The Commonwealth Office of Transit Authority (COTA) has announced that it has received $8.4 Million from the U.S. Congress to enhance the CNMI’s public transportation system through the construction of new bus transfer stations, a covered bus parking facility, and the addition of 187 bus stop shelters on Saipan’s fixed-route system.

As part of the administration’s efforts to promote sustainability and economic stewardship in the CNMI, the Office of the Governor, together with the Office of Grants Management & State Clearinghouse, Bureau of Environmental & Coastal Quality, Office of Planning and Development, Zero Waste Task Force, and the Department of Public Works, have introduced a new recycling initiative that allows community members to recycle their aluminum cans in exchange for cash.  

WHEREAS, Child Abuse and Neglect is a complex problem in our diverse society, affecting innocent children and families in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands; and

WHEREAS, April 2023 is National Autism Awareness Month; and 

WHEREAS, Sexual violence or sexual assault, commonly defined as any sexual act without consent, is a global problem that exists in all communities, even ones as small as the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

The Nutrition Assistance Program (NAP) in conjunction with the Public School System (PSS), Child Nutrition Program is announcing the Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) distribution for claims or attestation by parents or guardians of students who were absent when schools directed students to stay home for a COVID-related reason.

WHEREAS, Article I, Section 9 of the Constitution of the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands (CNMI) declares: “Each person has the right to a clean and healthful public environment in all areas, including the land, air and water.”

WHEREAS, the Zero Waste International Alliance defines “Zero Waste” as the conservation of all resources by means of responsible production, consumption, reuse, and recovery of products, packaging and materials without burning and with no discharges to land, water, or air that threaten the environment or human health; and

The U.S. Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship (USDOL OA) approved the CNMI’s first Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP) in the Accommodation and Food Services Industry.  Naked Fish Bar & Grill received its certificate of authentication by USDOL affirming registration to the National Apprenticeship System their RAP for the occupation of Cook.  The company has started its registered apprenticeship program for one of their staff members to become a cook apprentice.