AGP Executive Report

Public Safety: Five people, including two Philippine citizens, were indicted in a federal child-sex sting case in Guam. In a separate armed-robbery case, a defense attorney withdrew, citing his client’s game-room ties and a family connection to Guam’s attorney general-elect. Veterans’ Health: The U.S. House passed legislation to expand healthcare access for veterans in Guam and other Pacific territories and freely associated states, where long-distance travel remains a barrier. Seabed Mining: U.S. companies are seeking exploration rights in Pacific waters, with proposed blocks also near Guam; officials and environmental groups are raising concerns about the process and marine impacts. Health Care: GMHA has installed 80 new hospital beds, while a report warns Guam’s suicide toll reached 43 in 2024, the highest in four years. Waste Services: Proposed rules would require residential property owners to sign up for trash collection or face a $50 monthly penalty. Island Outlook: Census projections show Guam’s population could fall about 38% by 2100, from roughly 160,000 to 100,000.

Public Health: Guam recorded 43 suicides in 2024, the highest number in four years. Mental-health struggles, stigma and financial pressure can keep people from seeking help. Government & Justice: The U.S. Supreme Court declined to revive two corruption cases, leaving dismissals over conflicts of interest in place and ending a three-year legal fight. Healthcare: GMHA has replaced aging equipment with 80 new beds, funded by a $1 million contribution from the Core Tech Foundation. Waste Rules: GSWA proposed rules requiring residential property owners to sign up for garbage collection; noncompliance could bring a $50 monthly penalty, with waivers possible in some cases. Family Services: Temporary WIC waivers end Dec. 31, requiring about 9,000 Guam participants to return to clinics for certification and benefit issuance starting Jan. 1. Education: GDOE has $113,503 in unpaid Advanced Placement exam bills and is processing a new purchase order before the Nov. 13 deadline. Population: Census projections show Guam’s population could fall 38% by 2100, from about 160,000 to 100,000, amid lower birthrates and continued outmigration.

Corruption Cases: The U.S. Supreme Court rejected Attorney General Douglas Moylan’s appeals, leaving Guam court dismissals of cases against former officials Arthur San Agustin and Alejo Sablan in place. Family Services: Public Health says WIC’s temporary waivers end Dec. 31; starting Jan. 1, Guam’s roughly 9,000 participants must visit clinics for certification and benefit issuance. Education: GDOE owes $113,503 for last school year’s AP exams and is working to meet a Nov. 13 deadline for the next exam order. Community: A new 76/Circle K station in Yigo is expected to create 15 to 20 jobs. More than 3,000 CHamoru artifacts returned from Hawaii will be presented at a public event Friday. Waste Costs: Proposed trash rules could fine residents $50 a month for failing to sign up for mandatory service; a consultant recommends cutting the current $38 monthly rate to $20, subject to approval. Island Future: Census projections show Guam’s population could fall about 38% by 2100. Meanwhile, activists and students will discuss seabed-mining concerns at a free GCC screening Nov. 17, ahead of planned lease sales near Guam.

Trash Service: Guam Solid Waste’s proposed rules would charge residents $50 a month for failing to sign up for mandatory trash pickup. A consultant recommends lowering the current $38 monthly rate to $20 once islandwide service begins, potentially by June 2027. Government Transition: Gov.-elect Tony Ada and Lt. Gov.-elect E.J. Calvo are forming committees to review agencies, but have not named specific federal funding priorities as they prepare to work with a Democratic-led Congress. Tourism: South Korean passenger traffic to Guam fell 43.6% in October from a year earlier, as deteriorating facilities and changing travel preferences weigh on the island’s visitor appeal. Schools: The Guam Education Board approved a fiscal 2027 spending plan facing a projected $34.8 million shortfall, directing officials to prioritize curriculum, safety and facilities while maintaining 180 instructional days. Seabed Mining: Activists plan a Nov. 17 film screening and discussion ahead of a federal lease sale in waters near Guam next month.

