Mahtani: IPI casino saga part of ‘transnational’ organized crime web
SAIPAN — Washington Post reporter Shibani Mahtani said her reporting on Imperial Pacific International and the stalled Saipan casino project points to a complex, cross-border network involving corporate “smoke and mirrors,” financing ties extending into Japan, and questions about whether the project’s new backers can deliver on promises to restart the casino.
Villagomez criticizes rushed comment timeline for deep-sea mining process near Marianas
SAIPAN — Angelo Villagomez, a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress, said a federal deep-sea mining push affecting waters tied to the Marianas is moving on a timeline that leaves the community little room to respond, with a public comment deadline falling on Monday.
CUC schedules water service interruption for portions of Papago on January 15
SAIPAN — The Commonwealth Utilities Corporation has scheduled a water service interruption for portions of Papago on Thursday, January 15, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., to allow a contractor to connect a new waterline as part of the Tangan-Tangan Drive Waterline Replacement Project.
CUC: Water service interruption for As Lito on Jan. 15 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
SAIPAN — The Commonwealth Utilities Corporation has scheduled a water service interruption for As Lito on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., to allow crews to repair a possible leak.
$50 paid interview study recruiting Chamorro and Carolinian adults in the Marianas
SAIPAN — Chelsea King, a doctoral student at Harvard University, is recruiting participants for her dissertation research and will conduct two-hour virtual interviews focused on Chamorro and Carolinian identity and life in the Marianas.
Rota SBDC to host no-cost federal contracting training January 13–14
ROTA — The Rota Small Business Development Center will host a no-cost Federal Contracting Training on January 13-14 at the Northern Marianas College Rota Center Computer Lab, with identical sessions offered both days.
The training is designed to help local businesses navigate SAM.gov registration and understand federal contracting requirements, including how to register properly, maintain compliance, and troubleshoot common issues.
SBDC said the training will also help businesses prepare for an Industry Day on January 29, where federal contracting opportunities will be highlighted. Each day includes a group session from 9-11am and one-on-one support from 12:30-2pm.
CNMI runners Nash Santos and Nathania Tan compete at 2026 World Athletics Cross Country Championships in Florida
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Northern Marianas Athletics sent a small team to the 2026 World Athletics Cross Country Championships at Apalachee Regional Park in Tallahassee, Florida, with U20 runner Victor Nash Santos and Open Women’s 10K competitor Nathania Tan representing the CNMI.
“Play ball!” MVA opens new pitchers’ bullpen at Oleai Sports Complex in Saipan
SAIPAN — The Marianas Visitors Authority marked the opening of a new pitchers’ bullpen at the Oleai Sports Complex in Saipan, with Lieutenant Governor Dennis Mendiola throwing out the ceremonial first pitch.
Dodgers’ Kim Hye-seong to join Korea WBC training camp in Saipan
(Yonhap) Los Angeles Dodgers utility player Kim Hye-seong will join the Korean national team in training camp in Saipan ahead of the World Baseball Classic (WBC), sources said Tuesday.
Mount Carmel School selects USCG Cmdr. Christine Torres Igisomar to chart the course as next president
SAIPAN — Mount Carmel School’s Board of Directors has selected Christine Torres Igisomar, a 2002 AlumKnight and U.S. Coast Guard commander, as the school’s incoming president. She is expected to take over in August 2026, at the start of the 2026–2027 school year, following her retirement after 24 years of active-duty service.
