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City of Albuquerque prepares for cold front moving into New Mexico

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City of Albuquerque prepares for cold front moving into New Mexico


As temperatures drop, city workers are trying to make sure everyone has a warm place to go or at least some warm clothes.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Temperatures are cold across New Mexico and are expected to drop even lower. For many, that means layering up and putting the heat on in your house. But for thousands of New Mexicans, they don’t have that luxury. So leaders with the City of Albuquerque are trying to help out. 

Right now, the city’s cold weather sheltering plan is in place. Meaning, more beds and shelters are available to anyone who needs it. But according to the city’s shelter bed tracker, Gateway Center, Gateway West and Family Gateway are all full. 

Gateway West is even over capacity, with the site saying -83 beds are available. But some Gateway services are being converted to make more beds available, like the first responder receiving area.  

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City leaders also explained they work with partners to make sure they can fulfill their promise of providing a warm place and bed for every person who needs it. 

“Anyone that asks for a bed, either we’re asking them, or if they’re calling us, we’ll make a warm bed available,” CABQ Director of Communications Staci Drangmeister said. 

As temperatures drop, city workers are trying to make sure everyone has a warm place to go or at least some warm clothes.

“First responders are out handing out coats, socks, warm clothing to people that need them. Anyone that would like to donate, we would love your support,” Drangmeister said. 

Drangmeister explained some of the top priorities right now are things like coats, sweatpants, gloves, beanies and more. But as first responders hand items out, they’re also trying to encourage people to go to shelters as temperatures become life-threatening. 

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“It’s important for everyone to know that the cold, and when it’s wet especially, can be really dangerous. Look out for your community, both housed and unhoused,” Drangmeister said. 

Under the cold weather sheltering plan, the city works to free up even more beds than it currently has. 

“The Gateway Center is one of the places within our emergency sheltering plan that we can add additional capacity so we can add temporary beds as the need might expand,” she explained. 

As the city’s shelters fill up, Drangmeister said they’ll tap into their network of partners to add beds. 

“Gateway West is closing in on capacity, but there are partner organizations, and then the city has plans in place and is committed,” Drangmeister said. 

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The shelters and beds are also open to anyone who is cold, not only people facing homelessness. 

“By law, your landlord has to give you adequate heating. So, if you’re a renter and that’s not the case. [We] encourage you to call 311, and report it, because everyone should absolutely have access to a heater that’s going to work and keep you warm,” she said. 

According to the city’s website, 1,199 beds are in use and 85 available. But if those run out. Drangmeister says they’ll continue to find more beds or set up cots in the shelters.  

If you need a place to warm up during the day or if you lose power, you can go to any of the city’s facilities like a community center. Drangmeister says they’ll open up warming centers as needed. 

You can call ACS at (505) 768-4227. For transportation to a shelter between 8:00p.m. and 7:00a.m., call the ACS emergency after-hours transportation service at (505) 418-6178. You can also call 311 for help. 

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To donate clothes, click here.



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New Mexico

New Mexico maintains full childhood vaccine recommendations despite HHS rollback

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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.”

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

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





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Fourth Republican candidate announces bid for New Mexico governor

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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.

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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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