Happy Sunday! On Friday, we had some very special correspondents help us report the day's news from Kagman Elementary School's Career Day!

Built by Latte Built: Robert Mojica Welcome to MP’s monthly segment, Built By Latte Built. This segment highlights athletes and individuals training at Latte Built who are chasing their fitness goals and inspiring others along the way. This month, we feature Robert Mojica—a longtime firefighter and U.S. Army reservist. He wears many hats as he’s a firefighter, EMT, and the Public Information Officer for the Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services, and is attached to the Search and Rescue Unit, Hazmat, and Wildland. For the Army, he is the Bravo Team Leader for the 2nd squad, 2nd platoon of the 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry Regiment out of Saipan. With 10 years as a first responder and 15 years as a reservist, Mojica knows he always has to be physically ready. If he’s not training at the firehouse, he’s working out at Latte Built, where he has been a member since March 2022. He said he first checked out the gym after seeing a promotion for the fire department to try it for a few months. He ended up staying because he liked that it’s convenient and open 24 hours, which lets him fit in workouts around or during his shifts. Read the full story by Leigh Gases on our website.

Hafa Adai and Tirow sports fans, this is Leigh Gases with this week’s Sports Leigh-Out brought to you by Joeten Motors! Let’s take a closer look at what our athletes have been up to in off-island competitions and on their home turf—whether it’s on the pitch, mat, courts, fields, track, pools, or the beautiful ocean. THIS WEEK: -Lifters showcase strength in 2026 Marianas Weightlifting Open -Carol Lee is doubles champ in France -Kohtaro trains with two U.S. pro clubs, chases pro dream -Community mourns baseball and softball legend Melvin W. C. Sakisat, 58 -MCS girls undefeated in fastpitch -Edward “Shoomy” Arriola III signs to William Penn U -560 and counting for Saipan Marathon 2026 Be sure to watch until the end to see what’s coming up in our local sports scene, and don’t forget to get out there and cheer on our athletes! Read the full story on our website and stay tuned for the latest news and headlines in the region. #cnmi #marianas #sports #leighout #recap #highlights #sportsleighout

BREAKING: OGM Administrator Epi Cabrera comments after his recent firing by then Acting Governor Mendiola and after Governor David Apatang said he’ll be reinstated. He met with Apatang earlier today. Thomas Manglona reports. MP news is brought to you by Docomo Pacific.

BREAKING NEWS: Governor Apatang comments on recent firings by then Acting Governor Mendiola. This is developing story on Marianas Press.

BOEM and DOI officials leave the governor’s office amid protests. They have more meetings with agencies later today. This is a developing story on Marianas Press.

Governor Apatang back on island. He shared brief remarks before meeting with BOEM amid protests. MP News is presented by Docomo Pacific.

Protestors gather outside the CNMI Governor’s office as the administration meets with BOEM about deep sea mining plans in the Marianas. This is a developing story on Marianas Press.

March will mark one year of Bishop Romeo Convocar's ministry in the Northern Mariana Islands at the Diocese of Chalan Kanoa. MP's Thomas Manglona sits down with Bishop Convocar to discuss his first year in the CNMI, the state of faith, and ongoing developments across the islands.

Welcome to our new segment in collaboration with Island Training Solutions: ITS Time! Our series will help both individuals seeking employment, advancement, and skills development, and provide management with some tips to help develop staff into long-term staff. Today's topic: time management. Watch to learn more.

