Good morning, Albuquerque.

Corrales police reported a bear sighting on El Dorado Road earlier this week, the fourth incident since spring; Mayor Hashimoto and wildlife officials advise residents to secure food and trash (and avoid feeding bears) amid rising sightings due to higher temperatures and reduced moisture.

Due to weather, Rio Rancho’s Fall Festival is now held indoors Saturday from 2–8 p.m. at the Rio Rancho Events Center, offering live music, food trucks, a costume contest, and pumpkin carving while a prescription drug take-back and Goatheads hockey watch parties add more local fun.

Albuquerque’s arts scene offers a weekend with improv comedy at Ancora Cafe Friday at 6:30 p.m., horror literature panels at South Broadway Cultural Center Saturday, opera at Opera Southwest Sunday, and a live musical at Albuquerque Little Theatre Wednesday (tickets on sale).

Ticket prices vary (local listings provide more details).

The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta attracted 900,000 visitors and boosted local business sales, with attendance up by 50,000 from last year.

Local restaurants and shops experienced longer waits and higher foot traffic—adding to the city's overall economic lift.

On Wednesday, state lawmakers heard a pitch to hire Indigenous entrepreneurs (Diné) to help local business owners find funding and support, a plan that aims to boost the economy.

A pilot program led by UNM Rainforest Innovations showed promising results, and the request calls for state support for tribal liaisons.

James Monroe Middle School reported a rodent infestation on Thursday that was worsened by nearby construction along Paseo del Norte Boulevard; APS crews worked daily and hired a contractor to disinfect the area and improve conditions.

UNM will launch its new Master of Social Work program in spring 2027, funded by an endowment from the Higher Education Department & offering two concentrations: clinical social work and the state’s first medical focus.

The inaugural cohort of 20 students will attend mostly in-person courses.

The University of New Mexico broke ground on a $130.5 million humanities and social sciences building on Thursday; the facility will feature new classrooms, community spaces, and a kitchen and is set to be completed in summer 2029 (funded by general obligation and severance tax bonds).

Nonprofit 4Kinship will distribute 500 sewing machines for Indigenous youth in fashion, with 150 for summit attendees in Santa Fe and rest to schools, pueblos and communities.

Free sewing classes and mentorship will start in November at the Santa Fe Art Institute plus local workshops extend the program.

UNM School of Architecture + Planning will host Evelyn Lee for a lecture titled 'Practicing in a Profession Being Rebuilt' on Monday, Oct.

26, 5-7 p.m. at Garcia Honda Auditorium to share her insights on business and technology in architecture.

Heavy rain+hail from severe storms moving in from Arizona have led to flood watches across western and central New Mexico, and residents are urged to avoid low-water crossings until 6 p.m. today.

New Mexico’s Department of Workforce Solutions told lawmakers that the state’s workforce has recovered to prepandemic-levels but trails nearby states, with some Albuquerque areas reaching 69% and rural regions posting 48% amid barriers including few local-jobs and low wages.

NM Livestock Board confirmed three New World screwworm cases in Grant and Otero Counties, keeping much of southern NM in an infested zone that requires cattle movement authorization, while the USDA will reopen Columbus and Santa Teresa ports on Oct.

26 to resume livestock imports.

State health officials report that COVID-19, flu and RSV cases are rising as the respiratory season begins and urge residents to get updated vaccines to lower the risk of severe illness.

High-risk individuals can call the Department of Health helpline at 1-833-796-8773 for vaccine assistance.