Guam Education & STEM Pipeline: UOG’s NSF EPSCoR E-RISE Summer Math Research Experience (SMRE) kicked off with a milestone—two Guam Community College students joined the program for the first time, expanding undergraduate research access. Local Budget Reality Check: Guam’s FY2027 budget bill leaves “not a penny” for rebuilding Simon Sanchez High School, with officials pointing to missing funding authority and warning repairs can’t start without new money. Credit & Fiscal Stability: Moody’s affirmed GovGuam’s investment-grade Baa3 rating as stable, citing improved finances like elimination of the General Fund deficit and reserve buildup. Power Cost Relief Push: Guam Vice Speaker Tony Ada is urging a pause on the Guam Power Authority fuel surcharge increase after Typhoon Bavi recovery costs hit households. Water Restoration Update: GWA reported continued recovery progress after Bavi, including 80 wells online (27 on island-wide power, 53 on generators) and negative water sample results for total coliform. Pacific Defense Tech: U.S. Marines on Guam validated the Medium-Range Intercept Capability (MRIC) system during Valiant Shield 2026, showing a new mobile air-defense layer for expeditionary forces. Regional Security Shock: China’s submarine-launched ballistic missile test into the southern Pacific drew condemnation from U.S., Australia, Japan, and others, with analysts focusing on sensitive command-and-control skills tied to targeting Guam and Hawaii.