AGP Executive Report

Education Update: Guam Education Board says no vote on Tiyan-Simon Sanchez redistricting Monday; Superintendent Judi Won Pat will present contingency options for displaced students, with the meeting framed as information-only. Community Pressure: A petition from “Pro Public Schools Guam” is pushing for solutions—async learning, redistricting, or double session—with double session argued as the least disruptive; it had 1,875 signatures and 2,773 shares by Saturday. Power Costs: Guam Power Authority fuel remains about 60% higher than pre-Iran war levels; GPA expects September fuel around $160–$165 per barrel and says the July fuel surcharge raised average bills by about $58. Public Health/Benefits: DPHSS advises SNAP recipients to check EBT balances after power outages delayed benefits for 223 people. Local Business & Economy: Custom Fitness closed its Anigua location and is moving classes/physical therapy to Assan and using Tamuning as a temporary hub; Guam also welcomed a Japan inbound trade mission tied to PHARE, and Pepper Lunch opened a second Guam site in Hagåtña. Sports/Community Events: RUNGUAM drew 850+ runners to Tumon Bay, with Fulkerson-Smith and Sugahara winning the 10k and Tropf and Paz taking the 5k. Weather Watch: Typhoon Saudel strengthened to Category 1 with rain the main concern as it tracks through the northern islands.

Energy Costs & Reliability: Guam Power Authority says fuel costs fell from about $53.5M (April) to $37.8M (June) but rose again to about $39.2M (July), around $157 a barrel, with the next shipment due around Sept. 3 and expected fuel pricing still “hanging there.” The PUC’s Levelized Energy Adjustment Clause rate hike took effect in July, adding nearly $60 to monthly bills for typical residential users, while GPA warns load shedding risk stays high through the end of the month as Ukudu’s steam turbine remains under repair. Public Health & Benefits: DPHSS told SNAP recipients whose benefits were delayed by a power-outage glitch to check EBT balances after 7:15 p.m. Local Governance & Services: Sen. Telo Taitague is pushing for an executive director role in the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner after Dr. Keng-Chih “Kenny” Su resigned, citing staffing and equipment gaps. Economy & Business: Pepper Lunch opened a second Guam location in Hagåtña at Agana Shopping Center, and GEDA highlighted local firms at the Japan Inbound Trade Mission tied to PHARE. Water Rates: PUC approved Guam Waterworks’ rate increases starting Oct. 1, with most residential bills rising $2.39 to $4.67. Environment & Policy: Guam is again raising concerns about being shut out of formal comments on a CNMI seabed mining lease sale, calling it a “race to the bottom.” Community Notes: Sakura Noodle House closed after 54 years, and funeral services were announced for longtime Filipino Community of Guam leader Mark Pangilinan.

Election Anxiety: A new op-ed asks “What’s the point?” and presses voters to judge what changes after Election Day—housing, schools, Guam Memorial Hospital, tourism jobs, veterans’ care, and self-determination. Local Economy Woes: Another column says Guam isn’t dying, but the economy has shifted—store closures, school problems, and hospital fragility point to a loss of momentum. Health System Stability: Sen. Telo Taitague says Guam needs an executive director for the Chief Medical Examiner’s office after Dr. Keng-Chih “Kenny” Su resigned, citing staffing, outdated equipment, and weak admin support. Power and Bills: GPA reports fuel costs bouncing again; PUC approved water rate hikes starting Oct. 1, while load shedding risk stays high as repairs continue at Ukudu. Seabed Mining Tension: Guam is shut out of CNMI’s seabed mining comment process as Leon Guerrero’s office calls it a “race to the bottom.” Typhoon Saudel: Saudel strengthened into a typhoon; forecasters warn Guam’s bigger threat is heavy rain, while northern islands face the worst winds. Business and Culture: Pepper Lunch opens a second Hagåtña location; Sakura Noodle House closes after 54 years; Guam mourns Filipino leader Mark Pangilinan.

