Marianas Press sits down with John Joyner and Jackielyn Westbrook for the first episode of "Voices of Hope," where we discuss personal experiences and helpful advice to be there for someone in need of mental health support. Segment brought to you by CHCC's Community Guidance Center

On June 2, 2026, at the Tinian Gymnasium, food and household items were distributed through a relief distribution drive-thru. This community effort was made possible through the support of the Micronesia Climate Change Alliance (MCCA), Typhoon Support Logistics Center, 254 RED HORSE Squadron, E-Land Kensington, Ayuda Foundation, Northern Marianas Coalition Against Domestic & Sexual Violence, the people of Guam, and the many volunteers and partners who have come together to support the Tinian community since the impacts of Typhoon Sinlaku. Video by Marianas Press Tinian Correspondent Sofia Del Rosario.

Community members came together yesterday to help revitalize the Paseo de Marianas, lending their time and effort to clean and beautify the area. Volunteers spent the day clearing debris, trimming overgrowth, and improving the area as part of a community-wide cleanup organized by the Marianas Visitors Authority. Every helping hand contributed to making the location a cleaner and more welcoming place for residents and visitors alike. Video by MP contributor Leo Tsukagoshi.

Sen. Corina L. Magofna is calling on the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs and the Commonwealth Council for Arts and Culture to immediately address long-delayed payments owed to artists and cultural practitioners, saying some have been waiting months—and in some cases more than a year—for compensation for services already rendered. Magofna also warned that if substantial progress is not made within a reasonable period, she is prepared to convene an oversight hearing to investigate the issue, identify the causes of the delays and pursue a permanent solution. The Senate vice president and chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Resources, Economic Development, Workforce and Gaming said concerns about delayed payments were first brought to her attention last year by artists and cultural practitioners who had participated in CCAC-sponsored activities. She said she initially gave the agency time to resolve the issue after being informed that improvements were being made to the payment processing system. However, the same complaints resurfaced in recent months, including during community events and through social media posts.

More than a month after Super Typhoon Sinlaku tore through Saipan, 360 Beach Club owner Andrew Colburn still does not know if the popular beachfront restaurant will ever reopen at its current location. Standing amid the wreckage of the establishment, Colburn said the storm destroyed the roof, wiped out his office, ruined business records, damaged equipment and appliances, spoiled thousands of dollars worth of food, and erased what should have been one of the restaurant’s busiest periods of the year. Combined with lost income and refunded deposits, Colburn estimates total losses could approach six figures. “The roof was gone, my office was destroyed, all my files, all, everything,” Colburn said. “It was heartbreaking.”

Immigration lawyer Steve Woodruff described the Trump administration’s new U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services policy memo on adjustment of status applications as “devious” and “mean-spirited,” arguing that the guidance is designed more to intimidate immigrants than to change immigration law. “The most important thing for people to recognize is, first of all, this is a policy memo. It’s not a change in regulations. It’s not a change in law,” Woodruff said. “And elements of what they’re trying to do there are probably illegal.” Speaking in an interview with Marianas Press, Woodruff said the memo’s biggest impact may be psychological.

Goals, trophies, and cake highlight 10th President's Cup Over 320 players ranging in age from 8 to 17 competed and celebrated NMI Football Association president Jerry Tan and his twin brother Raymond's birthday during the 10th Annual President's Cup Futsal Tournament at the TSL Sports Complex, held over four days from May 26-29. The championship matches kicked off on the final day on Friday before everyone gathered to sing 'Happy Birthday' and enjoy cake. MP United claimed the U8 division title, while Matansa finished second and Latte placed third. Meanwhile, Saipan Soccer School 1 won the U10 championship, with Kanoa 1 taking second and Paire finishing third. In the U14 division, Matansa captured the title, followed by Paire 2 in second and Latte 1 in third. Kanoa 1 also captured the U12 and U17 division crowns. In U12, Latte 1 finished second and Matansa took third. In the U17 division, Kanoa 2 placed second and Paire 2 finished third. Golden Boot honors went to Koiwachi Castro, Erzaleah Such, and Paloma Blue in the U8 girls division with one goal each, while Ched Asuncion led the U8 boys with 20 goals. In the U10 division, Kira George earned the girls award with five goals, while Francis Cabusora and Kevin Canolo shared the boys honor with five goals apiece. Darshwana Chhetri won the U12 girls Golden Boot with two goals, while Liam Palacios topped the U12 boys with five goals. In the older divisions, Amica Hornilla, Baylynn Mansfield, and Lovel Spaeth shared the U14 girls Golden Boot award with one goal each, while Lashawn Ada led the U14 boys with 10 goals. Iris Rasa claimed the U17 girls Golden Boot with three goals, and Napu Pangelinan and Izaiah Tenorio shared the U17 boys honor after scoring eight goals each. Read the full story by Leigh Gases on our website.

