AGP Executive Report

Local Sports Spotlight: Leigh Gases’ “Sports Leigh-Out” highlights off-island wins, including CNMI Labor Day softball champs and a new CNMI Labor Day golf tournament winner in Oregon. Community & Youth Fitness: Faipule Fagaima Larry Sanitoa asks the Governor to reallocate ARPA funds to finish Tafuna High School Gym enclosure, a supervised weight room, and access/parking/drainage upgrades after flooding made the gym unsafe and unavailable for the 2026 graduation. Entertainment & Representation: Rainbow Games 2026 names its official ambassador lineup, featuring American Samoa’s own Jaiyah Saelua (fa’afafine; LGBTQI+ trailblazer) plus sports and culture figures ahead of the Oct. 29–Nov. 1 Auckland event. Media in the Spotlight: 93KHJ Morning Man John Raynar’s voice lands in a nationally televised Pro Football Hall of Fame TV commercial. Tech, Safety, and Pop Culture: Meta’s $17.1B Facebook/Instagram child safety settlement ties to Sony’s upcoming whistleblower thriller “The Social Reckoning,” opening Oct. 9. Health Watch: Florida reports rising locally acquired dengue cases, with mosquito-control efforts ramping up—an alert for the wider Pacific travel season. Broadcast Compliance: FCC sets Oct. 1, 2026 EEO Public File Report deadlines for stations including American Samoa.

Local Sports Spotlight: 93KHJ Morning Man John Raynar’s voice is featured in a Pro Football Hall of Fame TV commercial, with the South Seas Broadcasting host saying it’s an honor to work on a platform shared by other sons of American Samoa. Community & Youth Fitness: Faipule Fagaima Larry Sanitoa asks Gov. Pulaali’i N. Pula to reallocate ARPA funds to finish the Tafuna High School Gym and access improvements, citing flooding from the open-air design that kept the gym unusable for the 2026 graduation. Entertainment & Representation: Rainbow Games 2026 names its official ambassadors, including American Samoa’s Jaiyah Saelua, a fa’afafine and first openly non-binary/trans woman to compete in a FIFA World Cup qualifier for American Samoa. Film Buzz: Meta’s $17.1B settlement over Facebook harm claims lines up with Sony’s Aaron Sorkin thriller “The Social Reckoning,” starring Mikey Madison and Jeremy Strong, opening Oct. 9. Health Watch: Florida’s dengue surge is driving more mosquito-control spraying and surveillance as locally acquired cases climb, with officials warning numbers could rise further. Sports Roundup: Pacific athletes keep stacking medals and records, from Mediterranean Games podiums to Pacific sporting stars highlighted across athletics and rugby.

NFL & Local Media: 93KHJ Morning Man John Raynar’s voice is featured in a Pro Football Hall of Fame TV commercial, and he says it’s an honor to work on a platform shared by other sons of American Samoa. Sports Spotlight: Puka Nacua says the NFL’s historic Australia game can help inspire the next generation of Pacific stars, with ties to Samoa through his grandmother. Community & Youth: The Christopher James Foeoletini Ledoux Foundation wrapped its PITA Jr. STEAM bootcamp for ages 10–12, aiming to steer youth toward tech and engineering as a prevention strategy. Local Governance (ARPA): Senators heard that $10 million in interest earnings from the American Samoa ARPA Fund is being invested in the UAE, with questions raised about accounts and oversight. Education Facilities: A faipule is asking for $2 million to finish Tafuna High School gym enclosure and access improvements after flooding made the gym unusable for graduation. Entertainment & Tech: Meta’s $17.1B settlement over Facebook harm claims lines up with Sony’s upcoming whistleblower thriller “The Social Reckoning,” starring Mikey Madison and Jeremy Strong. Health Watch: Dengue concerns continue to rise in the U.S., with Florida reporting locally acquired cases and stepped-up mosquito control.

Parks & Outdoors: A new guide highlights family-friendly spots, including the National Park of American Samoa with its remote, reef-rich underwater world and limited scuba infrastructure—plus other river and watershed options for paddling and wildlife watching. Sports on TV: Match previews and viewing info keep rolling for fans, including Tottenham vs. Everton and Valencia vs. Barcelona, with start times and streaming options spelled out for multiple regions. Local Sports & Community: “Sports Leigh-Out” spotlights off-island wins, including CNMI Labor Day softball and a new golf tournament tradition, while also keeping an eye on Pacific sporting momentum. American Samoa Governance: Senators heard testimony that ARPA interest earnings are being invested in the UAE, and a faipule is pushing to reallocate ARPA money to finish the Tafuna High School gym and access improvements. Entertainment & Media: American Samoa’s 93KHJ Morning Man John Raynar is featured in a Pro Football Hall of Fame TV commercial, adding to the territory’s growing media presence. Tech & Safety: Meta’s massive social media settlement over child safety is tied to the release of Sony’s whistleblower thriller “The Social Reckoning.”

