Good morning, Dubuque.

The 10th annual Toys for Tots Kids’ Christmas Party takes place today at Five Flags Arena downtown from noon to 3.

Free for kids (10 and under), the event features holiday music, activities, and a toy giveaway provided by Theisen’s, Community Foundation, and Paramount Ambulance with police and fire hosting.

Two Iowa National Guard members were killed in an ISIS ambush in central Syria during an attack that also wounded three soldiers & claimed a civilian life, while the lone gunman was fatally shot.

AAA’s 2025 travel forecast for Iowa and Illinois predicts record air travel and more drivers this holiday season.

The report advises travelers to plan ahead for busy rental and driving periods starting Dec. 20 while noting higher flight prices and lower gas rates — factors that may affect holiday trips.

Two Iowa National Guard members were killed and three injured in an ambush near Palmyra, Syria on Saturday—officials confirmed that families have been notified while wounded soldiers are receiving treatment at an air base hospital in Jordan.

MercyOne Birth Centers announced the top baby names for 2025 at MercyOne Dubuque Medical Center; boy names include Theodore, Charles, Waylon, and Lincoln, and girl names include Emerson, Emma, Eloise, and Elizabeth + statewide top names rank Theodore, Oliver, Jack, Charlotte, and Emma.

The Nutcracker

7:30-9 p.m. — The Grand Opera House — Ticket prices vary — Experience the timeless holiday classic with enchanting music and dance.

New Year's Eve Dueling Pianos

8 p.m. — Mississippi Moon Bar at Diamond Jo Dubuque — Ticket prices vary — Celebrate the New Year with lively dueling pianos and a fun atmosphere.