In national news relevant to the region, Macy’s Inc. reported first quarter 2024 results evidencing a downturn in a challenged retail market and one restaurant chain has filed for bankruptcy.
Net sales of $4.8 billion, down 2.7% versus the first quarter of 2023. Gross margin rate for the quarter was 39.2%, down from 40.0% in the first quarter of 2023.
Merchandise inventories were up 1.7% versus first quarter of 2023. “Entering the second quarter of 2024, end-of-quarter inventories are well-positioned for the upcoming summer season,” Macy’s said.
Red Lobster has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, closing some restaurants in the U.S. mainland. Triple J Enterprises operated a restaurant in Guam at the Tumon Sands Plaza, opening in July 2019. The restaurant closed in July 2021, after Triple J cited the COVID 19 pandemic’s challenges as the reason.
The Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo in Indiana is conserving birds found in the Northern Mariana Islands.
The zoo studied the Saipan Reed Warbler in February, and may move some birds to other islands, according to Fort Wayne’s Channel 15, which reported on the Mariana Avifauna Conservation program, which studied 21 birds in February.
Saipan Golden White-eyes were successfully relocated in 2019 and the zoo has a specimen in its bird dome as well as a Marianas Fruit Dove.
According to Journal files, a similar program at the Smithsonian national zoo is helping to preserve the Guam Rail, a flightless bird, also known as the Ko’ko’ bird. Conservation efforts in Guam to preserve the Ko’ko bird include those of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Guam. mbj
National news relevant to the region
Recommended Articles...

Guam WIC program temporarily limits food brands amid federal shutdown
The Department of Public Health and Social Services announced a temporary change to the brands of food items eligible under the Guam Women, Infants, and Children Program benefits, effective Oct. 16.

Bank of Hawaii offers financial help to furloughed employees
Bank of Hawaii has “activated emergency financial assistance programs to support qualifying federal employees and contractors facing income disruption,” the bank said in an Oct. 17 release CHamoru Standard Time.
Read More 
Aged drainage pipe blamed for landslide according to Palisades developer
Tasi Vista Development, developer of the multimillion-dollar Palisades subdivision said that an aged concrete drainage pipe failed, causing the landslide that occurred in the early morning of Oct. 15
Read More 
Furloughs issued in Guam as U.S. shutdown continues
The U.S. government remains officially closed and reports from the nation’s capital are that furloughs remain and firings continue. Uncertainty exists as to whether furloughed government workers will be paid.
Read More