Local News
![Rendering of the proposed new Fono Building. [SN file photo]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/fono%20bldg%20rendering_11.jpg?itok=92dJL65I "Rendering of the proposed new Fono Building. [SN file photo]")
Both the Senate and House have endorsed the amendments made by the Senate to the House version of the fiscal year 2018 budget bill, and the Fono has given final approval of ASG’s more than $395 million financial plan for the new fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1, 2017.
The budget bill is now being...
![The 18-person NPS crew and leader who left to fight wildland fires in California in August of this year. [SN file photo]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/DSC_2241_0.jpg?itok=0xq16EX2 "The 18-person NPS crew and leader who left to fight wildland fires in California in August of this year. [SN file photo]")
Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Aumua Amata participated in a hearing exploring wildfire solutions, and highlighted the contributions of American Samoa’s firefighters.
“In recent years, firefighters from American Samoa have traveled more than once to join the fight against major fires in the...
![[courtesy photo]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/mormon%20pool%20drainage.jpg?itok=1kv82EsK "[courtesy photo]")
The Department of Public Works remedied (or seemed to have) what has been dubbed the “Mormon Lake” in front of the LDS Chapel in Ottoville, on Tuesday, after heavy rains during the night and early morning hours.
However, a woman who lives around the area witnessed the ASG workers pumping the water...
![Attorney General Talauega Eleasalo Ale and Deputy Attorney General Lornalei Meredith appeared before the House Legal Affairs & Judiciary Committee on Tuesday to discuss issues regarding changes at the Immigration Office. Now: Immigration ID cards only processed once a week — issuance & photo — only on Wednesday. [photo: AF]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/AG%20n%20deputy_0785.jpg?itok=motF0QiX "Attorney General Talauega Eleasalo Ale and Deputy Attorney General Lornalei Meredith appeared before the House Legal Affairs & Judiciary Committee on Tuesday to discuss issues regarding changes at the Immigration Office. Now: Immigration ID cards only processed once a week — issuance & photo — only on Wednesday. [photo: AF]")
The Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHLS) have launched a joint investigation into the issuance of fake ID cards used by Asians to travel. Because of this, changes have been made, like setting aside just one day out of the week - Wednesday - for the...
![Samoa Submarine Cable Company (S.S.C.C.). [Talamua On-line News]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/Tui-cable-progress-Feature-Image-1%20copy.jpg?itok=t5ehjQOI "Samoa Submarine Cable Company (S.S.C.C.). [Talamua On-line News]")
Samoa News has learned that the American Samoa Government has filed their ‘Letter of Intent’ with the Samoa Submarine Cable Company (SSCC) to join the Tui Samoa cable. This was reported by the Samoa Observer.
The Observer reported that the cost may have gone up, given that they did not sign on when...
![A recent photo, provided by the ASG Port Administration, showing the tugboat, ‘Signet Courageous’, in Louisiana. This used tugboat is being checked by Port Administration engineers, who are in Louisiana, as a possible second tugboat for the Port of Pago Pago. [courtesy photo]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/tugboat%20courageous_0.jpg?itok=kwTZdawZ "A recent photo, provided by the ASG Port Administration, showing the tugboat, ‘Signet Courageous’, in Louisiana. This used tugboat is being checked by Port Administration engineers, who are in Louisiana, as a possible second tugboat for the Port of Pago Pago. [courtesy photo]")
ASG Shipyard Authority chief executive Moefa’auo Bill Emmsley and Port Administration director Taimalelagi Dr. Claire Poumele, who is also a member of the shipyard board, gave different explanations to a Senate committee this week regarding repairs of ASG tugboats and the purchase of a second one....
![Rendering of the proposed new Fono Building. [SN file photo]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/fono%20bldg%20rendering_10.jpg?itok=maOcGQEV "Rendering of the proposed new Fono Building. [SN file photo]")
The Senate Rules Committee wants to hear from the public, on Friday, their views and opinions on a proposed amendment to the Constitution which gives the Legislature the authority to override the governor’s veto of legislation that’s been approved by the Fono.
Meanwhile, a Conference Committee of...
![Congresswoman Aumua Amata questioning the panel about veterans’ health access in American Samoa. See press release for details. [photo: courtesy]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/Amata%20questions%20panel.jpg?itok=HWtDl6y0 "Congresswoman Aumua Amata questioning the panel about veterans’ health access in American Samoa. See press release for details. [photo: courtesy]")
Congresswoman Aumua Amata highlighted the healthcare needs of American Samoan veterans in a Veterans’ Affairs Health Subcommittee hearing to examine up to ten health-related bills that are under early consideration in the Committee, including draft legislation to improve the VA’s Health...
![Deputy Commissioner Falana’ipupu Ta’ase Sagapolupele (left) and two other police officers escorting Police Officer Fa’auma Malo (right) from the DPS Central Station in Fagatogo, to an awaiting police unit, after he was arrested last Friday morning. Malo made his initial appearance Tuesday. [photo: courtesy]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/Faauma%20Malo_0745_0.jpg?itok=-a6FZljz "Deputy Commissioner Falana’ipupu Ta’ase Sagapolupele (left) and two other police officers escorting Police Officer Fa’auma Malo (right) from the DPS Central Station in Fagatogo, to an awaiting police unit, after he was arrested last Friday morning. Malo made his initial appearance Tuesday. [photo: courtesy]")
The preliminary examination hearing for DPS officer Fa'auma Malo, who was arrested last week, is scheduled for this morning in the District Court. Malo, who made his initial appearance Monday before Judge Fiti Sunia, is being held at TCF until he pays a $5,000 surety bond.
Malo is charged with one...
![Sen. Tuaolo Manaia Fruean [SN file photo]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/Tuaolo_1865web_2.jpg?itok=lNRUw-am "Sen. Tuaolo Manaia Fruean [SN file photo]")
Sen. Tuaolo Manaia Fruean wants to know if American Samoa is getting any share of the multi-million-dollar proposed settlement agreement between StarKist Co., and the US Department of Justice, over the cannery’s violation of federal environmental laws in Pago Pago Harbor.
USDOJ is currently...