Good morning, Dubuque.

Residents in Dubuque County will get free holiday meals with turkey or ham and all trimmings on December 13th starting at 8 a.m.; each person must bring a valid ID with a limit of one box per adult and three boxes per vehicle — volunteers will load the boxes directly into vehicles for a quick pick-up.

Operation Give Birds will deliver 2,500 Thanksgiving meals to eastern Iowans—including 30 meals for veterans provided by the Veteran’s Freedom Center in Dubuque—while donations are being collected to help families in need.

Those requiring a meal can sign up after 9 a.m. today on the Iowa Giving Crew website—where a $40 donation feeds a family of four.

The Iowa Board of Regents is studying a tuition freeze program that would guarantee the same tuition for all four years at Iowa’s three public universities to help keep student loan debt low—regents warned that if the program is adopted, reducing staff might be necessary to offset lost revenue. The board approved a policy in April to cap annual tuition increases based on inflation and is now gathering feedback from students and families before making any changes.

A powerful solar storm pushed charged particles into Earth’s magnetic field last night, giving Dubuque County a rare show of green, pink, and purple Northern Lights.

A similar display is forecast for tonight—residents are advised to head to dark areas to best view this phenomenon.

Unwanted Christmas lights can be dropped off at marked containers at several county locations through January 10 as Dubuque Metro Area Solid Waste Agency + local partners work to recycle them responsibly.

The program has recycled over 12,000 pounds of lights since it began six years ago.

Former Dubuque Metro high school athletes are set to compete on Saturday, Nov.

15 in games scheduled from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. They come from local schools and will face teams including Purdue, Luther and Concordia.

Attitude of Gratitude

Join us on Saturday, November 15, 2025, at the Grand River Center for Opening Doors’ Annual Attitude of Gratitude Gala, an unforgettable evening of inspiration, community, and celebration. Together we’ll honor 25+ years of healing, hope, and home with live music, gourmet dining, auctions, powerful resident stories, and a special tribute to Carol Gebhart's retirement, all while raising vital funds to empower women and change lives.

TRU REV MMA Debut in Dubuque

7-11 p.m. — Grand River Convention Center — $ — TRU REV MMA makes its highly anticipated debut in Dubuque, Iowa!

PopROCKS! Concert

7-11 p.m. — Diamond Jo Casino Dubuque — Reservations recommended — Experience an electrifying concert at the vibrant Mississippi Moon Bar.

A Very Electric Christmas

3:00 – 4:30 PM — Five Flags Center — Enjoy a heartwarming tale of adventure as a young bird named Max embarks on a journey at the North Pole.

Winter Soup Cooking Class

6-8 p.m. — Convivium Urban Farmstead — Sliding scale pricing — Warm up with a hands-on soup-making experience featuring African Peanut Stew and Ham & Split Pea Soup.

Cookies and Cocoa with Santa and the Goats

10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. — Crazy Goat Soap Farm — Free entry — Celebrate the season with Santa and playful goats while enjoying cookies and warm cocoa.

Dubuque Symphony Orchestra Holiday Concert

2:00 – 3:30 PM — Five Flags Center — Celebrate the season with holiday favorites alongside the Dubuque Chorale and Heartland Ballet.

Ceramic Christmas Tree Painting

6-8 p.m. — Captured on Canvas — Cost varies by payment method — Enjoy an evening of creativity by painting your own light-up ceramic Christmas tree.