CUC warns of temporary sewer odor in Sadog Tasi, Puerto Rico on March 2
Saipan —Residents in the Sadog Tasi and Puerto Rico areas may notice odor Monday afternoon as the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation activates equipment at the Sadog Tasi Wastewater Treatment Plant.
S&P raises Guam GO debt rating to BB, assigns positive outlook
Saipan — S&P Global Ratings has raised Guam’s long-term rating on its general obligation debt one notch to BB from BB-, citing continued positive operating performance and the designation of rainy day reserves, while assigning the territory a positive outlook that signals the possibility of another upgrade within the next two years.
Guam Labor tells employers to post new pregnancy accommodation signage within 90 days
Hagåtña, Guam — The Guam Department of Labor is reminding employers that new signage tied to the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act must be posted in workplaces within 90 days now that the law’s rules and regulations have been signed into public law.
Labor reminds CNMI employers of notice rules for layoffs, closures
Saipan — The CNMI Department of Labor is reminding employers that businesses planning a reduction in force or closure must provide advance written notice both to the department and to affected employees under Commonwealth labor regulations.
PIC Saipan to close for month-long repairs, plans in place since November
Saipan — Pacific Islands Club Saipan will temporarily close from March 31 through April 30 for maintenance and repair work, with plans to reopen on May 1 after a month-long round of property upgrades.
Apatang formally reinstates Epi Cabrera, says termination was without effect
Saipan — Governor David M. Apatang has formally reinstated Office of Grants Management Administrator Epiphanio E. Cabrera Jr., issuing a memorandum Friday declaring that the earlier termination letter signed during Acting Governor Dennis C. Mendiola’s tenure was legally ineffective.
Apatang says he will seek way to restore Macaranas, Cabrera after acting governor defends firings
Saipan — Governor David Mundo Apatang said Friday he was “very, very much surprised” and “very, very disappointed” by the firings of former Department of Public Safety Commissioner Anthony Macaranas and Grants Management Director Epiphanio “Epi” Cabrera, and said he will try to find a constitutional way to return both men to their positions after Acting Governor Dennis C. Mendiola publicly defended the removals earlier in the week.
Tenorio tells federal officials Guam opposes accelerated undersea mining plans in the Marianas
Hagåtña, Guam — Acting Governor Joshua F. Tenorio said Thursday that Guam strongly opposes proposals to accelerate permitting for undersea mineral exploration in waters surrounding the Marianas, telling visiting federal officials the island is not interested in serving as a test case for rushed policy decisions.
CNMI innovator Samantha Salamon launches The Matcha Edit in Saipan
Saipan — Samantha Salamon, a member of the first cohort of the CNMI Innovation Incubator Program, has launched The Matcha Edit, a premium matcha drink business in Saipan that blends her background as a local photographer with a new focus on high-quality matcha crafted for the community.
Mendiola defends Cabrera, Macaranas firings after days of questions, says complaints and leadership concerns drove move
Saipan — Lieutenant Governor Dennis C. Mendiola, who was serving as acting governor during Governor David M. Apatang’s off-island absence, sat down with NMI News Service on Wednesday and offered his first extended public explanation for the removals of Epiphanio “Epi” Cabrera and former Department of Public Safety Commissioner Anthony Macaranas, saying the decisions were driven by complaints, unresolved issues, and leadership concerns.
