Good morning, Dubuque.

The City of Dubuque announced that sections of Dubuque Pet Park (on Grandview Avenue) will close for tree maintenance starting Wednesday and continuing through December 23.

The northern area for larger dogs will be unavailable Wednesday and likely Thursday, while the southern area for smaller dogs will close Monday and Tuesday.

Yesterday, an Eastern Iowa family received a car from the Miles of Smiles program plus groceries, gas cards, and insurance funded by local donations; Monica Sniegowski, who has been rebuilding her life in Cedar Rapids, collected the vehicle at a Marion Hy-Vee location.

Dubuque's daily flights to Chicago are ending in early 2026 because of funding issues + passengers with bookings after Jan.

15 must contact their airline or travel agent, while Dubuque Initiatives will honor $100 round trip ticket rebates for qualifying tickets bought from Aug. 11 to Dec. 31.

A GasBuddy survey (of over 2,000 stations) showed Iowa’s gasoline price dropped 9 cents to $2.46 per gallon on Dec.

16—a 24-cent decrease from last month. Diesel prices declined nationally 5 cents to $3.62 per gallon.

On Dec. 11, over two dozen U.S. senators, including Iowa’s Joni Ernst and Chuck Grassley, urged the USDA to speed up a vaccine strategy for bird flu affecting millions of poultry and dairy cattle, after a case in Iowa was detected on Dec.

2. They call for swift stakeholder consultation.

Dubuque Regional Humane Society has featured Buddy, a dog who is four and a half years old weighing 84 pounds and needing ample outdoor space; his $25 adoption fee is offered in the Deck the Paws promotion running through Dec.

31 (4242 Chavenelle Road).

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.