AGP Executive Report

Marianas Science & Education: The University of Guam’s Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant named longtime journalist Thomas Mangloña II as the first UOG CIS & Sea Grant Marianas Science Communications Fellow, aiming to help translate regional research for communities across Guam and the CNMI. Local Sports Spotlight: Saipan’s Gabriel Walsh is competing for national Youth Athlete of the Year, with voting nearing a cutoff that will decide who advances. CNMI Governance & Culture: Former NMI Museum Board chair Leo Pangelinan warned lawmakers to scrutinize a proposed reorganization that would move the museum under the Historic Preservation Office, raising concerns about independence, governance, funding, and artifact stewardship. Public Safety & Weather: The Joint Typhoon Warning Center upgraded Invest 91W to “high” for development, but forecasters say it poses no direct threat to Guam or the CNMI as it tracks away to the northwest. Courts & Rights: An NMI retiree asked a federal court to clarify pension protections and settlement-fund responsibilities amid uncertainty over benefit payments and administrative delays. Community & Literacy: Second Lady Usha Vance’s Summer Reading Challenge wrapped up with 30,000+ children completing 360,000+ books across the region, including the CNMI.

CNMI & Guam Deep-Sea Mining: Guam Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero is demanding formal consultation over the proposed PACM-2 seabed mining lease sale off the Marianas, saying federal regulators left Guam out despite its “adjacent state” status, while CNMI Del. Kimberlyn King-Hinds is pushing a bill to share 50% of lease revenue with nearby Pacific territories. CNMI Mining Lawsuit Fight: Conservation groups sued over the Marianas seabed mining sale, arguing regulators allowed leases and early surveys without fully weighing impacts to protected species. Local Governance & Courts: A CNMI retiree asked a federal court to clarify pension protections and settlement-fund responsibilities amid uncertainty over benefit payments and administrative delays. Public Safety & Crime: A sixth man was arrested in a federal sex sting on Guam, accused of trying to meet a person he believed was a 14-year-old. Weather Watch: Invest 91W was upgraded to “high” for development, but forecasters say it poses no direct threat to Guam, CNMI, or nearby islands. Community & Federal Funding: The Rural Airport Infrastructure Support Act advanced in a House committee, led by CNMI Rep. Kimberlyn King-Hinds, aiming to boost federal airport project funding for territories and rural areas.

Deep-Sea Mining Tensions: Guam Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero is demanding formal consultation over the federal PACM-2 seabed mining lease sale off the CNMI, saying Guam was left out even though it qualifies as an “adjacent state,” while CNMI Delegate Kimberlyn King-Hinds is pushing a bill to share lease revenue with Pacific territories. Local Governance & Courts: A CNMI retiree is asking the federal court to clarify pension protections and Settlement Fund authority amid benefit-payment uncertainty, and an attorney has sued Micronesian Legal Services alleging discrimination tied to leave and pay. Infrastructure Funding: A House committee unanimously advanced the Rural Airport Infrastructure Support Act of 2026, led by CNMI Rep. Kimberlyn King-Hinds, aiming to raise the federal share for eligible airport projects to 95% in territories and rural areas. Earth & Weather Watch: USGS data show 21 earthquakes in the Marianas region over the past 30 days, including four above magnitude 5.0. Community & Work: The CNMI Public School System is rolling out a five-day “Promise” plan amid its deepest deficit in 30 years, and CUC approved steps to crack down on water theft with law enforcement.

Deep-Sea Mining, Local Impact: Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero says Guam was left out of federal steps for a Marianas seabed mining lease sale and wants Interior to correct the process before it moves further. Territory Revenue Push: CNMI Del. Kimberlyn King-Hinds introduced a bill to split 50% of seabed mining lease revenue with Pacific territories—insisting it wouldn’t slow the Dec. 16 sale. Governor Won’t Seek Pause: CNMI Gov. David Apatang told the Guam Daily Post he won’t ask Interior to halt the Marianas lease sale before the Oct. 19 deadline, pointing instead to formal comments and ongoing lawsuits. Federal Permits Timeline: Interior Secretary Doug Burgum says deep-sea mining permits could come within months, following an effort to speed reviews. Education, School Recovery: Acting PSS Commissioner Jacqueline Che outlined a plan to restore a five-day school week by Oct. 1, using “Austerity Mondays” for tutoring and wellness supports amid a major budget deficit. Public Safety, Water Theft: The CUC board authorized cooperation with law enforcement to investigate and prosecute water and utility theft. Visa Waiver, Tourism: A bill would expand the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program to include the Philippines and add other countries, aiming to boost arrivals and spending. Earthquake Update: A 5.1 quake was reported near Saipan with no tsunami information issued.

