Local News
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A full slate of major community events and tournaments are on tap to mark America’s 250th Independence Day on July 4th. Organizers say this year’s festivities will be “one for the books,” bringing families, athletes, and music lovers from across the islands.
Reid Group (...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Little Fire Ants (LFA) are continuing to be a concern in American Samoa since the invasive species was first detected in 2018. Known for its painful and itchy stings, they threaten local ecosystems, agriculture, and everyday life for residents. Although efforts were...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On May 15, 2026, a 78-year-old business owner appeared before the District Court facing criminal charges following allegations that he sexually assaulted a teenage girl in December 2025.
The defendant was later charged with:
Count 1: Sexual Abuse in the Second Degree, a...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On May 8, 2026, local investigators were assigned to investigate a complaint of alleged sex crimes against a 15-year-old female minor by a relative who resides at the same residence. The victim and the suspect are cousins.
The suspect was later arrested and charged with...
Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Uifa’atali Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen is highlighting a federal grant award of $96,750 to the American Samoa Department of Health through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
The grant is awarded through the Health Resources and Services...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The American Samoa Democratic Party (ASDP), through its Tautua Ma Le Alofa community service initiative, has made a donation to support relief efforts led by the CNMI Democratic Party following the devastating impacts of Typhoon Sinlaku on the Commonwealth of the...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Climatologists from NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center forecast are predicting an 82% chance an El Niño pattern will develop between May and July, with the probability of El Niño conditions persisting through early 2027 rising above 96%.
El Niño conditions occur when...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On May 14, 2026, an affidavit in support of a criminal complaint was filed in the District Court for a 60-year-old man for multiple felony charges stemming from allegations of sexual abuse, physical assault and property damage from an incident that was reported on...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On May 16, 2026, a concerned co-worker of a victim of domestic violence called the local police to report an alleged assault at their place of employment.
The defendant was later arrested and charged with:
Count 1: Assault in the Third Degree (DV), a class A misdemeanor...
INDUSTRIAL PARK TAFUNA, American Samoa — Governor Pulaali’i Nikolao Pula joined Congresswoman Aumua Amata, distinguished guests, and community leaders at the Territorial Administration on Aging (TAOA) to celebrate Senior Citizens Day recently, honoring the treasured elders of American Samoa.
The...

![The ASTCA July 4th 250th Celebration Women's Cricket Tournament kicked off last week Saturday with 19 village teams vying for the prizes ranging from $18,000 to $7,000. [courtesy photo] Women's Cricket Tournament](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/womens_cricket.png?itok=Y9GDfcwO)
![Little Fire Ants on a pencil tip, showing how tiny this invasive species is. LFA were discovered for the first time at the ASCC- Land Grant in February 2026. It caused serious concern and has resulted in the halting of their programs that regularly distribute potted trees and vegetable seedlings from its greenhouses to the public until such a time that Land Grant staff members are certain that the LFAs have been completely eliminated from the area. Sale of vegetable seeds continue. [courtesy photo] Little fire ants on pencil](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/little_fire_ants_0.jpg?itok=DK0Ai0ql)




![The effects of El Niño are widespread across the globe, not necessarily just those attached to the Pacific Ocean. [International Research Institute for Climate and Society graphic] EL NINO MAP](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/el_nino_map.png?itok=8tCv_WGS)


![Senior citizens recently gathered at the Department of Youth and Women Affairs (DYWA) facility in Tafuna to celebrate Senior Citizens Day. During the event, TAOA Director Paopao Kuresa shared updates on initiatives, including efforts to revive travel programs for senior citizens in Tutuila and Manu‘a. He also announced that senior citizens will receive a pay increase to $7.25 beginning this July. [Courtesy photo] Senior Citizens Day gathering](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/senior_citizens_day.jpg?itok=gxltvfwO)