Government Transition: Gov.-elect Tony Ada and Lt. Gov.-elect E.J. Calvo named nine subcommittee chairs to review agencies and prepare their administration. The team says it will work with Democrats in Congress, but has yet to name specific federal priorities or funding it will pursue. Attorney general-elect Phillip Tydingco also formed a transition team ahead of his Jan. 4 inauguration. Courts: A jury acquitted Mesemwan Repwak of attempted murder in a 2024 shooting that injured a 14-year-old girl, but convicted him of two aggravated assault counts. Two brothers have also been indicted in the fatal beating of Dededo resident Herman Koto. Schools and Laws: The Guam Education Board approved a fiscal 2027 spending plan amid a projected $34.8 million shortfall. Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero signed or allowed 16 bills to become law and vetoed four, including a measure on teacher pay. Seabed Mining: Activists plan a community screening and discussion ahead of a federal lease sale near Guam next month, warning of risks to Pacific communities. Weather: The National Weather Service expects dry conditions to persist across the Marianas, with Guam’s fire danger rising to moderate.

Population Outlook: The U.S. Census Bureau projects Guam’s population will fall 38% by 2100, citing declining birth rates and outmigration. The island’s population is expected to start shrinking around 2030. Weather and Fire Risk: Typhoon Cempaka is moving away from Guam, but forecasters warn that an unusually early dry spell could raise fire concerns by December. Housing Rights: A Section 8 participant is suing GHURA, alleging unlawful termination of her assistance and improper use of confidential juvenile information, including possible sharing with an AI tool. School Rebuild: Guam is moving closer to demolishing the old Simon Sanchez High School after GDOE accepted revised contract terms; demolition and rebuilding will be procured separately. Public Safety: Two men have been indicted on manslaughter charges in the death of Herman Koto. In a separate case, a man charged in a burglary is alleged to have described a group that searched Dededo, Yigo and Tamuning for homes to rob. Traffic: Police are asking for help identifying a man injured in an Upper Tumon pedestrian crash.

Simon Sanchez Rebuild: Guam’s Department of Education accepted revised contract terms, clearing another step toward bidding out demolition of the old Yigo campus; the rebuild will be procured separately. Public Safety: Police are still trying to identify a man in his 50s who suffered nonfatal injuries after being struck by a vehicle in Upper Tumon early Saturday. Court: A jury convicted Mesemwan Repwak of aggravated assault in the 2024 shooting that wounded a 14-year-old girl, but acquitted him of attempted murder; sentencing is set for February. Election 2026: Unofficial results show Republican Tony Ada’s team won the governor’s race and the GOP holds an 8-7 legislative edge. Turnout was just 53%, the lowest for a gubernatorial election on record. Seabed Mining: A Senate bill could make it harder to reverse mining approvals, as a Marianas lease sale approaches; its nearest area is about 47 miles from Guam. Reefs: Nearly all assessed coral reef ecosystems worldwide face high collapse risk, but Guam’s reefs are faring comparatively well, with efforts underway to strengthen their genetic diversity.

Mariana Capsizing: Families of six crew members killed when the cargo ship capsized have sued its owners and operators, alleging it sailed toward Super Typhoon Sinlaku with just six crew members—half the required number—and longstanding mechanical problems. Election Watch: Guam’s 2026 turnout was just 53%, the lowest for a gubernatorial election, as residents urged incoming leaders to deliver on campaign promises. The Ada-Calvo team won the governor’s race, while Alicia Limtiaco was poised to take Guam’s delegate seat. Seabed Mining: A Senate bill could make it harder for future administrations to reverse mining approvals. The planned Marianas lease sale is Dec. 16, with its nearest area about 47 miles from Guam. Island Priorities: Guam’s reefs are faring better than many worldwide, with efforts underway to strengthen their genetic diversity. Meanwhile, Simon Sanchez High School demolition and rebuilding remain in procurement, and tourism leaders are pressing for better facilities and transportation.