Military Readiness: The USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) returned to the U.S. fleet after 18 months of maintenance and modernization, with the Navy declaring it mission-ready after sea trials. CNMI Ocean Policy: Gov. David Apatang says he won’t ask Interior to pause the proposed deep-sea mining lease sale off the CNMI before the Oct. 19 deadline, pointing instead to formal comments due in the Federal Register and ongoing lawsuits. Local Utilities: The CNMI Utilities Corporation board authorized management to coordinate with local and federal law enforcement on procedures to investigate and prosecute water theft. Education: Acting PSS Commissioner Jacqueline Che outlined a 5-day Promise plan to restore a five-day school week by Oct. 1 while navigating the PSS’s deepest deficit in 30 years. Public Safety: A 5.1 earthquake was reported near Saipan; no tsunami information was issued. Travel & Tourism: The U.S. published the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program eligible-country list, and a new bill would expand the program to the Philippines and more countries.

CNMI Deep-Sea Mining: Gov. David Apatang says he won’t ask the U.S. Interior Department to pause or cancel the CNMI offshore deep-sea mining lease sale before the Oct. 19 deadline, though he is preparing formal comments by then based on public input. Federal Permits Timeline: U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum says deep-sea mining permits could begin within months as the Trump administration pushes ahead with seabed mining approvals in the Pacific. Water Utility Theft Crackdown: The Commonwealth Utilities Corp. board authorized management to work with local and federal law enforcement on procedures to investigate and prosecute water and utility theft. Education Recovery Plan: Acting PSS Commissioner Jacqueline Che outlined a 5-day Promise effort to restore a five-day school week by Oct. 1 while navigating the PSS’s deepest deficit in 30 years. Earthquake Update: CNMI Emergency Management reported a 5.1-magnitude quake near Saipan with no tsunami information issued. Visa Waiver Expansion Push: CNMI and Guam lawmakers advanced a bill to add the Philippines and expand the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program to more countries, aiming to boost regional tourism. Sports Leigh-Out: PSS school sports are back in full swing, with league updates including Priority Care’s basketball championship.

EPA Wetlands Funding: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency awarded $3.46 million in wetland grants across the Pacific Southwest, including $500,000 to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands to restore and protect wetlands that support water quality, wildlife habitat, and flood resilience. CNMI Deep-Sea Mining Lease: Gov. David Apatang says he won’t ask the U.S. Interior Department to pause the Marianas offshore mining lease sale before the Oct. 19 deadline, pointing to pending lawsuits and saying his office will submit formal public comments instead. Lightning Safety: A new look at lightning survival notes that some older advice is outdated and highlights that most lightning deaths happen between noon and early evening. Daylight Saving Time: DST ends at 2 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026, when clocks “fall back” one hour—though CNMI and some territories don’t observe the change. Visa Waiver Push: A bill would expand the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program by adding the Philippines and potentially five other countries, aiming to boost regional tourism. Water Theft Crackdown: The CUC board authorized cooperation with local and federal law enforcement to investigate and prosecute water and utility theft cases. Education Recovery Plan: Acting PSS Commissioner Jacqueline Che outlined a 5-day school restoration roadmap by Oct. 1 amid the PSS’s deepest deficit in 30 years.

CNMI Education & Schools: Acting PSS Commissioner of Education Jacqueline Che laid out a 5-day “Promise” plan to restore a five-day school week by Oct. 1, converting four-day schedules and “Austerity Mondays” into academic and wellness hubs with high-dosage tutoring and trauma-informed supports, even as the system faces its deepest deficit in 30 years. Water & Utilities Enforcement: The CUC board authorized management to coordinate with local and federal law enforcement to crack down on water theft, setting up standard procedures for investigations and prosecutions. Disaster Response Reform: CNMI Rep. Kimberlyn King-Hinds backed the Post-Disaster Protection Act advancing in the House, which would extend FEMA disaster appeal deadlines from 60 to 90 days. Tourism & Travel Policy: Delegates pushed to expand the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program by adding the Philippines and other countries, aiming to boost regional arrivals and spending. Earthquake Update: CNMI’s EOC reported a 5.1 quake near Saipan with no tsunami information issued. Regional Security: A Pacific security analyst said proposed shifts toward Guam and the “second island chain” reflect changing military realities. DST Reminder (US-wide): Daylight saving time ends Nov. 1, 2026 at 2 a.m., when clocks “fall back” one hour.

