BPD Signs $81M BEAD Sub-Grant; Underground Fiber Coming to Every CNMI Address
SAIPAN – The Commonwealth has executed the sub-grant agreement for its $81 million federal Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment award, locking in an end-to-end underground fiber buildout to nearly 10,000 homes and businesses across Saipan, Tinian and Rota, Broadband Policy and Development Office Special Assistant Glen Hunter said Tuesday on Good Morning Marianas.
‘Today Is Not Ceremonial’: Glen Hunter’s Full Remarks at the BEAD Signing
CNMI Broadband Policy and Development Office Special Assistant Glen Hunter delivered the following prepared remarks Wednesday at the signing of the BEAD Program Subgrant Agreement at the governor’s office on Capitol Hill. The agreement commits more than $31 million in federal Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment funds, matched by nearly $22 million in private investment from IT&E, toward a four-year project to build a fully underground, climate-hardened fiber optic network reaching every home, business and community anchor institution across Saipan, Tinian and Rota. Hunter’s remarks are reproduced in full below.
IT&E Signs $53 Million BEAD Deal to Build Underground Fiber to Every CNMI Home
SAIPAN – The CNMI took a major step toward closing its digital divide Wednesday as Governor David M. Apatang, the Broadband Policy and Development Office and IT&E signed the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment subgrant agreement at the governor’s office on Capitol Hill.
Apatang Authorizes Compensatory Leave for Excepted Service Workers During Sinlaku Response
SAIPAN — Governor David M. Apatang authorized compensatory administrative leave with pay for excepted service employees who worked during the Super Typhoon Sinlaku administrative leave period from April 13 through May 8, in a memorandum dated May 8.
Apatang Renews State of Significant Emergency for 30 More Days
SAIPAN — Governor David M. Apatang on Monday signed Executive Order 2026-006 renewing the Commonwealth’s State of Significant Emergency for an additional 30 days as Sinlaku recovery operations continue.
High Rip Current Risk in Effect Through Thursday Afternoon Across Marianas
SAIPAN — A high rip current risk is in effect for east-facing reefs of the Marianas through Thursday afternoon, the CNMI Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management said in a special marine advisory Monday evening.
Day 22 Recovery Digest: What Happened Across the Marianas Monday
SAIPAN — Day 22 of Sinlaku recovery brought a wave of developments across the Marianas Monday, from a murder arrest in Garapan to extended administrative leave, ongoing fire response, port disruptions and continued community-led relief.
Week in Review: CUC Accountability, Tourism Strain, and the Shadow of Iran
The week that began March 29 and closed April 4 was defined by three converging threads: a sustained public push for accountability at the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation, a tourism sector showing new signs of strain, and the ripple effects of the U.S. conflict with Iran reaching island families through fuel prices and aviation disruption.
BOEM Recommends Doubling Deep-Sea Mining Area Around CNMI to 69 Million Acres
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management has recommended moving forward with deep-sea mining leases covering approximately 69.1 million acres of ocean surrounding the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, nearly double the area originally proposed in November 2025.
Mendiola announces he will not seek election in November, cites pending court matter
SAIPAN — Lieutenant Governor Dennis James C. Mendiola announced Monday that he will not seek any candidacy in the November 2026 election, citing the need to focus on defending himself in a matter pending before the Superior Court while continuing to fulfill his duties in office.