AGP Executive Report

Guam Education & Workforce: UOG opened its new $9M Margaret Perez Hattori-Uchima School of Health Nursing Hub, aiming to nearly double nursing admissions starting in 2027 with advanced simulation and virtual reality. Local Courts & Schools: A teen sex assault defendant was ordered into a home-based school program while a case involving a 12-year-old girl moves forward. Public Health: The CDC reports ER visits tied to Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome jumped after a new diagnosis code took effect in Oct. 2025, with the biggest increases among young people and women. Guam Economy & Infrastructure: Moody’s affirmed the Port of Guam’s Baa2 bond rating with a stable outlook, citing low debt and strong liquidity. Guam Community & Culture: A Dededo native, Capt. Lucand Camacho, graduated first in his class as Distinguished Honor Graduate from the U.S. Army Cyber Captain’s Career Course. Housing: Vice Speaker Tony Ada is seeking clarification from GHURA on protections for Housing Choice Voucher holders forced into smaller units in Guam’s limited rental market. Invasive Species: Guam is using paracetamol-laced mice dropped by helicopter to reduce brown tree snake impacts on ecology and power. Defense & Pacific Security: PACOM/INDOPACOM chiefs warn Taiwan’s drills and China’s missile buildup are driving calls for more Pacific defense spending.

Guam Housing & Finance: Vice Speaker Tony Ada is pressing GHURA for answers after Housing Choice Voucher holders say bedroom-size reductions leave them stuck in Guam’s “limited rental market,” asking what protections apply when families can’t find suitable units. Education Oversight: Sen. Vincent Borja wants the Guam Academy Charter Schools Council to explain when monitoring becomes enforcement and when charters can be revoked, pointing to SiFA’s ongoing campus instability and last-minute facility crises. Public Safety: Guam Fire Department identified a distressed swimmer as 28-year-old Nico Camacho; search efforts continued with help from Navy, Coast Guard, and GPD. Port Watch: Moody’s reaffirmed the Port of Guam’s Baa2 bond rating with a stable outlook, citing low debt and strong liquidity. Military & Security: The U.S. Navy is expanding ballistic missile defense with a $745M Raytheon contract for SM-3 Block IIA interceptors, with Guam and allied territory named as key beneficiaries. Community & Health: UOG’s Farmer Focus is hosting free health checkups and seminars for farmers across several villages, covering mental well-being, falls, substance abuse prevention, and financial sustainability. Invasive Species: Guam is using paracetamol-laced dead mice dropped by helicopter to reduce brown tree snake impacts on wildlife and the power grid.

Daylight Saving Time: The U.S. House has voted to make daylight saving time permanent, but Guam readers should watch the Senate—health experts warn the change could disrupt sleep and daily rhythms. Local Education Oversight: Sen. Vince Borja is pressing the Guam Academy Charter Schools Council for accountability, citing SIFA’s campus instability and last-minute site changes. Public Health for Farmers: UOG’s Farmer Focus is offering free health checkups and seminars across villages on mental well-being, falls/injury prevention, substance abuse prevention, and financial sustainability. Pacific Security: China’s nuclear-capable missile test into the Pacific is widening divides among island nations as leaders struggle to agree on a joint response to rising militarization. Guam Justice: The Guam parole board is weighing whether to release a convicted sex offender after about a decade in prison, with the victim’s family urging the board to deny release. Community & Veterans: HMI’s 5th Annual Veteran Symposium runs Aug. 11-13 at UOG, with free admission and benefits bootcamps for veterans and families. Tourism Numbers: Marianas visitor arrivals fell to 1,497 in June 2026, down 81% from last year, as recovery from Typhoon Sinlaku continues.