Disaster Response Spotlight: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers contracting officer Maj. Matthew Kindig deployed to Saipan to support Typhoon Sinlaku disaster relief, advising on contracts and recovery needs from the Recovery Field Office. Sports: PSS’s 2026-2027 season is underway, with volleyball, baseball, cross country, soccer, and basketball kicking off across Saipan and Tinian, plus Priority Care crowned champs in the 2026 NMI Government/Business Basketball League. Immigration & Tourism: The U.S. published the 12 countries eligible for the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program—no African countries listed—while CNMI Del. Kimberlyn King-Hinds’ Marianas Tourism Advancement Act would add the Philippines and expand eligibility to more countries. Courts: Five men pleaded not guilty in federal court to attempted enticement of minors tied to Operation Protekto Y Famagu’on; trials are set for November. Earthquake Update: A 5.1-magnitude quake was reported near Saipan; no tsunami info was issued. Education: Acting PSS Commissioner Jacqueline Che outlined a 5-day Promise plan to restore a five-day school week by Oct. 1 despite the PSS’s deepest deficit in 30 years. Utilities: CUC moved to crack down on water theft by coordinating with local and federal law enforcement on investigation procedures. Environment: EPA awarded $3.46M in wetland grants across the Pacific Southwest, including $500,000 for CNMI to develop a Saipan-Tinian-Rota Wetland Program Plan.

Visa Waiver Push: The U.S. has published the current 12-country list eligible for the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program, with eligibility focused on Asia-Pacific nations including Australia, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and the UK. Tourism & Immigration: CNMI Del. Kimberlyn King-Hinds’ Marianas Tourism Advancement Act would add the Philippines and expand eligibility to Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, India, and Mongolia, supporters say could bring about 25,000 arrivals to Guam and roughly $11M in visitor spending. Water Security: The CUC board authorized management to coordinate with local and federal law enforcement on procedures to investigate and prosecute water and utility theft. Schools Under Strain: Acting PSS Commissioner Jacqueline Che outlined a 5-day Promise plan to restore a five-day school week by Oct. 1 while navigating the PSS’s deepest deficit in 30 years. Disaster Recovery Funding: FEMA approved nearly $8.2M in post-disaster support across Hawai‘i, Nevada, and CNMI, including $1.3M for CNMI under Public Assistance. Earthquake Update: A 5.1 quake was reported near Saipan; no tsunami information was issued.

Education Funding & School Restart: Acting CNMI PSS Commissioner Jacqueline Che laid out a 5-day “Promise” plan to restore a full five-day school week by Oct. 1, including turning “Austerity Mondays” into tutoring and wellness hubs while navigating the system’s deepest deficit in 30 years. Utilities Enforcement: The CUC board authorized management to coordinate with local and federal law enforcement on procedures to investigate and prosecute water theft, signaling a tougher push on utility losses. Tourism & Visas: CNMI Del. Kimberlyn King-Hinds’ Marianas Tourism Advancement Act would expand the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program to include the Philippines and other countries, with projections of about 25,000 more arrivals and roughly $11M in visitor spending. Disaster Recovery: A bipartisan bill would extend the FEMA appeal deadline for disaster survivors from 60 to 90 days, aiming to reduce the “race against the clock” for recovery paperwork. Earthquake Update: CNMI reported a 5.1 quake near Saipan (77 km SSW of San Jose Village) with no tsunami information issued. Regional Role: CNMI is seeking to maintain its observer status in the Pacific Islands Forum, with a possible move toward associate membership.

Visa & Tourism: CNMI Del. Kimberlyn King-Hinds and Guam Del. James Moylan introduced the Marianas Tourism Advancement Act of 2026 to expand the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program by adding the Philippines and opening eligibility to Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, India and Mongolia—aimed at visitors, not work or onward travel. Earthquake Update: CNMI’s Emergency Operation Center reported a 5.1 quake at 4:06 a.m. Thursday (77 km SSW of San Jose Village, Saipan) with no tsunami information issued. Aviation Funding: A House Transportation panel unanimously advanced bills from King-Hinds to raise the federal share of rural airport project costs to 95% and to extend FEMA disaster appeal deadlines from 60 to 90 days. Wetlands & Resilience: EPA announced $3.46M in wetland grants for Pacific Southwest communities, including $500,000 to CNMI for a Saipan-Tinian-Rota Wetland Program Plan. Regional Role: CNMI is pushing to keep its Pacific Islands Forum observer status and potentially move to associate membership. Education Expansion: Career Tech High Academy Charter School won a six-year renewal and outlined plans to expand regionally, including CNMI, Palau and Chuuk. Weather Watch: Tropical Depression 24W formed east of the Marianas and is forecast to curve north toward Tokyo, while forecasters continue tracking disturbances near the region.

