AGP Executive Report

Education Decline: GDOE says Guam’s public school enrollment keeps sliding, with every campus under-enrolled—down from 23,121 students in 2025 to 21,840 now, driven by families relocating off island and a shift from southern villages to central and northern areas. CNMI Politics: Incumbent Delegate Kimberlyn King-Hinds and challenger Galvin Deleon Guerrero closed out their debate after a wide-ranging forum on disaster recovery, federal contracting, Medicaid, citizenship and tourism. Child Safety Sting: Five men were arrested on Guam after a multi-agency undercover operation targeting alleged online attempts to lure minors. Healthcare Workforce: Guam Community College’s first ADN-RN class hit a 100% NCLEX-RN pass rate, adding 20 new registered nurses to the island. Local Justice/AG Race: Four attorney general candidates will face off in a Guam Bar debate next week, with the incumbent not participating. Tourism Push: GVB says overseas marketing continues despite weaker arrivals, including results from the 2026 Guam MegaFAM Tour that drew 240 travel professionals and generated 700+ B2B connections. Health Planning: DPHSS is seeking community input for a new five-year diabetes strategic plan. Public Safety/Commemoration: Guam marked the Sept. 11 anniversary with local remembrance events at Two Lovers Point. MMA Spotlight: Joseph “Seay” Camacho won by first-round TKO in Tokyo at PANCRASE 365.

Education & Health: GDOE says it’s waiting on the Tiyan campus environmental inspection report, and plans double-sessions to keep students on track for the 180-day requirement without a waiver after the Aug. 13 closure. Healthcare Workforce: All 20 graduates of Guam Community College’s first ADN-RN class passed the NCLEX-RN licensing exam, adding 20 new registered nurses to the island. Elections & Law: The Guam Election Commission says AG Douglas Moylan can still run for attorney general despite complaints about past Republican Party ties, while four non-incumbent AG candidates are set for a Guam Bar debate next week. Public Safety & Community: Guam marked the Sept. 11 anniversary with local first responders and service members at Two Lovers Point, including a retired lieutenant colonel urging residents to mentally prepare for the next crisis. Sports: Guam MMA fighter Joseph “Seay” Camacho won by first-round TKO in Tokyo. Tourism & Culture: GVB opened registration for the 2026 Guam International Dance Festival, and Guam’s tourism push continues overseas amid low arrivals. Environment & Economy: Lawsuits challenge deep-sea mining plans in the Marianas and American Samoa, while CNMI’s delegate calls for a 50% revenue share for territories.

Guam Election Watch: The Guam Election Commission says AG Douglas Moylan can run in the 2026 General Election for a non-partisan post, despite complaints about his Republican Party ties and RAGA listings. Education & Pay: Teachers again urged lawmakers to fix pay and affordability as they testified on Bill 351-38, which would give GDOE independent authority over educator classification and compensation. 9/11 Remembrance: A Twin Towers toy-log replica lit up at Micronesia Mall as residents marked the 25th anniversary, while a retired Army lieutenant colonel shared how he narrowly avoided the Pentagon impact and urged Guam to plan for the next crisis. Tourism Push: GVB keeps promoting overseas even as arrivals remain weak, with August visitor numbers down sharply year over year, especially from South Korea and Japan. Public Safety: Federal authorities say five men were arrested after an online undercover operation targeting attempted enticement of a minor. Health & Community: DPHSS is seeking input for a new five-year diabetes strategic plan, and Serve Guam Commission announced $3.65M in AmeriCorps grants creating nearly 300 service roles.

9/11 Remembrance: A new Twin Towers replica built from 108,515 toy timber logs was lit at Micronesia Mall, with organizers saying it will stand through Sept. 20 as a unity and remembrance fundraiser. Crisis Preparedness: Retired Army Lt. Col. David Okada, whose office was near the Pentagon impact, urged Guam residents to mentally plan for disasters so people don’t freeze when the next crisis hits. Tourism Push: Guam Visitors Bureau says overseas promotion continues despite low arrivals, citing the 2026 Guam MegaFAM Tour’s 240+ travel trade visitors and 700+ B2B connections. Deep-Sea Mining Fight: Conservation groups sued to block Marianas deep-sea mining, while CNMI leaders urged a halt and revenue-sharing changes. Health & Community: DPHSS is seeking public input for a new five-year diabetes plan; Serve Guam Commission awarded $3.65M in AmeriCorps grants creating nearly 300 service positions. Public Safety: Five men face attempted enticement of a minor charges after an undercover online operation. Sports & Culture: Joseph “Seay” Camacho won by first-round TKO in Japan; registration is open for the 2026 Guam International Dance Festival (Dec. 4–6).