The Commonwealth Utilities Corp. told a federal judge it has made significant progress in stopping oil contamination and reducing water loss across Saipan, according to executive director Kevin Watson. Watson appeared before District Court for the NMI designated judge David O. Carter during hearings on stipulated orders last Feb. 26 at the District Court of the Northern Mariana Islands in Gualo Rai. “It’s the hearing for Stipulated Order 1, which covers the water and wastewater, and Stipulated Order 2, which is for the oils at the power plants,” Watson said. He said CUC presented evidence showing improvements in preventing oil contamination from reaching surrounding waters. “This morning we gave a presentation, a PowerPoint presentation, of our successes and what’s transpired with the oils, and how we clean it up and meet all regulations to where nothing is getting to the ocean or the lagoon,” he said. He added that containment measures are working effectively. “It’s a process of using oil-water separators and monitoring wells to make sure it’s captured. Also a trench that if any gets past, it will be captured there as a barrier to keep it from getting to the lagoon,” Watson said. He said Carter responded positively to the progress. “Judge Carter is well-pleased and really commended CUC staff on a job well done,” he said. Watson said the utility also updated the court on efforts to reduce non-revenue water, which refers to water produced but not billed due to leaks, faulty meters, or unauthorized connections. “Non-revenue water is a combination of leaks in the system or undocumented connections. And also the water meters may be under-registering because of the condition of the water here on the island of Saipan,” he said. He explained that mineral buildup affects meter accuracy.

Acting Governor Dennis Mendiola speaks with Marianas Press regarding his recent actions while Gov. David Apatang was off-island, including the firing of two cabinet-level officials. Thomas Mangloña II reports. MP News is presented by Docomo Pacific.

Longtime local filmmaker Ando Agulto recently won the Impact Award at an international film festival in Tahiti for his work on "The Canoe is the Future.” He sits down with Marianas Press to discuss the film and what the recognition means to him. The award is given to the project that the judges believe has the most power to create real-world social and cultural change. According to Agulto, the film "follows Master Carver Tony Piailug, the son of the legendary Master Navigator 'Papa Mau' Piailug, and his lead apprentice, John Castro. The film isn't just about building a canoe; it’s about resilience. We survived two super typhoons in 2015 and 2018, and then a devastating fire in 2021 that turned years of work into charcoal. The documentary captures how we rose from those ashes to build a 'Phoenix' canoe, all while trying to reclaim our seafaring identity and reconnect with our brothers and sisters across the Pacific."

Dr. Jen Johnson is visiting Saipan for the third time to assist Saipan Cares for Animals in caring for the island's pets. She sits down with Marianas Press and shares some of the challenges she sees locally and how the team has come together to address them. Casa Marianas, the CNMI’s premier co-working and co-living hub, also announced a new community partnership with the Saipan Humane Society and Saipan Cares for Animals. The collaboration aims to alleviate the critical shortage of veterinary care in the Northern Mariana Islands by providing sponsored accommodations, workspace, and logistical support for visiting veterinary doctors and other professionals.

Kohtaro trains with two U.S. pro clubs, chases pro dream A boy from a small island has big dreams of playing professional soccer in the U.S. and he is now one step closer as Saipan’s Kohtaro Goto, captain of the 2025 U23 NMI National Team, recently had the opportunity to train with not one, but two professional soccer clubs in California. Currently a 21-year-old senior at Soka University of America in California, where he has studied since graduating high school in 2022, Goto has dreamed of playing professional soccer since he was a child. “Being able to play at the collegiate level coming from NMI was big and a huge step for me to grow not just athletically but academically as well,” the Marianas High School alumni said. After honing his skills at home in Saipan—playing for local clubs and national teams—Goto built years of experience competing in AFC and EAFF matches. With graduation this May, he has stepped up his pursuit of a professional contract. In January, he participated in trials with Orange County SC, which competes in the USL Championship. Just last week, he was invited to train and try out for Ventura County FC—formerly LA Galaxy II—at the MLS Next Pro level for a full week. His head coach at Soka University, Shawn Beyer, who works with Orange County, helped connect him with the club for his first trial. “For my first trial experience, I was very nervous because you just see a whole bunch of players warming up—different ages, different levels—so it was nerve-wracking,” he said. “But once I got to really play my first game and get into it, it was just more fun.” Read the full story by Leigh Gases on our website.