Dialysis Care Scrutiny: A Senate Health Committee hearing focused on long-running problems at LBJ Hemodialysis Clinic, with a dialysis patient-senator citing water filtration breakdowns that can delay sessions, shortened treatments, understaffing, equipment shortages, and basic access issues like limited parking. Deep-Sea Mining & Health: American Sāmoa’s church leaders and regional voices are pushing back on deep sea mining, warning of irreversible harm to marine biodiversity, fisheries, and ocean health—issues tied to community wellbeing and food security. Medicare Advantage Funding: Gov. González-Colón gained fresh congressional support urging HHS/CMS to improve Medicare Advantage payment benchmarks for Puerto Rico’s seniors, a move aimed at more reliable healthcare funding. Postal Anti-Drug Efforts: Gov. Pulaali’i Nikolao Pula met U.S. Postal Inspection Service officials to strengthen strategies against illegal narcotics moving through the postal system and other entry points, with a community-centered prevention and enforcement approach. Local Health Services & Access: A new OB-GYN doctor joined Queen’s North Hawai‘i Community Hospital’s Women’s Center, with experience including teaching and performing surgery at LBJ Tropical Medical Center. SNAP Security: Pennsylvania is moving SNAP/EBT cards to EMV chip technology to reduce skimming fraud, with processing support that also reaches American Samoa. Retirement Fund Proposal: The ASG is proposing changes to its Retirement Fund contribution rate, a policy debate that can affect long-term financial stability for public workers. Aviation Incident: A Samoa Airways Twin Otter veered off the runway at Fitiuta Airport; one passenger reported a leg injury and was treated at the Fitiuta Clinic while authorities investigate the cause.