By Pacific Island Times News Staff Tropical Depression 09W was upgraded to a tropical storm early this morning, with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph. It is expected to intensify in the coming days, presenting significant concern for all of the Mariana Islands, from Guam to Pagan. The National Weather Service Guam described Tropical Storm 09W as a significant threat for Guam and the CNMI as it maintained a track toward the region. A special weather statement remains in effec

As of 7 a.m. today, Invest 95W continued its gradual development over eastern Micronesia, now with a broad cyclonic flow extending well north and south of the low-level circulation center, extending southward to the equator, NWS said.

Guam had an 11.7 percent payment error rate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, facing the risk shouldering 15 percent of the program's cost.