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.
‘Let This Be the Last Time’: King-Hinds and Demapan Deliver Unflinching Remarks at Child Abuse Prevention Proclamation
SAIPAN — Governor David M. Apatang signed a proclamation Tuesday declaring April Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Awareness Month at a ceremony hosted by the Division of Youth Services at Marianas High School. But it was the remarks delivered by Congresswoman Kimberlyn King-Hinds and Assistant Attorney General Frances Demapan that left the room still.
Pentagon Acknowledges CNMI Economic Crisis, Stops Short of Commitments in Response to King-Hinds
SAIPAN — The assistant secretary of war for Indo-Pacific security affairs has responded to Congresswoman Kimberlyn King-Hinds’ January letter urging federal action on the CNMI’s economic crisis, acknowledging the Commonwealth’s fiscal strain and its strategic value to the United States but stopping short of any specific commitments.
Governor Apatang Welcomes Philippine Airlines Back to Saipan at Inaugural Flight Send-Off
SAIPAN — Governor David M. Apatang joined community and government leaders early Monday morning for a send-off ceremony marking the official return of Philippine Airlines service between Saipan and Manila.
King-Hinds Urges USCIS to Fix EAD Renewal Crisis That Could Sideline 10 Percent of CNMI Workforce
SAIPAN — Congresswoman Kimberlyn King-Hinds has written to the director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services warning that processing failures in the renewal of Employment Authorization Documents for CNMI Long-Term Residents could affect as many as 10 percent of the Commonwealth’s workforce in the coming months.
King-Hinds Opens 2026 Congressional Art Competition With Covenant Anniversary Theme
SAIPAN — Congresswoman Kimberlyn King-Hinds has announced the 2026 Congressional Art Competition for high school students in the Northern Mariana Islands, with submissions due April 17.
King-Hinds Urges CNMI Residents to Comment on Proposed Federal Critical Habitat Rule
SAIPAN — Congresswoman Kimberlyn King-Hinds is calling on CNMI residents, landowners and businesses to submit public comments on a sweeping proposed federal rule that would designate nearly 60,000 acres of critical habitat for 22 endangered and threatened species across the Marianas, warning that the designation could affect the timeline and cost of federally funded projects on local and private lands.
King-Hinds Marks Covenant’s 50th Anniversary on House Floor
WASHINGTON — Congresswoman Kimberlyn King-Hinds took to the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives today to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Covenant to Establish a Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in Political Union with the United States of America, enacted on March 24, 1976.
The Covenant at 50: How the Northern Mariana Islands Became a U.S. Commonwealth
SAIPAN — As the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands marks the 50th anniversary of the Covenant this year, it is worth revisiting the document that defines the islands’ unique relationship with the United States and continues to shape nearly every major policy debate in the region.
The Marianas Had a Lot to Say This Week
It was one of the busiest news weeks in recent memory for the Commonwealth, with federal policy, economic development, military affairs, politics and community all competing for the front page.
