Pediatric Eye Care: An OHSU pediatric ophthalmology team is in American Samoa for a week of school screenings, starting with about 230 students at Matafao Elementary before heading to Manu’a, as part of a partnership with DOH, Education, Lions Club of Pago Pago, Medicaid, and Dr. Laloasi Steffany. Fisheries & Ocean Policy: The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council backed changes that would allow larger American Samoa longliners to fish between 12 and 50 nautical miles from Muliava/Rose Atoll once monument-based prohibitions are lifted, while keeping waters within 12 miles closed. Local Governance: Lawmakers questioned the Zoning Board’s enforcement role after concerns that businesses may operate multiple ventures from one location in ways that violate zoning and licensing rules. Consumer Protection: The Senate passed the Product Labeling Standards Act of 2026, setting new requirements for ingredient, origin, dates, and safety info, with English labels and Samoan translation where feasible. Public Health Funding: DOH received a $255,100 CDC grant to strengthen vaccine-preventable disease prevention and response. Food Safety: DOH shut down two retail food stores after sanitation violations, ordering them to stop operations immediately. Culture for Kids: The American Samoa Visitors Bureau launched “Our Paogo,” a children’s book teaching the pandanus plant’s cultural role and how to grow it. Deep-Sea Mining Pressure: Environmental and community groups urged Gov. Apatang to use federal authority to halt a deep-sea mining lease sale near the Marianas. Community Safety & Courts: Police reported multiple domestic-violence-related arrests and charges, while Alaska dropped criminal voter misconduct charges against 11 American Samoans after a court ruling required proof of intent to deceive.