Deep-Sea Mining Legal Fight: Environmental groups, including Fa‘asao Amerika Samoa and Conservation Council for Hawai‘i, sued the U.S. government to stop the first-ever deep-sea mining lease sale off American Samoa, arguing NOAA/NMFS wrongly concluded mining “is not likely to adversely affect” endangered species and habitats under the Endangered Species Act. Local & Regional Pushback: Faith and political leaders in American Samoa and across the Pacific are urging caution, saying the ocean is not an inventory and warning that fast-tracked leasing could lock in risks before science is fully understood. Northern Mariana Islands Fast-Track: Washington also moved ahead with a proposed seabed leasing notice for the Mariana Trench area, with Guam’s governor and delegate warning the process is accelerating faster than science and consultation allow. NOAA Mapping for Minerals: NOAA announced two deepwater expeditions around American Samoa this summer and fall to map and characterize the seafloor for critical mineral exploration, with publicly available data. STEM Support: Society for Science selected 100 educators for its 2026–2027 Advocate Program, including a local teacher recognized for mentoring student research and science competitions. Aviation Recovery: Samoa Airways’ damaged Twin Otter (5W-FAY) recovery work at Fitiuta Airport is complete, with dismantling underway after engineers ruled out repair and flight back.