Newswatch Nations State-by-State
Alaska
Federal judge overturns Izembek land exchange for proposed King Cove road
August 18, 2026 04:40 PM EDT
Your Alaska Link.
A federal judge overturned a land exchange intended to allow a road through Alaska's Izembek National Wildlife Refuge, finding the Interior Department violated federal laws.
Alaska
Alaska Native leaders warn cruise passengers about a TikTok trend: 'They are not simply making a joke'
August 18, 2026 01:03 PM EDT
Royal Caribbean Blog.
A recent TikTok trend has triggered backlash from Alaska Native leaders and sparked a debate about how cruise passengers treat local communities and...
Alaska
Justice Department announces funding opportunities
August 18, 2026 06:39 AM EDT
Southwest Ledger.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Justice recently announced the opening of the Fiscal Year 2026 Coordinated Tribal Assistance Solicitation Notice of Funding Opportunity for comprehensive funding to American Indian and Alaska Native tribes to develop comprehensive approaches to public safety and victimization issues.
Alaska
Sen. Murkowski pushes for release of $41.3M in delayed federal grants for Alaska Native education
August 17, 2026 06:24 PM EDT
KNBA - Alaska Public Media.
The U.S. Department of Education is expected to award the grant funding through the Alaska Native Education Program to 26 Alaska grantees, according to an announcement from the senator.
Alaska
Improving Cancer Data on American Indian and Alaska Native People
August 17, 2026 12:00 AM EDT
cdc
CDC takes steps to identify American Indian and Alaska Native people accurately in cancer data.
Arizona
Tourist assaulted on Arizona reservation; family attacked inside cruise ship cabin | Nightly Roundup
August 19, 2026 02:48 PM EDT
Fox 10 Phoenix.
From a suspect in custody following an assault on a Native American reservation in Arizona to the latest on Apache Junction's Flock misuse controversy, here's a look at your top stories this evening.
Arizona
Tohono O'odham weigh legal options after U.S. court denies bid to stop wall construction on land
August 18, 2026 08:00 PM EDT
KJZZ
Roughly 62 miles of the tribal nation’s 2.8 million acre boundary are along the Arizona-Mexico border, and the federal government hasn’t tried to build a wall there in the past.
Arizona
Arizona signs MOU to help tribes amid coal industry decline
August 18, 2026 12:30 PM EDT
The Center Square.
The Center Square) - Arizona signed a memorandum of understanding with two tribal nations devastated by the decline of the coal industry.
California
Orange County's Acjachemen Nation Maps 10,000 Years of History for Its First Digital Archive
August 21, 2026 09:00 AM EDT
CultureOC.
With grants from CalTrout and the California Coastal Commission, the tribe is building an interactive map of its ancestral sites, sacred waters and oral histories.Orange County’s Acjachemen Nation, the Juaneño Band of Mission Indians (JBMI), is building a digital archive for the first time.The Acjachemen Nation (pronounced ah-HAWSH-eh-men) originally inhabited what is now Orange County for as long as 10,000 years. The Acjachemen and the Tongva have had a long, complicated history in the region,
Colorado
The Fort Mojave Indian Tribe and the fight for the future of the Colorado River
August 17, 2026 12:02 PM EDT
KSUT Public Radio.
The tribe's river water allotment largely goes to alfalfa and cotton operations, which pay for healthcare, housing and more. But as agencies negotiate over water, tribes are often left out.
Colorado
Colorado River Shortage Reaches Farms and Tribal Lands
August 17, 2026 11:23 AM EDT
Your Wyoming Link.
From Wyoming’s headwaters to the Imperial Valley, communities confront the consequences of a shrinking river. In the special assignment series “The Future of Water in the West,” Brian Calfano examines
Colorado
Why firefighters in Colorado tried to save firewood during a summer wildfire; The Wood for Life program saves unsellable timber from San Juan National Forest thinning projects for Native tribes to heat their homes in winter
August 16, 2026 09:50 AM EDT
Montrose Daily Press.
As the Ferris fire tore through the San Juan National Forest over the Fourth of July weekend, firefighters raced to protect an interesting resource.
Colorado
Tribal officials ask feds to delay Colorado River decision
August 15, 2026 08:01 AM EDT
Arizona Central.
The Colorado River Indian Tribes say the federal government has not fully consulted with tribal leaders in Colorado River talks.
Connecticut
July Gambling Revenue From Tribes Tops $31 Million for Connecticut
August 20, 2026 08:57 AM EDT
Iredell Free News
More than $31 million in revenue was collected by the state from tribal gaming operations in July, according to data released this week by the Department...
Michigan
Pokagon Band Honors Local Partners for More Respectful Native American Representation
August 21, 2026 08:00 PM EDT
Moody on the Market.
From a historical marker in Niles to a summer camp in Vandalia, several Southwest Michigan organizations and individuals are being recognized by the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi for working to provide a more accurate and respectful representation
Michigan
Michigan tribes say 'flawed' federal review of Line 5 project violates treaty rights
August 20, 2026 09:10 AM EDT
Interlochen Public Radio
The proposal to replace an aging segment of the Line 5 pipeline in the Great Lakes still needs state approval. Tribal nations say a permit approval by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was a breach of treaty rights.
