- "Rust" film armorer says someone may have put bullet in gun
The woman in charge of weapons on the movie set where actor Alec Baldwin fatally shot cinematographer Halyna Hutchins said Wednesday night that she had inspected the gun Baldwin shot but doesn't know how a live bullet ended up inside. "Who put those in there and why is the central question," Hannah Gutierrez Reed, the armorer for the movie "Rust" said in a statement issued by one of her lawyers. The statement adds that she inspected the rounds before handing the firearm to assistant director David Halls "by spinning the cylinder and showing him all of the rounds and then handing him the firearm."
- Inside Biden's border plans: How optimism turned to chaos
McALLEN, Texas (AP) — President Joe Biden knew migration flows would spike if he dismantled Donald Trump's border policies, but arrivals exceeded expectations soon after he took office. Children traveling alone shattered previous highs in March. The Border Patrol encountered migrants in South Texas more often than ever in une and July. And about 15,000 mostly Haitian refugees were camped under a bridge in a Texas border town in September. Some issues couldn't have been predicted, and major structural problems predate Biden. But a review of the past year by The Associated Press and AIM Media Texas shows how an administration stacked with seasoned immigration advocates was unprepared for the huge increase in people seeking refuge at the border.
- Navajo Nation reports 80 new COVID-19 cases, but no deaths
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (AP) — The Navajo Nation on Wednesday reported 80 more COVID-19 cases, but no coronavirus-related deaths for the 23rd time in the past 35 days. The latest numbers pushed the tribe's totals to 37,043 confirmed COVID-19 cases from the virus since the pandemic began more than a year ago. The known death toll remains at 1,487. Based on cases from Oct. 15-28, the Navajo Department of Health issued an advisory for 58 communities due to uncontrolled spread of COVID-19. The tribe's reservation is the country's largest at 27,000 square miles (70,000 square kilometers) and covers parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah.
- Albuquerque election blow to teacher's union, victory to biz
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — The teachers union in New Mexico's largest city will have fewer friends on the school board next year after three candidates won elections without their support. The Albuquerque branch of the American Federation of Teachers usually picks winning candidates, including six of the seven current school board members. The Albuquerque Journal reports that three winners relied on donations from business groups instead, including from the Albuquerque chamber of commerce and a real estate lobby. Only one candidate managed to raise more money and get more votes relying on the union. The school board oversees a $1.6 billion budget in a district serving 74,000 students.
- Iconic western starring Clint Eastwood dubbed in Navajo
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (AP) — An iconic western starring Clint Eastwood has been dubbed in the Navajo language. The movie, "A Fistful of Dollars," or "Béeso Dah Yiníłjaa'" in Navajo, will be screened on or near the reservation this month. A premiere for the cast and crew is scheduled Nov. 16 at the Window Rock theater. Limited seats are available for the public. The Western is the third major film available in the Navajo language. "Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope" was released in 2013, and "Finding Nemo" came out in 2016 as a way to preserve the language.
- New Mexico moves ahead with vaccine rollout for children
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico health are applauding the federal government's move to clear the way for COVID-19 vaccinations for children ages 5 to 11. Deputy Health Secretary Dr. Laura Parajon said Wednesday that children who don't get the shots will remain vulnerable. About one-quarter of the confirmed coronavirus infection cases reported in New Mexico over the past week were among children. But there are still many parents who have been reticent about getting their children inoculated. Almost two-thirds of U.S. parents polled recently by the Kaiser Family Foundation said they would either wait or not seek out the vaccines for their children.
- In New Mexico, progressive mayors prevail amid COVID, crime
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Progressive mayors have won second terms in both Albuquerque and Santa Fe amid concerns about urban crime and a state capital in the throws of rapid growth. Uncertified election results showed Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller winning 56% of the vote to defeat a Democratic sheriff and a conservative talk show host. Publishing entrepreneur and Santa Fe Mayor Alan Webber won almost 55% in uncertified results, defeating a Democratic city council member and a Republican who flouted local mask requirements last year. Tuesday's elections were a preamble to statewide and congressional contests in 2022, including a reelection bid by Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham.
- Official: New Mexico regulators should reject utility merger
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A hearing examiner is recommending that New Mexico regulators reject a proposed merger involving the state's largest utility, Public Service Co. of New Mexico, with Spanish energy giant Iberdrola. The recommendation by Public Regulation Commission hearing examiner Ashley Schannauer says the potential downsides of the merger outweigh the benefits. Under the merger, Connecticut-based Avangrid and parent firm Iberdrola would acquire PNM Resources and its subsidiaries. If approved, the $4.3 billion transaction would affect about 800,000 homes and businesses. Critics have sounded the alarm over the proposal, citing a sordid track record of reliability and customer service by Avangrid.