Local News

THE District Court for the Northern Mariana Islands has scheduled a bench trial for 10 a.m. on Oct. 5, 2026, to determine the fate of more than $310,000 seized from two Bank of Saipan accounts linked to Marianas Consultancy Services and its owner, Alfred Yue.

WITH the expiration of the four-year terms of Chairman Ramon A. Tebuteb, Secretary Thomas “Kiyu” Villagomez, and Treasurer Joseph M. Diaz, the Commonwealth Ports Authority Board of Directors will not have a quorum on Oct. 7, 2025.

THE Northern Marianas Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence on Oct. 1 organized a proclamation signing ceremony at Saipan World Resort, announcing a monthlong schedule of activities in observance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

(Department of Public Safety) — Joey Daniel Maratita was last seen by a family member on the evening of Oct. 3, 2025, around 11 p.m. He was wearing a navy blue shirt, shorts, and Scott’s slippers.

(PSS) — In a show of unity and commitment to protect every child’s right to learn without fear, Commissioner of Education Dr. Lawrence F. Camacho and Board of Education Chairman Aschumar Kodep Ogumuro-Uludong led the proclamation signing ceremony for School Year 2025–2026 Bullying Prevention Month …

(Bureau of Environmental and Coastal Quality) — BECQ’s new office is located in San Jose, directly across from the baseball field, in the Bo Da Corporation building (former Mercy Catering).

GOVERNOR David M. Apatang on Wednesday issued Directive 2026-8, imposing austerity measures to “navigate this challenging fiscal climate.” The goals, he said, are fiscal stability, streamlined government operations, and the maintenance of essential public services.

GOVERNOR David M. Apatang on Thursday withdrew the pay raise certification for his chief of staff, Henry S. Hofschneider, following public outrage on social media.

THE Public School System is prepared to declare a state of emergency and potentially sue the CNMI government over an anticipated shortfall in the fiscal year 2026 budget. However, during a Board of Education meeting on Wednesday evening, members agreed to delay those actions while awaiting a propos…

(MVA) — The Marianas Visitors Authority reports that visitor arrivals to The Marianas totaled 12,674 in August 2025, a 41% decrease compared to 21,613 visitors received in August 2024. So far, this fiscal year to date, visitor arrivals are 31% lower than over the same period last year.