AGP Executive Report

Typhoon Watch: In-fa has strengthened into a typhoon and could reach Category 4 strength near the far-northern CNMI late this week. Its track remains uncertain, and forecasters urge residents to stay alert. Power Costs: CPUC plans to decide Thursday on a 25-year solar deal that would supply electricity at a fixed 18.5 cents per kilowatt-hour. The developer says it may withdraw its bid after an Oct. 31 financing deadline; the agreement is not yet approved. Election Update: Early voting for the Nov. 3 election begins Tuesday on Saipan, Tinian and Rota. Bring ID and be prepared to complete an application. Northern Islands candidate Keli Tenorio remains on the ballot while a court challenge is pending. Schools: About 4,000 students have enrolled in PSS’s federally funded Monday program, which began Oct. 26 to help make up for lost learning time. PSS still faces a budget shortfall that could put about 200 locally funded jobs at risk. Travel: Philippine Airlines has resumed direct Manila–Saipan flights, restoring a route welcomed by travelers and local officials. Sports: The NMI women’s tennis team finished third at the Billie Jean King Cup regional tournament in Vietnam.

Typhoon Watch: JTWC upgraded In-fa to a typhoon and forecasts it could strengthen to Category 4 before tracking near the CNMI’s far northern islands by Saturday. The forecast does not specify a landfall or closest approach. Utilities: CPUC is expected to vote Oct. 29 on a proposed solar deal for Saipan, Tinian and Rota, while the proposed CUC rate increases remain under review and can still be changed or rejected. A Garapan café owner says high power costs forced his business to close. Schools: PSS launches federally funded Monday intervention classes today as about 200 locally funded employees face possible furloughs amid a budget shortfall. Courts: A jury found Jeremy Guillermin guilty of involuntary manslaughter in Alvin Remamba’s death and obstruction of justice. Guillermin was jailed pending sentencing in January. Government: Corrections Commissioner Anthony Torres has resigned, saying he plans to move to the private sector.

Schools: PSS starts federally funded Monday intervention classes today, even as about 200 locally funded employees face possible furloughs amid a budget crisis. Utilities: CPUC plans to decide Oct. 29 on a proposed solar deal for Saipan, Tinian and Rota; commissioners can still change or reject CUC’s proposed rate hike. A Garapan café owner says high power costs forced him to close. Recovery and Weather: The Army Corps has completed temporary power work on Rota after Super Typhoon Bavi, installing 43 generators. Tropical Storm In-fa is forecast to strengthen, but officials say there is no current call for a direct Marianas impact. Local Government: The House agenda includes a disaster readiness and recovery fund, while the CNMI Youth Congress elected Christopher Dela Cruz as speaker and introduced a procurement transparency bill.

Rota Recovery: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has completed its temporary power mission on Rota after Super Typhoon Bavi, assessing 54 generators and installing 43 to support recovery. Storm Watch: Tropical Storm In-fa formed east of the Marianas and could strengthen as it moves west, but forecasters have not called for a direct impact. CNMI Government: Corrections Commissioner Anthony Torres has resigned to enter the private sector, after nearly four years leading the department. Power and Rates: CUC plans a Monday outage around Oleai Elementary and the Saipan Mayor’s Office while crews replace a power pole. Residents support a proposed $245 million solar project but continue to oppose rate hikes; a decision is expected Nov. 20. Schools: A funding shortfall is forcing PSS to end substitute-teacher contracts, with 33 teachers set to leave Oct. 31. Cost of Living: Gasoline on Saipan fell 30 cents a gallon, to $6.56 for regular and $7.01 for supreme.

