Federal Government

SALT LAKE CITY — The federal government is offering more than $1 million to help cover damage caused by flooding earlier this year in Southern Utah.

WASHINGTON - Senior administration officials acknowledged Friday that they are wrestling with how to respond to the legalization of marijuana in Colorado and Washington, which directly violates federal drug law and is sparking a broad debate about the direction of U.S. drug policy.

WASHINGTON — Leading conservatives are crying foul after the Obama administration has quietly opened the door for states to seek major changes in how they meet federal welfare-to-work requirements for some of their poorest residents.

RENO, Nev. - Outside the meeting room, gamblers rolled dice and slid quarters into slot machines.

Inside, scientists peppered government officials with questions about a controversial, little-known federal wildlife damage control program, hoping to learn something new.

Like most gamblers, they didn’t have much luck.

OGDEN — This week’s trial of the Ogden Trece injunction has included numerous references to a possible federal racketeering case against the Treces, the city’s oldest and likely largest street gang.

Several Treces brought in shackles from the Utah State Prison to testify this week were advised of their Fifth Amendment rights against self-incrimination in the face of potential prosecution.

Though the Treces were subpoenaed and transported from the prison at the request of prosecutors, it was defense attorney Randy Richards who stood to ask that they be advised of their rights.

WASHINGTON -- The Department of Justice sued Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio and his Phoenix law enforcement department Thursday, alleging a pattern of abuse and racism against Latinos, especially immigrants, and asking a federal judge to force the 20-year, often outspoken and brazen sheriff to stop racially profiling Latinos and abusing them in his jails.

Anticipating the bitter battle to come, governors from five Western states will meet in Salt Lake City on Friday to devise strategies to persuade Washington to give them more control over federal land within their own boundaries.