Japan Trade Mission: GEDA hosted a Japan Inbound Trade Mission with WUSATA and the Guam Hotel & Restaurant Association’s PHARE expo, bringing seven Japanese food-industry businesses to meet Guam makers and explore export ties. Brown Tree Snake Rules: Gov. David Apatang issued an emergency order directing DLNR to require brown tree snake inspections for vessels departing Guam to CNMI after snakes were found on Rota. Power & Internet Disruptions: Guam’s government internet outage was traced to power outages draining OTECH’s data center UPS batteries; separately, GPA reported Piti 9 tripped offline and load shedding risk remains high through month-end as Ukudu repairs continue. Local Business News: Sakura Noodle House closed Aug. 20, ending 54 years; Pepper Lunch opened a second location in Hagåtña at Agana Shopping Center. Health Watch: A CDC update says COVID-19 activity is rising in the U.S., with Guam showing moderate wastewater detection. Community: The Filipino Community of Guam is holding Mark Pangilinan’s funeral Saturday. Sports: Guam athletes earned podium finishes at Spartan Asia Pacific in China, and Gilas Pilipinas coach Tim Cone says more work is needed ahead of key qualifiers.

School Safety: A reminder for drivers and families to slow down and watch carefully in school zones, where child pedestrian crashes remain a serious risk. Housing & Procurement: GHURA approved $152,040.06 in tenant account write-offs and created a new housing procurement specialist position to strengthen procurement work. Public Health Compliance: DPHSS says all GDOE schools with sanitation permits expiring Sept. 30 passed inspections except Tiyan High School, which was suspended after a low sanitation rating. Invasive Species Oversight: An OPA audit found Guam Agriculture and the Invasive Species Council haven’t used the Invasive Species Inspection Fee Fund to complete the required Guam Invasive Species Management Plan. Power Reliability: GPA warns islandwide load shedding risk stays high until Aug. 31 as Ukudu repairs continue. Weather Watch: Tropical Storm Saudel is expected to intensify as it moves through the northern Marianas; CNMI issued preparedness guidance and conditions. Community & Culture: Bank of Guam renewed $15,000 support for Make-A-Wish Guam & CNMI, and the Filipino Community of Guam is holding services for longtime leader Mark Pangilinan. Sports: Spartan racers Belen Sidell, Tess Esma and James Sardea earned podium finishes at the Spartan Asia Pacific Championship in China. Tourism Push: GVB is leaning into digital marketing to boost arrivals as costs and flight disruptions continue to pressure travel.

Tropical Storm Saudel: The NWS upgraded 17W to Tropical Storm Saudel, with Guam unlikely to see tropical-storm force winds, though hazardous seas are possible; CNMI issued Tropical Storm Condition III for Saipan and Tinian, with typhoon watches for Pagan/Alamagan/Agrihan. Local Education: Letters urge GDOE to replace the aging Tiyan school facilities with a new high school and call for stronger executive leadership when the system can’t fix crises fast enough. Guam Tourism: GVB says visitor arrivals are down year-over-year and is leaning on digital marketing and airline/travel partnerships as fuel surcharges and flight disruptions squeeze demand. Guam Sports & Community: East Bengal Women made headlines with a 12-0 AFC Women’s Champions League win over Guam’s Rovers FC, while Mall Ball 2026 wrapped up another summer of 3x3 basketball at Micronesia Mall. Governance: Guam lawmakers passed multiple bills, including a FY2027 budget measure with a BPT rollback, and advanced land and public investment items.

