Tourism & Visas: CNMI and Guam delegates pushed the Marianas Tourism Advancement Act of 2026 to expand the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program to the Philippines plus Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, India and Mongolia—supporters project about 25,000 Guam arrivals and roughly $11M in visitor spending, with organizers stressing it’s for tourism, not work. Education & Budget: Acting CNMI PSS Commissioner of Education Jacqueline Che laid out the 5-day Promise plan to restore a five-day school week by Oct. 1, using “Austerity Mondays” as tutoring and wellness hubs while warning FY2027 funding could drop to a historic low. Government Workforce Rules: CNMI Civil Service Commission submitted proposed furlough rule updates, including strict prerequisites, OPM documentation, and guaranteed notice and recall protections for workers. Border & Biosecurity: Customs and Biosecurity welcomed the transfer of the CNMI Invasive Species Program under one command to strengthen inspections at ports of entry. Disaster Recovery & Small Business: SBA opened a Disaster Loan Outreach Center on Saipan to help typhoon survivors, including applicants dealing with denials or withdrawals. Infrastructure Funding: A House panel unanimously advanced the Rural Airport Infrastructure Support Act to raise the federal share of eligible airport project costs to 95% for rural and remote communities, including CNMI and Guam. Energy Costs: Diesel prices jumped sharply across the islands, raising concerns about downstream impacts on power bills and business operating costs.