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Apatang: Departments to clean up villages every other Monday afternoon Read the full story on our website.

The Commonwealth Ports Authority board unanimously voted to rescind its application to reinstate Annex VI of the U.S.-China Civil Air Transport Agreement, citing its potential interference with ongoing Section 902 negotiations. All five board members present—chair Bartley A. Jackson, vice chair Antonio B. Cabrera, secretary Carline B. Sablan, treasurer Eusebio M. Manglona, and member Dolores P. Kiyoshi—approved the motion during a special board meeting held last March 31 at meeting room 1 of the Francisco C. Ada-Saipan International Airport. Sablan and Kiyoshi attended the meeting online. The rescindment stemmed from a request made by the 902 talks working group, with Delegate Kimberlyn King-Hinds in agreement, amid concerns that the pending application was complicating federal discussions tied to the CNMI’s political covenant. Jackson laid out the rationale early in the meeting.

Following Philippine Airlines’ request to include the Philippines in the CNMI’s Economic Vitality and Security Travel Authorization Program, Delegate Kimberlyn King-Hinds said efforts are underway in Washington, D.C., to expand the program. King-Hinds, speaking after the March 30 relaunch of the Manila-Saipan route at Francisco C. Ada-Saipan International Airport, said expanding EVS-TAP remains central to reviving the CNMI economy. “Any way to be able to allow the free flow of tourists to come into the CNMI is, I support,” she said, noting that a proposal to include the Philippines had already been submitted and remains under discussion with the Department of Homeland Security and elevated to the White House. “I’ve been very firm on my position that we need this economy to get back going. And the only way we do that is we get more customers into the CNMI. And so the ease of travel is very critical to that,” she added. The push comes as EVS-TAP faces renewed scrutiny in the nation’s capital. In early March, 34 House Republicans sent a letter urging the administration to terminate or restrict the program, while senators including Rick Scott, Jim Banks, and Markwayne Mullin have cited concerns over national security, alleged birth tourism, and potential exploitation of visa-free entry. King-Hinds said much of the opposition is rooted in misperceptions.

Welcome to our new segment in collaboration with Island Training Solutions: ITS Time! Our series will help both individuals seeking employment, advancement, and skills development, and provide management with some tips to help develop staff into long-term staff. Today's topic: Emotional Intelligence. Watch to learn more.

The voices of student interns set the tone as they reflected on months of hands-on experience, mentorship, and personal growth during the Saipan Chamber of Commerce’s Career Pathways Internship Program end-of-commitment ceremony held last March 21 at Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan. “Being able to step into this kind of real-world experience is something I will always treasure,” said intern Destynee Aguon, who completed a six-month placement at PHI Pharmacy and was later hired part-time. “You’ve given us a chance to see what careers we’re interested in and what they’re really like. That’s a gift I’ll never forget.” Aguon credited mentors and industry partners for creating a sense of belonging. “From the very beginning, many of us felt like we were part of your teams and not just students passing through,” she said. “That trust and sense of belonging meant so much.”

Submissions rule black belt matches of Ballroom Blitz The 2026 Trench Tech Ballroom Blitz Grappler’s Gala was a night where class met gera, with fighters from the CNMI, Guam, Korea, and the U.S. taking the spotlight on stage in a hotel setting—the Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan—on Saturday, Mar. 28, for the first time in about a decade. To end the night with a bang, the final showdowns featured three black belt fights, all of which treated the audience to heart-stopping submissions. There were no judges and points in this event, as organizers from Trench Tech wanted grapplers to give and leave their all on the mats. It was submission or nothing. In the last match of the night, South Korea’s Shin Jiseop and CNMI’s Clinton “Sapinho” Dela Cruz gave the audience their money’s worth as both worked to get the advantage. Dela Cruz, in front of his home crowd, tried to take down Shin, but they went through a series of scrambles before Jiseop secured a rare dogbar, forcing the tap at 8:09 in the match that was set for 10 minutes. Before that, in light heavyweight, DJ “Kimura Kid” Jackson wasted no time, quickly taking control and locking in a kimura—true to his moniker, on Kim Min Seong just 1:05 into the match—a common submission, but the quick finish made it stand out. The first black belt fight of the night featured Park Do Hyun in the middleweight division, and he worked through a back-and-forth battle before catching an opening and finishing Tyrone “Busy Bones” Jones with a kneebar at 6:44. The event also featured an open belt hybrid division, where different belts matched up and took on the mats. Guam’s Sage Garcia submitted CNMI’s Jason Atrero via rear-naked choke at 2:49; Saipan native Roman “The Sonic Boom” Alvarez submitted Guam’s Sean Mendiola via kimura at 3:51; and in the heavyweight superfight, Guam’s Roque Martinez defeated CNMI’s Kier “The Radical Kid” Agda via head and arm choke at 1:22. The only other submission was in the white belt division as James Garcia defeated Bonnie “The Hitman” Sagana via armbar at 4:32. Read the full story by Leigh Gases on our website.

(DPS PR) On Monday, March 30, 2026, at approximately 1:41 p.m., DPS-Rota Dispatch received a report of a 51-year-old male fisherman who was found unresponsive on the reef south of Poña Point Pavilion. The 911 caller informed dispatch that cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was being administered at the scene. Personnel from the Department of Public Safety (DPS) and emergency responders from the Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services (DFEMS) responded immediately. DPS deployed Zodiac 3 (emergency response boat) from East Harbor at approximately 2:16 p.m., while detectives arrived at Poña Point Pavilion to provide additional assistance on the ground. The victim was recovered from the reef at approximately 2:25 p.m. and transported via Zodiac 3 to East Harbor, with CPR efforts ongoing during transit. Upon arrival, the victim was transferred to the Rota Health Center. At approximately 2:48 p.m., the attending physician pronounced the victim dead on arrival. The investigation remains ongoing. Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.

