Defense & Guam/ CNMI posture: A defense analyst says the U.S. should shift more forces away from China/Taiwan and toward Guam and the “second island chain” to lower war risk. Local utilities finance: A CNMI conference committee recessed over constitutional two-subject concerns and security-deposit collateral in a CUC emergency loan line-of-credit measure. Deep-sea mining fight: Groups and CNMI’s own delegate are pushing back on federal Marianas lease steps, with lawsuits challenging the plan and calls for a 50% revenue share for territories. Elections & governance: Delegate Kimberlyn King-Hinds and challenger Galvin Deleon Guerrero traded competing plans at the Saipan Chamber debate, while AG candidates faced questions on prosecutorial independence, contracts, mining, and restoring public trust. Workforce & visas: GAO warns CNMI’s workforce is shrinking but foreign workers still fill about one-third of jobs, as the CW-1 program ends after 2029; separately, the U.S. H-2B cap for early 2027 is reached. Disaster recovery: Rota residents have a deadline today for USACE temporary roofing registration tied to Super Typhoon Bavi. Public safety: Acting Gov. King-Nabors nominated DPS commissioner pick Aniceto Ogumoro for Senate confirmation. Economy pressures: Diesel prices jumped again, and lawmakers are still debating how to fund enforcement like litter control. Sports & community: PSS volleyball and baseball seasons kicked off, and CNMI athletes won medals at the Pickleball World Cup in Vietnam.