Guam Legislature & Budget: Lawmakers passed a supplemental funding bill for Super Typhoon Bavi response, childcare subsidies, and airport financial obligations, authorizing $13.3M from the Rainy Day Fund (including $11.3M for Bavi and support for farmers, plus $500K for the Guam Fishermen’s Co-op) and $7.63M for childcare, while also setting $17.6M for airport obligations. Education & Schools: Guam public schools ended double-session for some students as Tiyan High and Simon Sanchez High students “coexist” on the Barrigada campus for the 2026-2027 year. Tourism Numbers: Marianas visitor arrivals totaled 1,497 in June 2026, down 81% from June 2025, with flight disruptions after Super Typhoon Sinlaku still shaping travel. Airport Updates: GIAA board approved terminal upgrades funded by a $5.34M FAA grant and a $9M bond defeasance to help meet debt coverage requirements and avoid higher airline costs. Local Public Safety/Justice: A forfeiture hearing in the Adlawan case was reset to Sept. 14 to let petitioners inspect more than 100 seized jewelry items. Cybersecurity Warning: Experts warn water systems are ripe for cyberattacks after suspected Iranian hacks.

Super Typhoon Bavi + childcare + airport bailout: Guam lawmakers unanimously passed a $38.7M spending package to fund Bavi relief, childcare subsidies, and Guam International Airport Authority obligations, with most airport and childcare money coming from GovGuam’s FY2026 excess general fund revenues and the remaining Bavi share from the Rainy Day Fund. Airport upgrades + flight boost: GIAA’s board approved FAA-funded terminal upgrades and a $9M bond defeasance, while reporting a 20% jump in August seat capacity versus July. Tourism hit by storm recovery: Marianas visitor arrivals totaled 1,497 in June 2026, down 81% from June 2025, with flights resuming in late June after Sinlaku. Coffee expansion abroad: Ediya Coffee opened its first Laos store as Korean coffee chains push overseas, including Guam and other regional markets. Courts: SCOTUS set Oct. 7 arguments in a Guam environmental case tied to Andersen Air Force Base open burning/detonation at Tarague Beach. Public schools costs: Families are bracing for back-to-school spending and incomplete supplies as classes resume Monday.

Guam Budget & Bavi Response: The Guam Legislature is set to vote Monday on a supplemental funding bill for Super Typhoon Bavi, childcare subsidies, and airport obligations, after lawmakers approved amendments Friday including an audit requirement for Bavi spending, shifting Bavi funding to the Rainy Day Fund, and allowing the A.B. Won Pat Airport Authority to use money for bond defeasance. Airport Costs: Airport officials warn that without about $27 million in supplemental help, airline fees could jump next fiscal year from $34.99 to about $43.41 per passenger. Back-to-School Strain: Families are heading back to classes Monday amid rising supply costs and uncertainty tied to unfinished campuses and late bus schedules. Sports: Guam’s men’s volleyball team advanced to the Oceania semifinals after beating Palau, setting up a Saturday matchup with Australia; Guam’s women also opened strong in the tournament. Courts & Lawsuits: The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments Oct. 7 in a Guam environmental case involving Prutehi Guåhan’s challenge to Andersen Air Force Base open burning/detonation at Tarague Beach; meanwhile, lawsuits filed in the District Court of Guam include a claim against a Guam hotel spa and a dispute involving Pacific Indemnity Insurance and Medicare reimbursement after a 2023 crash. Birthright Citizenship: Guam families are reacting to new Trump executive orders aimed at birthright citizenship in U.S. territories, with local advocates calling it troubling and urging clarity.

Sport & Community: Registration is open for the 6th Annual Greg D. Perez International Sportfishing Derby (Aug. 22-23) with cash prizes across marlin, mahi mahi, yellowfin tuna, wahoo and bonita, plus a $50,000 marlin challenge. Local Education & Families: Back-to-school costs are stressing Guam families as students return Monday, with some spending near $100 per child and others still facing incomplete supplies and late bus uncertainty. Military & Local Impact: Guam-area families are again confronting Navy leadership over conditions aboard the USS Lincoln, citing food shortages, moldy showers, poor morale, water contamination, and lost mail—while a relief carrier is discussed but return dates remain unclear. Aviation & Costs: Airport funding talks continue as officials warn airline fees could rise if senators don’t provide enough support to keep the current passenger rate. Citizenship Politics: Guam’s Delegate nominee Alicia Garrido Limtiaco says new Trump birthright citizenship executive orders raise questions Guam residents deserve answers to, while a separate group calls the move “troubling” for territories. Education Governance: Sen. Vince Borja says SIFA Learning Academy will relocate from the George Washington High School campus to the former Chief Brodie Elementary site. Sports (Guam in Oceania): Guam men’s volleyball advanced to Oceania semifinals after beating Palau, and Guam women’s team also started strong in the tournament.

