Can a newspaper be sued?

Under the 1st Amendement to the Constitution, it is VERY difficult to prevent a newspaper from publishing what it will or to sue them for what they publish. If provably false derogatory remarks about a private individual (someone who was not otherwise a public figure or in the news) were made, that person might have a case for defamation. However, newspapers may indeed print generally racist (or sexist, or anti-religion, etc.) remarks and they are not subject to liability for doing it.

As for whether there is a law prohibiting building on historic sites generally, that would typically be a matter of local code--check with your municipal dept. of buildings. Whether a Native American historical site might be protected would also involve the federal agency that is responsible for Native American affairs--I believe it used to be called the Bureau of Indian Affairs, but they may have changed their name.