Guam Lieutenant Governor Joshua F. Tenorio will deliver the keynote address at the College’s upcoming 45th Commencement Exercise scheduled for Friday, July 24, 2026, at the American Memorial Park Amphitheater. The College’s commencement ceremony carries special meaning this year, as it marks the culmination of a challenging period following the impacts of Super Typhoons Sinlaku and Bavi. “This year’s graduates have demonstrated extraordinary resilience, determination, and courage, and they deserve to be celebrated,” said NMC President Dr. Galvin Deleon Guerrero. “We are deeply honored that Lieutenant Governor Josh Tenorio has accepted our invitation to deliver this year’s commencement address. His lifelong commitment to public service, education, sustainable development, and expanding opportunities for our island communities embodies the very values we hope our graduates will carry forward as they set sail on the next journey of their lives.” Lt. Governor Tenorio has been recognized as a champion for sustainable development, educational opportunity, strengthening partnerships across Micronesia, and advancing regional cooperation among the islands of the Western Pacific. “This year’s commencement is especially meaningful given the extraordinary resilience and determination demonstrated by the Class of 2026 in the wake of Super Typhoon Sinlaku,” Tenorio wrote. “Their perseverance in the face of adversity is a testament to the enduring spirit of our island communities. Guam and the Commonwealth share a rich history, a culture of community, and purpose to serve those who need it most. It is an honor to join the celebration of these graduates, and encourage them to lead with integrity, compassion, and a spirit of inafa’maolek as they help shape the future of our region.” (PR)

The Marianas Visitors Authority awarded former managing director Jamika Taijeron a sole-source consulting contract to oversee executive transition, tourism recovery, airline negotiations, and strategic projects, saying no other consultant could immediately provide the institutional knowledge needed to guide the agency through a critical leadership transition. According to documents obtained by Marianas Press through an Open Government Act request submitted June 25, MVA justified the procurement on the grounds that Taijeron's recent tenure gave her institutional knowledge, stakeholder relationships, and familiarity with ongoing initiatives that were not readily available elsewhere. The June 12 sole-source justification further states "no other known consultant can provide the same level of continuity, institutional knowledge, and immediate effectiveness required to support MVA during this transition period," making competitive quotations impracticable. The documents show the contract carries a value of $21,000 for an initial three-month term, or $7,000 per month, with an option for one additional three-month extension. During its May 27 meeting, the MVA board authorized management to negotiate "a temporary consulting agreement to provide executive transition support services for an initial three-month term at $7,000 per month, with an option for one additional three-month extension," after discussing "the importance of maintaining continuity of operations, preserving institutional knowledge, and supporting tourism recovery efforts during the executive transition." Board secretary Joe C. Guerrero moved to approve the request under a sole-source contract, treasurer Marvin Deleon Guerrero seconded the motion, vice chair Vicky Benavente recused herself, and the remaining board members voted in favor. According to the contract, the consultant will provide executive transition and continuity support, tourism recovery and air service stabilization, strategic project management, destination development, stakeholder, and government relations support, board and executive advisory services, and reporting, and knowledge transfer. Read the full report on our website.

Marianas environmental leaders have joined a growing chorus of Pacific voices condemning the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management's decision to advance a proposed offshore mineral lease sale in federal waters off American Samoa, saying the plan threatens the region's sacred ocean, marine ecosystems and the rights of island communities. The proposal would mark the first potential offshore critical minerals lease sale in American Samoa if the federal process moves forward. Maria Hernandez of the Micronesia Climate Change Alliance in Guam said the proposal underscored the unequal treatment of U.S. territories. "When decisions about our communities' sacred waters and ecosystems are made in Washington without equal representation, it exposes the undemocratic system imposed across the U.S. territories." "Our voices deserve to be heard," she said. "We refuse to be treated as a box to check instead of partners in decisions that affect our livelihoods and the future of our children. The people of the Marianas stand with American Samoa. Hands off our sacred seabed. Prutehi i Mattingan." Friends of the Mariana Trench chair Sheila Babauta said Pacific Islanders had consistently rejected offshore mineral extraction. "Communities across the Pacific have made their voices clear: our ocean is not for sale." She said BOEM was advancing "a proposal that puts the interests of an extractive industry ahead of the people who depend on the ocean for our culture, livelihoods, and way of life," urging Americans to support Pacific Islanders' call for stewardship instead of extraction. Angelo Villagomez of the Center for American Progress said the proposal "is out of step with what communities actually want." He said BOEM should listen to Pacific communities rather than advance "a lease sale that lacks broad public support," adding that protecting the ocean "is not a territorial issue. It's an American issue." The criticism followed BOEM's announcement that it had issued a Proposed Leasing Notice for the American Samoa Outer Continental Shelf Pacific Mineral Lease Sale 1, a key step toward a proposed lease sale on Nov. 19.

National Weather Service Guam's Brandon Aydlett shares the latest weather developments in the region with MP's Thomas Manglona II. Watch to learn more.

