The Department of Justice this week appointed veteran federal prosecutor Daniel Knauss as interim U.S. attorney for the District of Arizona, according to The Arizona Republic.

The appointment sidestepped recommendations by Republic Sens. John McCain and Jon Kyl, who recommended Diane J. Humetewa (Class of 1993), senior litigation counsel and tribal liaison under retiring U.S. Attorney Paul Charlton.

The Republic article, written by Dennis Wagner, states that the interim appointment does not preclude Humetewa from being appointed to the permanent position.

If nominated by Bush and confirmed by the Senate, Humetewa, 42, would be the first Native American U.S. Attorney in Arizona.

Read the article here.