Congratulations to Ms. Charlotte P.R. Cepeda and Mr. Stephen P. Sablan,  who were recently sworn in as CNMI Zoning Board of Directors’ newest members.

Governor Arnold I. Palacios and Lt. Governor David M. Apatang met with Japanese investor group AMEC International Co., Ltd. to discuss tourism revitalization issues, including airline-related initiatives and other ways to expand Japanese companies’ investments in the CNMI. AMEC President Mr. Takatoshi Asada ultimately aims to establish an airline connecting Japan and Saipan and contribute to the development of Saipan’s economy. Mr. Asada was joined by AMEC General Manager Ms. Emi Okazaki and Interpreter Mr. Shigeki Tenorio.

Early this week, Governor Arnold I. Palacios and Lieutenant Governor David M. Apatang met with the Administrator for the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Ms. Deanne Criswell and her team, Region 9 Administrator Mr. Robert Fenton, Jr., Region 9 Integration Team Lead Mr. Brian Beck, and other government officials to discuss the status of infrastructure projects and emergency preparedness in the CNMI.  

Congratulations to Ms. Journie Hofschneider, who was sworn in as the newest board member CNMI Cannabis Commission. Ms. Hofschneider will represent Tinian on the Commission.

Governor Arnold I. Palacios signed an executive order that promotes the aims of the Green Growth Initiative, which includes 17 sustainable development goals that address climate change, pollution and biodiversity in the CNMI.

The Green Growth Initiative is part of a comprehensive sustainable development plan, spearheaded by the Office of Climate Policy and Planning and the Northern Marianas College. The initiative will be chaired by the Governor and NMC President Galvin Deleon Guerrero, and its members will include Climate Policy and Planning Office Special Assistant Tina Sablan and other public officials.

Governor Arnold I. Palacios and Lt. Governor David M. Apatang, along with Northern Marianas Coalition Against Domestic & Sexual Violence Director Maisie B. Tenorio and community partners, designated February 2024 as Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month.

Gov. Arnold I. Palacios recently signed a proclamation recognizing Catholic Schools Week in the CNMI during a proclamation signing event held last week at the Mount Carmel Cathedral. The national theme for the 2024 Catholic Schools Week is “Catholic Schools: United in Faith and Community.”

The life and contributions of Manuel “Kiyu” S. Villagomez were recently commemorated in a centennial commemorative event held at the Joeten Kiyu Public Library. Mr. Villagomez was an astute businessman whose contributions to the community continue to benefit our CNMI today. The celebratory event was organized by the Northern Marianas College and the staff of the Joeten Kiyu Public Library, where the celebration took place. 

CNMI Governor Arnold I. Palacios, together with Commonwealth Ports Authority Board Chairperson Jose “Joe” Ayuyu, recently met with Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) to discuss a range of issues including port enhancement projects and infrastructure development. Murkowski is a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Ranking Member of the Interior-Environment Subcommittee, member of Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor & Pensions Committee, and Vice Chairman of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee. Governor Palacios is in Washington DC this week for a series of meetings with senior leaders from federal and military agencies.

Congratulations to Mr. Jose B. Palacios on being sworn into the CNMI Cannabis Commission (CCC) board of directors! Governor Palacios and Lt. Governor Apatang both trust that Mr. Palacios will continue to positively impact the CCC.