Leaders of the CNMI Legislature are hopeful of the Northern Marianas visit of U.S. Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska) and other key members of Congress which begins next week amid fresh attempts by White House to strip local control over its labor and immigration.

The Senate is looking at placing a safety net on the proposed scrapping of the $100,000 cash deposit requirement imposed on foreign investments in a bid to deter "fly-by-night" businessmen from setting up shop on the island.

The military unit 509th Bomb Wing will be conducting air wing bombing exercise on the island of Farallon de Mendenilla on Tuesday, February 9, 1999, from 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm, and on Thursday, February 11, 1999, from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm and again from 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm.

Philippine Consul Julia Heidemann told members of the economic study team over the weekend that Filipinos working as domestic helpers and those listed under the unskilled category are the most affected groups in a federal take-over in the CNMI.