Local News
![In this March 2017 file photo, [l-r] Matt Salo, executive director of National Association of Medicaid Directors, Brian Neale, Medicaid advisor to US Secretary of Health and Human Services, Thomas E. Price, and Sandra King Young, Medicaid Director for American Samoa, ae pictured after a meeting in Washington where they discussed Medicaid issues for American Samoa and the territories. [photo: ASG]](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/Sandra%20King%20Medicaid%20meets.jpg?itok=HA3yKzx5 "In this March 2017 file photo, [l-r] Matt Salo, executive director of National Association of Medicaid Directors, Brian Neale, Medicaid advisor to US Secretary of Health and Human Services, Thomas E. Price, and Sandra King Young, Medicaid Director for American Samoa, ae pictured after a meeting in Washington where they discussed Medicaid issues for American Samoa and the territories. [photo: ASG]")
The US Center for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) has given the green light for the American Samoa Medicaid program to directly reimburse hospital providers in New Zealand and the US, according to a statement from the Governor’s Office.
Previously, off-island medical services could only be...
![[photo: Ausage Fausia]](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/Fono%20building.jpg?itok=jeIgGYIC "[photo: Ausage Fausia]")
Samoa News photo taken on Tuesday, June 27, shows a sign on one of the Fono doors pointing to “DANGER” ASBESTOS, Cancer and Lung Disease Hazard, KEEP OUT, AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY… as well as yellow tape noting caution, as it stops the public from entering the area.
Fono employees told Samoa News...
Motorists are happy to see the latest drop in the price of gasoline — about 9 cents per gallon — at the pump.
The decrease is also welcomed by owners of vehicles that fill up with diesel fuel.
The drop in fuel cost should be of some help for the ASG - with its fleet of more than 100 vehicles — as...
![Aumua Amata with her friend, Sen. Lisa Murkowski (AL), who chairs the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. [courtesy photo]](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/Amata%20and%20Lisa%20Murkowski%20at%20White%20House%20Picnic.jpg?itok=dTjYy_Z5 "Aumua Amata with her friend, Sen. Lisa Murkowski (AL), who chairs the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. [courtesy photo]")
M.A.S.I. ANNOUNCES PLANS FOR 25TH ANNIVERSARY
MIss American Samoa Incorporated (MASI) will be celebrating its silver jubilee later this year in September, to coincide with the 2017-2018 Miss American Samoa pageant set to be held on Sept. 15th.
MASI president Simeafou Imo told Samoa News earlier...
![Bishop, Peter Brown – taking a bow before the grand-stand as he led the Autalavou Katoliko Puleaga Samoa Pago Pago in their taualuga, to close off their performance during the 2017 Flag Day entertainment. [photo: TG]](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/bishop%20peter%20brown_0592.jpg?itok=xFjc6PcP "Bishop, Peter Brown – taking a bow before the grand-stand as he led the Autalavou Katoliko Puleaga Samoa Pago Pago in their taualuga, to close off their performance during the 2017 Flag Day entertainment. [photo: TG]")
Bishop Peter Brown, head of the Diocese of Samoa Pago Pago, has offered the Catholic Church’s support in the government’s fight to rid American Samoa of illegal drugs.
This was outlined in a June 21 letter addressed to Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga, Secretary of Samoan Affairs, Mauga T. Asuega, and...
![[courtesy photos]](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/composit.jpg?itok=qntPc2TI "[courtesy photos]")
The young girl from Fagatogo is an aspiring artist and this drawing is her winning entry, which has been selected as George E. Harris Elementary School's 2016-2017 yearbook cover.
Aegeann is the granddaughter of Makiati and Lusia Silafau, and Larry Sanitoa.
She was deaf at birth.
Aegeann is a...
![Some of the CCCAS elders, with Chairman Rev. Elder Mamoe Eveni Jr. (right) during court proceedings between the CCCAS and Secretary General Rev. Amaama Tofaeono. The Court has ruled in favor of CCCAS, to take possession of the home Rev. Amaama and his wife occupy inside the Kanana Fou compound. [photo AF]](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/CCCAS%20ministers_0.jpg?itok=Ta4mYuEr "Some of the CCCAS elders, with Chairman Rev. Elder Mamoe Eveni Jr. (right) during court proceedings between the CCCAS and Secretary General Rev. Amaama Tofaeono. The Court has ruled in favor of CCCAS, to take possession of the home Rev. Amaama and his wife occupy inside the Kanana Fou compound. [photo AF]")
Last Friday’s court ruling on a complaint filed by the Congregational Christian Church of American Samoa (CCCAS) has allowed the general public a glimpse into the workings of the church, whose top leadership, the CCCAS Elders’ Committee, is usually tightlipped.
In discussion, the court highlighted...
![[SN file photo]](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/AM%20Samoa%20HC_30.jpeg?itok=5Umq6OKu "[SN file photo]")
During sentencing in the High Court on Monday of an Asian businessman initially accused of bribing a Tax Office agent two years ago and later pled guilty to a misdemeanor charge, the Attorney General’s Office asked for “no jail time” for the defendant.
Assistant AG Gerald Murphy’s verbal motion...
![Douglas William Domenech is the new Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Insular Areas. [courtesy photo]](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/DOI%20Interior%20Sec%20Doug%20Domenech.jpg?itok=49ZMykQ5 "Douglas William Domenech is the new Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Insular Areas. [courtesy photo]")
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WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Aumua Amata has expressed her highest approval and her personal excitement today over President Donald Trump’s announcement of his intent to nominate Interior Department veteran Douglas William Domenech as Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Insular Areas...
![[SN file photo]](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/AM%20Samoa%20HC_29.jpeg?itok=NK9bcaOQ "[SN file photo]")
SOLOMONA TEOFILO
A man accused of assaulting his sister-in-law last year, is now facing a new charge after he allegedly assaulted another family member.
Solomona Teofilo was arrested and charged last October with second degree assault for allegedly assaulting his sister-in-law. He is accused of...