Deep-Sea Mining & Local Control: Gov. David Apatang says he won’t ask the U.S. Interior Department to pause the Marianas deep-sea mining lease sale before the Oct. 19 deadline, pointing instead to formal public comments and ongoing lawsuits. Energy Costs & Business Pressure: Diesel prices jumped to nearly $8 a gallon, with knock-on effects expected for fuel adjustment charges and higher power bills—hitting contractors and CNMI businesses that rely on diesel. Tourism & Travel Demand: A new push in Congress would expand the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program to include the Philippines and other countries, with projections of about 25,000 arrivals to Guam and roughly $11M in visitor spending. Education Funding Crunch: Acting PSS Commissioner Jacqueline Che outlined a plan to restore a five-day school week by Oct. 1 using “Promise” initiatives while navigating the PSS’s deepest deficit in 30 years. Government Workforce Rules: The Civil Service Commission advanced proposed furlough rule updates, adding safeguards like documented fiscal triggers, critical-position screening, and guaranteed notice and recall rights. OFW Impact: Seven distressed overseas Filipino workers were repatriated from Saipan after the island’s economic downturn, with airfare and cremation costs covered by Philippine programs. Airport Funding: The U.S. House Transportation Committee unanimously passed a bill to raise the federal share of rural airport project costs to 95% for territories including the CNMI.