Supreme Court Fight Over CNMI Detonation Suit: Right to Democracy and pro-territorial groups filed an amicus brief ahead of Supreme Court arguments tied to Prutehi Guahan and Earthjustice’s challenge involving the Air Force’s 2021 permit renewal, arguing the decision is “final agency action” and should trigger required environmental review. Earthquake Update: A 5.1-magnitude quake was reported near Saipan early Thursday; no tsunami information was issued, and CNMI emergency officials said this would be the only statement unless conditions change. Military Posture Debate: A new analysis says the U.S. could shift more forces toward Guam and the CNMI as part of a “second island chain” strategy, arguing it reflects changing realities and could reduce war risk. Local Transparency Rights: A guide highlights that CNMI residents can request their federal “government file” through the Privacy Act or FOIA. Disaster Funding & Wetlands Work: FEMA approved nearly $8.2M in post-disaster and hazard mitigation funding including projects in CNMI, and EPA awarded $3.46M for wetland grants, including a CNMI plan for Saipan, Tinian and Rota. Tourism & Travel Policy: CNMI lawmakers are pushing to expand the Guam-CNMI visa waiver program to include the Philippines and other countries, aiming to boost regional tourism and air service. Deep-Sea Mining Pressure: Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said deep-sea mining permits could come within months, while CNMI leaders continue pressing for revenue-sharing and stronger local protections. Weather Watch: Forecasters are tracking Tropical Depression 24W and the broader Marianas system activity, with impacts expected to vary by track.

Earthquake Update: A 5.1 quake struck about 172 km east-southeast of Saipan on Sept. 16, with no tsunami threat reported. Disaster Recovery & Funding: FEMA approved nearly $8.2M for Public Assistance and Hazard Mitigation in Hawai‘i, Nevada, and CNMI, including $1.3M for CNMI and $1.1M for Maui water protective measures. Local Infrastructure: The U.S. House Transportation Committee unanimously advanced CNMI Rep. Kimberlyn King-Hinds’ Rural Airport Infrastructure Support Act, boosting the federal share of eligible airport project costs to 95%. Climate & Culture: Human rights lawyer Julian Aguon says climate change is unraveling Indigenous culture and rights, framing it as a human rights violation. Marianas Tourism & Travel: King-Hinds’ Marianas Tourism Advancement Act would expand the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program to add the Philippines and other countries. Weather Watch: Tropical Depression 24W formed east of the Marianas and is forecast to curve north toward Tokyo, with CNMI not expected to take a direct hit. Election & Accountability: A CNMI voter forum recap highlights competing plans from King-Hinds and Deleon Guerrero on disaster response, federal contracting, Medicaid, and tourism.

Aviation Funding Push: CNMI Del. Kimberlyn King-Hinds’ Rural Airport Infrastructure Support Act (H.R. 6448) cleared the U.S. House Transportation Committee unanimously, aiming to boost the federal share of eligible rural airport project costs to 95% for places like the Northern Mariana Islands and Guam. Disaster Recovery Relief: King-Hinds, Maxwell Alejandro Frost and Mike Ezell say their Post-Disaster Protection Act (H.R. 8409) advanced after the House Transportation panel approved it, extending FEMA appeal deadlines from 60 to 90 days for disaster survivors and applicants. FEMA Dollars for CNMI: FEMA approved nearly $8.2M in Hawaii, Nevada and CNMI, including $1.3M for the Commonwealth under Public Assistance and Hazard Mitigation, plus reimbursements tied to Super Typhoon recovery. EPA Wetlands Grants: EPA announced $3.46M for wetland projects across the Pacific Southwest, including $500,000 to CNMI for a Saipan, Tinian and Rota Wetland Program Plan. Local Safety Update: Federal prosecutors say five men were arrested in a coordinated online undercover operation targeting attempted enticement of a minor. Regional Role: CNMI is seeking to keep its observer status in the Pacific Islands Forum, with a possible move toward associate membership. Deep-Sea Mining Debate: King-Hinds continues pushing for a 50-50 revenue split for seabed mining leases, while lawsuits challenge deep-sea mining plans affecting the Marianas. Weather Watch: Forecasters are tracking Invest 90W as it develops toward the far northern CNMI, with impacts still uncertain.

Disaster Funding: FEMA approved nearly $7.6M in Hawaii recovery and hazard mitigation, including $1.3M in Public Assistance for the CNMI and $1.1M for Maui wildfire protective measures. Typhoon Watch: Forecasters are tracking Invest 90W as it develops near the Marianas, with guidance pointing toward the far northern CNMI (Maug) while impacts elsewhere remain uncertain. Regional Voice: CNMI officials say they want to keep observer status in the Pacific Islands Forum, with a possible push toward associate membership. Tourism & Travel: Del. Kimberlyn King-Hinds introduced the Marianas Tourism Advancement Act of 2026 to expand the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program by adding the Philippines and other countries. Deep-Sea Mining Fight: CNMI leaders and Pacific groups are pushing back on federal seabed mining—King-Hinds backs PACMESA for a 50-50 revenue split and stronger protections, while lawsuits and letters urge the governor to oppose the Marianas lease sale. Workforce Reality Check: A GAO report warns CNMI’s shrinking workforce still relies on foreign workers (about one-third), raising risks as the CW-1 program ends after 2029. Public Safety: Federal agents arrested five people in Operation Protektot Y Famagu’on targeting attempted online enticement of a minor.