Deep-Sea Mining Push Meets Local Resistance: Community leaders and Greenpeace USA activists confronted NOAA’s Okeanos Explorer in Pago Pago Harbor, protesting mapping tied to a proposed federal deep-sea mining lease near American Samoa, even as the territory maintains a seabed mining moratorium. Local Governance & Oversight: The House is pressing for a full accounting of how ASG invested roughly $10 million in ARPA interest, with lawmakers warning the Fono lacks clear reporting and may need subpoenas. Public Health Watch: Hawaiʻi DOH reported dengue detected in Hilo wastewater, with no active cases tracked there; officials say it’s an early warning and dengue risk is present across the Pacific region, including American Samoa. Youth Safety Settlement: AG Edward Manibusan announced a landmark $17.1 billion multistate Meta settlement, including required child-safety changes for Instagram and Facebook, with American Samoa listed among the settling jurisdictions. Education: The Board of Higher Education named Ti’alemasunu Tupuola Dr. Mikaele Etuale as the next ASCC president, effective Sept. 8. Elections: The Election Office listed candidates eligible for the Nov. 3, 2026 midterm, and noted several House seats running unopposed. Immigration Policy: A Senate bill proposes a one-time Critical Guest Worker Amnesty Program for foreign nationals out of status, aimed at filling critical labor needs like StarKist Samoa. Regional Security: Pacific leaders at PIF urged transparency after China’s missile test, calling for advance notification to reassure island nations. Court Ruling With Local Echoes: Alaska’s appeals court tossed a felony voter misconduct indictment tied to an American Samoan resident, citing prosecutors using the wrong legal standard and misleading grand jurors.