Read the latest news from regional and global sources, presenting different voices and perspectives.

American Samoa's colonial history emerges in disputes over voting and citizenship
Squeezed between glacier-packed mountains and Alaska's Prince William Sound, the cruise-ship stop of Whittier is isolated enough that it's reachable by just a single road, through a long, one-lane tunnel that vehicles share with trains. It's so...

Priority Mail Delays Leave American Samoa Residents Frustrated
American Samoa residents are facing unexpected delays when shipping parcels via USPS Priority Mail. Despite paying for expedited service, many are finding that their packages are no longer receiving priority treatment. Instead of being sent to...

Tofoipupu Unutoa is Miss American Samoa 2025/2026
Twenty-four year old Tofoipupu Josephine Unutoa begins her reign as Miss American Samoa after winning the crown from seven other contestants Saturday night. Sponsored by Kailani Designs, she also won the stage interview and ava ceremony. The...

What defunding public media would mean for the West
by Annie Rosenthal and Chad Bradley, High Country News June 6, 2025 Late last fall, members of Bethel, Alaska’s search and rescue team met at the local public radio station, KYUK, for a program called River Watch. Over an hour and a half, they...

Trump Administration Wants to Close Key Weather Labs Across the U.S.
This story is published through our partnership with NOTUS. The Trump administration is looking to make sweeping cuts at the nation’s weather agencies, including the closure of all federally funded meteorology labs. The cuts also come as deadly...

GHC Reid commissions state of the art bottling line for Vaimalu
GHC Reid officially commissioned a new state-of-the-art bottling line for Vaimalu, American Samoa’s locally bottled water, during a special blessing ceremony held at the company’s Vaimalu Warehouse in Petesa, Thursday, June 19, 2025. GHC Reid...

Honolulu-based Coast Guard district receives a new name
The U.S. Coast Guard announced Thursday that it will be renaming its districts, with the Honolulu-headquartered District 14 being renamed the Coast Guard Oceania District. In a media release, the Coast Guard said that “this strategic change,...

Samoan fashion designer killed during “No Kings” protest
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A renowned Samoan fashion designer has been confirmed dead after he was shot at the "No Kings" protest in Salt Lake City on Saturday night. The 39-year-old, Arthur Folasa Ah Loo, a Utah resident, was shot at the...

Rural & Native stations would bear the brunt of public media cuts
This article originally appeared on High Country News. Late last fall, members of Bethel, Alaska’s search and rescue team met at the local public radio station, KYUK, for a program called River Watch. Over an hour and a half, they took calls from...

Malofie Congressional Art Competition winner welcomed to U.S. Capitol
Washington, D.C. — On behalf of Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata, Chief of Staff Leafaina Tavai welcomed the 2025 winner of the Malofie Congressional Art Competition, Deborah Vaiotu of Tafuna High School and Malaeloa Village, to the U.S. Capitol for...

Trump’s Attack On Long-Standing Principle Of Birthright Citizenship Stands, As Supreme Court Sidesteps Constitutional Issue − For Now
One of President Donald Trump’s first executive orders relating to immigration and immigrants is a direct attack on the long-standing constitutional principle of birthright citizenship. That’s the declaration in the 14th Amendment to the...

The Pacific isn’t remote—it’s simply ignored
Inside the Reef By Joyce McClure Not for the first time, I was asked this past week where I lived before moving back to the mainland nearly two years ago. “Guam,” I replied. “And before that, Yap.” The common response is a blank stare, followed...

Passenger removed from HAL Thursday flight speaks out
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — One of the two passengers who were removed from a Hawaiian Airlines flight last Thursday due to a bomb threat has threatened to file a lawsuit against several parties, including the Department of Public Safety. Makerita...

Six men face charges after alleged assault at local nightclub
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On May 4, 2025, a fight broke out at a nightclub in Tafuna involving six men who allegedly assaulted numerous men at the bar. The six suspects were apprehended and charged as follows: Kananafou Savea — Count 1: Public...

Samoa secures their first medal of 2025 Pacific Mini Games
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Samoa secured their first medal of the games with an impressive 4:01.31 in the 4x 100m Women’s Freestyle Relay, earning them a well deserved bronze. The team consists of debut swimmer Talia Saumamao who, not only was...

Woman recovers stolen phone with Finding My Phone App
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On May 17, 2025, a woman, who was a caregiver at the LBJ Hospital called the Fagatogo Police Station (FPS) to report that her phone was stolen from the hospital room where she had been sleeping. The suspect was later...

Nu’uuli stages dramatic comeback in shield match in a day of exciting Rugby Union action
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Spectators at the American Samoa Rugby Union (ASRU) shield match on Saturday were treated to a thrilling showdown as underdogs Nu'uuli staged a dramatic comeback to defeat shield holders Leone Whites, 17–14. The...

RIP: Shelley Arrowsmith, 1951–2025
Shelley Arrowsmith, longtime Sonoma resident and community activist, passed away at home on her farm in Sonoma on April 20 after a two-year battle with cancer. She left quietly, but her absence is already loud in the lives she touched. Many who...

People vs CCP: Suidani and Talifilu fight the good fight
Fight for their families, faith, freedom—the things that make us human, and that build community. Beijing is terrified more people will understand that. WASHINGTON: The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) wants you to think this story is about them and...

“This is a case I know…I will win in court”
One of the two passengers who were taken off last Thursday’s Hawaiian Airlines flight upon arrival at Pago Pago International Airport and questioned by authorities regarding an alleged bomb threat has shared her ordeal in a FaceBook post. Makerita...