The island's COVID cases reported on Wednesday were 141 new cases from 1,402 specimens gathered on August 9. 14 of those cases were reported by the Department of Defense. 24 people are hospitalized due to the virus, with one requiring ICU-level treatment.

The Government of Guam will have just over $1 billion to spend next fiscal year on operations and obligations. The Fiscal Year 2023 budget session began today with a presentation by the Legislature's Office of Finance & Budget. The group's director, Steve

A local man charged in Texas with sexually assaulting a victim under the age of 14 appeared in the Superior Court of Guam yesterday for a continued extradition hearing. A warrant of arrest was issued by the Governor of Texas against Devin Jay Cruz Tainato

The Home of the Lions, iLearn Academy Charter School, held a ribbon-cutting ceremony this morning to celebrate the completion of their new school. The new facility is now located in the village of Dededo and they’re more than happy to finally have a

Over in the CNMI, Patricia Bermudes Aldan is wanted by authorities for forgery and theft amounting to $46,027. Aldan allegedly took that money through a forged check after working temporarily for the Northern Marianas Pacific Mini Games, which was hosted

The Inflation Reduction Act is being lauded for its sweeping health and environmental impact, including on Guam and the CNMI. President Joe Biden is expected to sign it into law in the next week, which would open up offshore wind development to the region

A video apparently of the stabbing death of a man at the Dededo Center parking lot early Monday morning is circulating on social media. Police have yet to confirm the video, but it shows two men attacking a third man, and then others trying to stop the as

A little over 24,000 students across the Guam Department of Education returned to school today for the new school year. In Central Guam, class is now back in session for 1,018 Tiyan High School students as their first day kicked-off. The high school waste

A group of firefighters from Andersen Air Force Base completed renovations on a dilapidated bus stop that they recently adopted, just in time for the kids and the brand new school year. If you happen to be driving through Adadao Road in Latte Heights, it

The police officer indicted for the fatal shooting at the Dededo Shell gas station in March pled not guilty to the charges today. His attorney says Officer Justin Quenga acted professionally in a highly volatile situation, and he accused the attorney gene

Public school counselors want clarity on their duties and responsibilities, and they don't want to be distracted with anything that takes them away from helping needy students - that was the focus of a roundtable hearing on a bill by Senator Telena Nelson

Another COVID death is reported today, according to the Joint Information Center. The 384th COVID-related-fatality occurred at the Guam Regional Medical City on August 5, with the patient being an 80-year-old female, fully vaccinated without a booster, wi

Residents are reminded that the intersections of Route 15 and Route 29 (Gayinero Drive) and Route 15 and Route 26 (Macheche Road) are now four-way stops. The measure went into effect today and requires motorists to stop on the north and southbound lanes o

Governor Lou Leon Guerrero signed an executive order into law on Monday relative to implementing mask wearing and physical distancing requirements in healthcare settings. The law went into effect this morning at midnight. All healthcare settings are now r

The Fiscal Year 2023 budget session got underway today, but senators gathered just briefly. Appropriations chairman Senator Joe San Agustin, who will preside over the deliberations, moved to start the discussions on Tuesday. "I have two motions. one of th

No new information is available on the man who was found stabbed to death early Monday morning in the parking lot at the Dededo Center. A police spokesperson says detectives are following-up on leads and are talking to people who may have been present dur

More flights are being added to the all-important Guam-Japan route. As of this month, United Airlines now operates 28 flights a week from four major Japanese cities, and is also resuming service between Narita and Saipan. United currently flies between To

Kersha Taitano one of 50 leaders around the world selected to be a cohort as part of Giving Tuesday's Starling Collective. Late last year Kersha Taitano represented Guam as one of Giving Tuesday's Starling Cohorts. She was amoong 50 other leaders selected

A Guam daughter vying for a seat in U.S. Congress living in California says it's not all over after coming in third. KUAM News sat down with Kylie Taitano, who says it's not over yet as her recent campaign marked a victory as it electrified the Pacific Is

On Friday, The Harvest House held their annual back-to-school supply stash event. As foster families made their way into the gym, you could see the eyes of kids widen in excitement, seeing all the colorful balloons, Legos galore, and the warm and friendly

A little over 24,000 students are expected to return tomorrow for the new school year. This number includes all students from all schools under the Guam Department of Education. With the new school year beginning tomorrow, GDOE interim public information

Jury selection for Nicholas Moore begins tomorrow morning before Superior court judge Alberto Tolentino. Moore is charged with aggravated assault, terrorizing and use of a deadly weapon in the commission of a felony. He is accused of the October 2020 driv

Another high-profile case is scheduled for trial on August 17. Former Corrections deputy director Joey Terlaje is charged with felonious restraint and official misconduct in connection with a 2017 incident in which he alleged helped restrain the former gi

With a focus on regional development, the Small Business Administration, CNMI Governor's Council of Economic Advisers, and the Saipan Chamber of Commerce is hosting a "Friends of Business Summit." The one-day summit will take place on August 10 at the Sai

Over 10,000 students in the Northern Marianas Public School Students will not be mandated to wear a mask when the new school year starts in the next week.