Governor’s Press Conference: ReadyPod Livestream presented by Docomo Pacific

Commissioner Anthony Torres discusses Sinlaku recovery, reimagining economy

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced today the opening of a Business Recovery Center (BRC) in Saipan County to assist businesses, private nonprofit (PNP) organizations, and residents affected by Super Typhoon Sinlaku occurring April 11 – 18. Beginning Tuesday, June 2, SBA customer service representatives will be on hand at an additional BRC location in Saipan to answer questions and assist with the disaster loan application process. Walk-ins are welcome, but in-person appointments can be scheduled in advance at appointment.sba.gov. The center’s hours of operation are as follows: SAIPAN MUNICIPALITY Business Recovery Center One-Stop Business Permitting Center Department of Commerce Government Bldg. 1252, Capitol Hill Saipan, MP 96950 Opens Tuesday, June 2 at 8:30 a.m. Mondays - Fridays, 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m

Associate Judge Teresa K. Kim-Tenorio disclosed that she is the godmother of one of the defendants in the Department of Corrections drug-smuggling case but will continue presiding over the proceedings after both the prosecution and defense agreed they had no objection to her remaining on the case. During a status hearing last June 1 in Superior Court, Kim-Tenorio informed attorneys that she is the godmother of co-defendant Regina Visitacion Camacho Bowie, although she noted that she has not seen Bowie in approximately 25 years. After making the disclosure, the associate judge asked all counsel to place on the record whether they were comfortable with her continuing to handle the matter. Both sides agreed, and Kim-Tenorio said she would remain on the case for now, while acknowledging that recusal could become necessary depending on how the case develops. Another status conference was scheduled for July 6 at 10am.

Women’s national team to compete in Guam for EAFF tourney For the first time since Super Typhoon Sinlaku, the NMI Football Association is sending a team to compete off-island, with the NMI Women’s National Team set to travel to neighboring Guam for the Women’s EAFF E-1 Football Championship Preliminary Competition 2026. During a sendoff ceremony on Saturday, May 30, at the Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan lobby, the NMI Football Association announced the team roster and competition schedule shortly after honoring its Class of 2026 graduates. The NMI is in Group B alongside Chinese Taipei, with the two teams facing off twice—first on Friday, June 5, at 7:15pm and again on Sunday, June 7, at 2:30pm at the Guam Football Association Soccer Training Center. The roster consists of Mia Abuan, Christina Atalig, Joselynn Atalig, Hailey Benavente, Alyssa Borlongan, Jannah Casarino, Jerlyn Castillo, Aubrey Castro, Kaithlyn Chavez, Julie Chavez, Orica George, Bernadette Horey, Khristelle Itaas, Summer Manahane, Deseha Mendiola, Dianne Pablo, Sophia Quintos, Gabrielle Race, Rizza Relucio, and Aubrey White. Traveling with the team are head of delegation Luam Khen Koo, head coach Chi Min Tang, assistant coach Ronnel Ocanada, goalkeeper coach Kwok Poon, team manager Janelle Pangilinan, assistant team manager Yu Hung Lee, team media officer Renedel Buno, and team doctor Allen Rara. Read the full story by Leigh Gases on our website.

Commonwealth Election Commission executive director Kayla Igitol Magofna says the election timeline remains amid Super Typhoon Sinlaku Recovery. The first major deadline is July 06, 2026 — that’s the last day to establish residency requirements and the first day for submission for nominating petition and candidacy. August 5, 2026, is the last day of submission of nominating petitions & candidacy documents. Meanwhile, August 20, 2026, is when requests for absentee ballots commence, and September 4, 2026, is the last day for voter registration for the election. As of May 2026, the CNMI has 17,574 registered voters.

As she steps down as managing director of the Marianas Visitors Authority, Jamika Taijeron said she hopes her legacy will be remembered not necessarily through a single project, but through perseverance during one of the tourism agency’s most difficult stretches in recent years.

What was already going to be a relocation for The Trove Saipan turned into a race against time after Super Typhoon Sinlaku damaged its former location and hastened the thrift shop’s move to the former Bank of Saipan building in Garapan.