USS Abraham Lincoln Conditions: Military families say the USS Abraham Lincoln is running on empty—food shortages, moldy showers, broken toilets, and low morale as the carrier stays deployed longer than expected. Airport Funding: Guam lawmakers are debating whether to fully fund the A.B. Won Pat International Airport Authority; officials warn airline fees could jump if senators don’t approve about $27 million. PHARE Returns: The Guam Hotel & Restaurant Association’s Pacific Hotel & Restaurant Expo (PHARE 2026) is set for Aug. 19-20 at the Hyatt after Super Typhoon Sinlaku delayed the event. Bavi Relief: Senators set aside $2 million for farmers and $500,000 for the fishermen’s co-op as they continue work on Bavi response funding. Birthright Citizenship Fight: A new Trump executive order targets citizenship rules for children born in U.S. territories, drawing fresh alarm for Guam and other territories. Weather Watch: The National Weather Service says unsettled, rainy conditions could linger into next week. Education Update: Sen. Vince Borja says SIFA will move off the George Washington High School campus to the former Chief Brodie Elementary site. Sports: Guam men’s volleyball advanced to Oceania semis after beating Palau; Guam also faces third-place play after the women’s results.

Birthright Citizenship Fight: A new Trump executive order renews pressure on citizenship for people born in U.S. territories, drawing alarm from groups like Right to Democracy and raising fears Congress could move to end birthright citizenship in places including Guam. Deep-Sea Mining Push: Pacific territories say they weren’t consulted before the U.S. proposed auctioning nearby ocean areas for deep-sea mining, with Guam and the CNMI among tracts under consideration. Airport Costs: Guam airport officials warn that without a $27M bailout, airline passenger fees could rise about $20 next fiscal year. Education Board Race: Isaiah Aguon filed to run for the Guam Education Board, pitching accountability and student success. GDOE Campus Change: Sen. Vince Borja says SIFA will stop using George Washington High School classrooms and relocate to the former Chief Brodie campus. Weather Watch: NWS says unsettled, rainy conditions may continue through the weekend and into next week. Sports: Guam men beat Palau in straight sets to reach the Oceania volleyball semifinals, facing Australia Saturday night. Invasive Species Funding: A House committee advanced funding for invasive species strike teams, including Guam’s Rep. James Moylan. Local Health & Community: GMH Volunteers launched its Thanksgiving raffle to fund wheelchairs and a newborn auditory screening device.

Invasive Species: A U.S. House Natural Resources panel unanimously advanced a bill led by Rep. Ed Case (with Guam Rep. James Moylan) to fund invasive species strike teams with $10 million a year from FY2027 through 2033, aiming to protect native ecosystems and Guam’s agriculture and economy. Immigration Enforcement: ICE expanded electronic monitoring and smartphone tracking of thousands of immigrants in the Bay Area region, including Guam and Saipan, with more than 20,000 under surveillance. Navy Families: Military families confronted Navy leadership over conditions aboard the USS Lincoln, citing mental health concerns, supply and food issues, water contamination, and disrupted mail. Citizenship Fight: President Trump renewed executive orders targeting birthright citizenship, raising new questions for Guam and other U.S. territories. Guam Education: Sen. Vince Borja says SIFA will stop using George Washington High School and relocate to the former Chief Brodie campus after community concerns about special education classrooms. Weather: Guam can expect more unsettled, rainy conditions through the weekend and into next week as tropical systems linger offshore. Public Health: Pediatricians and health departments are sidestepping Trump CDC vaccine guidance, arguing for continued clinical and public health standards. Sports: Guam’s men’s volleyball team beat Palau to advance in the Oceania Championships, setting up a semifinal vs. Australia. Local Health & Community: GMH Volunteers launched its Thanksgiving raffle to fund wheelchairs and a newborn auditory screening device.

