Morning
Albuquerque
Thursday, November 20th, 2025
Good morning, Albuquerque. Here's your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 20th of November.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Albuquerque Animal Welfare Department is holding its annual Operation Silent Night drive that lasts through Dec. 31—collecting donations of blankets, sweaters, toys, beds, treats and other supplies to comfort shelter cats and dogs—and items can be dropped off at shelter locations or participating local businesses. KOAT
- ➤ Hotel Albuquerque at Old Town will host the 2025 New Mexico Artisan Market on Thanksgiving weekend from November 28 to November 30, featuring locally crafted goods + holiday activities that offer a festive shopping experience. Additional events include family shopping at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, a Christmas tree lighting at Winrock Town Center, plus a holiday festival at EXPO New Mexico and a beer and vendor market at Rio Bravo Brewing Co. and Revel Entertainment Center. The Paper.
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Albuquerque is preparing for the holiday shopping season with local events to support small businesses — the Nob Hill Shop and Stroll runs December 4 from 5 to 10 p.m., the Old Town Holiday Stroll occurs December 5 from 5 to 9 p.m., and the Holiday Market at the Railyards is scheduled for December 13 and 14 and December 20 and 21. KOAT
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Local artist Jacob Gutierrez has created an art book called Sacred Herd that reflects on the ties between animals, the land, and people, and it launches Friday at 6 p.m. in the new print studio at Risolana—ranches featured in his work are donating food for the event. KUNM
- ➤ The Albuquerque Museum is hosting an exhibition called Modern Art and Politics in Germany 1910–1945: Masterworks from the Neue Nationalgalerie, Berlin that shows art once condemned by the Nazis—its run ends January 4 and it will then travel to the Minneapolis Museum of Art. KUNM
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Nine Albuquerque public schools no longer need state intervention after making improvements that raised test scores and teaching quality. Pajarito Elementary in the South Valley raised scores by about 20% by adding a literacy coach and hosting homework dinners — officials said similar changes occurred at other schools. KOAT
- ➤ UNM’s College of Education and Human Sciences is growing a strong teacher pipeline statewide by partnering with Albuquerque Public Schools and engaging high school students to explore teaching careers. The college has expanded its faculty and celebrated student achievements that are shaping the future of local schools. University of New Mexico
- ➤ The Office of the Executive Vice President for Finance and Administration is running a Pack a Luminaria drive at UNM to collect donation bags with essentials for Lobo Food Pantry students through Dec. 12. The drive includes holiday meal bag collections on Nov. 21 and Dec. 12 and will end with a Cocoa Celebration at 8 a.m. in Scholes Hall, Suite 111. University of New Mexico
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Nineteen New Mexico schools, including nine from Albuquerque Public Schools, are now in good standing with the Public Education Department after showing improved academic results—Sen. Luján introduced wildfire bills to favor local contractors and boost new detection technology, water projects remain $200 million short of full funding, and Taos Town Council approved renaming Kit Carson Park to Red Willow Park following Taos Pueblo input. KUNM
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Hunter Rael, an 8-year-old Valencia County boy with Kawasaki disease, received a new heart on Wednesday morning at Children’s Hospital Colorado after his family got a life-changing call. His mother said the surgery was successful and he is now stable — he listened to his favorite music during the procedure. KOAT
- ➤ The New Mexico Department of Health warned of a potentially harsh flu season as recent weeks have shown rising emergency room visits for flu and COVID-19 — it urged residents 6 months and older, especially high-risk groups, to get vaccinated and use the hotline for assistance. The agency noted that trends from the southern hemisphere forecast a rougher flu A season, making timely vaccination essential. KUNM
- ➤ In Albuquerque, Nancy Arenas leads Sprouting Compassion, an organization that promotes plant-based eating and healthier living through free community cooking demos and her Vegan Pulse podcast. Her nonprofit organizes local events like the 10th anniversary Red and Green Vegfest + invites community support through volunteering and donations. The Paper.
-
Jurassic Quest
5-10 p.m. — Albuquerque Convention Center — Ticket prices vary — Experience life-sized dinosaurs and interactive activities in a family-friendly environment.
-
Kauau Ruins Van Tour
9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. — Los Lunas Museum of Heritage & Arts — Check website for cost — Explore the historic Kauau Ruins, once visited by Vasquez de Coronado, on a guided van tour.
-
Monday Night NFL Watch Parties
6-7:30 p.m. — Steel Bender Brewyard — Specials on food and drinks — Enjoy live NFL broadcasts and enter to win a football getaway.
-
Family Storytime at East Mountain Public Library
11-11:30 a.m. — East Mountain Public Library — Free entry — Experience interactive storytelling fun with crafts, songs, and early literacy learning.
-
Albuquerque Turkey Trot
8:15 AM – 12:00 PM — Balloon Fiesta Park — Registration required — Celebrate Thanksgiving with a fun-filled day of running and community spirit.
-
25th Annual Rio Grande Arts & Crafts Holiday Festival
8 AM – 5 PM — Expo New Mexico State Fair — Tickets required — Celebrate Thanksgiving with local artists, live music, and festive food while shopping for unique gifts.
-
New Mexico Music Hall of Fame Awards
6 PM — National Hispanic Cultural Center — $24, $2 discount for students, seniors and NHCC members — Celebrate local musical legends and their contributions to New Mexico's vibrant culture.
-
Chokecherry
7:00-9:30 p.m. — Launchpad — All Ages — Experience live music from Chokecherry and The Sewing Club in a vibrant Albuquerque venue.
-
Monday Night NFL Watch Party
6-7:30 p.m. — Steel Bender Brewyard — Food and drink specials available — Catch Monday Night Football with giveaways and a chance to win a football getaway.
-
Stories & Music in the Sky
11 a.m. — Anderson Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum — Free entry — Experience a magical adventure of storytelling, music, and art for young children and their grown-ups.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
No new job posts today. You can submit one here.
No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
All progress depends on the unreasonable person.
Know who said this? Send us an email!
Reveal the authorAbout Morning Albuquerque
Welcome to the Morning Albuquerque, your community newsletter that's anything but snooze-worthy, packed with positive, impactful local news + events across the Albuquerque, New Mexico community. If you like the Morning Albuquerque, support us by subscribing to our email newsletter and sharing us with your friends and family in Albuquerque.
Advertising Opportunities
Advertising with us will make sure you stay at the top of everyone's mind—in Albuquerque and across New Mexico. You can learn more here. We'll work together to build a custom plan to hit your goals this year.
Alternatively, you can submit events, announcements, real estate listings, and job postings. We'll include them in our newsletter on whichever dates you like.
Community, delivered
Our hyper-local media company activates communities through daily email newsletters that curate the most positive, impactful local news + events – all for free.
Subscribe to Morning Albuquerque
A free Albuquerque community newsletter.
- Daily local news
- We curate the most positive, impactful local news + events.
- 6AM City
- A publication of 6AM City, the nation's leading local newsletter-first media network. Nominate your city.
© 6AM City Inc. 2025. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy. Terms of Service. Questions? Contact us here
Sitemap: https://morningalbuquerque.com/sitemap