Weather Watch: Tropical Storm In-fa has formed east of the Marianas and could strengthen as it moves west, but forecasters say there is no current forecast of a direct hit on the CNMI. Local Services: CUC plans a power outage in parts of Oleai from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, Oct. 26, to replace a power pole. Schools: A reported funding shortfall will leave 33 substitute teachers out of work starting Oct. 31, adding pressure to classrooms amid the CNMI budget crisis. Utilities: Residents backed a proposed solar project at a public hearing but opposed CUC’s planned rate increases; regulators face an Oct. 31 financing deadline for the deal, with a rate decision expected Nov. 20. Public Safety: Corrections Commissioner Anthony Torres has resigned, saying he will move to the private sector. Cost of Living: Saipan gasoline prices fell 30 cents a gallon, bringing regular to $6.56. Remembering Yutu: Eight years ago, Super Typhoon Yutu crossed Tinian and devastated southern Saipan. Time Change: The CNMI does not observe daylight saving time, so clocks stay put on Nov. 1.

Storm Watch: Tropical Storm In-fa formed east of the Marianas Saturday. Forecasters expect it to strengthen and turn west, but the track remains uncertain; current forecasts do not call for a direct CNMI impact. Utility Work: CUC plans a power outage in parts of Oleai from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday to replace a pole. Wastewater facility W-3 will also be affected; water wells and traffic lights will not. Energy Costs: Saipan residents backed a proposed solar project but opposed CUC rate hikes at a public hearing. Gasoline prices also fell 30 cents a gallon on Saipan, to $6.56 for regular. Corrections: Commissioner Anthony Torres has resigned, saying he will move to the private sector. Youth Health: Mayor Ramon Camacho urged Saipan retailers to check IDs and keep vapes and tobacco away from minors. Biosecurity: Guam scientists are developing a rapid DNA test for brown tree snakes, which could help prevent the invasive species from reaching the CNMI. Officials also urge inspections of boats and cargo headed to the islands.

Tropical Weather: Forecasters issued a formation alert for Invest 97W over the northern Marshall Islands, which could become a tropical depression within 24 hours. Its longer-range track remains uncertain, and it poses no direct threat to the Marianas now. Corrections: Commissioner Anthony Torres has resigned, saying he will move to the private sector while continuing as chairman of the Commonwealth Economic Incentive Authority. Utility Costs: Residents backed CUC’s proposed utility-scale solar project but pushed back against rate hikes at a CPUC hearing. A decision on the solar deal faces an Oct. 31 financing deadline. Gas Prices: Saipan gasoline fell 30 cents per gallon, to $6.56 for regular and $7.01 for supreme; prices remain much higher on Tinian and Rota. Schools: The Public School System is ending substitute-teacher contracts amid a budget crisis, leaving 33 substitutes out of work starting Oct. 31. Youth Health: Saipan Mayor Ramon Camacho urged retailers to check identification and refuse illegal sales of vapes and tobacco to minors.

Veterans’ Training: Northern Marianas Technical Institute has applied to let students use GI Bill benefits for vocational training, following work by Delegate Kimberlyn King-Hinds and a local veteran. Weather Watch: JTWC raised Invest 97W’s development potential to medium. A separate disturbance is expected to bring wet weather to the Marianas through the weekend. Corrections: CNMI DOC Commissioner Anthony Torres has told staff and Gov. David Apatang he plans to resign, citing changes made during his nearly four years leading the department. Utility Bills: Ratepayers are weighing a proposed $245 million solar-and-storage deal alongside CUC’s proposed base-rate increases. A financing deadline looms Oct. 31, with a rate decision expected Nov. 20. Seabed Mining: Apatang is seeking revenue sharing, local jobs and environmental safeguards before a planned offshore minerals lease sale. Court: A jury found Jeremy Guillermin guilty of involuntary manslaughter, assault and battery, and obstruction of justice in Alvin Rebamba’s death, while acquitting him of more serious charges.

