AGP Executive Report

CNMI Utilities Crisis: Commonwealth Utilities Corp. is weighing borrowing after Typhoon Sinlaku left it with depleting cash and fuel reserves, warning the territory could face cascading failures across power, water, wastewater, communications and public safety unless lawmakers step in. CFO Betty Terlaje told the CUC board that the utility has already racked up $18.3 million in disaster costs in 37 days, with recovery expenses expected to hit $75 million or more in the next 90 days, and said only $14.5 million is unrestricted—already tied up in bills—while the rest is restricted to grants, ARPA projects, deposits and other obligations. Disaster Relief Update: NMIRF says eligible borrowers and debtors on Saipan, Tinian and Rota get an automatic three-month loan payment deferment for June–August, with guidance to pause AutoPay and payroll deductions. FEMA Back Online: FEMA’s processing center is fully operational again, and federal disaster assistance applications are being processed normally.

Memorial Day homecoming: A WWII Marine identified after 80 years is finally back in the U.S.—Pfc. Helmut Fred Behlert, killed in the 1944 Saipan invasion, was confirmed through DNA testing and will be buried with full honors in San Bruno, giving his 94-year-old niece Ruth Green the closure she’s waited a lifetime for. CNMI-relevant policy: A U.S. Forest Service research facility in Hilo—serving Hawai‘i, Guam, CNMI and more—faces possible shutdown, prompting a new congressional resolution urging lawmakers to protect the Pacific Islands Forestry Institute. Local watch: If you’re planning summer beach time, RNLI lifeguards are set to start daily patrols on Norfolk beaches soon, expanding coverage later in the season. Elsewhere: The U.S. deep-sea mining push is accelerating as regulators fast-track permits and more companies line up—while critics warn key questions remain unanswered.

Deep-Sea Mining Push: A year after Trump’s order to build a deep-sea mining industry, at least nine companies are in talks for seabed access and regulators are racing to fast-track permits—though major questions about processing, costs, and real-world payoff remain. CNMI Ties to Federal Research: A congressional resolution backed by Hawai‘i lawmakers and CNMI’s Delegate Kimberlyn King-Hinds is spotlighting the threatened U.S. Forest Service Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry in Hilo, which supports research across Hawai‘i, Guam, CNMI and more. WWII Homecoming: A Utah Marine killed in the 1944 Saipan invasion has been identified after decades, with remains returned for burial in California. Local Safety Watch: RNLI lifeguards in Norfolk will start daily beach patrols May 23, expanding coverage in July. CNMI Courts Update: Final sentencing has been handed down in the Aloha Shriners bingo fraud case tied to diverted fundraising proceeds.

Shriners Bingo Sentencing: Federal prosecutors say the last defendants were sentenced in the Aloha Shriners bingo scheme, where Guam Shrine Club operators allegedly diverted and laundered about $10.75 million meant for Shriners Hospital for Children travel—Jose Arthur D. Chan Jr. got 60 months, Christine C. Chan 70 months, and fugitive Michael L. Marasigan was sentenced in absentia to 262 months. Disaster Response Tech: The FCC voted to streamline its Disaster Information Reporting System, replacing multiple manual fields with a simpler form to cut “red tape” so providers can focus on restoring service. CNMI/Region Context: In the wider Pacific, a transnational crime summit in Fiji is pushing coordinated action against illicit drugs, after major regional seizures. Sports & Culture: Rota’s soccer team advanced after a late equalizer and comeback win, while the USS Nimitz marked a milestone as the Navy’s longest-serving carrier.

CNMI Water Recovery: Saipan is at about 90% 24-hour service, but CUC crews say leaks and even previously unknown lines on private property are still slowing full restoration—especially in the north and southeast. Local Governance: Governor David Apatang has approved emergency funding bills using poker fee collections for disaster recovery on Saipan, Tinian and Rota after Sinlaku. Courts & Corruption: The District Court approved a consent judgment ordering forfeiture of more than $108,000 tied to an alleged money-laundering and bribery scheme involving efforts to influence CNMI officials on behalf of Imperial Pacific International. Community Life: Rotary youth groups kept the New Generations Day spirit going with a pickleball tournament at Capital Hill. Pacific Security: Fiji and AFP police leaders launched a Pacific Transnational Crime Summit in Fiji to target illicit drug trafficking across the region.

Pacific Security Push: Fiji Police Force and the AFP have launched a Pacific Transnational Crime Summit in Fiji to hit illicit drug trafficking, with leaders calling for new strategies as 17 tonnes of drugs—mostly cocaine—have been seized in the region since January. CNMI Disaster Response: Saipan is at about 90% 24-hour water service, but CUC crews say undocumented lines and leaks are still being found, especially in the north and southeast. Local Funding Moves: Gov. David Apatang has approved emergency funding bills using poker fee collections for Saipan, Tinian and Rota to support Sinlaku recovery. Court Update: A CNMI district court approved a consent judgment ordering forfeiture of more than $108,000 tied to an alleged money-laundering and bribery scheme involving Imperial Pacific International. Community & Sports: Rotary’s New Generations Day pickleball tournament drew youth players, and Rocball is set for a major international showcase at the South Asian Games in Nepal next month.

