Articles by Morgan Lee

Associated Press

Prescribed Fires at National Forests Resume After Review

The U.S. Forest Service is resuming its practice of intentionally lighting fires to clear brush and small trees from forested areas nationwide after a three-month hiatus to review the risks of runaway wildfires under increasingly severe climate conditions, the agency …

Producers Defend Safety in New Mexico Film Shooting

A film production company is contesting sanctions by New Mexico officials for alleged workplace safety violations on the set of “Rust,” where actor and producer Alec Baldwin fatally shot a cinematographer in October, according to filings posted Wednesday by state …

New Mexico Sheriff Eyes Safety Measures on ‘Rust’ Film-Set

The New Mexico sheriff investigating the fatal film-set shooting of a cinematographer by actor Alec Baldwin described complacency, disorganization and neglected safety measures in the making of the low-budget movie “Rust.” Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza said that he …

Inside the New Mexico Movie Set Where Baldwin’s Gun Fired

Light from a high afternoon sun slanted through the tall windows of the weathered wooden church, catching on the plank floorboards and illuminating the stained glass. Outside, the arid ground of the northern New Mexico foothills stretched for miles – …

‘Rust’ Film Crew Protested Conditions Before Fatal Movie Set Shooting by Baldwin

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Alec Baldwin fatally shot a cinematographer on a New Mexico film set with a gun a crew member had assured the actor was safe, a tragic mistake that came hours after some workers walked off …

New Mexico Lawmakers Propose Cap on Damages in Police Accountability Bill

A bill that would strip police officers of immunity from civil rights lawsuits in state court is being rewritten to cap potential damage awards at $2 million, in a concession to critics who warned of dire financial consequences for local …

New Mexico Driver’s License Revamp Draws Fresh Criticism

New Mexico officials ran into fresh criticism Tuesday about revisions to the state’s immigrant driver’s license law at a public hearing on the proposed regulations. The Department of Taxation and Revenue has said its plan to implement a law approved …

New Mexico Regulator Seeks More Time to go after Back Taxes from Insures

New Mexico’s superintendent of insurance pleaded Wednesday for more time to recover unpaid taxes on insurance premiums and investigate at least one company, after an outside audit uncovered $193 million in uncollected state revenue. Insurance Superintendent John Franchini told a …

New Mexico to go after $193M in Premium Taxes

New Mexico failed to collect at least $193 million in taxes on insurance premiums over the past five years, even as the state struggles this year to close a major budget shortfall, according to an independent review of collections. New …

New Mexico Court Rules Prison Firm Can Be Held Liable for Rapes

The New Mexico Supreme Court affirmed this week that a private prison operator may be held liable to pay damages to three female inmates who were raped by a guard. The opinion could influence the final outcome of an appeal …