Local News
![Congresswoman Amata with EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt at the U.S. Capitol. [photo: courtesy]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/Amata%20and%20Pruitt.jpg?itok=vqXO6Sb_ "Congresswoman Amata with EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt at the U.S. Capitol. [photo: courtesy]")
Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Aumua Amata welcomed a major $10.7 million federal investment in American Samoa for environmental protection services.
“I’m pleased to welcome this extensive federal funding for environmental efforts and water infrastructure in American Samoa,” said Aumua Amata. “...
The government's case against two employees of the Department of Human and Social Services (DHSS) and an Asian businessman over an alleged scheme to defraud the food stamp program reveals that another businessman — yet to be arrested and charged — was lured into the alleged scam, and was never paid...
![Members of the ASG Revenue Task Force during a hearing this week before the House Ways and Means committee to discuss two of the administration's revenue measures that were introduced in the House last week. See story for details. [photo: AF]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/DSC_0640.jpg?itok=r9XSNjpQ "Members of the ASG Revenue Task Force during a hearing this week before the House Ways and Means committee to discuss two of the administration's revenue measures that were introduced in the House last week. See story for details. [photo: AF]")
A motion by two faipule to allow one amendment to the House version of the Administration’s revenue measure to increase the miscellaneous excise tax rate was denied by the House Ways and Means Committee during a brief discussion Monday.
Committee chairman, Lavea Fatulegaee Palepoi Mauga told the...
![[SN file photo]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/AM%20Samoa%20HC_82.jpeg?itok=OdfV4Xtp "[SN file photo]")
FA’AILI TAUFUSI MATA’U
A 41-year old drug defendant — who was asleep at a bus stop in Tafuna before he was detained by police for possession of crystal methamphetamine and marijuana — has entered into a plea agreement with the government and sentencing is set for next month.
Fa’aili Taufusi Mata’...
![StarKist Samoa official Taotasi Archie Soliai [SN file photo]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/Taotasi%20Soliai_3635_1.jpg?itok=EkG-mvHR "StarKist Samoa official Taotasi Archie Soliai [SN file photo]")
Health Director Motusa Tuileama Nua informed a Senate committee hearing last week that DoH is looking at sending a team to StarKist Samoa to help with the process of issuing health cards, in an effort to alleviate the overcrowding of the DoH clinic at Fagaalu, as there are other members of the...
![Congresswoman Aumua Amata [SN file photo]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/Amata%20speaks_1.jpg?itok=dDRRuE1g "Congresswoman Aumua Amata [SN file photo]")
Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Aumua Amata welcomed Congressional action authorizing the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) for six years, and ending the unnecessary government shutdown late Monday.
Congresswoman Amata is pleased that CHIP, a priority which helps ensure access to medical...
![[photo: Leua Aiono Frost]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/Ocean%20Star%20fire.jpg?itok=EzNLFXIO "[photo: Leua Aiono Frost]")
Pictured are fire trucks from the DPS Fire Bureau, along with police officers on the main road fronting Ocean Star store in Nu’uuli where a heavy cloud of smoke is seen. The store caught fire early yesterday morning, causing a major traffic jam, in both directions - heading west and into town....
Two employees of the Department of Human and Social Services (DHSS) and a vendor of the American Samoa Nutrition Assistance Program (ASNAP) have been arrested in connection with a case involving food stamp fraud. The three defendants made their initial appearances in District Court last Friday.
The...
![Medical Director of the LBJ Hospital, Dr. Iotamo Saleapaga [SN file photo]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/Saleapaga%200709web_0.jpg?itok=pvLl8NMM "Medical Director of the LBJ Hospital, Dr. Iotamo Saleapaga [SN file photo]")
Medical Director of the LBJ Hospital, Dr. Iotamo Saleapaga testified during a Senate committee hearing last week that it's very expensive for the hospital to recruit a cardiologist, in terms of salary and equipment needed for such service.
Meanwhile, Sen. Fonoti Tafa’ifa Aufata shared with the...
![Chief Justice Michael Kruse [SN file photo]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/Kruse_0723_4.jpg?itok=X1Ej8IYW "Chief Justice Michael Kruse [SN file photo]")
A drug defendant convicted by a jury last year of drug possession has been sentenced to 5 years imprisonment, which Chief Justice Michael Kruse says is the minimum sentence, according to local drug laws.
Falaniko Stowers a.k.a. ‘Nicole’, identified as a fa’afafine (transgender) in court documents,...