Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Lealaifuaneva Peter E. Reid Charitable Foundation on December 5, 2025, awarded to BGCAS a donation of $16,000 in support and development of The Arts and Life & Workforce Readiness Programs for youth ages 6 to 18.

The initiative aims to increase access and engagement in the Arts as research shows that involvement in the Arts not only facilitate the development of cognitive, social and emotional skills, but also promotes positive outcomes such as increases in high school academic performance, college-going rates and grades, and employment retention.

Arts programming in Boys & Girls Clubs ranges from photography to music production to culinary creations and help to foster creativity in young people, giving them an outlet for self-expression.

On hand to present the donation on behalf of Ms. Olivia Reid, President of the Foundation was Mrs. Cecilia Reid-Wendt and Ms. Victoria Reid, the granddaughters of the late Senator Lealaifuaneva Peter E. Reid, along with great-granddaughters Pualena and Onolani. Mrs. Mary A.T. Tulafono, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chief Volunteer Officer and Pacific Region Ambassador for Operation Impact accepted the gracious donation along with BGCAS Executive Director, Mr. Sailipea Kennison D. Barber.

Ambassador Tulafono expressed her gratitude to the Foundation stating, “Our path towards building Great Futures means investing in the children and youth of today. Since 2017, the Lealaifuaneva Peter E. Reid Charitable Foundation has contributed over $75,000 to our Movement and has remained committed to our mission in ensuring that every child has mentors and champions in life. Their support has helped our future leaders make their dreams a reality.

“We extend our deepest Fa’afetai Tele Lava to Ms. Olivia Reid, Mr. Feagaimaali’i Peter E. Reid III, the Foundation’s Board and the Reid family for their incredible compassion and consistency they model for our youth and community.”

About Boys & Girls Clubs of American Samoa:

The Boys & Girls Clubs of American Samoa is a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization that offers after school and summer academic and enrichment programs to youth ages 6 to 18. BGCAS provides a world-class Club experience that assures success is within reach of every young person who walks through our doors. We strive to help all members stay on track to graduate from high school with a plan for the future, while demonstrating good character and citizenship, and living a healthy lifestyle.

FIRST EVER INFANT BOTULISM OUTBREAK LINKED TO FORMULA 

ATLANTA – December 10, 2025 – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released an update in the ongoing investigation of Infant botulism cases linked by ByHeart infant formula. After assessing previously reported infant botulism cases in collaboration with the California Department of Public Health’s Infant Botulism Treatment and Prevention Program (IBTPP), CDC investigators expanded the outbreak date range to include 10 cases dating back to December 2023.

As of December 10, 2025, a total of 51 sick infants from 19 states have been hospitalized and treated with BabyBIG® in this outbreak. No deaths have been reported.

Infant botulism happens when a baby swallows Clostridium botulinum spores that grow in the gut and make toxin. Infant botulism often starts with constipation but is usually first noticed as difficulty feeding (sucking and swallowing), a weak and altered cry, and lack of head control.

CDC continues to urge parents to stop using any ByHeart Whole Nutrition infant formula immediately, even if it is mistakenly found for sale in stores or online. Laboratory tests have shown that the formula is contaminated with botulism spores and can make infants sick.

On November 7, 2025, CDC was notified by IBTPP of a concerning increase in infant botulism, typically a rare illness, in infants consuming ByHeart infant formula.

“While we typically expect to see 150-180 individual cases of infant botulism annually, an outbreak of infant botulism is unprecedented,” says Dr. Jennifer Cope, the chief of the Enteric Diseases Epidemiology Branch. That evening, CDC and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration were already on the phone with ByHeart urging swift action to remove some of their formula from the market. The next day, November 8, CDC urged all parents in America to stop using two lots of ByHeart formula and informed them of the outbreak.

The outbreak team continued to evaluate data in real time, and by November 11, CDC expanded its warning to immediately stop using any ByHeart infant formula. CDC laboratories are testing clinical samples from sick infants and samples from open containers of ByHeart infant formula collected from homes of sick infants.

This is the first ever outbreak of infant botulism, according to CDC experts.

(CDC press release)

ASNFF OPENS REGISTRATION FOR THE 2026 SEASON

The American Samoa National Football Federation (ASNFF) is inviting community members, sports organizations, churches, youth groups, and village teams to register an official club for the 2026 season.

Registering a club with ASNFF provides your athletes with the opportunity to participate in ASNFF and IFAF sanctioned tackle and flag football competitions, development programs, national championships, coaching resources, and future regional and international pathways, according to the media release. 

To register your club for 2026, the following steps need to be completed:

1. Fill out the the  ASNFF Club Registration Form (Request by email: gridiron@asnoc.org)
2. Review and sign the ASNFF Club Code of Conduct Agreement
3. Email your completed documents to gridiron@asnoc.org or drop them off at the ASNOC Office.

There is an early registration discount of 50% on the 2026 Annual Registration Fee, if all registration forms and signed Code of Conduct Agreements are submitted on or before December 31, 2025.

Registration will secure eligibility for all upcoming ASNFF competitions and programs, including Tackle football, Flag football, and the 2026 5x5 Flag National Championships.

If you have any questions or would like assistance with the registration process, please contact us at gridiron@asnoc.org. 

(Editor’s Note: The amount of the registration fee is not mentioned in the press release.)

WEATHER FORECAST LAST UPDATE: DECEMBER 10, 2025

The territory’s residents are complaining about the heat, making it difficult to go out shopping for those Christmas gifts, while inside even the air conditioning does not stop the uncomfortable humidity.

The National Weather Service- NOAA forecast for Pago Pago, American Samoa: Thursday through Sunday is for partly cloudy, scattered showers with highs around 89, lows around 78, with variable winds up to 10 mph.