Parolees don't have to move off Soboba Reservation after all, state says8/14/2008, The Press-Enterprise
State parole officials have reversed their position on parole visits to the Soboba Indian Reservation and will now allow five parolees to continue living there. Last week, parole agents ordered the parolees to leave the reservation and find other housing, citing concerns for agents' safety and access to the reservation to make parole visits. After meeting with the Soboba Tribal Council on Tuesday, parole officials said they had reached an agreement with the tribe that would allow parole agents to make unannounced visits to parolees and not require them to have an escort.

Teen from Inland tribe accuses deputies of making racist comments while detaining him
8/14/2008, The Press-Enterprise
The Riverside County Sheriff's Department confirmed Thursday it is investigating allegations of racial harassment by some of its deputies against a teenager from an Inland tribe. Michael Malone, 19, accused deputies of pointing a Taser at him and making racist remarks during a recent encounter in the Temecula area. Malone, who identified himself as a member of the Torres-Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians, said he believes the deputies detained him because he's American Indian.

Volunteerism, help of friends speed recovery of La Jolla tribe8/15/2008, San Diego Union Tribune
The La Jolla Indian band, one of the poorest tribes in San Diego County, has used volunteerism, timely planning, gifts from wealthy tribes and a bureaucracy-averse reservation government to jump ahead of many devastated communities in recovering from last fall's wildfires.

 

River Rock Casino aided by liquor license8/14/2008, THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
River Rock Casino's revenues declined in the second quarter, although its new liquor license helped to blunt the impact of a slowing economy, the Geyserville casino reported Thursday. "In June we began offering alcohol to our guests, and we believe that this has begun to have a positive impact on our business," said Shawn Smyth, CEO of River Rock Entertainment Authority. The tribal casino reported $33.7 million in sales for the quarter ending June 30, down about $1 million from the same period last year.

Report: Indian casinos not immune from hard times
8/14/2008, The Day - Conn.
Moody's Investors Service released a report Wednesday that says American Indian gaming enterprises are not immune from the nation's economic downturn. And while four of the 19 "Native American Gaming Issuers" that are rated by Moody's have received negative rating actions since the beginning of the year, which includes both the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe and the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority, the report concluded that many of the tribal enterprises have the ability to weather the economic downturn. "A prolonged, nationwide, consumer-driven recession could result in some negative rating actions for Native American gaming operators," said Jacques Ouazana, the author of Moody's report. "But many operators possess sound financial profiles that should see them through."

California Supports Winnemem Wintu Tribe: Senate passes Joint Resolution8/14/2008, Bay Area Indy Media
Sacramento, CA - The Winnemem Wintu Tribe drew one step closer to righting years of historic wrongs today. The Senate passed a Joint Resolution urging the federal government to restore federal recognition status to the Winnemem Wintu Tribe. The resolution, authored by Assembly Member Huffman, passed with 24 votes. "California has sent a clear message today: our state stands in solidarity with the Winnemem Wintu Tribe to correct a terrible injustice by the federal government," said Assemblymember Jared Huffman. "It's not time for the federal government to acknowledge its mistake and once again recognize the Tribe."

Tribes, bingo operators at war8/14/2008, Capitol Weekly
Who knew bingo was so controversial? In recent months, Sacramento has seen a legal and media battle over charity bingo halls. The California Tribal Business Alliance (CTBA) and the Attorney General have been trying to shut down several charity bingo halls they say aren't complying with the rules set out for the game in state law. These so-called bingo parlors, they say, resemble Vegas casinos, with electronic "bingo" machines that look and play like slot machines or video poker. The California Charity Bingo Association has fought back with an ad campaign accusing "powerful special interest groups" wanting to cut off money for disabled veterans and sick children. Charity bingo was legalized by a voter initiative in 1976. Over the last 30-plus years, it has provided millions of dollars for charities, according to Bingo Association lobbyist Ravi Mehta.

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