Weather & Flooding Watch: Guam is bracing for more unsettled, rainy conditions through the weekend and into next week as a monsoon trough keeps sparking scattered showers and thunderstorms. Public Health & Community Support: GMH Volunteers Association kicked off its 2026 Thanksgiving Raffle, with proceeds aimed at buying 14 wheelchairs and a newborn auditory screening device; tickets run through Nov. 6. Coastal Cleanup: The 32nd Guam International Coastal Cleanup is set for Sept. 19, but volunteers must preregister online—no morning-of signups. Courts & Drugs: The OAG says it will seek an indictment after a fentanyl case was dismissed without prejudice for “insufficient evidence.” Education Tensions: An attorney challenged GDOE over asbestos concerns and classroom moves tied to SIFA’s late campus-sharing plan at George Washington High School. Local Learning & Jobs: Junior Achievement Guam and Pacific AI Media & Communications signed a five-year partnership to expand AI and career education for students. Environment & Water: A UOG study suggests rising sea levels may be increasing salt in Guam groundwater. Animal Care: A spay/neuter clinic is scheduled Aug. 11–20 in Sinajana, open to residents islandwide. Arts & Culture: Artspace Guåhan hosts The Art Yard market Saturday, featuring local makers and free public tours. Sports: Guam’s women fell to the Marshall Islands in Oceania volleyball, while Guam Rovers U12 boys returned from Taiwan with a top-tier Cup Division finish.

Non-Voting Delegate Race: Guam voters face a showdown between incumbent Jim Moylan and challenger Alicia Limtiaco, with an opinion warning the campaign environment could “snow” people with unverified claims. Federal Policy: President Trump signed new executive orders aimed at narrowing birthright citizenship after the Supreme Court rejected an earlier bid. CNMI Economy & Infrastructure: Independent Lt. Gov. candidate Edith Deleon Guerrero warned the Commonwealth is in “fiscal crisis,” calling for government overhaul and hardened infrastructure. Guam Government Accountability: The Civil Service Commission found the Attorney General violated procedure in firing an assistant AG, setting up reinstatement, back pay, and fees. Guam Legislature Primary Results: Chris Barnett and Jesse Lujan topped their respective senatorial fields in the primary. Education Tension: GDOE approved a late George Washington High School campus-sharing plan for SIFA, sparking pushback over displaced students and special education impacts. UOG Disability Services: UOG expanded assistive technology support after two staff earned nationally certified RESNA ATP credentials. Sports & Community: Guam Rovers U12 boys returned from Taiwan with a top Cup Division finish; the Guam Museum Foundation will unveil an Honor Wall for WWII flag signers Aug. 11.

Education & Campus Logistics: George Washington High School students and staff are pushing back after GDOE approved a late plan to share the Mangilao campus with SIFA, with 15–16 classrooms taken and special education relocation concerns raised ahead of the Aug. 10 school start. Teacher Pay: A Guam Federation of Teachers report using BLS data says Guam educators rank among the lowest paid in the nation, with many occupations at the bottom statewide. Airport Costs & Service: During a special session on GovGuam’s supplemental bill, airlines warned that potential airport rate hikes could raise fares and reduce service to Guam. Hospital Closed-Door Meeting: GMHA trustees held an emergency meeting and went into executive session to discuss potential litigation, with no details released. Military Construction: A Guam industry forum highlighted faster defense building methods using prefabrication, modular components, and 3D printing. Climate Resilience: The U.S. Navy’s Glass Breakwater repair in Apra Harbor is underway with coastal engineering upgrades aimed at stronger storm protection. Deep-Sea Mining Backlash: Pacific island leaders, including CNMI’s governor, criticized the lack of consultation before U.S. deep-sea mining exploration auctions that could include areas near Guam. Community & Culture: The Guam Museum Foundation will unveil an Honor Wall for WWII flag signers on Aug. 11, and the Pink Ball returns Aug. 8 to raise funds for local cancer care. Sports: Guam’s women fell to the Marshall Islands in Oceania volleyball, while Guam Rovers U12 boys returned from Taiwan with a top-tier Cup Division finish.

