William Hague, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Insular, International, and Ocean Affairs at the Department of the Interior, and Angel A. Demapan, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Insular and International Affairs, speak with Marianas Press during a tour of impacted areas on Saipan in the aftermath of Super Typhoon Sinlaku. Thomas Manglona II reports.

The ASPCA and Humane World for Animals are both on island to meet the needs of our animals in the Marianas. Thomas Manglona II speaks with representatives from both organizations to learn more about their efforts after Super Typhoon Sinlaku.

Significant damages sustained by Rota’s primary seaport, Thomas C. Mendiola Commercial Port has highlighted the resilience and perseverance of its people. Nearly two weeks after Super Typhoon Sinlaku devastated the Marianas, the island of Rota has been able to adapt and improvise, to ensure the return of some sense of normalcy. According to the island’s Commonwealth Ports Authority Manager Albert Taitano, “Typhoon Sinlaku has caused the concrete parking area in front of the CPA building to collapse, creating a big sinkhole, part of the revetment between berths 1 & 2 were washed away by the storm, and large amount of debris and large rocks are scattered within the facility.” In light of the current inoperable state of Rota’s commercial port, all shipments to and from the island have been diverted to its East Harbor. As stated by the Department of Finance’s Resident Director Avery Calvo, who also oversees Rota’s Customs and Biosecurity Division, “the Division has successfully transitioned commercial operations to the East Harbor. This Port of Entry is currently being utilized as the primary alternative for commercial stevedoring to ensure the uninterrupted flow of goods. The East Harbor is currently cleared to accommodate vessels up to 35 feet in length.” Calvo adds that despite having to relocate seaport operations, the Division maintains all biosecurity and security mandates in full effect. Meanwhile, Port Manager Taitano ensures that the Commercial Port is currently under assessment, “CPA is in the process of getting berths 1 and 2 assessed for structural integrity by a professional and independent engineering team and then will provide the USCG… [US Coast Guard]... with the assessment finding/report before it can resume delivery, loading, and off-loading operation of cargoes at both berths.” Despite the interruption of regular operations, community stakeholders remain committed to a seamless adjustment as Rota continues down its road to recovery. Read the full story by Joy Atalig on our website.

On April 11, 2026, at approximately 11:16 PM, DPS 911 Dispatch received a report of a Auto-Auto crash along Chalan Monsignor Guerrero Road in As Terlaje, near the Northern Marianas College (NMC) traffic signal light. Preliminary investigation revealed that a white Mitsubishi SUV was traveling westbound in the inner lane approaching the traffic signal. A charcoal gray Nissan sedan, traveling in the same direction and lane, failed to stop and collided with the rear of the SUV. Personnel from the Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services (DFEMS) responded to the scene. All occupants involved in the collision reported no serious injuries. Both vehicles sustained disabling damage and were removed from the scene by tow services. Responding DPS officers conducted an on-scene investigation. During the course of the investigation, officers attempted to process the operator of the Nissan sedan for suspected driving under the influence (DUI). The operator became uncooperative and combative. For the safety of the public and responding officers, the individual was taken into custody and transported for booking and detention. He is facing charges of Reckless Driving, Driving under the influence, and Refusal to submit to testing. The individual was identified as off-duty Police Officer I Jeremy Ngiraked, assigned to the Patrol Section. Officer Ngiraked has been employed with the Department of Public Safety since December 16, 2025. He has since been placed on administrative duty pending the outcome of court proceedings. The Department of Public Safety remains committed to transparency and accountability. All personnel are held to the highest standards of conduct, and appropriate actions will be taken in accordance with the law and departmental policies. (PR)

