Students from Rota, Saipan, and Tinian high schools took center stage last Dec. 6 as they presented their final capstone business projects during the CNMI Public School System’s 2025 Business Academy Capstone Presentation and Recognition Ceremony at the Aqua Resort Club. The event highlighted months of intensive training in entrepreneurship, marketing, financial literacy, and leadership—skills students showcased through polished and professional business pitches.

Calls for a review of the Covenant agreement between the CNMI and the United States echoed through the House of Representatives during its Dec. 5, 2025, session on Capitol Hill. The Covenant, which established the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in political union with the United States, created a self-governing U.S. commonwealth and outlines the CNMI’s unique political relationship with the federal government. Rep. Angelo A. Camacho said the changing economic landscape and shifting community needs demand a fresh look at the agreement.

Office of the Governor and Lt. Governor’s Christmas Village at the Gov. Pedro Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center lighting ceremony.

Enjoy free flowing beer and wine at The Terrace at Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan with a delicious buffet! Call (670) 234-6412 or visit them at saipan.crowneplaza.com.

Hey, it’s Chrystal with Marianas Press! Come join me for a reporter’s day in the life, brought to you by Atkins Kroll Saipan, in the 2026 Toyota Corolla SE. The ride is smooth, reliable, and while it does go fast, it reminds me to slow down, especially when I get too excited chasing the next story. Watch to learn more and visit AK Saipan today!

The CNMI Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network is proud to announce the official dates for the 2026 CNMI Industry Day, returning this January in partnership with the Northern Marianas College, the Pacific Air Force (PACAF), and the Commonwealth Bureau of Military Affairs (CBMA). This marks the second consecutive year that CNMI SBDC will host Industry Day—an encore made possible by the overwhelming success and strong turnout of last year’s event. The enthusiastic participation from local businesses, federal partners, and military representatives demonstrated just how vital Industry Day has become to the CNMI’s economic and procurement landscape. This year’s event will take place on all three islands: Saipan — January 27, 2026 Tinian — January 28, 2026 Rota — January 29, 2026 Venue locations will be announced soon. Industry Day has quickly grown into one of the Commonwealth’s most impactful business events, serving as a bridge between federal contracting opportunities and the local small business community. Attendees gain valuable insight into upcoming projects, connect directly with Department of Defense partners and other agencies, and learn how to position their businesses to compete effectively for government contracts. Read the full Press Release on our website.

Rather than protect the Marianas from tsunamis, both the Mariana Trench and the Saipan Lagoon reef actually intensify seismic waves, according to Dr. Kwok Fai Cheung, a distinguished professor of ocean and resources engineering at the University of Hawaii. “The Mariana Trench kind of makes a tsunami more severe for the islands because the tsunami is generated near the deeper part of the trench. As a tsunami propagates toward the island, the energy gets compressed, and the wave height increases,” Cheung told the media during a Tsunami Information Presentation last Dec. 5 at the CNMI Homeland Security and Emergency Management Emergency Operations Center on Capitol Hill. Cheung, accompanied by Chip Guard of Tropical Weather Sciences, said that if a strong earthquake—magnitude 8.3 or higher—occurs near the trench, a tsunami up to 50 feet high could strike Saipan, Tinian, Rota, and the Northern Islands. For residents living in coastal areas, Cheung noted that Saipan’s west coast—the tourist hub of Garapan and the school-lined stretch along Beach Road—could be more susceptible to inundation. “On the east side, because of the cliffs and higher elevation, you might have some protection. But on the west side, the slope is more gentle and flat. A tsunami would reach the area within maybe 10-15 minutes,” he said. Both Cheung and Guard stressed that if a strong local earthquake occurs, residents must act immediately. Read the complete report on our website.

The House of Representatives has approved a bill aimed at averting the imminent termination of retiree health insurance coverage under the Commonwealth’s Group Health & Life Insurance Program. House Bill 24-75 passed with a unanimous 19-0 vote last Dec. 6 and authorizes the continued payment of employer premiums by allowing the expenditure of $3,747,585 in FY2025 revenues recently identified by Gov. David M. Apatang and appropriated by the Legislature for Fiscal Year 2026.

Scientists, traditional navigators, teachers, lawmakers, and ocean advocates packed the American Memorial Park indoor auditorium last Dec. 3 for the Northern Marianas College-Cooperative Research, Extension, and Education Services and the CNMI Green Growth Initiative’s “Community Conversations: Deep Sea Mining in the CNMI” forum. For three hours, panelists and residents dissected what is at stake as the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management weighs potential leasing blocks inside the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone—an area roughly 128 miles off Saipan where federal jurisdiction overrides local control. And if there was one theme throughout the night, it was uncertainty—scientific, economic, cultural, and political. NMC Natural Resource Management Program coordinator and instructor Kelsey McLennan delivered the clearest warning—almost nothing is known about the ecosystems the U.S. is proposing to open for exploration. Read the full story by Mark Rabago on our website.

Governor David M. Apatang administered the Oath of Office to five newly appointed members of several key boards and commissions on December 1, 2025, reaffirming the administration’s commitment to strengthening government services through active and timely appointments. The following individuals were officially sworn in: • Ramon M. Dela Cruz – Board Member, Community and Economic Development Authority (CEDA) Board of Directors • Theodore R. Parker – Member, Healthcare Professions Licensing Board • Dr. Tiffany Lyn Willis – Member, Healthcare Professions Licensing Board • Mark O. Rabauliman – Member, Commonwealth Election Commission • Elsie Tilipao-Rebuenog – Member, Commonwealth Election Commission Governor Apatang congratulated each appointee and emphasized the importance of their roles in ensuring efficient, accountable, and service-driven governance across the Commonwealth. Read the full press release on our website.

