New Mexico

New Mexico teen called back to compete on American Ninja Warrior

Published

1 year ago

September 3, 2024

Press Room

New Mexico teen called back to compete on American Ninja Warrior

If you’re an avid American Ninja Warrior watcher, perhaps you’ve seen Ixchel Valentino.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – If you’re an avid American Ninja Warrior watcher, perhaps you’ve watched Ixchel Valentino.

The UNM student competed on the show this season but didn’t make it past the first round of the finals. But that doesn’t mean we’re done seeing her on the famous obstacle course.

“It still feels like a whole dream to me, because I grew up here, and there’s only a few people from New Mexico that have made it that far on the show. And so now I get to be one of those people,” said Valentino.

Valentino is back on UNM’s campus after taking the national stage on American Ninja Warrior.

“You have to qualify through a few things. You have to do the qualifiers, move on to the semi-finals, win in the semi-finals to move on to the actual finals. So I made it all the way to stage one, and then, unfortunately, did not do my best out there, but I was super happy to make it that far,” said Valentino.

Even though she didn’t win it all, the 19 year old says she’s cheering on her fellow ninjas, who are now her friends.

“I got the experience to go film with them, compete with them, I’m like, actually friends with some of those people, and we go train together, and we meet up at competitions,” Valentino said.

The UNM sophomore calls herself the “Nerdy Ninja,” and is studying nuclear engineering.

“Starting the school year, it’s a little stressful. The work loads a lot, but I’m excited for it. If I could handle something like the big stage on American Ninja Warrior, I think I could handle a few exams,” said Valentino.

On top of all her schoolwork, she’s going back to the competition floor later this month.

“About three weeks ago, I got called back for season 17 of American Ninja Warrior. They’re going to be filming in Las Vegas, so I get to go back to the big stage,” Valentino said.

While she was a rookie this season, she’s no stranger to competitions.

“I did robotics competitively at the age of five. I did it all the way through high school,” said Valentino.

She says that experience, plus her time on Ninja Warrior, is preparing her to come back better than ever.

“I was really used to getting my mind in that state for a competition, getting myself prepared to, like, take on a course. I would just kind of block everything out. I was very sound mentally. But with Ninja, you have to also be ready physically,” said Valentino. “Since I filmed before, I’ve gotten a lot stronger, both physically and mentally, with how I approach competitions and how I train myself.”

You can watch Valentino next season on American Ninja Warrior, but she isn’t the only New Mexican tackling the course.

Albuquerque native, Katie Bone, announced on social media she got the call for season 17 of American Ninja Warrior as well.

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New Mexico

New Mexico maintains full childhood vaccine recommendations despite HHS rollback

Published

8 hours ago

January 7, 2026

Press Room

New Mexico maintains full childhood vaccine recommendations despite HHS rollback

SANTA FE, N.M. (KFOX14/CBS4) – The New Mexico Department of Health says it will continue to recommend the full schedule of childhood vaccines.

State officials announced the move Tuesday, directly defying a new federal policy that scaled back routine immunization guidance.

The announcement comes after U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS), under Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., reduced the number of vaccines it recommends for all children.

The New Mexico Department of Health stated the federal changes were “not based on new scientific evidence or safety data.”

“New Mexico will not follow the federal government in walking away from decades of proven public health practice,” said Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham. “Our recommendations remain unchanged.”

State health officials sought to reassure parents, emphasizing that vaccines remain widely available and covered by insurance.

“We know this is confusing for parents, but the science is clear: vaccines are safe, effective, and save children’s lives,” said Dr. Miranda Durham, chief medical officer for NMDOH.

All childhood vaccinations will continue to be covered under programs like Medicaid and the federal Vaccines for Children Program.

The state encourages parents to consult their healthcare providers using the American Academy of Pediatrics’ immunization schedule.

RECOMMENDED: CDC cuts childhood vaccine list, sparking healthcare professionals’ concerns

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New Mexico

Texas man charged with selling artist Fritz Scholder fakes to New Mexicans

Published

20 hours ago

January 7, 2026

Press Room

Texas man charged with selling artist Fritz Scholder fakes to New Mexicans

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New Mexico

Fourth Republican candidate announces bid for New Mexico governor

Published

1 day ago

January 6, 2026

Press Room

Fourth Republican candidate announces bid for New Mexico governor

SANTA FE, N.M. — Former New Mexico Public Regulation Commissioner Jim Ellison is running for governor as a Republican, he announced on social media Tuesday.

Ellison is running on affordability, opportunity and trust in government as the key points of his campaign. His experience includes serving on the NMPRC in 2023 and 2024.

“New Mexico deserves leadership that listens, acts, and delivers results. Our state has enormous potential, but too often that potential is held back by policies that don’t serve everyday New Mexicans,” he said on his website. “I’m running to bring practical solutions, honest accountability, and a renewed focus on the public interest.”

A Georgia native, Ellison has lived in New Mexico for 20 years and currently lives in the Albuquerque area with his wife and two children.

Ellison is aiming to get 5,000 signatures by Feb. 2, to appear on the primary ballot with at least three other Republicans who have announced their candidacy.

Ultra Health CEO Duke Rodriguez announced his campaign in December and recently confirmed to KOB 4 that he received enough signatures to appear on the primary ballot. Rio Rancho Mayor Gregg Hull and New Mexico State Sen. Steve Lanier are also running.

Three Democrats are running – Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman, Former Interior Secretary Deb Haaland and Former Las Cruces Mayor Ken Miyagishima.

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