🌱 Soul Food On TV + First ABQ Business Gets Grow License

Happy Saturday, neighbors! Let's get you all caught up on what's happening locally to start today off on an informed note.

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First, today's weather:

Partly sunny. High: 42 Low: 20.

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Here are the top 3 stories today in Albuquerque:

1. An Albuquerque restaurant was featured on Food Network's "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives."Frank's Famous Chicken & Waffles, tucked into a corner off of Central Ave. in Nob Hill, brings soul food to Albuquerque. The episode of "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives" aired on Friday, and the restaurant hosted a watch party to celebrate. (KRQE News 13)
2. Carver Family Farm is one of the first Albuquerque businesses to get a license to grow recreational cannabis. With the license, they can grow 200 flowering plants, which takes roughly 90 days from seed to harvest. Recreational cannabis sales start Apr. 1. (KOAT New Mexico)
3. Former Gov. Bill Richardson donated 100 pairs of shoes to Native American students on Friday. The donation comes from Richardson's nonprofit and the shoes were distributed at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center in Albuquerque. Richardson's foundation partnered with the Notah Begaye III Foundation and Nike, and together, they'll deliver another 450 pairs of shoes to kids in Native communities in northwest New Mexico. (KRQE News 13)

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Today in Albuquerque:

• NM Philharmonics Holiday Pops, At Philharmonic, Popejoy Hall (6:00 PM)

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From my notebook:

• The Albuquerque Police Department is currently looking for Sergio Almanza, 27, for his involvement in a fatal hit-and-run crash that occurred on Sunday, Dec. 12. If you have any information about his whereabouts, please call 242-COPS or you can report anonymously to Albuquerque Metro Crime Stoppers at (505)-843-STOP. (Facebook)
• Albuquerque Public Schools warns a social media challenge may target schools. The latest TikTok challenge encourages students to make threats of shootings, bomb threats, and violence against schools. (Facebook)
• River of Lights is starting to sell out night after night, but there is still plenty of time to see the lights before next week's holidays! Plan ahead and buy timed tickets now for Sunday and early next week. (Instagram)

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You're officially in the loop for today! I'll see you back in your inbox tomorrow morning with your next update.

— Sean Peek

About me: Sean Peek is a writer and entrepreneur with a degree in English Literature from Weber State University. Over the years, he has worked as a copywriter, editor, SEO specialist, and marketing director for various digital media companies. He currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.