AGP Executive Report

Courtroom Reset: A child sex abuse trial for Melvin Sablan Leon Guerrero Sr. was derailed when prosecutors filed a sweeping superseding indictment days before jury selection, prompting a new arraignment and added jury costs. Port Fuel Upgrade: The Port Authority of Guam is seeking PUC approval to extend and modify a $2.8M engineering design contract for the port’s fuel pipeline system, tied to federal scope changes. Power Bond Plan: GPA says it wants to borrow up to $375M for grid upgrades and storage without raising rates, using bond tranches and expected demand growth. Budget Tension: Guam’s fiscal 2027 budget bill has lapsed into law, but lawmakers are already pushing new recurring expenses even as revenue was cut—raising fresh deficit concerns. Public Safety Crackdown: The AG is launching “Bomb Busters” to pursue criminal charges over abandoned vehicles, aiming to trace owners and curb blight. Health Tech in Emergencies: GRMC is rolling out Bluetooth-enabled pre-hospital EKGs to speed cardiac care decisions before patients arrive. Community Help: “Uncle George” at Hagat Marina is seeking donations after his boat sank in Typhoon Bavi and he’s caring for dumped dogs. Sports & Culture: Guam heads to Tokyo for jiu-jitsu worlds, while Finegayan Elementary got a Camp Blaz welcome and Latin Night at Biba runs weekly.

Meta Settlement: Kentucky AG Russell Coleman announced a proposed $358M share of a sweeping $17.1B multistate deal with Meta over child-safety claims, with the company agreeing to broad Instagram/Facebook safety changes. Guam Budget Fight: Guam’s FY 2027 budget bill is now law after Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero let it lapse, but she flagged concerns about provisions that reduce oversight in the Office of the Attorney General. Campaign Spotlight: Alicia Limtiaco took questions alone at a Guam Women’s Chamber forum after Del. James Moylan skipped the debate, arguing for a “Guam first” congressional approach. OAG Crackdown: The Office of the Attorney General launched “Guam Bomb Busters,” threatening criminal charges for people who abandon vehicles. Education Audit: A new audit says GDOE bought 286 AC units worth $2.7M that sat uninstalled in a warehouse, with installation potentially requiring millions more. Biosecurity Push: Guam is advancing overdue invasive species planning after securing a seat in a regional plant protection group. Regional Travel: Micronesian nations are exploring a regional airline to break United’s Island Hopper monopoly and cut fares.

Education Accountability: An OPA audit says Guam Department of Education has 286 uninstalled, ARP-funded AC units worth about $2.7M sitting in a warehouse, with possible extra costs of $9.5M and questioned spending tied to contract failures. Public Safety & Enforcement: The Office of the Attorney General is launching “Guam Bomb Busters” to pursue felony and misdemeanor charges against people and businesses linked to abandoned vehicles, aiming to trace owners and stop island blight. Health Care Innovation: GRMC is rolling out Bluetooth-enabled pre-hospital EKG tech, sending ambulance heart-attack readings to the cardiac team before patients arrive. Local Politics & Cost of Living: Guam gubernatorial candidates clashed on reviving tourism, cutting delays, and improving government services at a Women’s Chamber forum. International Spotlight: Guam will send a 16-athlete jiu-jitsu delegation to Tokyo for the 2026 SJJIF World Jiu-Jitsu Championship. Regional Biosecurity: Guam’s new Pacific Plant Protection Organization seat is helping push overdue invasive species planning. Budget Update: Guam’s FY 2027 budget act lapses into law without the governor’s signature after concerns about Attorney General oversight.