Marianas Press presents “Micronesia Moment.” In this new series, we dig into the archives at the Northern Marianas College to share moments from Micronesia’s history. Take a look at a page from the “Micronesian Reporter” in January-February 1960. Want to learn more? Contact CNMI Archivist Raymond M. Muña at raymond.muna@marianas.edu and (670) 237-6883. Visit the Marianas Press website for the latest headlines from across the region.

On Wednesday, December 3rd, 2025 the Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services, Hazmat Team and members of the U.S. Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal (E.O.D.) Detachment (Det.) Marianas were able to successfully dispose of Unexploded Ordinances (UXO) that were found from multiple sites around Saipan. The detonation took place at DFEMS’ undisclosed location. If you spot a UXO or think that you may have seen one, please do not hesitate to call 911 and give details that will help us locate the UXO. (PRESS RELEASE)

Micronesia Resort Inc. is spending $2.6 million to operate exclusive charter flights from Incheon and Busan to Saipan via T'way Airlines and Air Busan from Jan. 2 to Feb. 28, 2026, to capture the peak winter travel season in South Korea. MRI vice president Dennis Seo said E-Land Group properties on Saipan are not the only hotels set to benefit from the charter flights. “Through these charter flights, all hotels on Saipan can benefit by promoting and selling their products. Although the charters are arranged and guaranteed by E-Land Micronesia, participation is open to every hotel on the island,” he told Marianas Press in a statement. Hotels under MRI’s purview in the CNMI include Kensington Hotel Saipan, Pacific Islands Club Saipan, and Coral Ocean Resort Saipan. Seo added that the initiative represents a significant contribution by the E-Land Group to support tourism recovery and stimulate the local economy and business community. “The purpose of this charter project is to strengthen the overall Marianas tourism industry by enabling all hotels and travel partners to jointly target the Busan regional market and share the opportunities that come with it,” he said. The charter flights will operate twice weekly from both Incheon and Busan. The Incheon–Saipan route runs on Mondays and Fridays from Jan. 2 to Feb. 27 via T'way Airlines, while the Busan–Saipan route departs on Wednesdays and Saturdays from Jan. 7 to Feb. 28 via Air Busan. Read the full report by Mark Rabago on our website.

Hafa Adai and Tirow sports fans, this is Leigh Gases with this week’s Sports Leigh-Out brought to you by Joeten Motors! Let’s take a closer look at what our athletes have been up to in off-island competitions and on their home turf—whether it’s on the pitch, mat, courts, fields, track, pools, or the beautiful ocean. THIS WEEK: -More than just competition: CNMI off to Taiwan for debut in World Indigenous Games -“Swim in the Marianas” hosts 48 from China -NMI U15 Baseball Team sweeps Guam, settles for 2nd in WBSC Qualifier -Trench Tech bags 13 medals in Japan -Smash Cancer Pickleball Fundraiser raises $6,192.51 -MCS, TMS notch wins in girls v-ball Be sure to watch until the end to see what’s coming up in our local sports scene, and don’t forget to get out there and cheer on our athletes! Read the full story on our website and stay tuned for the latest news and headlines in the region. #cnmi #marianas #sports #leighout #recap #highlights #sportsleighout

More than just competition: CNMI off to Taiwan for debut in World Indigenous Games The CNMI is set to make its historic debut at the 2025 World Indigenous Traditional Games in Taiwan from Dec. 6-16, and they’re showing up not just to compete, but to represent their island culture and exchange indigenous traditions. The event is more than just competition–it’s a weaving together of indigenous cultures–and the CNMI team made up of people of indigenous descent will be sharing pieces of the Marianas through traditional games, dance, and music. The games are hosted and funded by Taiwan, with 11 countries and hundreds of athletes partaking in competition and cultural exchange. For the traditional sports and games portion of the event, the CNMI is fielding a young team–most of whom have competed in the recent Palau Pacific Mini Games–Derek Rangamar, Lia Rangamar, Antonette Labausa, Kaya Rasa, Erik Basa, Miles Borja, Maria Quitugua, Mayiah Duenas, Jenisha Dubrall, Lincoln Manibusan, and Gregory Iginoef are taking part in some of the games including traditional archery, log sawing, traditional wrestling, net casting, traditional canoe race, traditional road racing, and freediving sprint. Rasa, three-time gold medalist weightlifter in the 2024 Micronesian Games, said, “I’m feeling super excited. I’m super stoked to head down there and represent the CNMI.” She is competing in archery, free diving sprint, and road racing with the team that has been training since June. “We’ve been very consistent, we’ve all been working really hard, so we’re looking forward to going down there and giving it all we got.” The CNMI is also sending a group of dancers for the traditional music and dance portion of the event. They are composed of Glenn Ruben, Gregory Iginoef, Benusto Lisua, Tyler Fitial, Brian Ruben, Jack Ruben, Michael Olaitiman Jr., Ian Kaniki, Luis Tilipao (band), Frankie Limes (band), and Vincent Limes (band). Read the full story by Leigh Gases on our website.