Morning
Albuquerque
Tuesday, December 16th, 2025
Good morning, Albuquerque. Here's your local news at a glance for Tuesday, the 16th of December.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ The Sandoval County Toy Drive will accept new toy donations through Wednesday to help families fulfill Christmas wishes. Donations can be dropped off at the treasurer’s office—1500 Idalia Road in Bernalillo. KOAT
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ On Sunday, Dec. 15, Chabad of New Mexico lit a giant menorah at Balloon Fiesta Park to kick off Hanukkah — the event featured a concert and balloon glow, and the eight-day celebration continues until Monday, Dec. 22. KOAT
- ➤ Sweet Nothin, a local rock band with a stable lineup, will perform at High and Dry Brew on Feb. 7 after finishing recording sessions; the group will drop its new single 'Back on 222' in January plus begin a tour at the end of February. The Paper.
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Recently, 449 students from 35 schools competed in the first round of the UNM-PNM contest across 17 sites in Albuquerque and elsewhere. Nearly 200 students will take part in Round 2 on Saturday, Feb. 14 at the University of New Mexico (with a 10 a.m. talk by mathematician Elizabeth Gross). University of New Mexico
- ➤ Mercury Swaim, a UNM linebacker and master’s student in nuclear engineering, is finishing his first semester as he helps lead the Lobos to bowl eligibility ahead of the Rate Bowl later this month. His focus on fusion energy and athletic discipline underlines his balancing act in academics and sports. University of New Mexico
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ New Mexico’s Game and Fish Department returned gray wolf 2403—a young male from Pitkin County—to Grand County on Thursday, marking the first use of a multi-state relocation agreement for Colorado’s wolf reintroduction program that began in 2023. Albuquerque Journal
- ➤ Local filmmaker Annie Ersinghaus released her film The Land of Sacrifice this fall to show how oil and gas pollution is affecting communities using scenes from oil wells near Carlsbad and Farmington and voices of local experts — the film says a January session may bring new limits near schools. Source NM
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ The city was awarded a $5M grant to upgrade Balloon Fiesta Park by addressing flooding and improving ADA access, with construction set to begin in 2026 (adding to recent updates like new parking and a modernized infrastructure). Albuquerque Journal
- ➤ Four Las Cruces doctors visited Santa Fe Monday to urge lawmakers to reform medical malpractice and sales tax laws — they cited an 8.1% doctor drop since 2019 and presented reforms before the new legislative session begins. Source NM
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ The state's health department helpline now offers a text option along with its call service so residents can get free healthcare guidance in a choice of languages. The service is run by about 20 nurses and is available weekdays from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. and weekends from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. using English + Spanish. KOAT
- ➤ Under new federal guidelines, parents now must decide whether their newborns receive the hepatitis-B vaccine when mothers test negative; experts worry low uptake may worsen access for families without primary care. The New Mexico Department of Health still recommends the shot at birth with most insurance covering it. KUNM
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Levi Dean Live at El Vado
6:00–8:30 p.m. — El Vado Motel — Cost varies — Experience the soulful sounds of Americana and blues with Levi Dean's live performance.
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Saad K’idilyé Winter Solstice Gala
4:30-9:30 p.m. — Sheraton Albuquerque Uptown — Tickets available — Celebrate the achievements of a Navajo language immersion school with food, live music, and a silent auction.
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Monday Night Watch Parties with 100.3 The Peak
6-7:30 p.m. — Steel Bender Brewyard — Food and drink specials available — Enjoy live NFL broadcasts with giveaways and delicious eats.
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Candlelight Christmas Carols on Strings
6:30-7:30 p.m. — African American Performing Arts Center — Tickets required — Experience the enchanting sounds of Christmas carols performed by a string quartet in a beautiful candlelit setting.
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River of Lights
5-10 p.m. — ABQ BioPark - Botanic Garden — Adults $21, Youth $12 — Experience New Mexico's largest walk-through holiday light show with dazzling displays and festive activities.
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Monday Night Watch Parties at Steel Bender Brewyard
6-7:30 p.m. — Steel Bender Brewyard — Food and drink specials available — Enjoy live NFL action with giveaways and great food.
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Midland Concert
6:00 – 9:30 p.m. — Route 66 Casino Hotel — Check venue for ticket prices — Experience the energetic sounds of Midland this New Year's Eve.
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
The greatest good you can do for another is not just to share your riches but to reveal to him his own.
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Reveal the authorAbout Morning Albuquerque
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