Sheila Babauta urges extension, public hearings as CNMI faces deep-sea mining comment deadline

SAIPAN – Sheila Babauta of Friends of the Mariana Trench told Good Morning Marianas that federal officials should extend the public comment period and hold public hearings in the CNMI following a Bureau of Ocean Energy Management request for information related to deep-sea mining.
Happy Thanksgiving, Marianas!

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at NMI News Service.
Christmas Village lighting postponed to Dec. 5 to allow state funeral preparations

SAIPAN — The Governor’s Office has postponed this year’s Christmas Village Lighting Event to allow time to prepare the Multi-Purpose Building for the State Funeral of former Lieutenant Governor Diego T. Benavente.
Guam and CNMI delegates seek 120-day extension on deep sea mining comment period

Washington, D.C. – Guam Del. James C. Moylan and CNMI Del. Kimberlyn King-Hinds are calling on the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) to give island residents more time to respond to a federal notice on potential deep sea mining between Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands.
Community Conversation on Deep Sea Mining in the CNMI set for Dec. 3

SAIPAN – Northern Marianas College will host a community conversation on “Deep Sea Mining in the CNMI” on Wednesday, Dec. 3, at the American Memorial Park Indoor Theater from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Op-Ed: Promises, Accountability, and the Question PSS Still Hasn’t Answered

Op-Ed: Promises, Accountability, and the Question PSS Still Hasn’t Answered
Friends of the Mariana Trench Call for Public Hearings on Deep Sea Mining RFI

SAIPAN — Friends of the Mariana Trench is calling for public hearings and an extension of the federal comment period in response to a new Request for Information and Interest (RFI) published by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) regarding potential deep sea mineral leasing in waters near the Mariana Trench.
Marianas maritime mapping work to continue despite BOEM grant cancellation

SAIPAN — Organizers of the Marianas Maritime Heritage Mapping Project say key parts of the effort will move forward despite the recent cancellation of federal grant funding from the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM).
Registration opens for 2026 Rota Marathon

SAIPAN — Are you ready for a “Far From Ordinary” run to kick off the new year? Registration is now open for runners and walkers to “run through ancient mysteries and island beauty” in the 2026 Rota Marathon.
Star Marianas Air moving Saipan operations to new Commuter Terminal on Nov. 23

SAIPANI — Star Marianas Air has announced that its Saipan operations will move to the new Commuter Terminal effective Sunday, November 23, 2025, and is advising passengers that all flights and customer services will be handled from the new facility starting that day.