The Commonwealth Office of Transit Authority opened the doors to its new COTA Administrative Building and Maintenance Facility on Saipan. Federal transit parnets and local government officials cut the ribbon on Monday morning in one of the first federally

The Joint Information Center reports the island's 383rd-COVID-related death today. The patient was a 51-year-old male, fully vaccinated with one booster, with underlying health conditions, who was pronounced dead on arrival at the Guam Regional Medical Ci

There was a stabbing death early this morning in the parking lot of the Dededo Center, the building where the old Crown Bakery was located police responded to the scene about 1:30am. They found a man who was unresponsive with multiple puncture wounds to h

The Guam Community College held a college fair at the Micronesia Mall over the weekend. Dozens of curious residents walked over to the various booths GCC had in place. They also offered on-site services including financial aid, health services, academic c

With the first day for all Guam Department of Education schools set for wednesday, volunteers from the Guam Fire Department set aside a few hours on their day off to help spruce up Southern High School and George Washington High School. Late last week, cl

A memorial ceremony was held over the weekend to honor the lives lost during Korean Airline Flight 801 crash 25 years ago. It’s been a quarter-century since the tragic crash, but still the pain remains for those that lost a loved one that day. Over

There are some more positive signs that more Japanese tourists can start coming back. Guam Visitors Bureau and Guam International Airport officials conducted a joint marketing trip to Japan. They are back with a renewed sense of optimism. Carl Gutierrez,

In regional headlines, residents in the Northern Mariana Islands will receive temporary relief from soaring power rates. CNMI Gov. Ralph Torres said, "We are giving $300 voucher for August, September, and October as well towards their CUC billings." More

Today marked the first day of the new school year for the Home of the Cougars and it was filled with excitement and energy. Before the first bell of the new school year rang, the Academy of Our Lady of Guam started the day with the traditional Mass of the

Today marked the culmination of this year's World War II commemoration events. The final ceremony was to remember the victims of the Chagui'an massacre, one of the single-most horrific incidents of the two-and-half year Japanese occupation. At least 45 CH

The Fiscal Year 2023 budget session is scheduled to begin Tuesday afternoon. Before getting into the nuts and bolts of the spending plan, senators will first have to agree on how much money is coming in that they can spend. KUAM news spoke with Governor L

There's good news for the Port Authority of Guam, as the agency has received funding for its military readiness support feasibility and in-water infrastructure study. According to release issued this morning, the Leon Guerrero administration secured $1.2

Last Thursday, the Department of Revenue & Taxation processed and the Department of Administration mailed checks, or paid by direct deposit, approximately 755 Tax Year 2021 and prior income tax refunds totaling a little over $2.5 million for error-free re

In regional Decision 2022 news, all three gubernatorial slates in the Northern Marianas have officially filed their candidacies. Republicans Gov. Ralph Torres and his running mate Sen. Vinnie Sablan filed with the full GOP slate on Friday, making his re-e

U.S. Naval Base Guam, along with various Navy first responders, will participate in the annual Commander, Naval Installations Command anti-terrorism/force protection exercise Citadel Pacific 2022 from Aug.15-19. The exercise will be held in Apra Harbor an

The U.S. District Court and the Department of Agriculture have issued a challenge to local firefighters. Chief Judge Frances Tydingco Gatewood has put a fun contest together for all Guam fire stations to see who can harvest the most crops in 90 days! Her

Late Friday evening, 103 new COVID-19 cases were confirmed by the Joint Information Center today out of a sample size of 1,508 specimens collected on August 4. 7 of the new cases were reported by the Department of Defense. However, Guam's hospitalization

August 6, 1997 is a day Guam will never forget. When Korean Air Flight 801 crashed waking up the island to one of the nation's worst air tragedies. KUAM News takes a look back at the survivors, rescuers, and officials who picked up the pieces to make sens

Guam is home to the largest number of military veterans among all U.S states and territories with over 10,000 of them residing here. Fransisco Duenas is a Vietnam veteran who joined the US Army back in 1967 when he was just 16 years old for reasons he now

The ongoing online support groups for family caregivers of persons with dementia conducted by the Guam/Micronesia Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program of the University of Guam School of Health continues this month. The public is welcome to participat

Thinking about going back to school? Looking for new opportunities? Want to increase your skills to be more employable or make more money? Come to the GCC College Fair and find the career path that can make your dreams come true! For those who have been t

There's a new appointee to the Interior Department's top post for the territories. Federated States of Micronesia ambassador Carmen Cantor was appointed by Interior Secretary Deb Haaland as the new Assistant Secretary for Insular and International Affairs

