Patriot Games Spotlight: Saipan International School junior Addalee Taflinger, 16, is set to represent CNMI at the inaugural 2026 Patriot Games Aug. 9-11 in Ohio, competing in a mix of sports and leadership-style challenges. Birth Tourism Push: The CNMI House unanimously passed H.B. 24-105 to curb compensated commercial birth tourism, with business leaders warning it threatens EVS-TAP and the Guam-CNMI visa waiver program. Court Closes Sinlaku Crew Case: CNMI Superior Court declared three missing M/V Mariana crew members presumed dead, ending months of uncertainty for families after Super Typhoon Sinlaku. Local Justice & Records: CNMI DOL says it can’t provide historical umbrella permit records because LIIDS is permanently inoperable and older files were destroyed. Energy & Bills: CUC announced an August fuel adjustment charge increase of $0.01624 per kWh due to higher fuel prices. Power Recovery Update: Gov. David Apatang says Saipan power is improving but Tinian remains “bad,” with Rota still without power as damage assessments continue. Disaster Response Tech: FlyGuys and TerraFort say drone-and-AI assessments cut post-Sinlaku damage documentation to about 10 days. Federal Politics: Trump nominated Gretchen Shappert to be U.S. attorney for Guam and CNMI; separately, the U.S. House passed a defense bill with CNMI measures including a Saipan geothermal study and expanded service academy slots. Election/Politics: Independent candidate Galvin S. Deleon Guerrero filed for CNMI delegate; Saipan Chamber is gearing up for a lieutenant governor candidates forum.