PM Brief: Orrin Hatch’s funeral, sanctuary lawsuit & first tribal-owned casino in Las Vegas
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Wednesday, April 27, 2022
Northern Utah
Plaintiffs amend lawsuit in sanctuary case
Utah Sanctuary leaders and other immigrant rights organizations have filed an amended complaint in their lawsuit against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. It’s in response to fines levied by ICE for targeting sanctuary leaders and asylum seekers in five states. The lawsuit includes Vicky Chavez — a woman from Honduras who with her two daughters for almost three years as they waited for asylum. It alleges immigration agencies targeted leaders with enormous fines to stop immigrants like Chavez from speaking out — infringing upon their First Amendment rights. The case is currently in Washington D.C. District Court. — Ivana Martinez
Funeral plans for Sen. Orrin Hatch
The Hatch Foundation has announced plans for Sen. Orrin Hatch’s funeral services. On Wednesday, May 4, the late Senator will lie in state at the Utah Capitol Rotunda from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. On Friday, May 6 at 1 p.m. there will be a funeral at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Institute of Religion at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. Both events will be open to the public. at the age of 88. With 42 years in office, he was the longest-serving Republican senator in U.S. history. — Elaine Clark
Southern Utah
Interior pushes back against Washington County water application
The U.S. Department of the Interior is asking the Utah State Engineer to deny a water rights application from Washington County. The county water district hopes to to access water that could be deep underground. Interior agencies including the Bureau of Land Management oppose the move. They said the district hasn’t consulted them, even though seven of the 18 proposed wells would be on public lands. Over 60 protests have been filed against the district’s application, including some from nearby residents concerned about how it’ll impact their existing water rights. — Lexi Peery, St. George
Region/Nation
First fully tribe-owned casino in Las Vegas
The Palms Casino Resort is making history as the first in Las Vegas to be fully owned and operated by a Native American Tribe. It was closed for two years, but now the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians is in charge. General Manager Cynthia Kiser Murphey said they want visitors to notice a cultural quality at the casino. The tribe has been able to re-hire more than 50% of former Palms employees. — Yvette Fernandez, KNPR via Mountain West News Bureau
I’m proud to be with this team today -- @Palms is now the first Las Vegas property to be owned and operated by a Native American Tribe. It’s run by the San Manuel Gaming and Hospitality Authority, under the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians pic.twitter.com/WvTByAbmFc
— Governor Sisolak (@GovSisolak) April 27, 2022