Over in the NMI, the Secretary of Finance David Atalig responds to the Public Auditor's report which details that the government spent $3.7 million in Fiscal Year 2020 and an astronomical $6.9M in FY2021 for vehicles. Secretary Atalig responded to KUAM, s

Improvements to village roads continue, and this morning a groundbreaking ceremony was held to mark the beginning of the resurfacing of Route 14a in Tamuning. Department of Public Works director Vince Arriola announced, "This project involves the paving o

The recent stabbing death at the Department of Corrections caused many to question how an inmate had access to as many as three knives. Prison director Bob Camacho says part of the reason is that it took place in the Minimum Security Unit, where items tha

Guam will remain in a public health emergency for the 29th consecutive month. Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero extended the declaration another 30 days, effective Aug. 5 through Sept. 4. The executive order basically reiterates previous EO's. Stating in part that o

Four people were arrested for illegal fishing in the Tumon Bay Marine Protected Area last Saturday. Hemrick Namio, 23, Jester Benito, 19, Joey Sontag Martin, 44, and Phillip Wesny, 32, were arrested. The arrests were made by Conservation Officers who were

In regional headlines, the Saipan Chamber of Commerce has a new executive director at its helm. KUAM News sat down with Kimberly Camacho to discuss her plans to advocate for the private sector. Camacho said, "As soon as I asked myself if this was a joke I

With tomorrow being the 25th anniversary of the tragic crash of Korean Airlines Flight 801, a memorial ceremony has been planned for Saturday morning. Today, over 35 volunteers came out to clean and prepare the area. On August 6, 1997, KAL Flight 801 cras

This morning three units from the Guam Fire Department responded to the Roadside Towing warehouse lot next to fort Juan Muna along Route 16 in Harmon. According to GFD spokesperson Nick Garrido, multiple vehicles were on fire and units arrived on the scen

It’s back to school on Monday for the students of the Academy of Our Lady of Guam, as preparations for their return have wrapped up. Dr. Rita Duenas is an alumna of the Academy - a 1988 graduate and she’s returned to serve as its new president

A suspicious man seen walking around Santa Rita with two rifles has been arrested. According to court documents, calls came into police about the disturbing incident on Aug. 3 where the man identified as 28-year-old George William Jesus Grey was holding t

Seventy-three-year-old Albert Blas Camacho was arrested and charged with First Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct and Second Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct, both as first degree felonies. According to a magistrate's complaint, a 13-year-old victim alleged tha

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has departed Taiwan after a historic visit that she called a "show of solidarity." The director general of Taiwan Economic and Cultural Office on Guam Paul Chen views the trip as a win for all U.S. allies in the region. "The Uni

Following the arrest of Manny Merciano Junior and Robert Isaac Revels in connection to the death of Stevy George Alvarez Villanueva, a magistrate's complaint revealed several other individuals were present the day of his death. As KUAM News reported the G

76 new COVID-19 cases were reported by the Joint Information Center today from 1,322 specimens collected on August 3. Twelve of the new cases were reported by the Department of Defense. The hospitalization count has jumped yet again as there are now 24 pe

Attorney Nelson Xu, a partner in the Baumann, Xu and Black Law Firm says it's not a lack of legal authority that may be holding ICE back, but perhaps a lack of resources. "As an enforcement agency they can certainly detain them," he said. that's ICE, what

At Adelup, a proclamation signing was held to celebrate and recognize the 232nd anniversary of the United States Coast Guard. In addition to the signing, a resolution presentation was also given to the Coast Guard for all their hard work and dedication to

The area of responsibility for the United States Coast Guard on Guam is vast, spanning nearly 1.9 million square miles, which includes the waters off Guam, the CNMI, and the Federated States of Micronesia. It is the responsibility of the USCG fast respons

Ordot Chalan-Pago Mayor Jessy Gogue says he's not surprised by the leak in the cap of the old Ordot Dump. He says they've known all along that it was impractical to install a bottom liner, and he knew there was a chance of groundwater seepage because the

It’s a program aimed at tackling the island’s stray animal problem. The Department of Agriculture, along with members and volunteers from Guam Animals in Need, the Boonie Flight Project and visiting veterinarians from Taiwan’s National C

Coast Guard Day is today and is celebrated every year on August 4 since its founding in 1790. KUAM News reached out to Coast Guard Forces Micronesia, Sector Guam and Station Apra Harbor to learn the missions of the branch of military service and how their

Over in the CNMI, lawmakers as part of the Saipan and Northern Islands Legislative Delegation met with public utility officials to once again press them on the hike in cost of power hurting everyone's pockets. CNMI lawmakers continue to pepper public util