CNMI Water Recovery: Saipan is at about 90% of 24-hour service, but CUC crews say leaks and even previously undocumented lines on private property are still being found as they push coverage toward the north and southeast. Emergency Funding: Gov. David Apatang has approved emergency poker-fee bills for Saipan ($500,000), Tinian ($156,000) and Rota ($80,000) to support Sinlaku recovery and disaster response. Court Update: A federal consent judgment orders forfeiture of more than $108,000 tied to an alleged money-laundering and bribery scheme involving Imperial Pacific International. Power Costs: CUC’s fuel surcharge jump could leave CNMI facing some of the highest electricity prices in U.S. territories as diesel costs rise. Maritime/Regional Spotlight: A world champion sailor, Maggie Adamson, has started work as an inter-island ferry deckhand, highlighting Women in Maritime Day. Elsewhere: London’s transport unions are still in a strike fight, with Tube and bus walkouts planned around May 19–22.

Overtime & BBC Strike Fallout: The U.S. Department of Labor moved to restore the pre-2024 overtime exemption rules after court action, while in London BBC Newshour/World Tonight staff walked out over roster changes that they say add extra work without extra pay. CNMI Water Watch: Saipan is at about 90% 24-hour water service, but CUC crews keep finding leaks and even previously undocumented lines, especially in the north and southeast. Local Relief Funding: Gov. David Apatang approved emergency funding for Sinlaku recovery—$500,000 for Saipan, $156,000 for Tinian, and $80,000 for Rota—using poker fee collections. Court Moves in Money-Laundering Case: A federal consent judgment ordered forfeiture of more than $108,000 tied to alleged bribery efforts involving Imperial Pacific International. Community Sports & Culture: Youth pickleball returned after Sinlaku, and Saipan’s Rocball is set for a major international debut at the South Asian Games in Nepal.

Rota–Gibraltar Military Push: A conservative U.S. think tank is urging Washington to pull back from the U.S. base in Rota and shift operations to Gibraltar, arguing Gibraltar is a better fit for U.S. logistics and diplomacy—while pointing to Spain’s earlier refusal to allow Rota’s use in the Iran conflict. Local Water Update: Saipan’s 24/7 water service is up to about 90%, but CUC crews say undocumented lines and leaks still keep parts of the north and southeast from fully stabilizing. Sinlaku Relief Funding: Gov. David Apatang has approved emergency local funding for Saipan, Tinian and Rota using poker-fee collections. Court Moves in IPI Case: A CNMI federal court approved forfeiture and ordered the return of remaining funds in a money-laundering case tied to Imperial Pacific International. Community After the Storm: Rotary’s New Generations Day pickleball tournament returned youth to the courts after Sinlaku, and Rocball is set to expand to the South Asian Games in Nepal. Power Costs Warning: CNMI faces rising electricity prices as CUC’s fuel surcharge jumps amid diesel price pressures linked to the Middle East conflict.

Typhoon Recovery Roof Help: The STRONG Roof Program is now taking registrations for eligible Sinlaku-damaged homes—contact your Mayor’s Office, complete a Right of Entry form, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will assess eligibility for a free temporary metal roof (Saipan 670-234-6208; Tinian 670-433-1802/1828; Rota 670-532-9451/9452). Power Costs Shock: CNMI residents are bracing for the highest electricity prices in U.S. territories after CUC’s fuel surcharge jumped from 24.5 to 44.489 cents per kWh, tied to diesel price spikes from the Middle East conflict. Water Restoration Reality Check: CUC crews say they’re still finding new leaks and previously unknown lines during restoration work, with about 90% of Saipan now on 24-hour water service. Regional Connections: PGRSC adds new institutional members, including Melbourne’s The Spatial Distillery Co., as Pacific geospatial groups push shared tools for adaptation. Sports Spotlight: NMI’s Addalee Taflinger is set for her Oceania debut in the Women’s 800 today in Darwin.

Catholic Church in the Marianas: Archbishop Ryan P. Jimenez is hosting visiting bishops and Oceania Catholic leaders on Guam for an FCBCO executive committee meeting May 18–20, with an islandwide Mass Tuesday at 6 p.m. at Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral-Basilica in Hagatña. Disaster recovery money still pending: Guam’s power utility says it’s still waiting on about $34.484 million in FEMA Mawar claims, with no payment received as of April 15, 2026. Water safety push after typhoons: The U.S. EPA has finished drinking-water and wastewater assessment work in CNMI and Guam after Sinlaku, shifting the next steps back to local partners. Local infrastructure: CNMI has formalized plans to build a fully underground, climate-hardened fiber network using BEAD funding. Ongoing restoration on Saipan: CUC crews say they’re finding previously unknown pipes and leaks as they work toward full water restoration. Elsewhere: Tube drivers in London are set for two 24-hour strikes May 19 and May 21.