Public Safety: A Dededo man faces charges after police linked him to a theft spree involving nearly $15,000 in stolen property and more than $3,600 in fraudulent credit card charges. Police say he described a 10-person theft-and-drug ring. Tourism: Industry leaders are urging quick action on poor facilities and limited transportation as Guam’s 2026 visitor arrivals are projected to hit their lowest level in nearly four decades, excluding pandemic years. Population: New Census projections point to a long-term decline, with Guam’s population expected to fall 38% by 2100, driven by lower fertility and outmigration. Schools: DPW plans separate procurement for demolition and rebuilding at Simon Sanchez High School, whose campus was damaged by Super Typhoon Mawar in 2023. Election: Democrat Alicia Limtiaco’s win over incumbent James Moylan gives Guam a rare blue result in a Republican gubernatorial and legislative sweep, as Democrats take control of Congress. Emergency Readiness: The airport will stage a full-scale disaster exercise Nov. 13; travelers should expect emergency vehicles and personnel on airport grounds.

Yigo Crash Investigation: Toxicology tests were negative for both airman Rueben Rausch and the GPD officer involved in his July motorcycle crash, but police investigations remain unresolved and the officer remains on administrative duty. Police Accountability: GPD is investigating after an officer went missing Sunday and was found near Ukudu Power Plant early Monday; he is on administrative leave. Public Safety: A JFK High School student was taken into custody after a reported gun scare; police recovered an Airsoft BB gun. A pedestrian injured in an Upper Tumon crash was hospitalized, and police are working to identify him. Disaster Recovery: FEMA warns Guam residents about recovery-related scams, including impostors posing as agency staff or contractors. Government & Elections: Sen. Shawn Gumataotao is seeking spending explanations from GFD, GPD and DOC. The Ada-Calvo team is assembling its transition, while the Election Commission has certified the vote count. Military Buildup: A study is still working to identify which villages may feel the buildup’s effects first and what infrastructure needs require attention. Cost of Living: Gasoline prices fell another 30 cents per gallon; diesel prices were unchanged.

Public Safety: A pedestrian was hospitalized with non-fatal injuries after an early Saturday crash in Upper Tumon; police are working to identify him. A separate JFK High School shelter-in-place ended after officers recovered an Airsoft BB gun from a student’s backpack. Disaster Recovery: FEMA warns residents to watch for scammers posing as agency staff or contractors after Typhoon Champi; verify identification and never pay upfront for help. Government Oversight: Sen. Shawn Gumataotao is seeking explanations for GFD overspending and unspent recruitment funds, along with spending records from GPD and the Department of Corrections. Military Buildup: Guam’s defense liaison office still can’t say which villages will feel buildup impacts first; a study of infrastructure and service needs is underway. Transition: Outgoing Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero named chief of staff Jon Junior Calvo to coordinate the handoff to the incoming Ada-Calvo administration. Education and Culture: UOG is expanding internships with government agencies and launching a sustainable fishing education program. Guam’s CHamoru Place Names Commission is also working to restore traditional pronunciations, including Tamuning and Tumon. Cost of Living: Gasoline prices fell another 30 cents, while diesel held steady.

Weather: Invest 99W northeast of Guam could become a tropical depression, but forecasters expect fair weather on the island this weekend. Public Safety: A newly unsealed federal case says a woman used a 15-year-old boy and others to help sell about 500 pounds of meth on Guam over 19 months. Courts: A former Dusit Thani chef was sentenced to 15 years for sexual offenses; the sentence is paused for 30 days while immigration officials seek to deport him to India, and will take effect if deportation fails. Government Transition: Outgoing Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero named chief of staff Jon Junior Calvo to coordinate the handover to governor-elect Tony Ada’s team ahead of its January start. Seabed Mapping: NOAA says more than 95% of the waters around Guam and the CNMI have been mapped, information that could support future mineral lease sales. A Chamorro advocacy group objects to proposed leases, saying the waters are ancestral and sacred and calling for the process to be suspended. Road Safety: Police say the investigation continues into the Oct. 6 crash that killed 12-year-old Kailey Mendiola in Mangilao; no arrest has been announced.

