CNMI Power Funding Push: The House unanimously passed HB 24-107 to let the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation secure up to $40 million in emergency credit for restoration, stabilization, and fuel after Super Typhoons Sinlaku and Bavi; it now heads to the Senate, after lawmakers previously moved an amended CUC borrowing measure (HB 24-88). Tinian Power Update: CUC reported power restored to 923 Tinian customers as of July 16, with remaining outages tied to transmission/distribution parts, transformers, and damaged poles—plus generator/solar safety reminders for residents. Governor’s Vetoes: Gov. David Apatang vetoed emergency funding bills for Tinian and Rota after the AG said the appropriations conflict with the Covenant Fund law, setting up another fight over how disaster money can be spent. Visa Politics in Washington: A U.S. Senate debate focused on the CNMI visa program, with Sen. Rick Scott seeking to end visa-free travel for Chinese nationals to the CNMI and Sen. Martin Heinrich warning it could hurt the islands’ economy. Deep-Sea Mining Pressure: The Trump administration advanced a deep-sea mining lease sale plan for American Samoa, drawing renewed Pacific Indigenous opposition and highlighting how federal rules limit formal input to the American Samoa governor. Recovery and Relief: Rotary Club of Saipan is preparing to ship up to $11,000 in hygiene and cleaning supplies to Bavi-hit Rota (with additional support for Tinian, Saipan, and NMC’s School of Nursing), while CEDA announced a three-month loan payment deferral for eligible clients to ease cash-flow strain. Local Governance & Economy: The Saipan Chamber flagged CW-1 processing delays (about four to nine months) as a growing workforce planning risk for employers. Sports: NMI Basketball Federation elected a new board after a typhoon-related postponement, and Saipan Baseball League began tryouts for an NMI Junior National U12 team.