Commonwealth Utilities Commission crew fixes a power pole knocked down by Typhoon Bavi. Photo courtesy of CUC By Pacific Island Times News Staff Saipan—President Donald J. Trump has approved the major disaster declaration for the Northern Mariana Islands, paving the way for more federal disaster assistance to boost recovery efforts in areas battered by Super Typhoon Bavi last month. The presidential declaration, which took effect on Aug. 3, unlocks the Federal Emergency Mana

Federal contractors hustle to fill orders, source materials and recruit workers, with project completion deadlines to beat. A surge in the Department of War’s spending authority entails more contract awards for critical infrastructure projects in the Indo-Pacific region.

The Democratic ticket of Therese Terlaje and Sabina Perez, and the Republican team of Tony Ada and Edward J. Calvo, will advance to the November gubernatorial election after winning the Aug. 1 primaries, which had a 39.81 percent voter turnout.