Alleged assault with a hammer in Ofu

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On July 22, 2025, a woman in Ofu, Manu’a contacted the authorities in Ofu regarding an alleged assault with a hammer on her husband. The suspect was later apprehended and charged with: Count 1: Assault in the First...

Farewell luncheon for orthopedic surgeon Dr Robert Blotter

Orthopedic surgeon Dr Robert Blotter and his wife Sister Tami Blotter were farewelled at a luncheon hosted by the LBJ Hospital Board and leaders at the DDW Restaurant Friday. A missionary physician of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day...

Dengue case count continues its upward trend

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Dengue fever cases in the territory have risen significantly, with the latest count at 135, an increase from 81 reported just two weeks ago, as confirmed in an update on September 12, 2025. American Samoa’s Dengue fever...

Bill would entitle ASG employees to 8 weeks paid maternity leave

Employees of the American Samoa Government would be entitled to paid maternity leave under a bill sponsored by Representative Malaeoletalu Melesio Gurr. To be known as the Paid Maternity Leave Act of American Samoa the bill proposes that any...

Pacific quarantine-free travel expands

One-way quarantine-free travel to New Zealand will be extended to include Nauru, Tuvalu and American Samoa, Associate Minister of Foreign Affairs and Health Aupito William Sio announced today. “I am pleased to announce that from 11.59 pm 27...

Pacific News: Sept. 16, 2025

In the Philippine Sea, U.S. Marines and Sailors with Marine Rotational Force Darwin 25-4 conduct weapons handling drills aboard the Expeditionary Sea Base, U.S.S Miguel Keith. In American Samoa, Troops from the U.S. Army, Air Force, Navy, National...

Testimony in Sia Figiel murder trial in Samoa ends

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — As the final prosecution witness began to testify in the trial surrounding the murder of Dr Caroline Gabbard in May last year, the accused walked out of the courtroom to break into a fit of wails and loud weeping on...

Congressional News Update from Amata

Washington, D.C. — Uifa’atali Amata is highlighting various news from last week in Congress that affects American Samoa. The House Appropriations Committee this week passed two 2026 major appropriations bills that would fund various departments of...

House passes short-term funding to keep federal government open

Short-term funding to keep the government open through mid-November now moves to the U.S. Senate, after a raucous House debate and nearly party-line 217-212 vote. KHJ News Washington D.C. correspondent Matt Kaye reports… House Democrats blamed...

Taimalelagi and Faleafine-Nomura unanimously confirmed to LBJ Board

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Yesterday's Senate confirmation hearing for Taimalelagi Dr. Claire Tuia-Poumele and Lydia Faleafine-Nomura, both nominated by Gov. Pulaalii N. Pula to serve on the American Samoa Medical Center (ASMC) Board of...

Democracy in the US territories, in context

Being a part of the United States, but not represented as a state, ensures the territories’ democracies are unique. The US territories consist of five different islands. These include Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, American Samoa,...

Victim treated by EMS after alleged assault in local store

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On July 27, 2025, Fagatogo Police Station received a call regarding an alleged assault at a store involving a customer and an employee. The customer was later apprehended and charged with: Count 1: Assault in the Third...

Corrections Dept. proposes new jail — some buildings over 50 years old

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The American Samoa Department of Corrections has made a proposal to the American Samoa Economic Development Authority (ASDEA ) for $7.11 million to build a new jail facility. The proposal is outlined in a letter sent to...

Man arrested after allegedly assaulting his girlfriend with metal baseball bat

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On July 28, 2025, the Leone Police Station (LPS) received a call from a concerned taxi driver who reported an alleged domestic dispute between a couple. The suspect was later arrested and charged with: Count 1: Assault...

Samoa’s PM-elect receiving congratulations from world leaders

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Samoa’s Prime Minister-elect, Hon. La'aulialemalietoa, has received warm congratulatory messages, from the Prime Ministers of Samoa’s closest regional development partners, Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand. After a...

Alleged assault in parking lot leaves one man unconscious

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On July 27, 2025, the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) received a call regarding an alleged brutal assault in a fast food restaurant’s parking lot that left the victim unconscious after being beaten up by a group of men....

Building the Foundations of Our Future

A Call to Invest in Healthcare, Education, Wellness, Safe Transport, Fair Wages, and Communities Across American Samoa Honorable Leaders, Policy Makers, Teachers, Healthcare Workers, Elders, and Fellow Citizens, The proposed Fiscal Year 2026...

Reported rock throwing incident incited by road rage

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On July 27, 2025, a woman called the Fagatogo Police Station (FPS) and reported a road rage related incident. The suspect fled the scene but was later charged with: Count 1: Property Damage in the Second Degree, a class...

Alleged suspect calls the cops to report assault

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On June 7, 2025, the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) received a call from one of the suspects who allegedly assaulted a man with two other men for allegedly spreading rumors about them stealing from their employer. All...

Assisting the residents of Aunu’u photo & caption

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Over the weekend, ASG launched a joint agency response to assist the residents of Aunu’u, who had been stranded due to boat service disruptions between Aunu’u and Auasi. Through the Aunu’u Liaison, and in close...