Marianas Press Guam Correspondent Eliseo Silverio III reports from the first Mentor-Protege Program Indo-Pacific Workshop in Guam this month, where local businesses learn how to navigate doing business with the federal government amid industry growth in the Marianas. The event will take place on Saipan today and on Tinian on Tuesday.

Jeju Air will continue flying to Saipan during the winter season beginning in October without the financial support previously provided under the Marianas Visitors Authority's $1.5-million sole-source air connectivity agreement, a development MVA officials said reflects the airline's confidence in the CNMI tourism market. During last July 17’s special MVA board meeting, acting managing director Judy Torres announced that the South Korean carrier had already published its winter schedule, ensuring uninterrupted service through the traditionally slower tourism season. "Jeju has already published their winter schedule, which is good news. You know, seeing the continuity on the flight from Korea, it's still four times a week, and there will be some possibilities for daily charters, depending on the season," Torres said. Board director Joe C. Guerrero said the airline's decision to maintain scheduled service was particularly encouraging because it no longer depended on MVA financial assistance.

Isla Community Health Center signed a memorandum of agreement with Guam-based Todu Guam Foundation on July 13 during the foundation's Healthcare Community Meet & Greet at the Hyatt Regency Guam in Tamuning, formalizing a regional partnership aimed at expanding healthcare access, strengthening the healthcare workforce, improving specialty care and coordinating disaster response and recovery efforts across the Mariana Islands. The agreement establishes what both organizations call the Todu-Isla Marianas Collaboration, creating a framework for cooperation between the two nonprofit healthcare providers. Isla Community Health chief executive officer Dr. Cindy Hoepner, who traveled from Saipan for the signing, said the agreement formalizes a partnership that has already been developing over the past year. "Today is more than a signing of an agreement. It is a celebration of a relationship that began with a simple conversation nearly a year ago." Hoepner said both organizations quickly realized they shared common goals despite serving different island communities.

Over 20 volunteers for the American Red Cross are spread throughout Rota, to manage its service center that opened yesterday morning, manning the island's two typhoon shelters, to distribute typhoon relief goods like tarps and cleaning supplies, and to volunteer their time and effort to assist other non-profit organizations providing valuable aid to the island of Rota after Super Typhoon Bavi's direct impact. Red Cross’ service center that has been providing financial assistance to local residents impacted by Bavi continues its hours of operation today from 9am to 6pm at the Rota Roundhouse in SongSong Village and San Isidro Parish Church in Sinapalo I on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. MP Rota Correspondent Joy Atalig reports.

NMI Softball League x Division of Youth Services 2026 T-Ball League opening ceremony MP’s Leigh Gases reports. Coverage presented by Joeten Motors.

CNMI House of Representatives discusses bill to authorize the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation to obtain emergency financing for utility restoration, stabilization, and fuel procurement in response to Super Typhoon Sinlaku, and Bavi and related fuel supply disruptions; and for other purposes. Coverage presented by Docomo Pacific.

Dr. Mariana Turner, a veterinarian for Guam and the CNMI, heads the assessment mission in partnership with Casa Logistics and Luta Cares on Rota. Dr. Turner’s assessment will then become advocacy for livestock and pets on Rota in order to determine the type of aid needed upon her return in a month's time. Dr. Tuner advises residents who need assistance with pet food, chicken feed, anti-tick medication, or the like to contact Dom Dela Cruz at (670) 989-8393. She adds that the more information she is able to gather will, in turn, help her advocate for Rota’s animal health needs after Super Typhoon Bavi.

Hafa Adai and Tirow sports fans, this is Leigh Gases with this week’s Sports Leigh-Out brought to you by Joeten Motors! THIS WEEK: -Tinian’s Team Koka hosts youth soccer clinic -Team Marianas in Japan Karate Dream Festival Int’l Champs -1st int’l badminton tourney underway -Basketball fed installs new board -NSA girls in Guam for fastpitch clinic -Carol Lee is Seixal Open champ -U12 baseball tryouts underway #cnmi #marianas #sports #leighout #recap #highlights #sportsleighout

The Saipan Baseball League hosted its first of a series of U12 Jr. National Baseball team tryouts at the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Baseball Field for the WBSC Oceania Qualifiers scheduled for late November to early December 2026 in Guam. The tryouts are open exclusively to players born in 2015 and 2016. The next tryouts are on July 21, Aug. 4, and Aug. 8. Listen to SBL’s Kyle Hocog on their first tryout day on Tuesday, July 15. Thomas Mangloña II reports.

In this episode of ITS Time, Island Training Solutions shares practical tips and valuable insights on how we can better support one another in the aftermath of recent storms. From checking in on neighbors to strengthening community resilience, this discussion highlights the importance of looking after each other as we recover and move forward together.

Congresswoman Kimberlyn King-Hinds speaks with MP's Thomas Manglona as the U.S. Senate debates legislation related to the CNMI's tourism industry, national security, and economic sustainability. Watch to learn more.