Tourism Push: Guam Visitors Bureau GM Régine Biscoe Lee says overseas promotion will continue as arrivals lag, citing Aug. 1-18 visitor numbers down 22.9% vs. 2025 and South Korea/Japan still below last year, even as the Sept. 4 Guam Mega Familiarization Tour drew 200+ trade pros, media, and influencers. Deep-Sea Mining Fight: Conservation groups and others filed a new lawsuit challenging deep-sea mining plans for the Marianas and CNMI delegate Kimberlyn King-Hinds is pushing for a 50% revenue cut for territories; groups also urged Gov. David Apatang to ask Interior to halt the lease process. Health & Community: DPHSS is seeking public input for a new five-year diabetes strategic plan (Sept. 22 at the Westin); Serve Guam Commission awarded $3.65M in AmeriCorps grants creating about 290 service positions. Cost Pressures: DOD per diem for meals/incidental expenses on Guam rose $14 (to $138) and gas jumped over 30 cents to $6.229 regular and diesel to $7.199. Local Sports & Culture: Guam Football Association launches the inaugural Men’s Recreational Mañe’lu League starting Oct. 4; Tribal Theory returns to Guam Saturday for “ROOTED” at LeoPalace. Education Update: Tiyan/San Vitores campus reopening could slip to early January after an inspection, with full-time instruction not expected until 2027.

Defense & Tourism: Guam’s DoD per diem for meals and incidental expenses jumped $14 effective Sept. 1, from $124 to $138 (lodging stays $179), a change GHRA says matters for hotels and restaurants serving government travelers. Cost of Living: Gas rose 30 cents and diesel 20 cents Wednesday night, pushing regular above $6 a gallon and diesel above $7. Health Planning: DPHSS is taking community input to build a new five-year diabetes strategic plan, with a Sept. 22 meeting at the Westin Resort Guam. Service & Jobs: Serve Guam Commission awarded $3.65 million in AmeriCorps grants to Guahan Academy Charter School, UOG Volunteer Center, and GMHA, creating nearly 300 service positions. Education: Tiyan and Simon Sanchez students may not return for full-time face-to-face instruction until 2027, depending on a Friday campus inspection and remaining work. Marianas Deep-Sea Mining: CNMI groups urged Gov. David Apatang to ask the U.S. to halt the deep-sea mining leasing process, as lawsuits challenge the federal plan. Community & Culture: Tribal Theory headlines Jam Sessions’ “ROOTED” show Saturday at LeoPalace, and UOG Land Grant’s “Tilapia to Table” workshop teaches raising, processing, and curing fish. Sports: Guam Football Association launches its inaugural Men’s Recreational Mañe’lu League, starting Oct. 4.

Education Update: Tiyan and Simon Sanchez students may not return for full-time face-to-face classes until early January 2027, after a Friday inspection; first-floor areas are ready, but roof leak work on upper floors and scheduling planning remain. Teacher Pay Bill: A public hearing on Bill 351-38 drew support and concerns as it would give GDOE independent authority to set educator classification and compensation, with a pay-scale deadline tied to Jan. 1, 2027. Health Care: Guam Memorial Hospital Authority cleared final procurement steps for its long-delayed maternity and newborn care renovation, certifying $17.85M for Phase 1 to modernize labor, maternity, postpartum, nursery and NICU spaces. Cost of Living & Travel: Gas prices jumped again—regular over $6 and diesel over $7—while federal per diem for Guam travel rose by $14 to $317 total daily. Community & Culture: GEDA awarded $285K to 19 village mayor’s offices for projects across healthcare, public safety, economic development, higher education and cultural preservation; Tumon Night Market marked its first anniversary. Marianas Deep-Sea Mining: CNMI groups and lawmakers pushed back in court and in Washington, seeking more review and a longer public comment period before lease sales move forward. Local Youth & Sports: LifeWorks Guam marked 25 years of suicide prevention and support; Guam Girl Scouts earned a Money Master patch at Bank of Guam.

Education Pay Bill: Guam lawmakers heard mixed testimony on Bill 351-38, which would give the Guam Department of Education independent authority to set educator classification and compensation, aiming to boost retention amid low teacher pay and a growing shortage. Hospital Update: Guam Memorial Hospital Authority is moving from planning to construction on its long-delayed maternity and child health renovation, with Phase 1 certified at nearly $17.85M to modernize labor, maternity, postpartum, nursery and NICU services. Tourism & Community: Tumon Night Market marks its first anniversary, growing from a 10-week pilot into a weekly hub for local food, culture, and performers, while Guam’s food scene adds new spots like Pressure Specialty Coffee, Shogun Teppanyaki, and Egu Cafe. Local Economy: Federal per diem rates for Guam travel rose by $14 effective Sept. 1, with lodging unchanged but meals and incidental expenses increasing—an adjustment the Guam Hotel and Restaurant Association says matters for government travel. Deep-Sea Mining Fight: CNMI groups sued the U.S. to stop deep-sea mining lease plans off the Marianas, challenging federal findings that the leases won’t harm threatened species. Tourism Numbers: GVB reports South Korean arrivals are down 37.3% for Aug. 1–12, calling it a “key area of concern.” Business & Culture Abroad: GEDA launched the inaugural Håfa Adai Guam Festival in Japan to showcase Made in Guam products to Japanese consumers.

