CNMI Governance: CNMI Senate President Karl R. King-Nabors says he’ll serve as acting governor after Gov. David M. Apatang and Lt. Gov. Dennis Mendiola left the islands, citing Article III, Section 8(a). Governor’s Defense: Apatang also issued a statement clarifying he left on Sept. 10 for an official trip tied to regional military developments and a National Guard commissioning ceremony, and argued the Constitution already covers acting governorship when both top officials are absent. Political Future Talks: At the Hita La’mon: Toward Sovereign Futures conference, speakers discussed what “sovereign Guam” could look like under independence or free association. CNMI Election Forum: Delegate Kimberlyn King-Hinds defended her first-term record while challenger Galvin Sablan Deleon Guerrero pushed for a “political reset” at a Saipan Chamber delegate forum. Deep-Sea Mining Fight: Conservation groups and Earthjustice filed a lawsuit challenging deep-sea mining plans around the Marianas and American Samoa; CNMI Del. King-Hinds also wants territories to receive a 50% revenue cut. Courts: A judge dismissed former garment worker Amalia Abo Guanlao’s complaint against former attorneys without prejudice for failure to prosecute. Public Service Funding: Serve Guam Commission awarded $3.65M in AmeriCorps grants to three local organizations, creating about 290 service positions. Defense & Guam: A war-game report lists Andersen AFB among U.S. targets in a simulated North Korean nuclear escalation scenario. Travel/Cost Pressures: DOD per diem for Guam meals and incidentals rose to $111 and $27, and diesel prices at U.S. military gas stations in the region are climbing.