Around New England

Mashpee Wampanoags’ Casino Hopes In Peril After Federal Agency Ruling

Matthew McDonald

The Mashpee Wampanoags may never build a casino in Taunton now that the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs has ruled that the tribe was not "now under federal jurisdiction" in 1934 when Congress passed a key federal statute that governs how and whether a tribe may take newly acquired land into trust.

The Wampanoags want to build a casino on 150 acres in Taunton, which is about 48 miles northwest of the Cape Cod town of Mashpee, which is where the tribe is headquartered. Some neighbors don't want the casino and have sued in federal court to try to prevent it from being built, with backing from a rival casino operator who wants to open one in Brockton.

Around New England

New Hampshire School Board Bows To ACLU on Free Speech Challenge

Matthew McDonald

A New Hampshire school board has amended its proposed policy regarding public comments during board meetings after the American Civil Liberties Union said the policy might be too restrictive. 

In its initial draft of the policy to control public participation in public meetings, the Concord School Board had placed limits on speech that was "obscene, libelous, defamatory, or violent." 

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