AGP Executive Report

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.

Guam Memorial Hospital: After 10 years of planning, GMH has secured final procurement approval to start Phase I of its $17.8 million maternity ward renovation, with initial work expected within 30 days and construction planned in four phases to keep maternal services running. Education Update: Tiyan High School repairs are largely done, but roof work and remaining tasks could keep both Tiyan and Simon A. Sanchez students on a proposed double-session schedule until the end of the semester, pending a Sept. 11 inspection. Public Health Leadership: Guam’s chief medical examiner post is temporarily covered as the Commission on Post-Mortem Examinations discusses stability after the resignation of Dr. Keng-Chih “Kenny” Su, including a Hawaii-based candidate available for autopsies on an as-needed basis. Tourism & Business: GVB is rolling out a new online grants portal for the Tourism Works Micro-Grant, and Avolta has been provisionally approved to take over A.B. Won Pat Airport specialty retail and food & beverage contracts. Local Community: The Guam Gadao Lions Club donated $4,000 total to support community meals and Korean School of Guam programs. Sports & Culture: Go Peace 26 brought together Guam’s behavioral health and prevention community for intergenerational mental wellness conversations.

Education Update: Guam Department of Education says major repairs at Tiyan High School are done, but roof work and other remaining projects could keep students on a proposed double-session schedule through the end of the semester, pending a Sept. 11 campus inspection; Local Food & Farming: UOG Land Grant’s “Tilapia to Table” workshop (Sept. 12) will teach raising tilapia in saltwater and salting/smoking fish for shelf-stable products; Airport Business: Avolta has been provisionally awarded Guam Airport speciality retail and food & beverage contracts at A.B. Won Pat International Airport, with final negotiations set to begin; Tourism Funding: GVB launched a new online grants portal for the Tourism Works Micro-Grant, letting applicants submit, upload documents, and save applications securely; Community & Youth: Go Peace 26 conference at Hyatt Regency Guam brought together prevention and mental health stakeholders, focusing on how different generations can work together; Sports & Culture: UOG is hosting about 1,000 Meikai University freshmen from Japan for an English and culture program, and Guam Ninja Association held its 3rd quarterly competition with 26 athletes.

Guam Education Update: Tiyan High and Simon A. Sanchez High students may return to the Tiyan campus for double-session classes the week after a Sept. 11 inspection, after the campus shutdown forced about 2,300 students into remote learning. Tourism & Business: The Guam Visitors Bureau is set to host more than 200 travel trade professionals, media, and digital influencers for the Guam Mega FAM Tour (Sept. 3–7), with island tours and a tabletop marketplace for local businesses. Local Health & Community: GOPEACE 26 at Hyatt Regency Guam brought together behavioral health and prevention stakeholders for three days focused on mental wellness across generations, including panel discussions on how kids are increasingly self-referring for counseling. Environment: The Guam Restoration of Watersheds (GROW) initiative highlights how restoring southern Guam watersheds helps protect coral reefs by reducing erosion and sediment runoff. Military Ties: USS Abraham Lincoln’s sailors and Marines are in Thailand for shore leave after a 286-day deployment, with reports of curfews and warnings against prostitution. Fuel Prices: Regular gas rose 15 cents to $5.929 per gallon, while diesel climbed to $6.999.

Watershed Restoration: Guam’s GROW Initiative is restoring southern watersheds with tree planting and erosion-control to protect freshwater and coral reefs. Mental Health & Youth: GOPEACE 26 at Hyatt Regency Guam brought behavioral health leaders together, with panelists noting more kids self-referring for counseling and talking about stress and sadness. Education & Tourism: UOG is set to host about 1,000 Meikai University freshmen from Japan, and Global Learning & Engagement projects 4,525 international visitors through its programs in 2026. School Reopening Update: Tiyan High is scheduled for a Sept. 11 inspection, with possible double-session classes the following week for about 2,300 students. Port Security: Lawmakers are considering a bill to require standardized, high-security container seals to reduce seal discrepancies and strengthen cargo inspections. Fuel Prices: Guam fuel jumped again—regular to $5.929 and diesel to $6.999—after nearly a month of respite. Community Sports & Culture: Guam Ninja Association held its 3rd quarterly competition, while volunteers planted 2,200 trees at As Gadao in Malesso’. Navy in the Region: USS Abraham Lincoln’s crew is on liberty in Pattaya, Thailand, after a 286-day deployment.

