Deep-Sea Mining Legal Fight: Conservation and community groups, including CNMI organizations, sued the federal government to block or challenge the planned Marianas deep-sea mining lease sale, arguing the National Marine Fisheries Service wrongly concluded the deal won’t harm endangered species and critical habitat; Delegate & Policy Push: CNMI Delegate Kimberlyn King-Hinds introduced the Pacific Minerals Economic Security Act (PACMESA) to require 50% revenue sharing for Pacific territories and add stronger bonding, environmental safeguards, and local consultation; Local Governance & Appointments: Acting Gov. Karl King-Nabors formally nominated Aniceto T. Ogumoro to be CNMI Department of Public Safety commissioner, sending the nomination to the Senate for advice and consent; Public Safety & Federal Enforcement: Federal authorities announced arrests of five men in a coordinated online undercover operation targeting attempted enticement of a minor, including an active-duty Navy service member; Courts & Accountability: The NMI federal court dismissed without prejudice a former garment worker’s complaint against former attorneys for failure to prosecute, while another case saw a $20,000 wage-and-hour settlement approved; Disaster Recovery: Rota residents face a 5 p.m. deadline today to register for the temporary roofing program tied to Super Typhoon Bavi, with FEMA registration still open; Government Operations: Gov. Apatang transferred the CNMI Invasive Species Program to the Department of Finance’s Division of Customs and Biosecurity to consolidate prevention and response; Economy & Costs: Diesel prices rose again in the Marianas after a prior fuel hike, following global oil price increases; Elections & Debate: The Saipan Chamber of Commerce hosted the 2026 delegate debate, where King-Hinds defended her first-term record and Deleon Guerrero called for a political reset.