Bryan Manabat
Saipan CorrespondentBryan is a seasoned journalist based in Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands, reporting on regional issues for KPRG News.
He covers a wide array of topics such as local governance, court proceedings, crime, environmental policy, and tourism, focusing on their impact on the Northern Mariana Islands community.
His work often highlights the intersection of local and international interests, particularly for the CNMI's geopolitical relevance, military presence, and economic challenges in tourism and labor.
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A federal judge has concluded that CNMI regulations governing Nutrition Assistance Program hearings create a protected property interest in food‑benefit determinations, allowing a Saipan resident’s due‑process lawsuit to advance. -
Citing expanded access to justice, new specialty courts, and major modernization efforts, Chief Justice Alexandro C. Castro has formally announced his bid for retention in the 2026 general election. -
Saipan Ice and Water truck driver Jimmy Pallada is facing vehicular homicide and other charges after DPS investigators concluded he failed to yield before a July 23 crash that killed a motorcyclist in Chalan Lau Lau, Saipan. -
With homes damaged, businesses disrupted, and families still recovering from Super Typhoon Bavi, Rota residents now have access to federal disaster loans through the U.S. Small Business Administration. -
President Donald Trump has approved a major disaster declaration for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, unlocking federal assistance for residents and communities recovering from the effects of Super Typhoon Bavi, which made landfall on Rota on July 6. -
More than two weeks after a decomposed body was found near Airport Road in Saipan, investigators still have no name for the woman and no clear leads on how she died. -
After 12 years leading the CNMI’s first elected constitutional office, Attorney General Edward E. Manibusan announced Monday he will not seek another term in 2026. -
With the CNMI preparing for its 2026 general election, attorney Joaquin “Jack” Torres has announced his candidacy for the attorney general seat, a role that has been held by Edward Manibusan since the office became elective. -
The U.S. Department of the Navy issued its Record of Decision for the CNMI Joint Military Training project on July 23, clearing the way for expanded land-based training and new range infrastructure on Tinian. -
Citing Coast Guard reports, Homeland Security testimony, and a 12‑day multinational search, the Superior Court has declared four members of the M/V Mariana crew presumed dead, including the vessel’s captain, concluding that Sinlaku’s extreme conditions left no chance of survival.
