Local News

Amata and other Representatives and Senators at the National Prayer Breakfast.
Washington, D.C. – Thursday, Congresswoman Uifaatali Amata took part in the National Prayer Breakfast, her fifth time to participate. The annual bipartisan event has been held since 1953, when President Eisenhower became the first President to attend and bring widespread attention to the event,...
DHSS Acting Director Muavafa’atasi
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — In a press release issued this week, DHSS Acting Director Muavaefa’atasi John E. Suisala announced that the Administration for Children and Families, Office of Child Care (ACF OCC) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, confirmed that American Samoa’s...
85-year old Si’i Noaese Taeatafa reading Samoa News
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The first group of repatriated residents of American Samoa, who received their first COVID-19 test on Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2021, have all tested negative, which was confirmed to Samoa News by the Department of Health Chief of Operation (COO) Vesi Talalelei Fautanu Jr,...
Senators are shown here during the swearing-in ceremony in Jan.
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The tobacco excise tax will increase by 3 cents — which will help fund LBJ Medical Center operations — if a Senate bill introduced yesterday is enacted into law. The bill also includes a separate provision, which seeks to reduce to 1% the current 2% wage tax, that is...
Acting Public Defender, Michael White
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — With an ever increasing case load — both felony and misdemeanor cases — acting Public Defender Michael White plans to petition the governor to increase he number of attorneys with the Public Defender’s Office, which now has only two working attorneys, including White...
Port Administration Director, Christopher King
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — No stone was left unturned during the House of Representatives confirmation hearing of Director of Port Administration, Christopher King Monday morning. The hearing was chaired by Chairman of the House Port Administration Committee, Rep. Tiaali’i Fau Sai. Several House...
 Budget and Planning Office director Catherine Saelua
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The House on Tuesday approved in final reading the Lemanu Administration’s fiscal year  2021 budget proposal, which totals $465.95 million — a 10% increase from the approved FY 2020 budget of $424.20 million. The measure was introduced in the Senate yesterday and...
ASG Treasurer Malemo L. Tausaga
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Senate Hospital/Public Health Committee chairman, Sen. Satele Galu Satele says he will wait for at few more days, at least a week, before requesting an update report from the government on the first repatriation flight so that senators would be informed. The repatriation...
The Capitol Police Force honor guard with flag and ashes
Washington, D.C. – Wednesday, Congresswoman Uifaatali Amata released the following statement in honor of Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick: “Congress today honored the life of Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick. This week, he lay in honor in the U.S. Capitol. We are saddened by his loss, and...
A woman and a young child on a balcony at Tradewinds Hotel
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The first repatriated group of American Samoa residents received their first COVID-19 test yesterday after arriving home this past Monday afternoon. This was confirmed by the Chief Operations Officer (COO) of the Dept. of Heath (DoH) — former Manu’a #1 lawmaker, Vesi...

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