Deep-Sea Mining Fight: Conservation and community groups, including Our Common Wealth 670 and Earthjustice, filed a lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s plan to move forward with deep-sea mining lease sales near the CNMI and Guam, arguing the government wrongly downplayed harm to humpback whales, manta rays, and sea turtles. Local Economy: Guam’s unemployment rate rose 0.2 points in June to 3.6%, while preliminary data also points to job growth in the private and “contracted” government sectors. Healthcare: Guam Memorial Hospital Authority cleared major steps toward its long-delayed maternal and child health renovation, certifying nearly $17.85M for Phase 1 to modernize labor and delivery and newborn care. Insurance Access: GRMC will stop being an in-network provider for TakeCare Insurance starting Wednesday, meaning many patients will be treated as self-paying at the Dededo hospital. Tourism Pulse: The Tumon Night Market marks its first anniversary, and Guam’s MegaFAM trade show drew 200+ international travel partners and media to sell the island to key markets. Public Safety: NWS says wildfire smoke haze from Indonesia has been reported across the region, including Guam and Saipan.

Medical Examiner Update: Guam may get help with forensic autopsies as a Hawaii-based doctor is discussed as a temporary chief medical examiner option, with services potentially starting Sept. 1 on a rotation basis. Health Insurance Shock: Guam Regional Medical City will stop being in-network for TakeCare Insurance on Wednesday, meaning many TakeCare patients will be treated as self-paying at GRMC unless they qualify for “continuing care” protections. Hospital Construction: GMHA’s long-delayed maternal and child health renovation is cleared to move into construction after final procurement approvals, with Phase 1 funded at about $17.85M. Tourism Numbers: South Korean arrivals to Guam are down 37.3% for Aug. 1–12, a “key area of concern” for the Guam Visitors Bureau. Local Education & Schools: Tiyan High School repairs are progressing after a sanitation shutdown, with a new inspection set for Friday. Community & UOG: UOG Land Grant launched a community needs assessment survey to shape local programs on agriculture, health, and natural resources. Public Safety: A $50,000 reward tied to a 2024 Tumon tourist killing remains unclaimed. Weather: Wildfire smoke haze across Guam and the region is being blamed on Indonesia, with NWS urging people with health conditions to take precautions.

Education & Community Planning: The long-vacant Tumon Bay Mall could be repurposed as a 40-classroom educational facility, with iLearn Academy Charter School seeking approvals and a zone variance for a possible 2027 start. Local Business: Grease Monkey Drive-In opened in Tamuning as a car-meet dining spot, currently running limited hours while staffing and payment systems are finalized. Tourism & Culture: The Barcinas Sisters brought traditional weaving to the Guam MegaFAM Trade Show, showcasing both classic pieces and modern twists for visiting travel partners. Tourism Numbers: Guam Visitors Bureau data shows South Korean arrivals down 37.3% in early August, with overall August arrivals down 21.7% year over year. Health & Infrastructure: Guam Memorial Hospital Authority cleared final procurement for its Maternal and Child Health renovation, certifying $17.8M for Phase One and aiming to start work soon. Environment: Haze across Guam and the region is linked to wildfire smoke from Indonesia, with NWS urging people with health conditions to take precautions. Gov’t & Courts: The Office of the Attorney General filed a certiorari petition to the U.S. Supreme Court in a DPHSS sanitary permits case. Military: USS Abraham Lincoln’s carrier strike group departed Thailand after a port call, heading toward San Diego following a nine-month deployment.

Tourism & arrivals: Guam Visitors Bureau data flags South Korea as a “key area of concern,” with arrivals down 37.3% (9,561 visitors) for Aug. 1–12, while overall August arrivals are down 21.7% year over year. Local tourism push: GVB hosted the 2026 Guam MegaFAM Trade Show with 200+ international partners and media/influencers, plus nearly 40 local exhibitors, aiming for new packages and content. Health & safety: NWS says wildfire smoke haze across Guam and the region is likely from Indonesia, urging residents with health conditions to take precautions. Hospital update: Guam Memorial Hospital Authority cleared final procurement for its long-stalled maternal and newborn care renovation, certifying $17.8M for Phase One with work expected to start within 30 days. Education facilities: Tiyan High School campus repairs are largely done, but a new DPHSS inspection is set for Friday after the Aug. 12 sanitation closure. Government finance: GovGuam collected about $95.9M more than expected in FY2026, but the extra is already earmarked, including Rainy Day Fund rules. Policy & oversight: OAG filed a certiorari petition to the U.S. Supreme Court for a DPHSS sanitary-permits case, the last of three seeking SCOTUS review. Regional travel costs: EVA Air will raise excess baggage fees and other international baggage charges starting Sept. 29. Military watch: USS Abraham Lincoln has left Thailand and is heading to San Diego after a nine-month deployment.