Guam Education Accountability: An OPA audit says GDOE bought 286 air-conditioning units worth about $2.7M that sat uninstalled in a warehouse, with possible added costs of $9.5M and questioned costs totaling $14.6M. Election Watch: Guam’s gubernatorial candidates clashed on reviving the economy and fixing government services at a Guam Women’s Chamber forum, with Republicans emphasizing execution and workforce plans and Democrats pushing reforms and transparency. Delegate Race: Alicia Limtiaco laid out a “Guam first” federal agenda while incumbent James Moylan skipped a congressional portion; separately, Limtiaco took questions alone on the delegate forum. Federal Funding for Disaster Readiness: Guam Memorial Hospital won a $16M FEMA grant for a second backup generator after Typhoon Mawar. Public Safety Crackdown: AG Doug Moylan says the “Guam Bomb Busters” program will start charging owners of abandoned vehicles with criminal penalties. Community & Business: Rockit Ride is entering a new partnership phase as Phoebe Guerrero takes over as general manager.

GDOE Accountability: An OPA audit says Guam Department of Education bought 286 large air-conditioning units worth about $2.7M that sat in a warehouse, with installation potentially requiring another $9.5M and exposing the agency to legal action. Congressional Race: Alicia Limtiaco took questions alone at a Guam Women’s Chamber forum, pitching “Guam first” federal equity and infrastructure while Del. James Moylan skipped the debate. Local Politics: In the gubernatorial debate, Ada and Calvo clashed with Terlaje and Flores Perez on rebuilding Guam’s economy, workforce, and government accountability. Health & Courts: Charissa Tenorio is seeking another Philippines medical trip while awaiting trial in a federal case tied to about $1.9M in alleged Pandemic Unemployment Assistance fraud. Disaster Readiness: FEMA awarded Guam Memorial Hospital $16M for a second backup generator after Typhoon Mawar. Education Pay: Guam Federation of Teachers is urging lawmakers to back a bill targeting teacher salaries to reach 95% of the national average within five years. Housing Recovery: GHURA set Sept. 30 and other deadlines for “Fix in Six” Typhoon Mawar recovery programs. Public Safety: AG Doug Moylan says his office will start charging people who abandon vehicles under a “Guam Bomb Busters” program. Business: Rockit Ride is entering a new partnership phase as Phoebe Guerrero takes over as general manager. Sports/Community: Latte Built highlighted 17-year-old volleyball player Erica Zandueta and her training routine.

Local Business: Rockit Ride is entering a new phase under a partnership between PDC and Provisions Lifestyle Group, with longtime member Phoebe Guerrero taking over as general manager and overseeing day-to-day operations. Education Policy: Lawmakers are pressing GDOE over an estimated $427M school repair backlog, while a separate bill would set a 95% of national average pay target for teachers within five years. Head Start Standards: Senators Chris Barnett and Sabina Perez introduced a Guam Head Start bill to lock in current federal protections on Guam if Washington streamlines the program. Disaster Preparedness: Guam Memorial Hospital won a $16M FEMA grant for a second backup generator after Typhoon Mawar. Typhoon Recovery Deadlines: GHURA says Fix in Six programs have set closing dates, including a Sept. 30 deadline for a housing portal. Public Safety: AG Doug Moylan says the “Guam Bomb Busters” program will start charging people who abandon vehicles, using community service participants to help identify owners. Community & Culture: Cost.U.Less opened its new Hagåtña flagship store, drawing crowds at the new, larger location.

Guam Politics & Federal Funding: Guam Memorial Hospital secured a $16M FEMA grant for a second backup generator after Typhoon Mawar, boosting emergency power reliability for critical care. Education & Pay: The Guam Federation of Teachers is urging lawmakers to back a bill targeting teacher salaries at 95% of the national average within five years, with GDOE gaining more control over pay structures. Local Recovery Deadlines: GHURA set “Fix in Six” application closing dates for Typhoon Mawar recovery programs, warning it’s the final chance for CDBG-DR assistance before online portals close. Public Safety: AG Doug Moylan says Guam will start charging people who abandon vehicles under a “Guam Bomb Busters” program, using community service participants to help identify owners. Business & Community: Cost.U.Less opened its new Hagåtña flagship store, while Rockit Ride announced a new partnership and a leadership change at the studio. Regional Watch: Guam associate member status puts it in the spotlight for the Pacific Islands Forum in Palau, where leaders will weigh security, ocean minerals, and climate-focused economic plans. Citizenship Debate: A conservative think tank renewed calls for Congress to limit birthright citizenship in U.S. territories, including Guam.

