Here is a look at some local headlines.

PNM has extended the deadline for financial relief for families, small businesses, and non-profits struggling to pay their electric bill due to the pandemic. The PNM COVID Customer Relief Fund helps eligible customers pay down, or even pay off, their past-due PNM bill. The funding, originally starting in 2020 after the pandemic hit, has just been extended to March 31, 2022, due to the number of customers that are still experiencing financial hardship from the pandemic. Currently, there are nearly 40,000 customers in New Mexico behind on their PNM bill with a total of approximately $13.2 million dollars past-due. Each customer owes an average of about $322. Between the PNM COVID Customer Relief Fund, the PNM Good Neighbor Fund, the State of New Mexico Emergency Rental Assistance Program, and other financial assistance programs with other agencies, more than 15,000 customers have received assistance towards their past-due PNM bill, totaling more than $7.9 million dollars of financial assistance given directly to customers in need.  To learn more, go to PNM.com/help.

In other PNM news, PNM Resources, the parent company of PNM, and AVANGRID, have renewed their commitment to the merger by entering into an amendment to extend merger agreement to April 20, 2023. In addition, the companies have filed a Notice to Appeal with the New Mexico Supreme Court of the December 2021 New Mexico Public Regulation Commission order rejecting a stipulated agreement reached with 13 parties in the NMPRC proceeding the companies’ application for approval of the merger.

In other news, the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish is ready to help you get ready and apply for the 2022 Big Game Draw. The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Is hosting a virtual series every week to discuss the draw, how to apply, options for hunter education and reading the draw odds report. Webinars are at 6:30pm MST. Just type in the search bar #HuntNM22 to learn more.

If you are interested in some entertainment, Western New Mexico University Cultural Affairs Department will be hosting the President’s Chamber Music Series at Light Hall on January 18th, 7pm. Come here the Rahim TlHaj trio featuring 2-time Grammy nominee, National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellow and Smithsonian Folkways Recordings artist Iraqi  virtuoso and composer Rahim AlHaj joined by two others. This is sure to be a unique event.

This has been a look at the local news. Thanks for listening to Silver City Radio.