Scoop: Fine Feathered Friend

WASHINGTON (TIME, Oct. 27) -- It could be Bunker Hill II for the Cheyenne-Arapaho vs. Nathan Landow, Democratic moneyman and Al Gore adviser. Early this year he allegedly threatened to blackball the impoverished Oklahoma tribes with the Clinton Administration if they didn't hire him to help try to reclaim some 7,500 acres of land that was under the control of the Agriculture Department. Tribal representatives met with Landow after ponying up $107,000 to the Democrats in 1996 for a chance to make their plea to Clinton, but they saw no action on their land. Landow wanted 10% of any oil and gas revenues from the land in return for his help, and tribal leaders say he angrily told them they'd never see their acreage if they didn't go along with his demands (he denies the threats). But tribal officer Archie Hoffman did see something else that could be trouble for Landow: an impressive Sioux war bonnet in the reception area of Landow's office that appeared to have been fashioned from the feathers of federally protected eagles. Now the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is investigating and has already questioned several witnesses. If Landow is found in violation, penalties could range from forfeiture of the headdress to a stiff fine. Landow couldn't be reached for comment, but TIME has learned that the tribes could be moving ahead on what they care most about: a just completed Interior Department legal opinion sides with the Cheyenne-Arapaho on the land claim.

--By Viveca Novak/Washington