Deep-Sea Mining Watch: The U.S. Marine Mineral Administration proposed auctioning deep-sea mining leases for about 69 million acres off the Northern Mariana Islands and Guam, drawing “extreme caution” from Gov. David Apatang and renewed calls for rigorous baseline studies and marine protections. Local Education & Resilience: Northern Marianas College’s Class of 2026 highlighted Tinian students’ achievements at commencement, including a Tinian student earning a leadership distinguished award after Super Typhoon Sinlaku disrupted island life. Library, Literacy & Indigenous Stories: Joeten-Kiyu Public Library won a $200,000 IMLS grant to plan a family literacy program that preserves Marianas Indigenous storytelling. Health Workforce Pipeline: Rota and Saipan students completed nurse assistant training despite typhoons, graduating from the Public School System program and underscoring local healthcare staffing needs. CNMI Economy & Budgets: Gubernatorial candidates laid out competing plans for healthcare, education, workforce development, and the CNMI’s economic reset amid revenue pressure and military buildup debates. Pacific Energy Costs: A new UNSW report says fossil fuel imports cost Pacific nations 10–25% of GDP and argues renewables could cut spending by about $700 million a year—relevant as the region weighs climate and energy security. Ocean Science Expedition: Ocean Exploration Trust’s Nautilus team launched a 31-day survey of Wake Atoll’s biodiversity, geology, and WWII shipwrecks, aiming to fill major mapping gaps in remote U.S. Pacific waters.