GOVERNOR Benigno R. Fitial says his administration is now preparing the fiscal year 2011 budget which could cut to 64 hours the 80-hour biweekly payroll of government employees.

The governor said he’s confident that the incoming 17th Legislature, which will be dominated by his Covenant Party, will pass the budget with the austerity holidays.

A LAWYER is advising guest workers not to register with the federal labor ombudsman’s office, particularly those who have over stayed, unless they have with them their CNMI-issued umbrella permits.

HAGÅTÑA — The director of the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration’s Center for Tsunami Research, Dr. Vasily V. Titov, swept away any false sense of security island residents might have had during a presentation on Thursday afternoon to Guam’s community of first responders and security officials.

IF you’re thinking of something special and inexpensive as  a gift this holiday season, Lt. Gov. Eloy Inos has a suggestion — the newly minted and circulated CNMI quarter.

POLICE are looking for a man who sexually assaulted a woman at knifepoint in Afetnas, San Antonio two weeks ago.

LADERA International School of Saipan owner Yong Nam Park was sued in federal court by a former school principal who claimed to have suffered “extreme emotional stress.”

HAGÅTÑA — Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo nominated Attorney General Alicia Limtiaco for the position of U.S. Attorney General for Guam and the CNMI, according to a confidential source.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Continental Airlines and Continental Micronesia applaud the recently announced open skies agreement between the U.S. and Japan.