Hospitality & Tourism: The Pacific Hotel and Restaurant Expo returned to the Hyatt Regency Guam, highlighting local products and a Japan buyer delegation as PHARE pushes Guam’s food-and-service creativity; Tourism Demand: GVB says visitor arrivals fell 36.7% in July and is leaning on digital marketing and airline/travel co-ops to boost demand as FY2026 winds down; Weather Watch: Tropical Storm Saudel (17W) is forming and could strengthen, but Guam’s odds of damaging winds look low—still, hazardous seas and rainy conditions are expected; Education & Workforce: UOG launched its College Credit for Lived Experience program, letting adults earn up to 30 credits for skills gained through work, service, and training; Local Governance: Guam lawmakers passed five bills, including land transfers to the Guam Ancestral Lands Commission and changes to public investment under qualifying certificate law; Schools: Tiyan and Simon Sanchez students remain displaced after a failed inspection, with no firm reopening date yet; Business Dispute: Cost-U-Less is fighting an eviction claim tied to an unfinished Hagatña store ahead of its Aug. 28 opening; Defense & Region: Guam’s broader security backdrop continues as North Korea rejects Trump’s overtures and Guam remains in the orbit of regional military planning.

Education & Facilities: Guam’s Tiyan and Simon Sanchez campuses remain closed after a failed health inspection, with GDOE saying repairs could take “about a week” or “no more than 10 days” but no firm reopening date. Procurement & Accountability: DPW canceled the Simon Sanchez High procurement after General Pacific Services said it took 271 days to resolve three protests—GPS calls it mismanagement and says delays prolonged the school replacement. Local Governance: Guam lawmakers advanced multiple bills, including one allowing late applications for the Criminal Injuries Compensation Commission with “good cause.” Weather Watch: Tropical Depression 17W (Invest 92W) is expected to intensify and may pass north of Guam or Saipan as a Category 1–2 typhoon, while Guam also saw separate heavy rain and flood advisories. Seabed Mining Fight: Environmentalists sued to halt deep-sea mining lease sales, and Guam officials say more info is needed before leasing risks are accepted. Citizenship Push: Rep. Morgan Griffith says his bill ending automatic citizenship for children born in territories is still active, while Guam’s governor’s office seeks assurances it won’t be placed in doubt. Tourism Policy: Marianas Visitors Authority is monitoring a Trump birth-tourism executive order and says it supports legitimate travel while backing safeguards. Public Safety/Health: Guam State Historic Preservation Officer Patrick Lujan was released from jail pending trial on strangulation and assault charges. Business & Community: Home Depot launched nationwide express delivery using its stores as fulfillment hubs, and Sakura Noodle House announced it will close Aug. 31 after nearly 54 years.

Seabed Mining Fight: A coalition of environmentalists and community advocates sued the federal government to stop the first commercial sale of deep-sea mining leases in U.S. waters, challenging a decision that said mining won’t likely harm endangered species. Marianas Storm Watch: Tropical disturbance Invest 92W was upgraded to Tropical Depression 17W and could strengthen into a typhoon as it nears the Marianas, with forecasts suggesting a possible pass north of Guam. Local Governance & Schools: Guam lieutenant gubernatorial candidate Sen. Sabina Perez and Sen. Therese Terlaje criticized the closure of the Tiyan High School campus, saying contractor maintenance failures left students displaced. Energy Update: CUC warned a funding crunch is slowing power restoration, while GPA reported load-shedding risk tied to repairs at the Piti 8 unit. Tourism & Business: The Guam Hotel and Restaurant Association’s PHARE 2026 kicked off with hospitality innovation and trade matchmaking, and Sakura Noodle House announced it will close Aug. 31 after nearly 54 years. Community & Health: UOG SNAP-Ed invited adults to a free nutrition workshop series, and UOG hosted an end-of-summer nutrition push to help residents shift into healthier habits.

