Seabed Mining Fight: Delegate Kimberlyn King-Hinds introduced PACMESA to boost revenue sharing (50% of covered lease revenues to adjacent territories), tighten environmental bonding, and expand local consultation as Marianas leaders and community groups push Governor Apatang to oppose the federal deep-sea mining lease sale. Legal Pressure on Mining: Conservation groups filed a lawsuit challenging NMFS’s finding that the lease sale won’t harm threatened species or critical habitat, while Guam lawmakers also criticized Congress for allowing seabed mining to qualify for FAST-41 expedited review. Regulatory/Agency Moves: The Marine Minerals Administration’s acting director is set to leave for Halliburton with no successor named, raising questions about the Dec. 16 timeline. Power & Infrastructure: Aggreko generators arrived on Tinian to replace FEMA units powering the Tinian CUC Power Plant. Aviation/Defense: FAA seeks public comment on a long-range radar facility at Mount Petosukara to close a north-facing radar gap for Saipan. Tourism & Visitor Upgrades: MVA broke ground on the Marpi Tourist Sites Improvement Project ($1.095M) for Bird Island Lookout, Suicide Cliff, and Last Command Post. Local Business Support: CNMI Innovation Incubator opens applications for a second startup cohort (deadline Sept. 11). Government Travel Costs: Guam per diem rates rose by $14 effective Sept. 1, a change hotel and tourism operators are watching closely. Workplace Justice: Court approved a $20,000 wage settlement for a former Shirley’s Coffee Shop dishwasher. Youth Safety Settlement: Meta reached a $17.1B multistate settlement over Instagram/Facebook youth safety, including requirements affecting the CNMI.