WASHINGTON — Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. If you have not yet voted, please exercise your right to vote!
In addition to articles already covered by Native News Online, here is a roundup of other news released from Washington, D.C. that impacts Indian Country recently.
FCC Provides Guides to Help Consumers Stop Unwanted Calls and Texts
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has released step-by-step consumer guides to help Americans reduce unwanted robocalls and robotexts by activating blocking and filtering features on their mobile phones.
The guides are part of the FCC’s ongoing campaign to combat illegal robocalls and protect consumers from telephone scams.
Available at fcc.gov/blockit, the instructions explain how to activate features built into Apple and Google devices, as well as tools offered through mobile service providers AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon.
Consumers can follow the instructions to enable call-blocking and text-filtering options, a process that takes only a few minutes and may significantly reduce unwanted calls and messages.
The FCC also encourages consumers to learn how to recognize and avoid robocall scams and explore additional call-blocking resources.
For more information, visit fcc.gov/robocalls.
Native American Convenience Stores Urge Congress to Reduce Credit Card Swipe Fees
In a letter sent Oct. 28, 2026, to congressional leaders, the association endorsed the Credit Card Competition Act (CCCA), which would require large banks to allow credit card transactions to be processed over at least one network unaffiliated with Visa or Mastercard.
“ For tribal nations, this is not simply another operating expense,” said Isaiah Coley, chairman of the Tribal Convenience Store Association and assistant retail director for the Squaxin Island Tribe in Washington state. “It is also an issue of economic sovereignty and self-determination.”
The association represents gas stations and convenience stores owned by 69 Native American tribes across 13 states.
Coley said profits from tribally owned businesses help fund essential services, including tribal law enforcement, fire and emergency response, utilities, roads, infrastructure, community facilities, economic development and other programs.
“Every dollar unnecessarily removed from a tribal enterprise is a dollar that cannot be reinvested into our business, our people or our communities,” Coley said.
The Merchants Payments Coalition welcomed the association’s support, noting that credit card processing fees have become a significant expense for businesses. According to the coalition, credit and debit card swipe fees increased 80% since the COVID-19 pandemic and reached a record $198.25 billion in 2025.
Visa and Mastercard control approximately 80% of the credit card market. The proposed legislation seeks to increase competition by requiring banks with at least $100 billion in assets to enable transactions through at least one additional, unaffiliated payment network.