NATIONAL BRIEFS

WASHINGTON: Sharp nuclear cuts considered

The Obama administration is weighing options for sharp new cuts to the U.S. nuclear force, including a reduction of up to 80 percent in the number of deployed weapons, The Associated Press has learned. Even the most modest option under consideration would be a politically bold step in a presidential election year, although the plan is in line with President Barack Obama's 2009 pledge to pursue the elimination of nuclear weapons. The potential cuts would be from a current treaty limit of 1,550 deployed strategic warheads. A level of 300 weapons would take the United States back to levels not seen since 1950, during the Cold War arms race.

Protecting West Coast tribe

Congress has signed off on a plan to transfer 785 acres of federal parkland along the Pacific coast in Washington state to the tiny Quileute Indian tribe, a move aimed at protecting safety in case of a tsunami. The tribe is perhaps best known for its role in Stephenie Meyer's "Twilight" novels, which resulted in films. The tribe's legend says a wandering transformer changed the Quileutes from wolves. Sen. Maria Cantwell and Rep. Norm Dicks, both Democrats of Washington state, had pushed hard for the legislation, arguing that the tribe faced imminent danger and needed to be moved to higher ground. Tribal officials said a 5.7-magnitude earthquake off the coast of Vancouver Island earlier this month served as "an ominous reminder" of the threat facing the Quileute village in La Push, Wash.

ARIZONA: 1913 English law questioned

The case of a woman barred from running for city council in a border town because she isn't fluent in English has raised questions about the 120-year-old law used to kick her off the ballot. Records don't show the exact intent of the old law, but state historian Marshall Trimble said white settlers who came in droves starting in 1890 with the expansion of railroads "were trying to eradicate Spanish." Last week the state Supreme Court upheld the removal of Alejandrina Cabrera from a ballot for city council in San Luis. Mayor Juan Carlos Escamilla cited a 1913 law that says anyone "unable to speak, write and read the English language is not eligible" for public office.