New Mexico
New Mexicans celebrate Lunar New Year
Thousands of people in New Mexico are celebrating the Lunar New Year as the Year of the Dragon began Saturday.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Thousands of people in New Mexico are celebrating the Lunar New Year as the Year of the Dragon began Saturday.
For 15 days, traditions come alive with cultural performances, such as the dragon dance and martial arts showcases.
The celebrations vary but food and family are what everyone has in common for Lunar New Year.
“It usually involves a bunch of dumplings. Every traditional Chinese household will serve dumplings,” Jason Zeng said, adding dumplings symbolize fortune and prosperity in the coming year.
Zeng is a third-generation restauranteur and the owner of Fan Tang Restaurant. The restaurant has strived to introduce Albuquerque to the spicy flavors of his hometown of Szechuan.
His family is one example of the countless families who have immigrated to New Mexico since the 1800s.
“We all know each other, we all help out each other. If one of the families is in need, traditionally, you know, we will chip in and help out that family,” Zeng said.
Food brings the family together every year. That includes traditional dishes like tang yuan.
“Sweet glutinous rice balls with sesame paste inside. It’s like a dessert for after dinner,” Zeng described.
Families also traditionally make noodles. When eaten, they symbolize a long and healthy life.
“This is spicy beef noodle soup. It’s egg noodles, sliced beef in like a spicy broth. Almost like spicy ramen, but Szechuan.”
The Year of the Dragon is said to bring good luck, prosperity and strength to newborns. It goes through January 28, 2025.
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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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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