Water Recovery Wrap-Up: The U.S. EPA says it has finished its drinking-water and wastewater assessment mission in CNMI and Guam after Super Typhoon Sinlaku, with work now shifting back to local partners—EPA teams sampled public systems and vendors on Saipan, Rota, and Tinian to help restore safe water. Ongoing Power & Water Repairs: On Saipan, CUC crews say they’re still finding previously unknown pipes, private service lines, and fresh leaks as they push toward full restoration, estimating about 90% of Saipan now has 24-hour water service. Pacific Security Talk: Island leaders and security experts on Guam spent days mapping out what Beijing–Washington brinkmanship could mean locally, with the message that Micronesia is now central to great-power competition. CNMI Broadband Rebuild: CNMI formalized plans to build a fully underground, climate-hardened fiber network end-to-end across the Commonwealth using BEAD funding. Local Community Notes: Saipan’s Rotary hosted a New Generations Day pickleball tournament, while dog-walking volunteer drives continue in the region.

Typhoon Sinlaku Recovery: CUC crews say they’re still finding previously unknown pipes, private-property service lines, and fresh leaks as they push toward full water restoration on Saipan, with extra staff reassigned to water operations and an islandwide leak-detection sweep moving south. FEMA Funding Watch: CUC has filed its first big FEMA reimbursement package—$75 million for the first 90 days—while board members warn oversight must improve to avoid losing federal money. Broadband Rebuild: The CNMI and IT&E signed a $53M deal to build a fully underground, climate-hardened fiber network under BEAD, aiming to connect about 10,000 unserved and underserved locations across Saipan, Tinian, and Rota. Rota Shelter Support: USACE and partners have begun installing STRONG temporary roofs, with more expected as recovery work continues.

Water Restoration Watch: CUC crews say they’re still finding previously undocumented pipes, private service lines, and fresh leaks as they push Saipan toward full recovery, with extra staff reassigned to water operations and about 90% of the island now getting 24-hour service. Broadband Rebuild: The CNMI and IT&E have signed a $53M BEAD-funded deal to build a fully underground, end-to-end fiber network—aimed at connecting about 10,000 unserved and underserved locations across Saipan, Tinian, and Rota. Typhoon Recovery Push: FEMA reimbursement is moving too—CUC filed its first big package, $75M for the first 90 days—while USACE and partners keep installing emergency power and temporary STRONG roofs. Community Life: Rotary’s New Generations Day pickleball tournament brought people together for a rare break from storm recovery. Identity & Culture: A Guam Museum HITA Talk tackles CHamoru identity, DNA, and what stories still need to be told.

Underground internet push: CNMI has formalized plans for a fully underground, climate-hardened fiber network reaching every resident, business, and key community site—aimed at breaking the “rebuild the same way again” cycle after Super Typhoon Sinlaku. Typhoon recovery, power and roofs: FEMA reimbursement work is moving ahead for CUC, while USACE says it has installed its 100th emergency generator across Saipan, Tinian and Rota and launched the first STRONG temporary roofs to protect storm-damaged homes. Local resilience in action: The CNMI and IT&E also signed a $53M BEAD-funded fiber deal, underscoring how communications failures during the storm are driving the rebuild. Federal labor update: The U.S. Department of Labor restored the 2019 overtime salary threshold after courts vacated the Biden-era rule—an important change for employers. Community spotlight: Saipan relief efforts continue, including a teen distributing typhoon supplies donated by ABC 10News viewers.

Typhoon Sinlaku Recovery: USACE has kicked off its Temporary Roofing Mission (STRONG Roof), installing the first tin roof covers in Saipan and Tinian to help eligible homeowners stay in their houses while permanent repairs are planned. Power Restoration: USACE also hit a major milestone, installing its 100th emergency generator across Saipan, Tinian and Rota as FEMA and CNMI partners prioritize life-saving sites first. Money and Aid: FEMA has approved $5.5 million in Individual Assistance for Sinlaku survivors, with 1,670 applications approved so far, and the Survivor Recovery Center in Susupe is expanding to daily hours starting Monday. Next Big Upgrade: The CNMI and IT&E signed a $53 million BEAD-funded deal to build a fully underground fiber-optic network—aimed at preventing the communications blackouts residents faced during the storm. Local Life: A Saipan teen is distributing typhoon relief supplies after a donation drive sparked by an earlier TV story.