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Philippine Airlines is looking ahead to the expansion of the CNMI’s Economic Vitality and Security Travel Authorization Program even as it marked the return of its Manila-Saipan route with a ribbon-cutting ceremony in the early morning of March 30 at the Francisco C. Ada-Saipan International Airport. PAL Express vice president for ground operations Matthew Tamaray said the Philippine flag carrier sees potential growth tied to easier entry for Filipino travelers. “We had an engaging discussion with our partners here on Saipan about extending CNMI Economic Vitality and Security Travel Authorization Program for Filipinos,” Tamaray said, noting that travelers from the Philippines are increasingly choosing destinations with visa-free or streamlined access. “Filipino travelers are expanding their reach… to ASEAN… Taiwan, Korea, and Japan where visa processing is streamlined.” Tamaray described the relaunch of the route as more than just an added flight.

Ronghui Market and its sister business, Fu Bang Restaurant, are shutting down not because of a slowing CNMI economy, but due to a “wrong way” issue—literally—after the Department of Public Works ordered the removal of structures encroaching on a public right-of-way. The businesses, which have operated along Beach Road for over three decades, will close March 31, according to store manager Mercy Xu. “DPW said this building was built on a public road. Since last year, we tried to renew our certificate of compliance, but the officer told us we cannot,” she said. Xu said the development caught them off guard, especially given the property’s long history. “This building has been here more than 30 years. I’m really surprised because we talked to the owner, and they said there was a land exchange back in 2010,” she said. “But when I asked DPW, they told me they’re still processing these cases.” A DPW notice issued March 22, 2024, identified “multiple permanent building structures…encroaching onto Public Right-of-Way easement” along an 8-foot-wide access road in Chalan Kanoa. The agency said it had conducted extensive investigations and determined that removing the encroachments was the only viable solution to restore access and ensure safety for adjacent properties. “The Public Right-of-Way is required to be cleared…providing the adjacent private properties access with safety in mind,” the notice stated, adding that unresolved encroachments could encourage further intrusion onto public land. DPW also recommended full demolition and reconstruction of affected structures to meet building and zoning requirements, noting that partial removal may compromise structural integrity. For Ronghui Market, the order effectively meant closing shop. “We’re closing, and everything is 50% off until March 31,” Xu said. “If there’s something left over, we will give it to our neighbors—free gift.”

The Joeten-Kiyu Public Library (JKPL) proudly announces that Library Director Erlinda C. Naputi has been selected as a national 250 Public Service Champion, an honor awarded by the National Academy of Public Administration in partnership with LocalGov250. According to the national announcement, the 250 Champions Initiative recognizes outstanding public servants across the United States and its territories who exemplify excellence, dedication, and impact in their communities. Honorees were selected from hundreds of nominations representing all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Library Director Naputi’s selection highlights her exceptional leadership and unwavering commitment to advancing library services, literacy, and community engagement throughout the Northern Mariana Islands. Under her leadership, JKPL has strengthened access to information, expanded outreach services, and supported lifelong learning for residents of all ages. This recognition is not only a personal achievement for Library Director Naputi, but a tremendous honor for the entire Northern Marianas community. It reflects the dedication of our public servants and the vital role libraries play in strengthening our islands. “There are many leaders working in government across the country who are deserving of recognition, and this year marks an especially important time for our country to honor them. These 250 Champions are truly special and make a difference in our everyday lives,” said James-Christian Blockwood, President & CEO of the National Academy of Public Administration. “We look forward to celebrating all of them, and hope this inspires future public servants and the American people.” The 250 Public Service Champions will be formally recognized at a national event held in Philadelphia in May 2026, ahead of the ICMA National Conference. Read the full national press release here https://napawash.org/press.../250-public-service-champions.

Local farmers and business owners availed of the Pacific Collaborative Food Safety Training held on Rota this past Friday, at Puesto Grill. A collaborative effort led by Dr. David Stone of Oregon State University brought forth farm-to-table topics focused on food production safety. Through a partnership with the Northern Marianas College Cooperative Research, Extension, and Education Services (NMC CREES), the coalition of four presenters from Oregon State University, University of Hawaii at Manoa, and the University of Idaho shared an enriching and informative food safety presentation to local farmers, business owners, and various community partners. Dr. Stone shared with MP that it is through a 3-year grant funding from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture Department that his program has been able to educate farmers and producers throughout the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, The Federated States of Micronesia, Palau, Hawaii, American Samoa and Guam. Dr. Stone highlights the rich Rota soil that necessitates programs and training like these, in order to ensure the island’s bountiful agricultural products are safe for consumption. Dr. Stone added that he is seeking a renewal of grant funding in order to continue the coalition’s collaboration and networking across the islands. According to Emilie Kirk of UH Manoa, Rota was the coalition’s second island-stop in the Marianas, after a brief presentation in Guam, as they continued on to host a training on Saipan the following day. Kirk adds that they base their presentation on FDA regulations, specifically the Food Safety Modernization Act, focusing on “Agricultural Water, which is water we use at the farms for irrigation, as well as post harvest and cleaning and sanitizing water.” Additionally, they covered safe sanitizing processes, basic chemical and pesticide safety, compost and animal based fertilizers and how to manage and use them safely, as well as the basics of food safety for small scale processors.