Local News
![U.S. Representative Keith Ellison, a candidate for the Democratic National Committee chair, spoke alongside other candidates for the DNC chair at a party forum Saturday, Jan. 14, in Phoenix. [David Wallace - Associated Press file photo]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/keith-ellisonweb.jpg?itok=miYbGt8k "U.S. Representative Keith Ellison, a candidate for the Democratic National Committee chair, spoke alongside other candidates for the DNC chair at a party forum Saturday, Jan. 14, in Phoenix. [David Wallace - Associated Press file photo]")
If elected chairman of the Democratic National Committee (DNC), US Rep. Keith Ellison promised a visit to American Samoa and other US territories, which he says should have access to needed resources.
Ellison made the revelation early this week, as former American Samoa Congressman Faleomavaega Eni...
![Tafaigata prison [photo: 60 MINS-NINE]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/Tafaigata%20prison_0.jpeg?itok=hEZHxT7o "Tafaigata prison [photo: 60 MINS-NINE]")
A Samoan prisoner has had more time added to his sentence after he admitted to the attempted rape of a foreign woman, and one count of theft.
24 year-old, Daniel Vailopa, will serve three-and-a-half years after serving his current two year sentence in July for separate criminal charges.
According...
![Police Commissioner Le’i Sonny Thompson [SN file photo]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/Lei%20Thompson%206463_1.jpg?itok=B9saNZC9 "Police Commissioner Le’i Sonny Thompson [SN file photo]")
Police Commissioner Le’i Sonny Thompson has suggested training a “special unit” of police officers to respond to serious cases; and cautioned American Samoa when it comes to arming officers in the police force.
Le’i, speaking at his House confirmation hearing last week also revealed that there is...
The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is looking at the summer of this year to start the certification process of Tausani Airline, provided that the locally based start-up carrier is prepared to begin the process, says FAA spokesman Ian Gregor.
Two years ago, Tausani leased the ASG nine-...
![Newly confirmed Commerce Department director Keniseli Lafaele during his Senate confirmation hearing Wednesday. [photo: FS]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/Lafaele%206495_0.jpg?itok=AQBSYT12 "Newly confirmed Commerce Department director Keniseli Lafaele during his Senate confirmation hearing Wednesday. [photo: FS]")
The Fono has endorsed the governor’s nominations of Keniseli Fa’alupe Lafaele as Commerce Department Director and Samana Semo Ve’ave’a as Director of the local Homeland Security Department, after the Senate on Wednesday handed down separate, but unanimous votes of 16-0 for each director-nominee....
The House of Representatives has introduced ‘The American Samoa Nurse Practice Act’ to regulate the practice of nursing. The Act calls for a territorial Board of Nursing, which would license nurses, establish standards for nursing practice and nursing education programs.
The Act includes the...
![Seen here in a Samoa News file photo taken Manu'a Cession Day in 2015 are, Governor Lolo Matalasi Moliga accompanied by First Lady, Cynthia Malala Moliga, Polynesian Airlines CEO, Seiuli Alvin Tuala, Manu'a Senator Nuanuaolefeagaiga Saoluaga Nua and Deputy Secretary of Samoan Affairs, Tuiagamoa Tavai. [photo: JL]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/manua%20pols.jpg?itok=vYZIDxqJ "Seen here in a Samoa News file photo taken Manu'a Cession Day in 2015 are, Governor Lolo Matalasi Moliga accompanied by First Lady, Cynthia Malala Moliga, Polynesian Airlines CEO, Seiuli Alvin Tuala, Manu'a Senator Nuanuaolefeagaiga Saoluaga Nua and Deputy Secretary of Samoan Affairs, Tuiagamoa Tavai. [photo: JL]")
Three traditional leaders of Ta’u County in Manu’a have challenge the selection of Nuanuaolefeagaiga Saoluaga T. Nua to hold one of the two senatorial seats for the Manu’a District No. 1, which comprises Faleasao, Ta’u and Fitiuta counties.
The complaint by Ta’u chiefs Lefiti Atiulagi Pese, Maui...
![Congresswoman Aumua Amata speaking at the hearing. [courtesy photo]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/Amata%20at%20SBC%20Hearing.jpg?itok=AOS6YWj- "Congresswoman Aumua Amata speaking at the hearing. [courtesy photo]")
Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Aumua Amata, and the House Small Business Committee held a hearing on Reimagining the Health Care Marketplace for America’s Small Businesses this week. The purpose of the hearing was to examine hurdles facing small businesses in providing health care for their...
![In this SN file photo, leaders from the American Samoa Government and the Fono along with Anthony Bernardo of AVM Bernardo Engineering during a groundbreaking ceremony for a food processing plant across from Public Works in Tafuna. This took place in January 2016.[photo: JL]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/groundbreak%20food%20plant_0172web.jpg?itok=K0LmREfP "In this SN file photo, leaders from the American Samoa Government and the Fono along with Anthony Bernardo of AVM Bernardo Engineering during a groundbreaking ceremony for a food processing plant across from Public Works in Tafuna. This took place in January 2016.[photo: JL]")
One-year and three-weeks after ground breaking for a multi food processing plant at the Tafuna Industrial Park, it appears investors for the project are not yet firmed up, resulting in Commerce Department director Keniseli Lafaele being questioned on the matter by some senators during his...
![[SN file photo]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/STP%20photo%200260web.jpg?itok=lf4BZE6r "[SN file photo]")
More than 100 laid-off workers from Samoa Tuna Processors (STP) Inc., cannery are now placed in temporary jobs for one month, using available federal funds administered by the Department of Human Resources (DHR), while a government survey shows that around 70% of the laid-off STP employees are not...