Meta Settlement Reaches CNMI: South Carolina says it will receive nearly $247M from Meta’s $17.1B multistate deal over alleged Instagram/Facebook harms to children and teens, with new limits on daily use, “productive pauses,” overnight blocks, tighter age verification, and stronger protections for bullying and self-harm—covering 47 states plus D.C., Puerto Rico, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands. CNMI Politics & Courts: A Saipan House candidate’s remarks highlight how small vote totals can decide CNMI races, while Superior Court ordered separate trials for Justin Paul Mizutani and Lt. Gov. Dennis Mendiola on misconduct charges tied to alleged misuse of public funds. Federal Case Watch: A federal grand jury indicted former HSI trainee Kane Alexzander Pangelinan Ybanez on loan-fraud and federal-agent impersonation counts; a jury trial is set for Oct. 27. Marpi Tourism Upgrade: The Marianas Visitors Authority broke ground on the $1.095M Marpi Tourist Sites Improvement Project for Bird Island Lookout, Last Command Post, and Suicide Cliff, targeting safety, accessibility, and visitor amenities with completion slated for Summer 2027. Fuel Prices Rise: CNMI gasoline and diesel prices climbed this week, adding pressure to already-stressed household budgets. ICE Scrutiny Grows: China demanded answers after a 51-year-old Chinese national died less than a day after entering ICE custody in Saipan, renewing questions about detainee medical screening and disclosure timing. Deep-Sea Mining Fight: Guam and lawmakers pushed back on fast-tracked seabed mining, as House Rules rejected a Moylan amendment to block expedited review, while a key federal official tied to the Marianas lease push is reportedly leaving for Halliburton ahead of a proposed Dec. 16 sale. Startup Support: The CNMI Innovation Incubator opened applications for a second cohort, with a Sept. 11 deadline for early-stage local businesses.