In regional headlines, the Federated States of Micronesia continues its battle against its first local wave of COVID cases. They reported 270 new cases in the last day with a total death count at 11. They've recorded 6,291 cases since January 2021. FSM bo

Guam is expected to get a cut of some $6.6 billion in national opioid settlements to help address the opioid crisis. Attorney General Leevin T. Camacho is part of a bipartisan coalition of attorneys general announcing the settlements this week with former

The US ambassador to Albania, Yuri Kim, is back on Guam to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Korean Airlines crash in Guam, in which her mother died as a passenger on the flight. But in a wide-ranging interview, KUAM News also asked about her reacti

Tomorrow the doors will officially open at the newest Jack In The Box location in Tamuning bright and early at 4am. Today, island media was able to do a walk-through of the popular American fast food restaurant chain, which is the second location on Guam

No injuries were reported in an early morning fire in the southern village of Hagat. According to Guam Fire Department spokesperson Nick Garrido, at 3:01am GFD units responded to a report of a wood and tin structure fire on Umang Road. Upon arrival units

Special Olympics Guam wrapped up playoffs for their softball program over the weekend. Over 60 athletes took to the field representing the Tigers, Speedy, Purple Dolphins and Sharks all took to the diamond at the Guam Sports Complex Fields in Harmon. The

There are now 42 total candidates who filed for the CNMI general election on November 08. The Republican and Democrats on Saipan are expected to both file on Friday as full parties at the Commonwealth Election Commission office in Susupe village. The six

In regional news, Marianas Southern Airways, has an official flight plan for its inaugural take off. They're officially booking flights from August 12 for Saipan to Tinian, August 15 for Saipan to Rota, and August 20 for Saipan to Guam. The initial launch

The Department of Public Health and Social Services Maternal Child Health Services through the Bureau of Family Health and Nursing Services and DPHSS Immunization program continues to host child immunization clinics: Days/Date Time Location Tuesdays and T

The death of a 96-year-old man on Monday marks the island's 381st COVID-related fatality. According to the Joint Information Center, the man was pronounced dead on arrival at the Guam Memorial Hospital. He had underlying health conditions and no record of

Twenty-five-year-old Kristofer Paulino Baza was arrested and is facing charges of Family Violence and Theft. According to court documents, on July 28, Baza allegedly yelled at the 85-year-old victim and pushed him because he wouldn't give him money. As he

The Republicans were quick to react to the controversy over social media postings by Democratic legal counsel Vanessa Williams, who has since stepped down. Williams posted a copy of an election ballot in which she crossed out the names of eleven democrats

All the agency budget hearings are over, and the Legislature will go into session next Tuesday to begin deliberating on the government's Fiscal Year 2023 spending plan. Speaker Therese Terlaje expects there will be a lot of discussion on revenue projectio

In the early morning hours on Saturday, officers from the Guam Police Department's Tumon-Tamuning Precinct responded to a crash on Route 14 Pale San Vitores and Park Arcade in Tumon. Surveillance footage depicts the male driver speeding down the roadway b

Another 293 cases were reported over the weekend, according to the Joint Information Center. The cases were from 3,567 tests analyzed from July 30 - Aug. 1. Of the new cases, 19 were reported by the Department of Defense. Hospitalizations for the virus ar

Rolling power outages are possible from 6 to 9 p.m. today as two of GPA’s four baseload power plants are down. Piti unit #9 will be offline for the next few weeks, and the Cabras 2 generator is still down for boiler system repairs. That means the to

San Vicente Catholic School in Barrigada may be shut down permanently due to a severe drop in student enrollment. The Archdiocese of Agana says the numbers have plummeted to just 39 students as of this week, and three separate advisory councils have deter

The legal counsel for the Democratic Party of Guam has stepped-down over concerns about her recent social media post, calling-out party candidates who don't support pro-choice. Attorney Vanessa Williams, who's also the spokesperson for Guam People for Cho

Approximately 592 Tax Year 2021 and prior income tax refunds totaling $1,838,588.23 have been processed by the Department of Revenue & Taxation and should be mailed out or paid by direct deposit soon. The refunds are for error-free returns filed on, or be

Eighteen-year-old Maurus Doone was arrested after allegedly entering a sleeping 13-year-old girl's room and sexually assaulting her. The incident occurred at around 1 a.m. on July 23, according to a magistrate's complaint. Doone allegedly came through the

Congratulations to Anthony “Big Ton” Salas on winning 3 Gold Medals from the Barbell Brigade Powerlifting competition held in Los Angeles, California. Big Tone finished with lifts of 600-pound Squat. 430-pound Bench and 672-pound Deadlift. Sal

Guam will be represented at the Asia Rugby Women’s Sevens Tournament held in Jakarta Indonesia. The women’s national team will leave island Thursday morning with hopes of moving up in competition. Olivia Elliott, Team Guam Captain, told KUAM S