Good morning, Albuquerque.

At Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, Verge Aero is staging morning and evening drone shows that feature Route 66 imagery and local chile peppers.

The aerial display will enchant festivalgoers at Balloon Fiesta Park through Sunday & showcase innovative synchronized drone technology.

Team Fastrax performed pyrotechnic jumps on Thursday evening at Balloon Fiesta Park to honor fallen Marine Lance Cpl.

John T. Sparks. The jumpers executed stunts like a smoke spiral and launched fireworks while carrying his photo to mark the anniversary of his death (a touching tribute to heroism).

Day 7 of the Balloon Fiesta showed a colorful display as special shape balloons filled the sky and field during the final weekend.

The hot pink Allycorn performed a splash and dash (a crowd favorite) that delighted visitors.

Montessori of the Rio Grande received board approval to open a second campus in Albuquerque near Kirtland Air Force Base, and it plans to double enrollment from 216 to 450 students in the coming years with the new location potentially opening as early as August 2028.

New Mexico voters will decide on three education measures on the Nov.

3 ballot, including one that changes school election rules, one to update how university regents are chosen, and a bond package for college improvements. Gubernatorial candidates have shared education plans (offering proposals to boost reading).

University Libraries will host the annual Cuddle a Canine event on Thursday, Oct.

15 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Cactus Garden outside Zimmerman Library — next to the Duck Pond — to help UNM students and staff relax with therapy dogs from the Southwest Canine Corps.

Some families in the state’s universal childcare program will soon face co-pays as an inflation trigger has been met, affecting about 10% of enrollments, though no start date or fee amount has been set (higher-income working families earning over 600% of the federal poverty level are affected).