The U.S. Coast Guard and partners continue to search Sunday for missing crew members of the cargo vessel Mariana. Coast Guard aircrews and the crew of fast response cutter USCGC Oliver Henry (WPC 1140) are searching in the vicinity of the Northern Mariana Islands. Crews continue to search for the five missing crewmen and an orange 12-person life raft in the vicinity of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. So far, Coast Guard crews and partners involved have searched for more than 85 hours, covering over 127,900 square nautical miles, an area roughly the size of California. Additionally, Coast Guard and partner aircrews have conducted aerial searches of the following islands: Farallon de Pajaros Agrihan Pagan Alamagan Guguan Maug Islands Asuncion Sarigan Anatahan Zealandia Bank Anyone with information that may assist in search efforts should contact the Coast Guard on VHF-FM channel 16 or call the Joint Rescue Coordination Center Honolulu at 1-800-331-6176. Involved in the search: Joint Rescue Coordination Center Honolulu USCGC Frederick Hatch (WPC 1143), Coast Guard Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam, Apra Harbor, Guam USCGC Oliver Henry (WPC 1140), Coast Guard Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam, Apra Harbor, Guam U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point, Kapolei, Hawaii U.S. Air Force 31st Rescue Squadron, Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan U.S. Air Force 36th Airlift Squadron, Yokota Air Base, Tokyo U.S. Navy P-8A Poseidon airplane crew, Patrol Squadron 26 (VP-26), Commander, Task Force 72 (CTF-72) Japan Coast Guard Gulfstream V jet Japan Coast Guard patrol vessel Akitsushima (PLH-32), Yokohama, Japan Royal New Zealand Air Force P-8A Poseidon airplane crew, RNZAF Base Ohakea, New Zealand

Nearly 300 individuals have received critical medical treatments and services through the Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation (CHCC) Mobile Medical Clinic, an ongoing initiative launched in partnership with non-governmental organizations, including Team Rubicon and Samaritan’s Purse. ​ The outreach program, which initially began on April 20, first focused on providing aid at emergency shelters for individuals who had lost their homes to the recent typhoon. By April 22, medical teams broadened their operational scope, transitioning to a house-to-house strategy across the island’s villages. According to Heather Pangelinan, Director for Public Health Services, the shift in strategy is specifically designed to reach survivors who are either unable or reluctant to leave their damaged properties. “We understand that sometimes it’s hard to leave your homes or where you’re at because of the situation right now. We’re trying to bring these services to them, so it doesn’t become a challenge for them to access care. We want the community to know that we’re here for them,” Pangelinan said during an interview yesterday at a Mobile Medical Clinic in China Town. The initiative utilizes three primary mobile teams. Each unit is heavily equipped with a medical provider—either a physician or a nurse practitioner—alongside registered nurses, emergency medical technicians (EMTs), medics, behavioral health specialists, and a dedicated traveling pharmacy team. These specialized teams are treating a wide variety of post-typhoon medical needs, ranging from the management of chronic conditions to acute, disaster-related injuries. Team Rubicon, which has been on the ground assisting since the first day of the outreach, is scheduled to help with operations through May 3. The door-to-door outreach is expected to continue at least through next weekend, with teams adjusting their daily strategies based on identified community needs. Residents can track the daily locations of the Mobile Health Clinic through announcements posted the night before on the CHCC’s official social media platforms.

By Landon Aydlett, Warning Coordination Meteorologist, Weather Forecast Office (WFO) Guam: A Tale of Two Models: Which do you believe? And which do you share on social media? (Preferably neither) For over a week now, I’ve received many anxious calls and messages, on a daily basis, concerned about “the next storm” that is expected to hit on May 2…may 4….or May 6….may 9?? Or may 11. Or May 7. And the graphics are there to go along with the fear. Look at the first two images- 2 different model forecasts, both set for early morning on May 6. One has a tropical storm/typhoon sitting over saipan at that time. The other has….well, trade winds. Which do you believe and take as pure fact, at TEN DAYS out? Hopefully neither. But which do you think is going viral on social media and in WhatsApp chat groups? I can give you one guess. At 10 days out - the amount of uncertainty in a single model forecast is HUGE. This long range (long range being anything, really, beyond 5 days) forecast is subject to a significant amount of change. And there’s been a lot of change. Just in the last few days, the variations of these outlooks ranged from 0 to 3 tropical cyclones ranging from everywhere between May 2 and May 12, with hits to Guam, saipan, the Philippine Sea, or none of the above. A scenario several days ago had something forming in Chuuk and spinning up TODAY near Yap. But what is near yap right now? A ton of sun. These long range model threats and spin-ups are things we’ve seen in the weather business for years. These things we don’t propagate to the public due to the high uncertainty and the lack of credible concerns that far out. However, the ease of weather info and models to everybody everywhere all the time puts this Information at anyone’s finger tips. Yes, a great, and visual tool; but one the user must know how to interpret and use. Read the full column on our website.