Weather Watch: Forecasters are monitoring two tropical disturbances in the western Pacific. Development is considered unlikely in the next 24 hours, but unsettled weather is expected across the Marianas. Seabed Mining: The federal government set a Dec. 16 lease sale near Guam, after a Nov. 19 auction off American Samoa. Gov. David Apatang is seeking revenue sharing, local jobs and environmental safeguards; a lawsuit challenging the Samoa sale could affect the Marianas plan. Public Safety: CNMI officials urge inspections of boats and cargo from Guam to prevent brown tree snakes reaching the islands. School Funding: PSS says 33 locally funded substitute teachers’ contracts end Oct. 31 amid a budget shortfall and school closures. Utilities: Ratepayers questioned CUC’s proposed rate increases and a typhoon surcharge with no stated end date. Disaster Aid: The Sinlaku unemployment-assistance deadline is Saturday; 2,925 applications have been received, but none approved. Regional Policing: Pacific chiefs launched PACPOL at their Saipan conference to coordinate efforts against cross-border crime. Court: Closing arguments have ended in Jeremy Guillermin’s manslaughter trial; jurors are set to deliberate.

Guillermin Trial: Closing arguments ended in the manslaughter trial over Alvin Remamba’s death outside a Garapan bar; jurors are set to deliberate. Seabed Mining: Gov. David Apatang is seeking CNMI revenue sharing, local jobs and environmental protections before a proposed offshore lease sale proceeds. Utility Bills: Ratepayers questioned CUC’s proposed rate hikes and a typhoon surcharge with no stated end date; the utility commission expects to decide on base-rate increases Nov. 20. Disaster Aid: The deadline to apply for Sinlaku unemployment assistance is Saturday, but none of 2,925 applications has been approved, and first payments may not arrive until late January. Schools: PSS is ending contracts for 33 substitute teachers amid a budget shortfall that has already led to weekly school closures. Recovery and Safety: Tinian has resumed daylight cargo operations and Rota has reopened after Champi. Saipan beach sites, including the Grotto, were red-flagged for high bacteria levels. Regional Policing: Pacific police chiefs launched PACPOL in Saipan to coordinate efforts against trafficking and other cross-border crime.

School Budget Crisis: PSS has notified 33 substitute teachers their contracts end Oct. 31, as the cash-strapped system warns of further cuts and continues Monday school closures. The Board authorized a lawsuit over mandated funding, but it has not been filed. Storm Recovery: Tinian has resumed daylight-only cargo operations, and Rota has reopened; Saipan’s port is operating without restrictions. Federal emergency aid was approved for the CNMI after Super Typhoon Champi, which became the year’s strongest cyclone as it moved away from the islands. Utility Rates: Residents and lawmakers are urging CUC to address unpaid bills, billing problems and service issues before raising power, water and wastewater rates. The regulator plans to decide Nov. 20. Regional Policing: Pacific police chiefs announced PACPOL, a new regional body to coordinate action against drug trafficking, human smuggling, cybercrime and other cross-border threats, at a conference hosted in Saipan. Public Health: Five Saipan beach sites, including the Grotto, were red-flagged after water samples exceeded bacteria standards; officials advise avoiding swimming and fishing within 300 feet.

Utility Bills: Ratepayers on Saipan and Tinian are pressing CUC to explain billing and unpaid accounts before any hikes. One Tinian resident described a $1,085 bill, including an $844 fuel charge. The CPUC expects to decide on the proposed three-year rate increase Nov. 20, but counsel could not guarantee a decision on a $500 million solar project by its Oct. 31 deadline. Champi Recovery: The CNMI declared an all clear after the typhoon, and Saipan’s port reopened to commercial traffic Monday. Federal emergency aid is approved for the islands, with FEMA covering 75% of eligible response costs. Beach Safety: Five Saipan sites, including the Grotto, were red-flagged for high bacteria levels; residents are urged to avoid swimming and fishing nearby. Regional Policing: Pacific police chiefs launched PACPOL at a conference hosted on Saipan, targeting cross-border crimes such as drug and human trafficking. Court: The family of Alvin Rebamba, who died after a 2025 altercation outside a Garapan bar, told the manslaughter trial they want justice, not money. Community & Sports: Saipan residents are invited to help clean Chalan Kanoa and Tanapag cemeteries before All Souls Day. The Lady Dolphins also claimed a second straight high school volleyball title.

