House Convenes Special Session Friday on BIRTH Act, Sinlaku Recovery, 902 Oversight
SAIPAN – The House of Representatives of the 24th Northern Marianas Commonwealth Legislature will convene the first day of its second special session Friday, May 22, at 10 a.m. in the House Chamber, with an agenda that includes the introduction of a new tourism-harms bill, multiple Super Typhoon Sinlaku recovery measures and a push to include legislative leadership in Section 902 consultations.
Babauta Calls FAC Increase Illegal Under Sinlaku Price Freeze
SAIPAN – Senator Celina R. Babauta is calling on the governor, utility regulators and legal authorities to reverse what she says is an illegal Fuel Adjustment Charge increase, alleging that the Commonwealth Public Utilities Commission and the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation violated an active executive order price freeze when CPUC voted Friday to lift the cap on the FAC.
Board of Education to Take Up Reopening, Disaster Recovery, Budget Wednesday
SAIPAN – The 19th CNMI State Board of Education will hold a special meeting Wednesday, May 20, at 10 a.m. at the PSS Disaster Program Office in Puerto Rico, with an agenda spanning the proposed Fiscal Year 2027 budget, school reopening and graduation plans, disaster recovery and a personnel matter to be taken up in executive session.
CUC Suspends Water Service to Parts of San Vicente Tuesday for Tank Recovery
SAIPAN – The Commonwealth Utilities Corporation will suspend water service to portions of San Vicente from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, May 19, to allow the Papago Water Tank to regain normal distribution levels, the utility said in a public advisory.
Aldan Introduces Fair Billing Practices Act to Limit Surprise Back Bills
SAIPAN – Representative Vincent R. “Kobre” Aldan has introduced HB 24-59, the CNMI Fair Billing Practices Act, a measure he says is intended to protect Commonwealth consumers from unfair retroactive billing while preserving the lawful right of service providers to recover valid unpaid charges.
Tuesday Forecast: Partly Cloudy, Gusty Afternoon Winds and High Rip Current Risk
SAIPAN – Partly cloudy skies with isolated showers are expected across the Marianas on Tuesday, with east winds of 15 to 20 mph and afternoon gusts to 30 mph, the National Weather Service in Tiyan, Guam said in its 6 a.m. zone forecast.
GPA Preparing Additional Power Poles for Shipment to Saipan, Tinian
HAGÅTÑA, Guam – The Guam Power Authority is preparing concrete power poles and other materials for shipment to the CNMI to support post-Super Typhoon Sinlaku recovery efforts on Saipan and Tinian, GPA said Monday.
JIC: 485 Temporary Tents Installed Across CNMI, Saipan Power at 98%, Tinian Still Dark
SAIPAN – The CNMI Joint Information Center reported Monday that 485 temporary tents and 45 temporary roofs have been installed across the islands through the federal S.T.R.O.N.G. mission, with 98% of Saipan’s primary power lines now energized while all of Tinian’s electrical feeders remain offline more than a month after Super Typhoon Sinlaku.