Good morning, Albuquerque.

Bernalillo County and the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta launched the 2026 X Marks the Spot program to help balloon pilots find landing spots during the event from Oct.

3 to Oct. 11 by marking properties with a white X. Markers (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and daily prizes are available.

Roadrunner Quantum Lab opened Tuesday in Albuquerque’s Innovation District to give quantum startups and national labs access to a 35,000 sqft facility with a multi-node network and dilution refrigerators (backed by a $25 million state investment) as tenants like IonQ and Mesa Quantum begin testing equipment.

Officials are preparing for rain by deploying sandbags and water pumps as pilots get gear ready for the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta this weekend.

Organizers expect midweek showers to clear and keep the field safe for check-in (rain delays are unlikely).

The New Mexico Public Education Department released state test results this month, showing reading scores increased 0.2 percentage points and math up 0.9 while science dropped 1.5 with only 43.3 percent proficient in reading.

UNM replaced its old Lobo Guardian safety alert system with the new UNM SAFE app on July 31 (the app offers mobile BlueLight, location tracking for safe campus walks, direct contact with police, campus maps, and bus schedules) as part of ongoing safety improvements.

Students exploring further education will learn about graduate, law, and medical programs at the UNM Honors College Grad and Professional School Fair on Friday, Oct.

2 at the Honors College Forum (Building 76) from noon until 2:30 p.m., where representatives will answer questions on admissions, funding, and careers.

New Mexico school districts are seeking emergency state funding to help cover fuel costs as diesel prices rise sharply—averaging $6.20 per gallon compared to $3.13 a year ago.

Albuquerque Public Schools manages 175 diesel powered buses and is exploring funding options as oil prices surge.

Remnants of Hurricane Polo brought heavy rains that flooded roads and triggered evacuations over dam failure concerns in small New Mexico towns along the Rio Grande — officials advised residents to seek higher ground as debris cleared.

More rain may worsen conditions in coming days.

Heavy rain from tropical moisture raises flash flooding concerns in Albuquerque today, and the National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch through Wednesday morning—residents should monitor weather updates and plan cautious travel.

Heavy rains have caused erosion near Rio Rancho Middle School and flooded roads at Paseo and Universe this afternoon.

Meteorologists note unusual September patterns — record-breaking rain may continue as remnants of Hurricane Polo reach New Mexico tonight.

Officials said that New Mexico's universal childcare program may soon require copayments for families earning above 600% of the federal poverty level if inflation (CPI increase above 3%) triggers the change.

The state is preparing notifications to give affected families at least 90 days' notice.

Bernalillo County residents face a pause in curbside trash collection as Waste Management closed the landfill due to severe weather — residents should leave their carts at the curb until operations resume.

Somos affordable senior housing opened yesterday in the International District — hosting 70 units for residents 55 and older.

Funded by federal, state, and local agencies plus private investment, it offers rents from $450 to $1,015 and community spaces for health checks, food pantries, and resident events.