Local Sports Spotlight: The Marianas dominated the 21st CNMI Labor Day Softball Tournament in Portland, Oregon, with Isao 67OLD2 (masters), Lady Tribe (women), Pacific Hustlers (men’s upper) and KoMPai (men’s lower) taking titles. Community & Youth Facilities: Faipule Fagaima Larry Sanitoa is asking Gov. Pulaali’i N. Pula to reallocate ARPA funds to finish the Tafuna High School gym enclosure, supervised weight room, and key access/parking/drainage upgrades—needed after flooding has made the gym unsafe and unavailable for the 2026 graduation. Entertainment & Media: Meta’s $17.1 billion settlement over Facebook/Instagram child safety claims is tied to the release of Sony Pictures’ whistleblower thriller The Social Reckoning, starring Mikey Madison and Jeremy Strong, opening Oct. 9. Local Talent in National Ads: 93KHJ Morning Man John Raynar’s voice is featured in a Pro Football Hall of Fame TV commercial, highlighting his long-running South Seas Broadcasting role and voiceover work. Youth Tech & STEAM: The Ledoux Foundation wrapped its inaugural PITA Jr. Summer Bootcamp, a STEAM and robotics push for ages 10–12 aimed at substance-abuse prevention through positive pathways.

Local Sports & Community: Faipule Fagaima Larry Sanitoa is asking Governor Pulaali’i N. Pula to reallocate ARPA funds to finish the Tafuna High School Gym and fix access and drainage issues—work that would enclose the gym, add a supervised student weight room, and prevent flooding that has kept the facility unsafe, including during the 2026 graduation. Regional Diplomacy: Pacific Islands Forum leaders wrapped up talks in Palau amid China-Taiwan tensions and concerns over a July missile test, with leaders urging advance notification and transparency for ICBM testing. Entertainment & Media: 93KHJ Morning Man John Raynar’s voice is featured in a nationally televised Pro Football Hall of Fame TV commercial, and he says it’s an honor to work on a platform shared by other sons of American Samoa. Tech & Youth: The Christopher James Foeoletini Ledoux Foundation’s PITA Jr. 2026 Summer STEAM Bootcamp concluded, aiming to spark drone and robotics interest for ages 10–12 as part of a youth prevention effort. Public Safety: Four people face criminal allegations tied to a human trafficking and labor exploitation scheme involving Vietnamese nationals, with a preliminary examination scheduled in District Court. LGBTQ+ Sports Spotlight: Rainbow Games 2026 announced its ambassador lineup ahead of the Oct. 29–Nov. 1 event in Auckland.

Local Entertainment Spotlight: 93KHJ Morning Man John Raynar’s voice is featured in a nationally televised Pro Football Hall of Fame TV commercial, alongside Lynn Swann, and Raynar says it’s an honor to work on a platform shared by “sons of American Samoa.” Sports & Community Pride: Pacific athletes keep stacking medals and milestones, from Wallis and Futuna and New Caledonia podium finishes at the Mediterranean Games to Samoa’s Goretti Su’a winning back-to-back Pickleball World Cup gold and Ardie Savea setting a new world record for tries in Test rugby. Rainbow Games 2026: Rainbow Games has announced its official Games Ambassadors for Auckland (Oct. 29–Nov. 1, 2026), including American Samoa’s Jaiyah Saelua, plus rugby trailblazer Campbell Johnstone and trans mountain biking advocate Kate Weatherly. Youth Tech & STEAM: The Christopher James Foeoletini Ledoux Foundation wrapped its PITA Jr. 2026 Summer STEAM Bootcamp for ages 10–12, aiming to steer young students toward drones, robotics, and engineering through prevention-focused programming. Court Update: Vietnamese couple Thi My Linh My Le and Lanh Huu Dang face criminal allegations tied to alleged human trafficking and labor exploitation in American Samoa, with a preliminary examination scheduled in District Court.

