BREAKING: Governor Seeks $3.9M Emergency Budget to Keep November NAP Benefits Flowing Amid Federal Shutdown
SAIPAN — Governor David M. Apatang has asked the Legislature to authorize an emergency $3.9 million appropriation from the FY 2026 Revised General Fund to cover November 2025 Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP/NAP) benefits after the federal shutdown suspended November funding. The request—sent to Senate President Karl King-Nabors and House Speaker Edmund S. Villagomez—follows USDA-FNS notifications on Oct. 10 and Oct. 22 confirming the halt, putting thousands of CNMI households at risk.
Marianas Logs 7,266 Visitors in Sept. 2025; FY25 Arrivals Down 32% as Air Seats Remain Scarce
SAIPAN — Visitor arrivals to the CNMI totaled 7,266 in September, down 50% from 14,555 a year ago, the Marianas Visitors Authority said. For the fiscal year ending September, arrivals reached 160,640, a 32% drop from 237,498 in FY24. MVA cited continued constraints in air service, with annual seat capacity sliding from about 760,000 in FY2018 to 250,000 in FY2025 (-67%), including steep reductions from Korea and the ongoing lack of direct flights from mainland China.
CNMI Seeks DoD No-Cost Labor for School Repairs; Public Can Comment Within 30 Days
SAIPAN — The CNMI Government plans to request no-cost labor assistance from the U.S. Department of Defense’s Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) program, working through Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 133 (NMCB-133), to complete little-to-no-cost minor repairs at Public School System (PSS) facilities across Saipan, according to the Bureau of Military Affairs. The initiative aims to accelerate basic upkeep and safety fixes while budgets remain tight.
CHCC: CNMI Monitoring Whooping Cough After Guam Case; No Local Cases Reported
SAIPAN — The Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation is monitoring for pertussis (whooping cough) in the CNMI after Guam confirmed a case on Oct. 13. As of Oct. 22, there are no confirmed pertussis cases in the CNMI, CHCC said
CNMI DOL: Employers Must File 2025 Census of Employment by Oct. 31; About 2,400 Businesses Still Outstanding
SAIPAN — The CNMI Department of Labor is reminding all government, autonomous agencies, nonprofits, and private businesses to submit 2025 Census of Employment (COE) data by Thursday, Oct. 31. DOL says roughly 2,400 businesses have not filed and warns that missing the deadline may lead to follow-up enforcement actions and denial of Good Standing Certifications.
Low-Flying Military Jets Over Saipan Today
Friday Between 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.; Officials Say Routine Training, No Cause for Alarm
SAIPAN — Up to eight fighter jets and one support aircraft will conduct a low approach over Saipan International Airport on Friday, Oct. 24, 2025, between 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., according to the Office of the Governor and Lieutenant Governor. The flyover is part of a scheduled overwater training coordinated by Joint Region Marianas and Joint Task Force – Micronesia. Aircraft will remain in full communication with Guam Air Traffic Control and the Saipan Control Tower, and officials emphasized there are no safety or airspace concerns tied to the operation.
CNMI NAP: No November Benefits Amid U.S. Government Funding Lapse; EBT Card Pick-Up Still On Schedule
SAIPAN — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service (USDA-FNS) has clarified that no CNMI Nutrition Assistance Program (NAP) benefits are to be issued in November 2025 if the federal funding lapse persists, aligning the Commonwealth with nationwide SNAP guidance. The directive stems from an Oct. 10, 2025 USDA-FNS notice on “SNAP Benefit and Administrative Expense Update for November 2025,” following the Oct. 1 shutdown that halted routine issuances.