Guam Politics & Integrity: A new letter argues Guam still struggles to recognize corruption, saying it hides behind “progress” projects and calls for tougher accountability from the attorney general. Local Governance & Budget: The 38th Legislature passed Guam’s $1.42B FY2027 spending plan, rolling the Business Privilege Tax to 4% while keeping a 5% BPT on military buildup construction. Power Restoration Crunch (CNMI): CUC says a $40M line of credit stalled in the Legislature is slowing restoration, with about 3,000 customers still without power and restoration rates far lower on Rota. Courts (CNMI): CNMI’s Supreme Court heard arguments over Tinian’s internet-only casino law and a digital “stable token,” with constitutional limits at the center. Defense Build-Up: The U.S. Army confirmed a new Guam Patriot-equipped battalion will stand up in October. Education: SIFA began the school year at Royal Orchid while a move to the former Chief Brodie campus remains uncertain. Sports: Guam’s women’s national team beat Palau 142-37 in the FIBA Micronesian Cup.

Power & Repairs: Guam Power Authority says load shedding begins Tuesday night after demand outpaced generation due to emergency repairs at Piti 8; Ukudu’s steam turbine is offline and Ukudu base load is expected back by end of next week, with a schedule guiding rotating outages. Budget & Taxes: The 38th Guam Legislature passed a $1.42B FY2027 executive spending plan in a 13-2 vote, keeping the Business Privilege Tax rollback to 4% effective Oct. 1, 2026 while preserving a 5% BPT rate on prime military buildup construction contracts. Education & Procurement: DPW canceled the Simon Sanchez High School campus procurement after denying three protests, saying restarting is the fastest way to avoid years of delay for students. Coral Conservation: Guam gathered public input to update its Coral Reef Resilience Strategy for 2027-2032, shaping priorities and funding through community and expert meetings. Defense Build-Up: The U.S. Army confirmed a new Guam battalion equipped with Patriot air defense will stand up in October. Utilities Funding: CUC is moving toward asking for a recovery surcharge after a $40M credit line stalled in the Legislature, citing thousands still without power. Weather Watch: NWS is tracking Invest 92W, a stalled system that could slowly drift toward the Marianas later this week. Land Transfer: Senators advanced a bill to transfer more than 700 acres in Yigo to the Guam Ancestral Lands Commission, with lawmakers raising questions about prior legal recommendations.

Guam Budget & Taxes: Lawmakers passed the governor’s FY2027 budget compromise in a 13-2 vote, boosting funding by about $18 million while keeping a business privilege tax rollback from 4.5% to 4%. Education Procurement: DPW canceled the Simon Sanchez High School procurement after denying three protests, saying restarting is the fastest way to avoid years of delay. USS Abraham Lincoln Scrutiny: CENTCOM’s top commander visited the USS Abraham Lincoln amid reports of a mental health crisis and attempted jumpovers; families and lawmakers keep pressing for details as the carrier nears nine months at sea. Defense Build-Up: A new U.S. Army Patriot air-defense battalion is set to stand up on Guam in October, part of a broader push for 360-degree protection. Agriculture After Typhoon Bavi: Guam Department of Agriculture opened the Crop Loss Compensation Program application window for farmers, with applications due Sept. 2. Weather Watch: NWS Guam is monitoring Invest 92W for possible development toward the Marianas later this week. Sports: Guam’s women’s national basketball team dominated Palau 142-37 to win the FIBA Women’s Micronesian Cup and qualify for the 2027 Pacific Games.

Courts & Public Safety: A federal trial begins Tuesday for Kenneth Scott Cruz II, accused of conspiring to distribute meth hidden inside a Bunn coffee maker mailed to Guam in 2021. Disaster Relief: Guam Department of Agriculture opened applications for the Crop Loss Compensation Program for Typhoon Bavi losses, with farmers able to apply through Sept. 2. Weather Watch: NWS Guam is tracking Invest 92W as the main system that could eventually develop and possibly affect the Marianas later this week. National Security: A local island security analyst says a potential nuclear strike on Andersen could spread fallout across Guam, as the Pentagon reviews nuclear planning. Local Governance: The CNMI Supreme Court heard arguments over Tinian’s internet casino law and its digital “stable token,” with justices weighing whether it exceeds local authority. Sports: Guam’s women’s national team routed Palau 142-37 to win the FIBA Women’s Micronesian Cup and qualify for the 2027 Pacific Games. Education: UOG late registration runs through Aug. 25 for the Fall 2026 semester, with classes starting Aug. 19. Business & Finance: Moody’s reaffirmed the Port Authority of Guam’s Baa2 senior lien revenue bond rating with a stable outlook. Arts: Artspace Guåhan is calling for artists for “Boundless: Art Without Borders,” opening April 15, 2027.