Radiation Relief Expansion: Rep. James Moylan (R-Guam) introduced a bipartisan bill to expand eligibility for federal compensation tied to Manhattan Project-era radioactive contamination in the St. Louis region, including adding nine ZIP codes. Health Disparities: A new American Cancer Society report finds Native Hawaiian women have the highest breast cancer incidence rate in the U.S., warning that lumped statistics can hide urgent risk. Cannabis Rules: Guam’s Cannabis Control Board discussed requests for written guidance on delivery rules after a local applicant sought clarification on delivery legality, delivery rulemaking, and transportation requirements. Local Governance & Oversight: The Guam Board of Nurse Examiners faced renewed scrutiny after a complaint tied to a 2018 Guam Memorial Hospital death, with the father alleging the case was closed without accountability. Business & Community: Cost.U.Less opened its new Hagåtña flagship, and Philippine National Bank Guam marked 13 years while highlighting digital growth plans. Sports: Guam high school football starts later than first planned, with Tiyan and Okkodo possibly combining teams if rosters fall short.

Retail & Food: Cost.U.Less finally opens its new flagship in Hagåtña, a 55,000-square-foot store with expanded bakery, deli and fresh food, built to match today’s “pressed for time” shopping needs. Elections & Civic Life: “Lunch with the Leaders” returns on WAVE 105 FM with candidate interviews for governor, lieutenant governor, and Congress, running Sept. 8–24. Schools & Safety: High school football is delayed again—first games move to Oct. 23–24—while Tiyan and Okkodo may combine teams if rosters fall short. Health & Accountability: Guam Board of Nurse Examiners faces a fresh complaint after a father says two nurses’ substandard care contributed to a 5-year-old’s 2018 death and the case was closed without resolution. Tourism Oversight: Sen. Jesse Lujan criticized GVB’s tourism recovery performance despite incentive spending, while GVB says funding mix and staffing impacts are at issue. Aviation & Concessions: Airport board to review potential new retail and food/beverage concession deals, with procurement expected to wrap by December. Community Events: Guam Nikkei Association’s Lantern Floating Ceremony is set for Sept. 19 at Ypao Beach. Public Safety/Infrastructure: Guam Power Authority testified on Bill 345-38 to issue about $300M in revenue bonds for grid resilience and upgrades. Regional/World: Palau will host about 2,000 Pacific leaders for the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting Aug. 30–Sept. 4.

Guam Education Crisis: Sen. Vince Borja’s oversight hearing put the spotlight on school readiness and campus failures, with Tiyan and Simon Sanchez shut down after a public health inspection found major demerits; Tiyan High could reopen as early as Tuesday if it passes another inspection, while Simon Sanchez still lacks its own campus. GPA Bonds & Grid Resilience: Guam Power Authority testified on Bill 345-38 to authorize about $300M in revenue bonds for refinancing and upgrades, aiming to avoid base-rate hikes while expanding generation and modernizing transmission and distribution. Tourism Accountability: Sen. Jesse Lujan criticized the Guam Visitors Bureau over a tourism slump despite a $10M incentive investment, pushing for performance-based results as GVB faces staffing uncertainty. Local Procurement Scrutiny: Records allege GVB spent $1,799 in public funds on a “steam closet” for management uniforms, raising questions about transparency and spending priorities. Health Disparities: A new American Cancer Society report says Native Hawaiian women have the highest breast cancer incidence among AANHPI groups, with large differences hidden when data is combined. Community & Safety: The 32nd Annual Guam International Coastal Cleanup is set for Sept. 19 with mandatory pre-registration; high school football was delayed to Oct. 23 and Tiyan/Okkodo may combine teams. Regional Watch: Forecasters say two systems near Wake Island pose no threat to Guam this week, but typhoon-season odds are rising.

