Appeals court clears way for Lansing tribal casino

LANSING (AP) -- A federal appeals court says an Indian tribe from the Upper Peninsula can move ahead with plans to build a $245 million casino in downtown Lansing. The 6th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals in Cincinnati on Wednesday overturned the decision by U.S. District Judge Robert Jonker in Grand Rapids, who granted an injunction against the project. The state has sought to block the casino in the heart of Michigan's capital city. Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero supports it. The Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians proposes to build the Kewadin Lansing casino. The tribe now can apply to the U.S. Department of the Interior to have land it bought from the city of Lansing held in trust for gambling. The 125,000-square-foot casino would be next to the Lansing Center. Published: Fri, Dec 20, 2013