford Valley farmers at odds as multi-state plan moves forward

The Gila River Indian Community is threatening to blow up the drought contingency plan because of efforts it says will undermine its claim to water rights.

The Navajo Nation has dropped a legal claim that could have delayed formal certification of the general election results.

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Supreme Court upholds mining ban near Grand Canyon
Havasupai Tribe relieved and grateful for court's decision after years of litigation

In a major victory for environmental groups and the Havasupai Tribe, the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday rebuffed a bid by mining interests to overturn a 20-year ban on extracting uranium from about a million acres around Grand Canyon National Park.

Judge upholds Indian Child Welfare Act
9th Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously throws out challenge to ICWA claiming the law is racist

A court has thrown out a bid to void a federal law that challengers claim is racist because it places the desires and rights of Native American tribes over the constitutionally protected best interests of children.

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Gov. Doug Ducey is open to the idea of allowing Arizonans to place bets on sporting events at 55 off-track betting sites around the state.

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The Arizona Supreme Court has agreed to decide whether the Hopi tribe can try to block the use of treated effluent to make snow on the San Francisco Peaks.

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Attorneys for Snowbowl are warning the Arizona Supreme Court that if they don’t overturn a ruling allowing the Hopi Tribe to sue over artificial snow they are opening the door to a flood of litigation.

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Descheenie moves to ban 'disparaging' terms
Native lawmaker asks for law forbidding derogatory sports logos and names of Native tribes to be used on signage and displays

A Native American lawmaker wants a new state law to forbid the display of any name or logo of any sports team at any publicly funded stadium if any of the state’s 22 tribes finds it “disparaging.’’