Hafa Adai and Tirow sports fans, this is Leigh Gases with this week's Sports Leigh-Out brought to you by Joeten Motors!

CNMI Green Growth Kupu Corps Certificate Ceremony Chrystal Marino reports. Coverage brought to you by Docomo Pacific

Northern Mariana Islands Congresswoman Kimberlyn King-Hinds comments after President Trump signed an executive order banning birth tourism in the U.S.

MP Guam Correspondent Eliseo Silverio III reports at the Association of Pacific Ports Conference of Guam, where CNMI leaders spoke about infrastructure and economic opportunities.

The independent gubernatorial ticket of Rep. Blas Jonathan "BJ" Tenorio Attao and House Speaker Edmund Joseph Sablan Villagomez last Thursday, Aug. 6, held its first community conversation at its new campaign headquarters along Chalan Pale Arnold Road in Puerto Rico, located in the former Island Apparel building, after relocating from its original headquarters, which the candidates said was damaged by Super Typhoon Sinlaku.

PSS x National Federation Partners MOU signing. Live on Marianas Press.

PSS x National Federation Partners MOU signing. Live on Marianas Press.

Leaders of three of Saipan's private schools said last Aug. 5’s opening of the new academic year was marked by excitement, resilience, and optimism as students returned to campuses still recovering from the damage caused by super typhoons Sinlaku and Bavi. Saipan International School headmaster Martin Jambor, Mount Carmel School president Christine Igisomar, and Grace Christian Academy board chair pastor Mike Rodgers each said their schools were prepared to begin classes despite months of recovery work, while emphasizing their commitment to students, parents and faculty. Jambor said the first day at Saipan International School was filled with new and returning students, parents and teachers welcoming children back to campus. "It's always exciting. We had plenty of parents coming, new kids coming, our former students coming to say hi. We played music, we welcomed them, all the teachers were outside, and it's always, always fun to start the school year. So, no reason to be nervous. We are excited and we're so happy to welcome plenty of new students."

NMI Democrats file at CEC today

Michael Evangelista files candidacy for AG at CEC. Thomas Mangloña II reports.

The 21st Annual CNMI Labor Day Softball Tournament heads over to Delta Park in Portland, Oregon in September. MP will be there and we recently caught up with organizers ahead of the highly anticipated event.

The Saipan Chamber of Commerce hosted the 2026 CNMI Lt. Governor Candidates Business Forum at the Kensington Resort in San Roque today. Chrystal Marino reports Coverage brought to you by Docomo Pacific.

NMI Democrats file at CEC Thomas Mangloña II reports.

Following the consecutive devastations of Typhoons Sinlaku and Bavi, CNMI Governor David Apatang provided a comprehensive update on the Commonwealth's recovery progress, pushing back against proposed utility rate hikes and detailing ongoing coordination with federal relief partners. ​In a recent interview, Governor Apatang addressed the state of utility restoration across the islands, the financial hurdles of disaster response under a local deficit, and the critical assistance from organizations like FEMA and World Central Kitchen. ​While significant strides have been made, particularly with water services, power grid restoration remains an ongoing challenge for the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation (CUC). ​"They're pretty much in good shape on Saipan. I know that CUC is still working on a lot of restoration in some areas," Apatang noted. "I think we're at 100% on Saipan, and Tinian is also 100% on water, but we still have situations on power on Tinian." ​The governor emphasized that while water service is restored on Rota, power infrastructure remains the priority for the island's residents. Crews are actively working on the ground, supplemented by outside assistance, to bring Rota’s power grid back online. Addressing recent announcements by the CUC regarding an increase to the Fuel Adjustment Charge (FAC), Apatang expressed firm opposition, citing the ongoing struggles of CNMI resident’s post-typhoon. ​"Well, I'm not too enthused about increasing fuel adjustment at all," Apatang stated flatly. "We have to find a way how to reduce costs, you know, for people, especially when we're suffering as it is. So, we're going to sit down and take a look at how to cut costs everywhere possible."

Attorney Bruce Berline said the oral ruling approving the structured dismissal of Imperial Pacific International (CNMI) LLC's Chapter 11 bankruptcy case marks what he believes is the closing of "an important chapter" in Commonwealth history, although the written dismissal order had not yet been entered. Speaking with Marianas Press after the Aug. 4 hearing, Berline said, "I think the judge today kind of closed an important history, a chapter in history, of the CNMI with what we hope is the dismissal of the IPI bankruptcy. That's been ongoing for several years now." While acknowledging that the case appears to be nearing its conclusion, Berline said many involved remain dissatisfied with the outcome. "I'm pretty sure a lot of people are not happy with the result, but it seems to be concluded now, so that's a positive note," he said.