KWSO News Oct. 9, 2018

It is less than a month until Election Day. The voter registration deadline is October 16. Registration cards postmarked by this date or submitted online no later than 11:59pm October 16 are valid.  The voter’s pamphlets will be in mailboxes this week. And, watch for your ballots next week – they will be mailed out between October 17-22.

Madras Varsity Football is 2-0 in the Class 3A Special District and they have a 4-2 overall record. This Thursday night at White Buff stadium, it’s going down with the division co-leader Scio Loggers. Scio has an identical record so Thursday’s game will determine sole possession of first place in the league. KWSO will broadcast the game. Listen live to 91.9fm, online on KWSO.org and on the Tune In Radio app.

The Indian Childhood Welfare Act was dealt a substantial blow on Friday, when a U.S. Federal Judge in the Northern District of Texas ruled the landmark legislation unconstitutional. According to the law, when a Native child is up for adoption, family members, other tribal members, and then other Native homes are to be prioritized for placement. Research shows that all children, Native and non-Native alike, have better outcomes when they are raised with family, extended family or in their community – over state child welfare systems and foster homes. Judge Reed O’Conner ruled ICWA is a “race based statute” that violates the Equal Protection Clause of the constitution. In the 47-page Brackeen v. Zinke decision, O’Conner also argued that ICWA violates the 10th amendment by “commandeering” state courts to enforce a federal law. The ruling is currently limited to the Northern District of Texas, however, many are concerned it can jeopardize the landmark legislation protecting tribal children.