Former Public Health fire update: Guam’s DPHSS says no lifetime or Office of Vital Statistics records were lost in the Mangilao blaze; GCC now plans to “raze” the damaged building to make room for new nursing and paramedic simulation labs. USS Abraham Lincoln liberty in Thailand: After 286 days at sea, the carrier docked near Pattaya for rest and relaxation, with sailors and Marines heading to shore under curfews and restrictions, while new photos show heavy “running rust” and chipped paint described as mostly cosmetic. Education facilities timeline: Tiyan High and Simon Sanchez students could return to the Tiyan campus for double-session classes the week after a Sept. 11 inspection, as roof repairs continue. Tourism push: GVB’s Guam Mega FAM brings 200+ international travel partners to Guam Sept. 3–7, and it also launched an online grants portal for the Tourism Works Micro-Grant. STEM and health on Guam: Society for Science named the Top 300 for the Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge (including U.S. territories), while MDX Imaging installed a new digital X-ray system and Todu Guam Foundation welcomed OB/GYN Dr. Jacqueline M.K. Wong.

Education & Campus Safety: Tiyan High and Simon A. Sanchez students are set for a possible return to the Tiyan campus under a Sept. 11 Department of Public Health inspection, with double-session classes planned for the week after if more areas can reopen after the Aug. 13 shutdown. Accountability in School Procurement: A Guam audit found significant deficiencies in GDOE’s 2023 air-conditioning procurement, citing unresolved work tied to 286 units and listing millions in questioned costs and financial impacts. Tourism Push: GVB and the Guam Visitors Bureau will host the Guam Mega FAM Sept. 3–7, bringing 200+ travel partners, media, and influencers for tours, cultural experiences, and a tabletop marketplace. Regional Leadership & Climate: Guam Governor Lou Leon Guerrero is in Palau for the Pacific Islands Forum, calling climate change, security, and health top agenda items as leaders discuss storm impacts and regional priorities. Health Services Upgrade: MDX Imaging Center installed a new digital X-ray system to speed imaging, reduce radiation dose, and improve diagnostic clarity. Local Community & Wellness: Todu Guam Foundation welcomed OB/GYN Dr. Jacqueline M.K. Wong to its Women’s Health team, now accepting new patients and referrals. Public Safety: Guam Fire Department said Monday’s fire at the former Mangilao Public Health building took about six hours to suppress; the cause is still under investigation. Sports & Culture: Guam Ninja Association’s quarterly competition drew 26 athletes, while Guam’s fall sports action continues with teams preparing for upcoming meets and tournaments.

Education Disruption: Tiyan High and Simon Sanchez students are still learning remotely after a failed building inspection shut down the Tiyan campus; another inspection is set for Thursday after the Aug. 13 check found major issues. Local Fire Response: Guam Fire Department says Monday’s fire at the former Mangilao Public Health building took about six hours to suppress, damaging furniture, equipment and files; the cause is still under investigation. Tourism Funding Push: GVB launched an online grants portal for its Tourism Works Micro-Grant, with applications now open for tourism-related cultural, sports, eco-tourism, wellness, education and community projects. Hospital Access Upgrade: GMHA cut the ribbon on 38 new parking stalls at Guam Memorial Hospital to help patients and visitors who’ve been struggling to find parking. Regional Diplomacy: Guam is seeking full membership in the Pacific Islands Forum, arguing it will strengthen Guam’s voice on regional economic, security and climate efforts. Navy & Guam Connections: A MyNavy HR Career Development Symposium wrapped up in Japan and Guam, and the USS Abraham Lincoln is set to dock in Thailand after a long deployment. Politics & Citizenship Debate: Congressional candidate Alicia Limtiaco says she opposes efforts to end birthright citizenship for children born in Guam and other U.S. territories. Sports & Culture: Guam athletes are heading to Tokyo for the 2026 SJJIF World Jiu-Jitsu Championship, and Fish & Kon Mart opened in Saipan to help restore breadfruit access after Typhoon Sinlaku.

Guam Fire Response: The Guam Fire Department said it took about six hours to suppress a Monday fire at the former Department of Public Health and Social Services building in Mangilao, damaging furniture, personal items, and files; the cause is still under investigation. Local Health & Infrastructure: Guam Memorial Hospital Authority cut the ribbon on 38 new parking stalls to ease patient and visitor stress, with a second phase expected to add sidewalks by November. Education Support: Marines from Camp Blaz welcomed students back at Finegayan Elementary, helping with cleanup, classroom repainting, and storm recovery support. Sports on the Global Stage: Guam MMA fighter Joseph “Seay” Camacho heads to Tokyo for PANCRASE 365 on Sept. 6, and a 16-athlete Guam jiu-jitsu delegation will compete in the SJJIF World Jiu-Jitsu Championship Sept. 3–6. Budget & Governance Debate: A revised fiscal 2027 budget bill has become law after Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero let it lapse, citing concerns about changes affecting the Office of the Attorney General. Regional Geopolitics: The UN warned that nuclear test bans are at risk as major powers refuse to ratify the treaty.