Local News
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On April 15, 2025, a man called the Fagatogo Police Station (FPS) to report a tenant that was allegedly causing a disturbance and damaging the building he lives in.
John Matagilele was later arrested after resisting arrest and charged with:
Count 1: Public Peace...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A church minister has been charged with a sexual case involving his 18-year-old niece.
Samoa News will not name the defendant to protect the victim's identity. The defendant, who appeared in the District Court yesterday, is being held without bail at the Tafuna...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Pulu and Pula Administration is currently maintaining silence regarding Tafua Faau Seumanutafa's controversial appointment as Deputy Director of the Territorial Administration on Aging Office (TAOA) despite the significant public interest it has generated. ...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On March 22, 2025, Fagatogo Police Station (FPS) contacted traffic officers regarding a three-vehicle collision in the village of Fagaima.
The suspect was issued an E-Citation and was later charged with:
Count 1: Felony Driving, a class D felony punishable by a term of...
WHITTIER, Alaska (AP) — A criminal case unfolding in an Alaskan town is raising urgent questions about voter eligibility and citizenship that could have a direct impact on Utah’s growing population of American Samoans — one of the largest in the U.S.
Squeezed between glacier-packed mountains and...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On April 3, 2025, a concerned mother of a minor walked into the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) to file a report against her ex-husband alleging he assaulted their daughter.
The suspect was later charged with:
Count 1: Private Peace Disturbance (DV), a class C misdemeanor...
Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata held a roundtable meeting June 07, with leadership members of the Society of Fa’afafine in American Samoa (S.O.F.I.A.S.) to answer questions and discuss the issues that were brought up.
The meeting included Ertta Laumoli, President, SOFIAS; Isabella...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Mick McCuddin, 91, passed away on May 28, 2025, in Sacramento, CA where he had been receiving treatment for cancer at the Sacramento VA Medical Center since 2024.
Mick served the American Samoa Government for more than 40 years as the Director of Public Health, acting...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Opposition from members of the public has continued to pour in regarding deep-seabed mining on or around American Samoa’s offshore waters since the Department of the Interior moved to consider issuing or selling a mining lease to a private company.
Former Director of...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Satia Aokuso Satia, the former Budget Acting Director, has rescinded the Budget Office's call to decrease the budget for the Judiciary, after Chief Justice Lealaialoa Michael Kruse wrote a letter to the Budget Office reminding it of the separation of powers between the...