- PROP-FIREARM-INDUSTRY QUESTIONS
Baldwin shooting highlights risks of rushed film production
NEW YORK (AP) — The fatal shooting by Alec Baldwin on a movie set has put a microscope on an often-unseen corner of the film industry where critics say the pursuit of profit can lead to unsafe working conditions. With a budget of around $7 million, the Western "Rust" was no micro-budget indie. The previous best-picture winner at the Academy Awards, "Nomadland," was made for less. But the New Mexico set where Baldwin shot cinematographer Halyna Hutchins had inexperienced crew members, apparent safety lapses and a serious labor dispute. For some in the business, the failures reflect larger issues in a fast-evolving movie industry.
- AP-US-IMMIGRATION-SEPARATED-FAMILIES
US in talks to compensate families separated at border
SAN DIEGO (AP) — The U.S. Justice Department is in talks to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars to each child and parent who was separated under a Trump-era practice of splitting families at the border. The Wall Street Journal first reported that the government was considering payments around $450,000 to each person affected. A person familiar with the talks tells The Associated Press that figure was under consideration but changed, though not dramatically. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the discussions are private. About 5,500 children were split from their parents under the practice.
- AP-US-GOOD-FIRE
For tribes, 'good fire' a key to restoring nature and people
WEITCHPEC, Calif. (AP) — Native tribes in the U.S. West are making progress toward restoring their ancient practice of treating lands with fire. For thousands of years, Indigenous peoples set fire to clear forest floors of undergrowth. It supported foods such as acorns and hazel wood used in baskets. But starting in the early 1900s, federal policy made such activities illegal. That disrupted the tribes' hunter-gatherer lifestyle. And it built up fuels that feed wildfires. In recent years, federal and state officials have formed partnerships with Northern California tribes to allow limited burning, despite some opposition from a jittery public. Native leaders say their fires are carefully planned and well executed. They hope to burn larger areas in their historical territory.
- ENDANGERED WOLVES
US proposes changes to Mexican gray wolf management
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Federal wildlife officials are proposing to change the way Mexican gray wolves are managed in the American Southwest. They say removing population limits and setting goals for genetic diversity will help the endangered species. The proposal also would restrict permits issued to ranchers or state wildlife agencies that allow killing of wolves if they prey on livestock, elk or deer. Management of the predators has spurred numerous legal challenges over the decades by both ranchers and environmentalists. A survey done earlier this year showed at least 186 Mexican gray wolves in New Mexico and Arizona.
- VIRUS OUTBREAK-NAVAJO NATION
Navajo Nation reports 97 more COVID-19 cases, but no deaths
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (AP) — The Navajo Nation on Thursday reported 97 more COVID-19 cases, but no deaths for the 19th time in the past 29 days. The tribe had reported 119 additional cases on Wednesday along with nine coronavirus-related deaths. The latest numbers pushed the tribe's totals to 36,508 confirmed COVID-19 cases from the virus since the pandemic began more than a year ago. The known death toll remains at 1,484. Based on cases from Oct. 8-21, the Navajo Department of Health issued an advisory notice for 48 communities due to uncontrolled spread of COVID-19. The tribe's reservation is the country's largest at 27,000 square miles and covers parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah.
- AP-US-PROP-FIREARM-NARRATIVE
How it happened: Inside movie set where Baldwin's gun fired
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Accounts and images from court documents, interviews and social media postings have revealed much of what happened when actor Alec Baldwin shot and killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on an Old West movie set in New Mexico. But a week after the Oct. 21 shooting, the key question remains unanswered: How did live ammunition wind up in a real gun being used as a movie prop, despite precautions that should have prevented it? Authorities say their investigation is continuing. But at a news conference Wednesday, they pointed to "some complacency" in how weapons were handled on the set.
- EDUCATION BUS STRIKE
Unions, school bus company, trade blame in Las Cruces strike
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Las Cruces school bus drivers are on strike over wages and safety conditions in the southern New Mexico school district. The Las Cruces Sun-News reports that union members are picketing the office of STS New Mexico, the bus company responsible for transporting students, asking for better pay and working conditions. District spokeswoman Kelly Jameson said that around 3,500 students rely on buses to get to school, and the district is anticipating some will have to stay home. Worker unions and STS are blaming each other for the strike, which follows fruitless contract negotiations which began this summer.
- VIRUS OUTBREAK-NEW MEXICO
NMSU drops testing option, requires workers to be vaccinated
LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico State University is dropping a previously offered alternative of weekly testing for COVID-19 and announced it will require all of its over 7,500 employees to be fully vaccinated by Dec. 8. The university said Wednesday that its policy change complies with federal requirements for federal contractors and includes student employees. According to the university, employees may apply for a medical or religious exemption to the vaccine requirement. The university said the requirement applies to undergraduate and graduate student employees, contract and temporary employees and employees working remotely, including in other states.