Galley Road is closed east of Murray Boulevard as Colorado Springs Utilities crews work to repair a water main break, the second one in the area this week. The new outage was reported around 2 a.m., and a utilities spokesman said it was unrelated to the earlier break, which happened Monday, leaving about 300 customers without water.

BUDGET PLAN APPROVEDColorado lawmakers gave final approval to an $18.8 billion budget for the fiscal year that starts in July, preserving funding for higher education but requiring furloughs or pay cuts for state workers. The Legislature passed the budget bill Wednesday, the last possible day to have enough time to override any vetoes by Gov. Bill Ritter before adjourning for the year.

WEATHER

Another warm day is in store, with a high of 77 forecast for Colorado Springs. There’s a slight chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon.

HAPPENINGS

— “Paws to Read,” children can practice reading to a “Paws to Read” dog, 11 a.m.-noon, Cheyenne Mountain Branch Library, 1785 S. Eighth St.; 3-4:30 p.m., Rockrimmon Library Branch, 832 Village Center Drive, free.

— Pikes Peak Family Connections open house, to celebrate KPC Kids’ Place fifth anniversary, 4-7 p.m., 2504 Holiday Lane.

— Senior studio art majors exhibit 2009 reception, 4:30 p.m., Colorado College, Coburn Gallery, Worner Campus Center, 920 N. Cascade Ave. Exhibit runs 12:30-5 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays through May 12, free.

— James Wolnick art opening, 5-7 p.m., The Blue Star, 1645 S. Tejon St.

— CSC student recital, 6 p.m., Colorado Springs Conservatory Recital Hall, 1600 N. Union Blvd., free.

— “Celebrating Shakespeare’s Sonnets,” 7-8:30 p.m., Old Colorado City Library Branch, 2418 W. Pikes Peak Ave., free.

— Black Rose Acoustic Society swing jam, 7-9 p.m., Benet Hill Center, 2577 N. Chelton Road. Free; donations accepted.

— Colorado College Visiting Writers Series with poet and memoirist Ron Padgett, 7 p.m., Colorado College, Gates Common Room, third floor of Palmer Hall, 1025 N. Cascade Ave., free.

— Economics and business symposium: Outlook 2009, 7:30 p.m., Colorado College, Bemis Hall, 920 N. Cascade Ave., west of Cutler Hall, free.