Minnesota
Walz throws up new roadblock to mining near Boundary Waters
August 18, 2026 01:34 PM EDT
Environmental News Network.
The Minnesota governor signed an order that halts permitting of mining projects near the pristine wilderness, undermining a top priority for President
Minnesota
Hemp builds houses, economy and opportunity in one Minnesota tribal community
August 18, 2026 06:30 AM EDT
Minnesota Public Radio News
Hoping to diversify its economy beyond gambling, the Lower Sioux Indian Community has put its chips on hempcrete, a sustainable housing insulation. The operation is part of a quiet, national surge in Native-owned startups. But steep challenges remain.
New Mexico
In New Mexico, Kalshi All-In On Federal Preemption In Tribal Lawsuit
August 21, 2026 11:31 AM EDT
InGame
In case against Mescalero Apache and three other tribes, prediction platform says the goal should not be to change the status quo.
New Mexico
Navajo Code Talkers Museum Gets $20M in State Funding
August 20, 2026 04:35 PM EDT
Yahoo! Inc.
A museum honoring the Navajo Code Talkers is moving forward with nearly $20 million in funding from the state of New Mexico. The Navajo Code Talker Museum will be built on the Navajo Preparatory Schoo...
New Mexico
FBI touts success on tribal land amid Patel visit to New Mexico
August 18, 2026 09:31 AM EDT
KOAT Action 7 News.
FBI director Kash Patel visited New Mexico to meet with tribal leaders on how to stop drug trafficking on tribal lands in the state.
North Dakota
Northern Cheyenne court rules Chiefs' Declaration void, orders peaceful reinstatement of ousted council | Buffalo's Fire
August 21, 2026 09:21 PM EDT
Buffalo's Fire.
Buffalo’s Fire: Native-led news covering Indigenous communities in North Dakota — tribal sovereignty, environmental justice, and cultural preservation.
Oklahoma
Trump Administration Provides Grants to Support Businesses in Ponca City, Laverne - Oklahoma Farm Report
August 21, 2026 04:03 PM EDT
Oklahoma Farm Report.
U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Oklahoma State Director Zachary Swartz announced today that the Trump Administration provided a USDA Rural Development grant to the City of Laverne and Pioneer Technology Center in Ponca City to grow small and emerging businesses. The Administration’s investment will work to support three local businesses in Laverne and a small business incubator run by Pioneer Technology Center to increase job and business growth in those two
Oklahoma
Speed Art Museum Repatriates 24 Artifacts to Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes
August 20, 2026 02:56 PM EDT
Artforum International Magazine
On August 19 the Speed Art Museum in Oklahoma repatriated 24 items to the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes, the culmination of efforts beginning in 2023.
Oklahoma
Eight Northeastern Oklahoma Tribes Unite on Wildlife Agreement
August 19, 2026 06:05 PM EDT
KOAM News Now
Eight Northeastern Oklahoma tribes have agreed to standardize hunting and fishing laws across tribal lands for their members, creating unified wildlife management codes.The agreement allows tribal members to hunt and
Oregon
Tribal native nursery in Eastern Oregon aids in salmon habitat restoration, recovery
August 19, 2026 09:13 AM EDT
Oregon Public Broadcasting
The CTUIR runs a nursery growing native plants aiding in habitat restoration. We hear from the nursery manager to learn about some of what they grow and their importance.
South Dakota
Tribal leaders say police shortage leaves reservations waiting for help
August 19, 2026 06:56 PM EDT
Dakota News Now
For many South Dakotans, there is security in knowing that if there’s an emergency, help is just a call away. But for those living on some reservations, help could be an hour or longer wait.
South Dakota
US Energy Department To Ax Plan To Run Electric Transmission Corridor Through Central South Dakota
August 15, 2026 01:09 PM EDT
KCCR Radio.
PIERRE, (KCCR) - The United States Department of Energy is halting a Biden-era plan to create three electric t...
Utah
Trump shrank Utah's monuments. Now mining companies are staking claims.
August 17, 2026 08:04 AM EDT
The Salt Lake Tribune
Just weeks after Trump drastically reduced the size of Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante, at least nine mining claims have been staked on land removed from the monuments.
Utah
USU faces backlash over newly formed Heritage & Culture sub-unit
August 15, 2026 04:00 PM EDT
The Herald Journal.
The recent merger of Utah State University’s Center for Community into a Student Success sub-unit called Heritage & Culture sparked controversy. Critics, including students and native community members, voiced concerns about exclusion from decision-making and fears of diminishing native voices on campus.
Washington
Suquamish Tribe-focused curriculum, decades in the making, is ready for Washington schools
August 21, 2026 07:37 PM EDT
KUOW Public Radio
Educators across Washington state were given a preview Wednesday of a Suquamish Tribe-focused social studies curriculum for middle and high school that will be adopted this year by several school districts. Tribal historians and educators have spent more than a decade creating the curriculum, part of a state-mandated effort to highlight tribal history and culture in public schools.
