Here’s a look at some local news brought to you by Silver City.

The New Mexico Department of Health has issued information to the public regarding the highly contagious Delta variant of COVID that is now dominant in the United States. According to their information, the Delta variant accounts for 83.2% of US infections and an estimated 75% of New Mexico cases. As of yesterday, July 28th, new statewide COVID cases numbered 329 with 133 hospitalizations. State health officials are urging unvaccinated residents to schedule their shot at vaccineNM.org. Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has recommended that all New Mexicans wear a mask when indoors out of an abundance of caution as the state works to suppress the Delta variant.

The Western New Mexico University Board of Regents came together both virtually and in person this week to approve measures that will advance the institution through the coming fiscal year and beyond, in addition to sharing their positive evaluation of WNMU President Dr. Joseph Shepard’s performance. Funding was approved for $750,000 to Mustang athletics for the purpose of adding a women’s soccer program and baseball, and a request for $1 million for the WNMU Early Childhood Program Center of Excellence. Allocations approved as part of this vote will also go to the WNMU Center for a Sustainable Future, WNMU Center for Student Success, WNMU Veterans Center, WNMU Rural Public Safety Training Institute and Police Academy, and Mimbres Press at WNMU. With the board’s support, the funding requests will now go to the state Higher Education Department for approval and to the legislature for final consideration.

The New Mexico Tourism Department has awarded $789,000 to 53 communities statewide through the New Mexico Clean and Beautiful Grant Program for 2022 fiscal year. Locally, the Town of Silver City, the City of Bayard, and Luna County have been named as grant recipients in the southwest region. The Clean and Beautiful Grant Program funds projects and initiatives that contribute to the following established goals, as identified through Keep America Beautiful and the Litter Control and Beautification Act: end littering, reduce waste, beautify communities, empower youth, and increase program capacity.

This has been a look at some local news. Thank you for listening to Silver City Radio.