The U.S. Coast Guard and partners continue to search for missing crew members of the cargo vessel Mariana. So far, Coast Guard crews and partners involved have searched for more than 85 hours, covering over 127,900 square nautical miles. These searches included overflights of remote islands in the vicinity of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. The family and friends of the missing crew members and the communities affected by this incident continue to be in our thoughts and hearts. 📸 U.S. Coast Guard Airsta Barbers Point

At the community vigil held on Saipan, April 24, the names of those on board the Mariana were shared: Landon Delos Reyes Mohammed A. Rahaman Jose L. Ramirez Chet R. Brochon Vincent B. Agulto Capt. Frederick L. Nosek Jr. The identity of the one crew member whose body was found has not been disclosed by authorities. The search for the five missing crew members continues. Watch the full vigil on Marianas Press’ Facebook page and YouTube channel.

Sharing the following message from the CNMI Joint Information Center: 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 If you were impacted by Typhoon Sinlaku, you may be eligible for FEMA assistance. Apply today: 🌐DisasterAssistance.gov 📱FEMA App 📞(671) 735-1050 or (800) 621-3362 – Standard long-distance rates may apply. It only takes a few minutes. Don’t wait—start your recovery today.

BREAKING: U.S. President Donald Trump has approved the CNMI’s major disaster declaration request. According to U.S. Del. Kimberlyn King-Hinds, CNMI Gov. David Apatang’s request includes: Individual Assistance, Public Assistance, including direct federal assistance, and Hazard Mitigation for the entire Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, including Saipan, Tinian, Rota, and the Northern Islands. The Governor further requested a 100 percent federal cost share for debris removal and emergency protective measures (Categories A and B), including direct federal assistance under the Public Assistance program. This is a developing story on Marianas Press.

We learn about the Disability Network CNMI Typhoon Support group as they aim to learn about disability and access needs after Typhoon Sinlaku. Eileen Babauta, CNMI University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Program Director, speaks with Thomas Manglona II. Coverage brought to you by Docomo Pacific.

Commissioner of Education Dr. Lawrence Camacho provides an update on staff returning to campus, potential plans for students to return, and the outlook for graduations and promotions — all amid recovery efforts. Thomas Manglona reports. Coverage brought to you by Docomo Pacific.

The Department of Public Works is preparing a debris recovery site in As Gonno to receive the massive volume of waste left by Super Typhoon Sinlaku. The Typhoon Sinlaku - As Gonno Temporary Debris Waste Disposal Site will open April 28th, at 10:00 AM and close at 5:00pm to receive Green Waste. DPW Secretary Ray N. Yumul said the As Gonno site—officially called the As Gonno Debris Recovery Facility—will serve as a central staging area, split into two adjacent sections: one dedicated to green waste and another for man-made debris such as appliances, metals, and construction materials. “So the reason why this site was picked was because of the fact that we’ve actually used this in the past,” Yumul said, citing its use after previous storms including Super Typhoon Yutu.

Water testing is underway across Saipan and Tinian to ensure that what residents are drinking remains safe in the aftermath of Super Typhoon Sinlaku, with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency focusing on high-risk distribution points such as shelters, nonprofits, and restaurants. Water Emergency Team incident commander Karl Banks said EPA teams are working alongside local partners to sample water supplies islandwide, particularly where the public is most reliant on shared sources. “Our role with the federal government is to support the efforts that [the Bureau of Environmental and Coastal Quality], [Commonwealth Utilities Corp.], and [Environmental Health Disease Prevention] are undertaking to assure that the CUC system is operational and can restore service, that the water vendors are serving water that’s safe to drink, that restaurants who store drinking water are serving water that’s safe to drink, the shelters is a big part of this because we want to make sure that the water being served at the shelters is safe to drink,” Banks said. He added that testing extends to temporary and nonprofit-run distribution sites.