Government Transition: Adelup named chief of staff Jon Junior Calvo to lead the executive branch handover to governor-elect Tony Ada and lieutenant governor-elect EJ Calvo, who take office in January. Drug Case: Newly unsealed court records say Liza Concepcion Quinata pleaded guilty to a methamphetamine conspiracy involving about 500 pounds of the drug and a 15-year-old boy. Public Safety: Guam Customs says its new drone unit helped GPD locate and apprehend suspects; meanwhile, police say the investigation into the Oct. 6 crash that killed 12-year-old Kailey Mendiola remains ongoing, with no further details released. Education: GDOE’s deputy superintendent for finance and administrative services is resigning after 10 months. Tourism: A Guam Visitors Bureau survey found 92% of Japanese and South Korean visitors plan to return, though they rated roads, shopping, dining and transportation among the island’s weakest points.

Guam’s New Administration: Unofficial governor-elect Tony Ada and Lt. Gov.-elect E.J. Calvo have named Jerry Crisostomo to lead their transition team, which will begin reviewing agencies and filling cabinet posts after election results are certified. Election Results: Ada-Calvo won Adelup, Democrat Ed Propst Limtiaco unseated Guam’s congressional delegate, and Republican candidates claim an 8-7 legislative majority. Turnout was just 53%, the lowest on record. Tourism: Exit surveys found 92% of Japanese and South Korean visitors plan to return, though both groups rated Guam 8.1 out of 10 and gave lower marks to roads, shopping, dining and transportation. Public Spending: JY Recycling has appealed the award of a $91,300 DPW junk-car disposal contract, alleging the winning bidder may use an improperly disclosed subcontractor. Schools: Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero vetoed a bill seeking to raise teacher pay toward 95% of the national average, saying the measure lacked a funded plan. Regional Security: Guam officials and U.S. Pacific Command say North Korea’s latest missile launches pose no immediate threat to the island or Marianas.

Election Aftermath: Governor-elect Tony Ada and Lt. Gov.-elect E.J. Calvo have launched a transition team focused on cabinet appointments and government operations. Unofficial results show 53% turnout, the lowest for a gubernatorial election; Republicans appear to hold a legislative majority, though the final Senate seat may require a recount. Congressional Shift: Democrat Alicia Limtiaco defeated incumbent James Moylan for Guam’s U.S. House delegate seat. Power Costs: GPA can begin testing LNG prices and infrastructure costs for the Ukudu plant, but regulators have not approved any contracts. Seabed Mining: A pending court ruling on an American Samoa lease sale could affect a planned CNMI auction on Dec. 16, with a proposed lease area about 47 miles from Guam. Public Safety: Two men face manslaughter charges in the fatal beating of Herman Koto. Northern Marianas Weather: Invest 99W could pass near Alamagan this weekend and strengthen, though forecasters expect only minor effects on Guam. Schools: The governor vetoed a bill proposing to raise teacher pay toward 95% of the national average, citing uncertainty over funding.

Power Costs: Guam Power Authority can begin seeking market prices for LNG shipments and infrastructure to convert Ukudu power plant from diesel, but regulators have not authorized any deals. GPA has projected major fuel and maintenance savings, though LNG prices have shifted. Election Results: Unofficial results show Republican Tony Ada and running mate E.J. Calvo winning the governor’s race by 1,020 votes, while Democrat Alicia Limtiaco unseated Delegate James Moylan and Phillip Tydingco defeated incumbent Attorney General Douglas Moylan. Republicans also hold an 8-7 Legislature majority; a recount may be needed for the final Senate seat, decided by 147 votes. Voter Turnout: Just 53% of registered voters cast ballots, the lowest turnout in a gubernatorial election on record. Census Concerns: A proposed federal overhaul leaves Guam’s treatment in the 2030 census unclear, prompting an advocacy group to urge the Census Bureau to withdraw the plan.