As many as 400 government employees could eventually face furloughs as the CNMI struggles to operate under a sharply reduced fiscal year 2027 budget, according to Gov. David M. Apatang. Asked how many employees could be affected if proposed furlough regulations are adopted during an Oct. 6 press conference at the Governor’s Office on Capitol Hill, Apatang said the administration does not yet have a firm number. “We don't know yet. Estimate, maybe 400,” he said. Apatang's estimate came a day after he signed the FY 2027 budget into law at 7:30pm, formally ending the partial government shutdown that began after the previous fiscal year expired without an enacted spending plan. The governor said furloughs cannot immediately be implemented because the administration is still waiting for regulations being developed by the Civil Service Commission. Once those regulations go through the required public comment and adoption process, Apatang said the administration will review them and follow the guidelines.

Superior Court Associate Judge Joey Patrick San Nicolas last Oct. 6 denied Delvin Rios’ motion to modify his $100,000 bail, finding that the cousin proposed to serve as his third-party custodian was not an appropriate choice to supervise him if released. Rios had sought release under the supervision of his cousin, Norbert Rios, who testified that he was willing to serve as third-party custodian. San Nicolas, however, cited concerns that Norbert works full time at the Indigenous Affairs Office and would not be at the residence for much of the day. The judge also noted that Norbert does not have his own vehicle. The court said those circumstances raised concerns about whether Norbert could adequately supervise Rios and ensure that he appears for court proceedings. San Nicolas also considered Rios’ prior record, his court-appearance history, and the seriousness of the charges in denying the motion. At the same time, the judge stressed that Rios remains presumed innocent and that the charges against him must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

Following the passage of Tropical Storm Choi-Wan, Tinian Christian Assembly held a relief distribution on October 5, 2026, providing vegetables and canned goods to members of the Tinian community. MP Tinian Correspondent Sofia Del Rosario reports.

Our team here at Atkins Kroll Saipan understands just how important it is to protect your vehicle before, during and after a storm. Listen in as our service technicians share three ways you can take care of your hybrid battery.

The Northern Marianas College held a ribbon cutting ceremony last Thursday for new modular classrooms, provided through FEMA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), following Super Typhoon Sinlaku. MP’s Samantha Manglona reports.

Press conference with the Governor on the FY2027 budget. Livestream brought to you by Docomo Pacific.

Prutehi Guahan prepares for historic Supreme Court hearing Thomas Manglona reports.

Nestled in the heart of Tinian's San Jose Village, directly across from the Tinian DPS Station, sits Khan's Pizza House. Its owner, chef Mahabub Khan, has been making pizzas for the island since the early 2000s. After moving to the Marianas in the mid-1990s, working as a pizza chef at the former Tinian Dynasty Hotel, and opening his own restaurant in 2015, Khan now carries more than 25 years of pizza-making experience, serving pizzas to the community. MP Correspondent Ismail Hossain sits down with Khan as he reflects on the hardships and growth he has experienced along the way.

ttorney general candidate Jonathan Robert “Robby” Glass Jr. is taking a different approach to campaigning—meeting voters over coffee while largely staying away from traditional campaign fundraisers and contributions. Glass, who is No. 3 on the ballot for attorney general, held a “Coffee with the Candidate” event last Oct. 5 at Cha Cafe in Garapan. His campaign did not accept money at the event, with attendees instead asked to support the local business by purchasing something from the cafe. “I think the thing that's unique is I'm not holding a lot of like campaign fundraisers,” Glass said. “I'm not trying to get a bunch of money in from the CNMI as part of my campaign, because part of my platform and what's very important to me is that I'm independent, right?” Glass said accepting campaign contributions can create expectations from donors and said he wants to avoid being beholden to anyone if elected.

A two-team delegation of U13 and U15 baseball players from the CNMI is seeking community support to compete in the Kalayaan Baseball International Open, set for Dec. 26-31, 2026, in the Philippines. The new travel baseball program is under Perfect Game Saipan Baseball Inc., which operates under the newly formed Asian Oceania Pacific Baseball and Softball Program. The tournament is expected to bring teams from throughout the Philippines, along with international teams from Japan, Korea, Palau, and Guam. For the CNMI program, the trip could also be the start of something bigger. Organizers hope to eventually bring international baseball tournaments to Saipan, giving local players more opportunities to compete while also helping promote sports tourism in the CNMI. But first, the teams need help getting to the Philippines. Organizers are reaching out to local businesses, community leaders, families and others in the community for support. In an interview with organizers at the Marianas Batting Alley this afternoon, they said the delegation is looking to raise about $40,000 to $50,000. There are no specific fundraising dates announced yet, but anyone interested in supporting the delegation can contact Kat Coldeen at (670) 483-0017. The teams can also be found practicing either at the Marianas Batting Alley during rainy days or at the Susupe baseball fields.

Welcome to this week's Docomo Pacific News Download—here is what made headlines over the past week.

Marianas Press is at the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, D.C. ahead of Prutehi Guåhan appearance for their case against the U.S. Air Force. Stay tuned for complete coverage this week as MP is granted access to cover the hearing inside the court. Coverage is in partnership with Our Common Wealth 670

Marianas Press speaks with the Rota Aga Project as they recovery from two super typhoons.

Delegate Kimberlyn King-Hinds says the CNMI’s lack of an unemployment insurance system and heightened federal concerns over fraud are among the reasons the Commonwealth’s long-awaited Disaster Unemployment Assistance program has yet to roll out. Speaking during the Society for Human Resource Management Northern Mariana Islands Chapter general membership meeting Wednesday, Oct. 1, at Pacific Islands Club Saipan, King-Hinds said the CNMI is essentially having to build a DUA administrative system from scratch. “And so, you know, there's been a lot of complaints about the delay in the rollout of DUA, but it is for those specific concerns that you've raised, right, that it has not been as fast as it could be,” King-Hinds said. “Because they're having to create a whole new program.” DUA provides temporary financial assistance to people whose employment or self-employment was lost or interrupted as a direct result of a federally declared disaster and who are not eligible for regular unemployment insurance. The program is funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, administered through the U.S. Department of Labor, and implemented locally. Benefits can generally be provided for up to 26 weeks.

Talk about irony. Utilities and the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. were the final topics before intermission at the Saipan Chamber of Commerce’s gubernatorial debate held last Oct. 1. Then, a little past 8pm, the power went pffft. The outage at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium forced the Chamber to postpone the remainder of the Oct. 1 debate featuring gubernatorial candidates Blas Jonathan “BJ” T. Attao, Republican Ralph DLG Torres, and Lawrence F. Camacho. It happened as Tropical Storm Choi-Wan bore down on the Northern Marianas. Chamber president Dr. Joshua Wise said the Chamber plans to continue the second half of the debate online at a future date after conferring with the three candidates. No date was immediately announced. The Chamber forum was the third gubernatorial debate of the 2026 general election campaign, following earlier debates organized by the Northern Marianas Descent Corp. and Marianas Press. Northern Marianas Humanities Council executive director Leo Pangelinan served as moderator. Some audience members commented afterward that it would have been even more ironic had the power gone out minutes earlier—while the three candidates were discussing CUC, power generation, renewable energy, utility costs and the CNMI’s aging infrastructure. Utilities and infrastructure were the final full topic before the scheduled 15-minute intermission.