Guam in U.S. Supreme Court spotlight: The high court will open its October term Oct. 5 and, in its first month, hear Dept. of Air Force v. Guahan—an environmental challenge tied to the Air Force’s disposal of unexploded artillery at a Guam base—while also weighing major climate and immigration cases. Local disaster response: During Super Typhoon Bavi recovery, FEMA and SBA teams joined Guam officials for a Joint Preliminary Damage Assessment to validate housing damage for possible federal Individual Assistance. Airport funding fight: Lawmakers continued a special session on GovGuam’s supplemental bill, focusing on A.B. Won Pat International Airport needs, including operational/safety shortfalls and prior-year aviation fuel tax arrearages. Health system finances: An audit says GMHA’s FY25 billings and collections fell, with Medicaid advance reclaims and more claim denials cited. Public safety: GPD confirmed four deaths in two separate traffic crashes since July 22. Business & community: Auntie Anne’s launched its first global partnership with DreamWorks’ Gabby’s Dollhouse, with Guam included. Military tech: NUWC Division Keyport received NAVSEA qualification for metal additive manufacturing using 17-4PH stainless steel.

UN Decolonization: Guam couldn’t send Governor’s Office and Commission on Decolonization reps to the UN Special Committee session in New York due to funding limits, but petitioner Pim Limtiaco testified that Guam is treated as a “tip of the spear” and warned deep-sea mining plans could harm marine ecosystems and fisheries. Local Budget Fight: Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero vetoed Guam’s FY2027 budget bill and called a special session Aug. 10 for lawmakers to consider her revised appropriations, with the business privilege tax rollback to 4% a key sticking point. Education Oversight: A legislative education chair is demanding answers over a reported plan for Science is Fun and Awesome Learning Academy charter students to use George Washington High School classrooms, raising concerns it could displace special education students. Hospital Audit: Guam Memorial Hospital’s FY2025 audit shows progress but a still-deep negative net position of $294.9M, with auditors flagging a procurement compliance issue tied to COVID-19 recovery funds. Public Safety & Courts: The AG has appealed a dismissal of his Mangilao medical complex lawsuit, and Guam Fire Department’s assistant fire chief remains employed after pleading guilty in a federal theft case. Cost of Living: Gas prices fell 15 cents at Mobil Guam, three weeks after a 20-cent jump. Community & Youth: Kupu won a $1.75M AmeriCorps grant for conservation training across Guam and the region.

Childcare Funding Crunch: Guam lawmakers are weighing a $31.3M spending bill that includes $11.4M to keep DPHSS childcare subsidies running through Sept. 30, but officials warn that if money falls short, eligibility could tighten and about 20% of families (roughly 2,730 kids) may lose support—hitting the middle class hardest. Budget Showdown in Legislature: Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero vetoed the FY2027 budget bill, and lawmakers return to a special session Monday to consider her counteroffer, including a proposed business privilege tax cut from 4.5% to 4% that she says would reduce revenue by about $40M. Cybersecurity & Water Systems: After recent water-system cyberattacks in the U.S. renewed fears about digital infrastructure, Guam experts warned AI could make future attacks faster and harder to stop, with local concerns tied to undersea connectivity and critical services. Mangilao Medical Complex Legal Fight: AG Douglas Moylan has appealed District Court decisions tied to the Mangilao medical complex project and related rulings on his authority and conflict-free counsel. Special Education at GWHS: Teachers and parents say a plan to lease GWHS classrooms for a charter school would displace special education students and staff, prompting lawmakers to seek answers. Typhoon Dolphin Aftermath: Even after Dolphin moved out of Guam’s forecast area, hazardous surf, rip currents, and strong winds remain a concern. Tourism Economy: A new report says Guam’s 2025 visitor economy generated $1.6B in total economic impact, supporting about one in five jobs. Sports & Community: Guam’s men and women opened Oceania volleyball play with wins, and Kupu in Hawai‘i announced $1.75M in AmeriCorps funding for conservation training sites that include Guam and Saipan.