Tourism Push: Guam’s MegaFAM Trade Show drew 200+ international travel partners, media, and influencers to LeoPalace Resort, with local hotels, restaurants, attractions, and even the Barcinas sisters showcasing Guam experiences for future bookings. Airport Fees: EVA Air says it will raise excess baggage and other international baggage charges starting Sept. 29, with Guam included in its pricing zones. Education Update: Tiyan High School repairs are largely done, but a Sept. 11 DPHSS inspection will decide whether students can return—possibly on a double-session schedule. Health Care Milestone: Guam Memorial Hospital Authority cleared final procurement for its $17.8M maternal and newborn care renovation, with Phase One certified for construction soon. Regional Weather: NWS warns wildfire smoke haze from Indonesia has been affecting Guam and the region, with health precautions urged for sensitive residents. Legal/Policy: The OAG filed a certiorari petition to the U.S. Supreme Court in a public health case tied to sanitary permits for public schools. Local Business & Culture: A UOG Land Grant workshop will teach tilapia raising and processing into salted and smoked products, plus turning fish waste into fertilizer.

Health & Safety: The National Weather Service says wildfire smoke haze from Indonesia has been blanketing Guam and nearby islands, with monsoonal winds lifting and carrying the smoke northeast—residents with health conditions are urged to take precautions. Healthcare: Guam Memorial Hospital Authority cleared final procurement for its long-stalled Maternal and Child Health renovation, certifying about $17.8M for Phase One so construction can start within 30 days, upgrading labor and delivery, maternity, postpartum, nursery and NICU space. Insurance Coverage: TakeCare is asking GRMC patients who may qualify for “continuing care” protections to contact the insurer as GRMC’s provider network ends Sept. 9. Tourism & Culture: The Guam Visitors Bureau’s MegaFam Tour brought international travel partners to Guam, including local weavers the Barcinas Sisters showcasing traditional craft with modern twists. Local Government & Schools: Senators are racing to use expected extra Section 30 money, while Tiyan and Simon Sanchez High School repairs could keep students on a double-session schedule if a Sept. 11 inspection goes well. Policy Watch: A House Rules Committee move left Guam Delegate James Moylan’s seabed mining FAST-41 exclusion out of the final bill.

Seabed Mining Fight: Rep. James Moylan’s bid to block Guam and CNMI seabed mining from using FAST-41 got rejected by the House Rules Committee, leaving deep-sea mining eligible for expedited federal review—an outcome Moylan called a threat to Guam’s waters. Hospital Upgrade: Guam Memorial Hospital Authority cleared final procurement for the first phase of its $17.8M maternal and newborn care renovation, with work expected to start within 30 days after a notice to proceed. School Repairs: Tiyan High School repairs are largely done, but roof and remaining work could keep students on a proposed double-session schedule through the semester if a Sept. 11 inspection goes well. Tourism & Local Economy: GVB launched a new online portal for Tourism Works Micro-Grant applications, aiming to cut paperwork and speed reviews for tourism partners. Aquaculture & Food Security: UOG Land Grant will host a “Tilapia to Table” workshop on Sept. 12, teaching raising, processing, and curing fish plus turning waste into fertilizer. Airport Concessions: Avolta is provisionally set to take over A.B. Won Pat airport specialty retail and food & beverage contracts, pending final negotiations.

Health Care: Guam Memorial Hospital Authority is moving ahead with its long-stalled maternity ward renovation after final procurement approvals—$28 million total, with Phase 1 certified at $17.8 million and construction expected to start within 30 days of a Notice to Proceed. Education: Tiyan High School repairs are largely done, but a Sept. 11 inspection could determine whether students return to a proposed double-session schedule through the end of the semester while remaining roof and other work continues. Local Economy & Energy Costs: Senators say Guam’s expected excess Section 30 money will be used for power bill credits, public school repairs, and rebuilding Simon Sanchez High School. Aquaculture & Food Security: UOG Land Grant will host a “Tilapia to Table” workshop Sept. 12, teaching raising tilapia, processing into salted/smoked products, and turning fish waste into fertilizer. Tourism & Airport Retail: Avolta has been provisionally approved to take over A.B. Won Pat Airport speciality retail (including duty free) and food & beverage contracts. Sports: The Sports Leigh-Out highlights off-island and local action, including CNMI’s Labor Day softball tournament.