Utilities: The CPUC will meet Thursday on Eastern Power Solutions’ proposed $500 million solar project, but its legal counsel can’t guarantee a decision by the company’s Oct. 31 deadline. Eastern says it may withdraw without approval. Ratepayers and lawmakers also urged CUC to address unpaid bills, billing problems and oversight before raising electric, water and wastewater rates; a decision is expected Nov. 20. Typhoon Recovery: The CNMI declared an all clear after Super Typhoon Champi moved away, and the Port of Saipan reopened to commercial traffic Monday. Federal emergency assistance is available for Saipan, Tinian and Rota, with FEMA covering 75% of eligible protective costs. Public Health: BECQ issued red flags for five Saipan sites, including the Grotto, after bacteria levels exceeded standards. Avoid swimming or fishing within 300 feet for 48 hours or until further notice. Separately, a cancer registry found oral and throat cancers ranked second among reported CNMI cancers from 2007 to 2022, with nearly 60% diagnosed at an advanced stage. Courts: A manslaughter trial began in Saipan over the 2025 death of Alvin Rebamba. Prosecutors allege Jeremy Guillermin punched him outside a Garapan bar; the defense says Guillermin acted in self-defense.

Typhoon Recovery: Super Typhoon Champi has moved away from the Marianas and strengthened to Category 5 over open water. The CNMI declared an all-clear, with schools resuming, while federal emergency declarations make FEMA support available for Saipan, Tinian and Rota. Ports: Saipan’s port reopened to commercial traffic and cargo Monday; Tinian and Rota remained closed as crews checked for storm hazards. Rate Hikes: Ratepayers urged the utilities commission to reject CUC’s proposed increases until the utility addresses unpaid bills, billing problems and operational concerns. Disaster Aid: Saipan business operators want CNMI-Only Transitional Workers included in Sinlaku unemployment assistance; applications are due Oct. 24. Public Health: A new cancer registry finds oral and pharyngeal cancer ranked second among reported CNMI cancers from 2007 to 2022, with nearly six in 10 cases diagnosed at an advanced stage.

Typhoon Recovery: Champi has moved into the Philippine Sea and strengthened to Category 5, well away from land, though its outer rain bands brought showers and flood concerns to Guam. Saipan’s tropical cyclone warnings are canceled. Ports and Travel: The Port of Saipan reopened to commercial and cargo traffic Monday; Guam’s port is set for daylight operations, while Tinian and Rota remain closed for safety checks. Saipan flights were disrupted, with airlines adjusting schedules and some service expected to resume. Federal Assistance: President Trump approved an emergency declaration for the CNMI, making FEMA assistance available for Saipan, Tinian and Rota. Veterans’ Health: The VA signed a lease for a new Saipan outpatient clinic, with construction and preparation expected to finish in early 2027. Planned services include primary care, audiology, mental health and telehealth.

Champi Aftermath: Tropical cyclone alerts were lifted across the Marianas Sunday as the super typhoon moved west after passing close to Guam. A federal emergency declaration makes FEMA assistance available to the CNMI. Saipan flights were canceled Sunday, with airlines adjusting Monday schedules; Bank of Hawai‘i’s Gualo Rai branch is set to reopen Monday. Veterans’ Care: The VA signed a lease for a new Saipan outpatient clinic offering primary care, audiology, mental health and telehealth services. Construction and preparation are expected to finish in early 2027. CNMI Politics: Delegate candidates Kimberlyn King-Hinds and Galvin Deleon Guerrero fielded student questions on labor, health care, transportation, disaster aid, mining and military infrastructure. Public Safety Commissioner Anthony Macaranas declined to discuss the Senate’s lawsuit over his appointment while the case is before the court. Energy: Eastern Power Solutions says it will withdraw its solar bid if the utilities commission does not approve the project by Oct. 31.