Local News

GOVERNOR David M. Apatang on Friday said he will reinstate the Office of Grants Management administrator, Epi Cabrera, and former Department of Public Safety Commissioner Anthony I. Macaranas, reversing termination letters issued last week by Lt. Gov. Dennis Mendiola while Apatang was off-island.

THE Senate on Thursday followed the House of Representatives’ override of several of Gov. David M. Apatang’s line-item vetoes on the revised fiscal year 2026 budget during its session at the Rota Mayor’s Office. The provisions vetoed are now law.

MOBIL Oil on Thursday raised its fuel prices by 10 cents, marking the second increase this year.

THE Department of Public Safety is asking for the public’s assistance in identifying suspects involved in a robbery reported Tuesday night in the Marianas Business Plaza parking lot in Susupe.

THE Department of Public Safety has arrested two men wanted in connection with a January burglary and theft case on Airport Road.

THE Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. will be able to pay off its arrears in approximately 17 years if the hospital stays current on its bills and consistently meets its minimum monthly payments, Assistant Attorney General Tina Ngo said in a recent status report to the federal court.

THE Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. has formally denied allegations that its staff acted negligently in treating a 64‑year‑old woman who died on Feb. 9, 2024, following a fall and rapid medical decline at the local hospital.

THE Commonwealth Utilities Corp. anticipates that the adoption and implementation of new utility rates — if ultimately approved by the Commonwealth Public Utilities Commission — would occur no sooner than June or July 2026, according to Assistant Attorney General Tina Ngo in a recent status report …

THE House of Representatives on Wednesday voted to override Gov. David M. Apatang’s line-item vetoes on several provisions of Public Law 24-20, the revised fiscal year 2026 budget that appropriates $138.9 million for government operations and personnel.

ATTORNEY Sean Frink said the settlement ending the CNMI government’s case against his client, Henry Sablan Hofschneider, was “the right and fair decision for everyone,” arguing that his client had been legally entitled to the annual leave payout at the center of the dispute.