Coastal Cleanup Call: Guam’s Bureau of Statistics and Plans and Coastal Management Program are urging residents, schools, agencies, and businesses to join the 32nd Annual Guam International Coastal Cleanup on Saturday, Sept. 19, with online pre-registration required (no day-of signups), capped site capacity, and check-in starting at 6:30 a.m. Education Crisis: Sen. Vince Borja opened an oversight hearing saying Guam “failed our students” as GDOE faces mounting school readiness and facilities failures, while lawmakers also move to reset procurement for a permanent Simon Sanchez High School campus after protests derailed the prior process. Power Reliability Backlash: A new round of Guam Power Authority load shedding has reignited frustration over reliability and the promise of the Ukudu plant, as GPA points to reduced capacity and maintenance needs. Sewer Upgrades: CCU approved about $1.5M for Morrico Equipment to buy two truck-mounted sewer cleaning combination units to meet court-ordered obligations. Typhoon Season Watch: Forecasters say two systems east of the Marianas pose no threat to Guam this week, but they’re tracking rising odds of a closer storm as peak season ramps up. Fishing Shift: A Smart-FAD push is promoting pelagic fishing with smart buoys to reduce pressure on declining reef fish. Local Business & Community: Guam’s first trading card café expanded in Harmon, and Mount Carmel School is inviting families to a Heritage Fair focused on family roots. Elections & Accountability: The Guam Chamber of Commerce launches a 60-day Project Prosperity initiative asking candidates what they’ll do, when, and how Guam will measure results.

Guam Education Crisis: Yigo Mayor Frances Lizama urged the Guam Education Board to seek Superintendent Judi Won Pat’s resignation, citing the abrupt closure of the Tiyan High School and Simon Sanchez shared campus just days into the school year and alleging mishandling of the rebuild process. School Reconstruction Procurement Reset: The Department of Public Works is reissuing the solicitation for a Simon Sanchez High School campus after canceling a stalled procurement tied to protests, with DPW saying the move avoids years of litigation that would keep students displaced. Local Utility Pressure (CNMI + Guam): In the CNMI, ratepayers are being warned they can’t keep carrying a broken utility system; on Guam, the Solid Waste Authority board voted for mandatory islandwide trash collection and $4 million for more carts, with enforcement tied to delinquent accounts. SNAP Confusion: A viral claim says a move cut food stamps from about $870 to $243, but SNAP guidance says relocation within the same state shouldn’t change benefits. Big Tech Settlement: Guam is included in a proposed $17.1 billion multistate Meta settlement over alleged addictive design aimed at minors, with safety changes promised for Instagram and Facebook. Defense Radar Update: GAO cleared the Pentagon’s radar funding shift to Guam, rejecting claims that congressionally directed money was improperly repurposed. Public Safety Bill: Sen. Chris Barnett’s beach and coast warning system bill drew supportive testimony, aiming to standardize flags and signage after drowning-related fatalities. Courts: Former Guam Police K-9 officer Brian Dacanay Awa was sentenced to 15 months in federal prison for meth distribution.

Meth Sentencing: Former Guam Police Department K-9 officer Brian Awa was sentenced to 15 months in federal prison for selling meth to a confidential informant in 2024, with the judge calling the term “fair.” Education Pay Control: Lawmakers introduced Bill 351-38 to give the Guam Department of Education more independence over educator classification, compensation, and benefits, aiming to address long-standing pay gaps and retention issues. Nuclear Fallout Claims: Rep. James Moylan filed a bill to restore Guam’s eligibility for radiation exposure compensation, raising payments and extending the filing deadline. Waste Collection: The Guam Solid Waste Authority board voted to require islandwide trash collection and spend $4 million on more carts, with enforcement tied to delinquent accounts. Beach Safety: Sen. Chris Barnett’s Bill 268-38 would create uniform warning flags and signs at public beaches after lawmakers cited about 12 water-related fatalities per year. Invasive Species Research: New University at Buffalo genome work explains how a small number of brown tree snakes spread across Guam, reaching densities up to 30,000 per square mile. Tourism/Air Travel: United Airlines announced new Japan service that includes nonstop flights to Okinawa and Osaka starting March 2027, building on existing Guam routes. School Board Tensions: Yigo Mayor Lizama urged the Guam Education Board to seek Superintendent Judi Won Pat’s resignation over the stalled Sanchez rebuild and campus closures.