USS Abraham Lincoln Crew Welfare: A U.S. Navy sailor described filthy conditions, food shortages, and worsening living conditions aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln after more than 250 days at sea, as families and lawmakers press for answers and the ship’s mental health crisis remains in the spotlight. Local Education Disruption: Just days into the school year, Tiyan High School and Simon Sanchez High School were shut down after inspection failures, reigniting outrage over Guam Department of Education planning and student safety. Guam Budget Moves: The Guam Legislature is set to vote Monday on the revised FY2027 budget after Friday amendments, including keeping the Business Privilege Tax at 4% and preserving a 5% BPT on military buildup construction projects. Agriculture After Typhoon Bavi: The Guam Department of Agriculture opened applications for its Crop Loss Compensation Program, running Aug. 17 through Sept. 2, to help farmers cover eligible crop input losses. Court Interpreter Recruitment: Guam’s Judiciary is seeking more bilingual interpreters, offering $28 an hour, with training sessions Aug. 17 and Aug. 24. Sports: Guam won the FIBA Women’s Micronesian Cup 2026 title, and the Guam Packers captured the Metgot Division championship with a 34-0 win over Hal’s Angels.

Budget Vote Looms: Guam lawmakers are set to vote Monday on the governor’s revised FY2027 budget after Friday amendments, including keeping the business privilege tax at 4% and preserving a 5% BPT on military buildup construction projects. Federal Funds Shift: $104.8M in COVID-era recovery money originally tied to the Mangilao medical complex is being reallocated to DPW, GMH and GWA as legal fights and a federal spending deadline squeezed the plan. Typhoon Impacts Agriculture: The Guam Department of Agriculture opens Crop Loss Compensation Program applications Aug. 17 through Sept. 2 for eligible farmers hit by Typhoon Bavi. Court Access: The Superior Court is recruiting bilingual interpreters for its on-call registry, paying $28 an hour, with training Aug. 17 and Aug. 24. Mail Costs Rise: USPS now requires Guam shippers to use a third-party app to pay duties and fees before sending packages to the 50 states, raising shipping costs. Nautilus Displaced: Super Typhoon Dolphin pushed the E/V Nautilus more than 1,000 miles off its survey route, forcing the expedition out of Guam and CNMI waters. Military Morale Spotlight: Reports continue about mental health strain aboard USS Abraham Lincoln during an extended deployment, including attempted overboard incidents and quality-of-life complaints.

Military & Mental Health: Families and U.S. officials say sailors aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln have faced months-long strain, including a reported overboard incident and concerns about morale and conditions; the USS George Washington is expected to relieve the Lincoln. Local Courts: Guam’s Judiciary is recruiting bilingual court interpreters, paying $28 an hour, with training set for Aug. 17 and Aug. 24. Legislature & Budget: Lawmakers advanced amendments to the FY2027 budget, including removing a proposal that would have raised the attorney general’s procurement threshold from $500,000 to $5 million. Guam Economy & Shipping: Residents say USPS changes now require third-party duty payments via Zonos Prepay, raising costs for shipping mail to the U.S. Disaster Recovery: Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero formally requested a major disaster declaration for Super Typhoon Bavi to unlock additional FEMA and SBA help. CNMI Agriculture: Sen. Corina Magofna is seeking disaster funding info for CNMI farmers and ranchers after Super Typhoons Sinlaku and Bavi. Community & Youth: A junior cadet law-enforcement program graduated its first cohort of five students.