Deep-Sea Mining Push: Pacific bishops are urging prudence on commercial deep-sea mining, warning that serious or irreversible harm can’t be rushed just because science isn’t “complete,” as the U.S. moves toward lease actions near American Samoa. Critical Minerals Politics: An American Samoa op-ed argues the territory can say “No” to a proposed federal seabed lease while still engaging federal processes, demanding guaranteed jobs, revenue, and enforceable environmental protections before any deal. Local Water Compliance: AS-EPA hosted a six-hour Clean Water Act training with USEPA Region 9 for ASPA, StarKist Samoa, and the Shipyard, covering permits, Section 401 certification, mixing zones, TMDLs, and effluent limits, plus federal inspections. Fisheries & Security: Samoa is pressing for stronger fish stock monitoring and EEZ security at the WCPFC, coordinating regional patrols against illegal fishing, drugs, and trafficking and coordinating E-zone boundary issues with American Samoa. ASEDA Appointment Stalled: The House again failed to confirm Brett Butler to the ASEDA board, keeping the appointment one vote short under House rules. Road Safety Fix Clarified: Senators heard raised crosswalks are federally funded safety upgrades, not “speed bumps,” with claims of reduced crosswalk-related accidents. Industrial Park Crime: Police charged a Tafuna Industrial Park burglary suspect after an alleged active break-in, with multiple felony and misdemeanor counts filed. Corrections Incident: Two Tafuna Correctional Facility inmates face escape-from-confinement charges after allegedly leaving during a power outage and returning through the front gate.