THE WEEK IN THE MARIANAS — April 6-11, 2026
It was a week that began with diplomacy, economic advocacy and community news, and ended with the Marianas staring down a potential Category 4 typhoon.
CUC: Rumors That Power and Water Will Be Shut Off Are False
SAIPAN — The Commonwealth Utilities Corporation issued a rumor control advisory Saturday evening, directly refuting circulating claims that power and water services will be deliberately shut off within the next 24 to 48 hours.
VFW Post 3457 to Host Dos de Mayo Chili Cookoff on May 2
SAIPAN — VFW Post 3457 is hosting a Dos de Mayo Chili Cookoff on Friday, May 2, starting at 6 p.m., with 10 competitor slots available for anyone who wants to bring their best pot.
STAR Marianas Air Suspending All Operations at Noon Sunday Due to Typhoon Sinlaku
SAIPAN — STAR Marianas Air announced Saturday it will suspend all operations starting at noon Sunday, April 12, due to the approach of Typhoon Sinlaku, with service expected to resume April 15 pending a post-storm safety assessment.
CUC Urges Residents to Store Water Now as Typhoon Sinlaku Approaches
SAIPAN — The Commonwealth Utilities Corporation issued a public advisory Saturday afternoon urging residents of Saipan, Tinian and Rota to fill water containers, bathtubs and tanks immediately in anticipation of water service interruptions as Typhoon Sinlaku approaches.
Apatang Signs Price Freeze Order; Raising Prices During Typhoon Sinlaku Emergency Is Now a Felony
SAIPAN — Governor David M. Apatang signed Executive Order No. 2026-005 Saturday, declaring a price freeze on all goods and housing rentals effective immediately as Typhoon Sinlaku approaches the Marianas.
Apatang Declares State of Significant Emergency for CNMI as Typhoon Sinlaku Threatens Category 3 or 4 Landfall
SAIPAN — Governor David M. Apatang signed Executive Order No. 2026-004 Saturday, declaring a State of Significant Emergency for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and activating the State Emergency Operations Plan as Typhoon Sinlaku approaches on a forecast track toward all populated CNMI islands.
U.S. Coast Guard Warns Sinlaku Could Reach Typhoon Strength by Saturday; Ports Closing Across Marianas
SANTA RITA, Guam — The U.S. Coast Guard is warning that Tropical Storm Sinlaku could reach typhoon strength by Saturday and make a very close approach to Guam Monday night into Tuesday, as port conditions across all four ports in the Marianas begin to close and the public is urged to take protective action now.
Aldan Presents Billing Transparency Chart at CUC Board Meeting, Warns Opacity Enables Hidden Cost Recovery
SAIPAN — Rep. Vincent R. Aldan brought a plain-language public transparency chart to Thursday’s Commonwealth Utilities Corporation Board of Directors meeting, walking the board through a detailed breakdown of how opaque utility billing creates conditions for unverifiable and potentially unjustified cost recovery.
PSS Postpones All Weekend Activities Due to Invest 90W
SAIPAN — The CNMI Public School System has postponed all PSS-sanctioned weekend activities until further notice, citing the approaching tropical disturbance Invest 90W and a heavy weather briefing held Thursday afternoon.
