Good morning, Albuquerque.

Brady McDonald, a Florida father and endurance athlete, will run 31 miles in Albuquerque as the 41-state leg of his challenge to raise $1 million for Make-A-Wish, with his family and crew following his Zero-to-100-Wishes mission.

His 50-day run connects his local stop to a nationwide effort.

Albuquerque residents can enjoy varied Labor Day weekend events.

While government offices are closed today, the BioPark Aquarium and indoor pools are open; a Power Ford car show runs Monday at (8:30 a.m.) at 1101 Montaño Road NE, and Big Jim Farms hosts a Green Chile Fest Sat and Sun.

Labor Day Weekend events in Albuquerque run from today through Monday.

Dog owners can attend a pet-friendly baseball game on Sunday, while a free State Fair Midway preview at EXPO, goth concerts at central venues on Friday and Saturday, and a reggae festival on Saturday add local fun.

Officials confirmed that the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta will feature the world's largest special shapes group with 117 balloons, including 13 new designs (such as a parrot, diamond, and panda) debuting in 2026.

Pilots and crews are making plans to join the event.

CABQ donated a new mural, 'Billow Outside the Box,' to Balloon Fiesta Park for October’s Balloon Fiesta.

Albuquerque artist Molly Mendenhall designed the mural to celebrate local nature and flight with vivid, colorful imagery — drawing on native flora, fauna and historical balloon passengers.

Labor Day weekend in Rio Rancho brings a busy lineup with Brantley Gilbert at the Events Center Friday (doors 7 p.m.) and Tommy Davidson’s comedy show Friday; Saturday includes Cabezon Market and Big Jim Farms’ Green Chile Fest, while Sunday features an outdoor movie and blues festival in Placitas.

Lescombes Family Vineyards began its early 2026 harvest season after a warm spring pushed the schedule two to four weeks earlier, and it will showcase wines at tomorrow’s Harvest Wine and Music Festival at Balloon Fiesta Park where local wineries and live music are set to feature.

A poll by Albuquerque-based Research & Polling Inc. found nearly half of New Mexico families said rising inflation and cost of living is their top concern.

The survey (Aug. 21 to Aug. 28) shows 47% worry about inflation, 17% healthcare, and 16% financial insecurity.

APS Superintendent Gabriella Durán Blakey detailed her plan at the State of the District address on Monday, Sept.

3 to shift 13 high schools to an academies model—preparing 65,000 students for career paths that adapt to rapid AI advances and future needs.

The University of New Mexico is launching a search for a new director of its employee assistance program (CARS) as Aria Ponciroli retires at the end of the year; applications must be submitted by Oct.

5 for the role set to begin in January.

Attorney General Raúl Torrez backed two legal challenges last Thursday against state decisions that rescheduled an air quality permit hearing and approved an emergency well at the Project Jupiter data center in Doña Ana County — actions the environmental groups say waive due process — before the state Supreme Court.

State officials are urging Los Alamos National Laboratory to speed up removal of 2,300 above-ground waste containers and finish transferring them to the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant by July 2028 + they warned that delays may compromise air and water quality.

University of New Mexico will use new traffic, parking and safety measures for Saturday’s football game with tailgating opening at 6 a.m. and parking beginning at 2 p.m.; 20 police officers and drones will manage entry and enforce clear bag rules (updates will appear on UNM Athletics social media).