Solid Waste Overhaul: GSWA’s board voted unanimously to mandate islandwide trash collection and spend $4 million on new trash and recycling carts, with eligible households required to register under last year’s law and nonpayment enforcement possible after 60 days. Justice System: Former Guam Police Department K-9 officer Brian Dacanay Awa was sentenced to 15 months in federal prison for meth distribution tied to his work as an officer. Education Crisis: GDOE Superintendent Judi Won Pat says she’s pushing to reopen Tiyan High and Simon Sanchez by Aug. 31, warning that delays could force double-session classes elsewhere. Seabed Mining Pushback: The Marine Minerals Administration says it won’t do a full environmental study of seabed mining until after leases are issued, drawing renewed concern from Guam senators. Public Safety Bill: Guam lawmakers heard bills to create a beach and coastal warning and notification system for hazardous conditions, citing drowning fatalities and the need for clearer public alerts. Pacific Security: Reports highlight China’s hypersonic missile advances and U.S. efforts to bolster missile and drone defenses in the Pacific. Air Travel: United announced its biggest international expansion yet for 2027, including new service to Okinawa from San Francisco.

Elder Care Crime: A 42-year-old caretaker, Sinora John, was charged in Guam Superior Court with financial exploitation of the elderly after allegedly stealing more than $50,000 over 16 months from an 81-year-old bedridden woman, using the victim’s debit card details and identity. Local Lawmaking: The Guam Legislature held a public hearing on three measures, including Bill 268-38 to create a beach and coastal warning and notification system for hazardous conditions. Water Security: A University of Guam study says Guam’s groundwater may already be absorbing more salt as sea levels rise, adding urgency to conservation warnings. Pacific Defense & Missiles: Multiple reports highlight escalating missile threats in the region, including China’s YJ-20 hypersonic anti-ship missile rollout and new U.S. efforts to strengthen missile and drone defenses across the Pacific. Education Crisis: GDOE Superintendent Judi Won Pat said she’s pushing to reopen Tiyan High and Simon Sanchez by Aug. 31, with possible double-session if repairs run long. Seabed Mining Fight: U.S. territories criticized a Trump-era plan to auction deep sea mining leases near the Marianas, with Guam objections tied to environmental review timing and protections.

Guam Education: A letter urges urgent action on GDOE, saying aging facilities and delays are costing classroom time and calling for a recovery plan plus long-term restructuring. School Campus Crisis: Students and supporters rallied at “SSHS STAND UP” over Simon Sanchez High School’s stalled rebuild and Tiyan disruptions, demanding a campus “every single day” until students have a home base. Power & Utilities: Guam Power Authority reported $10.3 million in typhoon recovery costs from Sinlaku and Bavi, and Guam Waterworks Authority is seeking to charge off about $926K in uncollectible past-due water bills. Health Care: Guam Memorial Hospital says it’s current on power and water after correcting outdated balances, with no threat to operations. Tourism & Economy: Guam Visitors Bureau says South Korea fuel surcharges eased in August, though a rebound is possible; local leaders also push tourism recovery alongside broader economic reset ideas. Pacific Defense & Logistics: U.S. Marines tested mobile air defense in Palau, and DLA Energy signed a new fuel support arrangement with Australia to bolster Pacific readiness. Regional Security: South Korea says North Korea is preparing more troops for Russia, but not imminently.