Youth Safety in Social Media: Attorney Edward Manibusan announced a landmark $17.1 billion multistate Meta settlement, including American Samoa, over Instagram and Facebook features tied to addictive design and alleged mental harms; Meta must add child-focused limits like daily time caps with “productive pauses,” overnight blocks, tighter school-time access, stronger age checks, and limits on certain social-comparison tools. Local Court Update: American Samoa prosecutors filed criminal allegations tied to a human trafficking and labor exploitation scheme involving Vietnamese nationals; four defendants face a preliminary examination, including a husband-and-wife pair charged with conspiracy and trafficking counts plus an assault charge. Entertainment & Voice Work: 93KHJ Morning Man John Raynar’s voice is featured in a nationally televised Pro Football Hall of Fame ad on NFL Network, highlighting his long-running South Seas Broadcasting role and off-island voiceover work. Sports Spotlight: Pacific athletes keep stacking medals and records, from Wallis and Futuna and New Caledonia at the Mediterranean Games to Samoa’s Goretti Su’a winning back-to-back Pickleball World Cup gold and rugby star Ardie Savea setting a world record. Rainbow Games Build-Up: Rainbow Games 2026 unveiled its ambassador lineup, including American Samoa’s Jaiyah Saelua, plus other trailblazers across rugby, football, and mountain biking ahead of the Auckland event in late October. Regional Security Talk: Pacific leaders at the Palau forum urged transparency after China’s missile test reportedly passed without adequate warning, calling for advance notification in line with international practice.

Rainbow Games 2026: The event has named a star-studded ambassador line-up for Auckland (Oct. 29–Nov. 1), including American Samoa’s fa’afafine and trans football pioneer Jaiyah Saelua. Local Sports Spotlight: Pacific athletes keep stacking medals and milestones, from rugby to athletics, with standout performances across the region. Entertainment & Media: South Seas Broadcasting’s 93KHJ Morning Man John Raynar is featured as the voice narrator in a Pro Football Hall of Fame TV ad seen in American Samoa. Tech & Youth Safety: A major multistate Meta settlement (including American Samoa) requires new limits and protections for children and teens on Instagram and Facebook. Legal News: American Samoa prosecutors filed criminal allegations in a Vietnamese human trafficking and labor exploitation case, with a preliminary examination scheduled. Community Tech Education: The PITA Jr. 2026 STEAM bootcamp wrapped up, aiming to spark robotics, drones, and engineering interest in local youth. Arts & Culture: Local musician Ancestral Tongue (Roqué Marcelo) is using music as storytelling, blending island roots with years of creative work.

Rainbow Games 2026: The event has named a star-studded ambassador line-up, including American Samoa’s own Jaiyah Saelua, a fa’afafine and trailblazing non-binary/trans footballer, alongside rugby great Campbell Johnstone and mountain biking champion Kate Weatherly, as organizers gear up for Auckland (Oct. 29–Nov. 1). Local Media & Sports: South Seas Broadcasting’s John Raynar is featured as the voice narrator in a nationally televised NFL Network campaign for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Youth Online Safety: A major multistate settlement has Meta agreeing to new protections for children and teens on Instagram and Facebook, including usage limits and overnight access blocks—an issue now directly tied to American Samoa as part of the deal. Community Tech & STEAM: The PITA Jr. 2026 Summer STEAM Bootcamp wrapped up after a three-week program for ages 10–12, built as a prevention strategy through positive tech learning. Health Watch: Reports highlight rising dengue concerns in the U.S., with Florida stepping up mosquito-control efforts as locally acquired cases climb. Culture & Music: Ancestral Tongue, the long-running American Samoa-raised music project, is spotlighted for storytelling through sound and performance.

Rainbow Games 2026: The event has named a star-studded ambassador lineup, including former All Blacks player Campbell Johnstone and American Samoa’s own Jaiyah Saelua, plus trans-inclusive mountain biking champion Kate Weatherly, ahead of the Auckland games in late October. Local Sports Spotlight: NFL receiver Puka Nacua says the league’s Australia matchup could help spark the next generation of Pacific stars, pointing to his Samoan ties and the shared values between football and Polynesian culture. Tech & Youth Safety: A massive multistate Meta settlement targets Instagram and Facebook youth harms, with American Samoa included, and requires new limits and protections for teens. Entertainment & Community Tech: The PITA Jr. Summer Bootcamp wrapped up in American Samoa, bringing STEAM and hands-on tech training to local students as a prevention-focused youth program. Arts & Culture: Ancestral Tongue musician Roqué Marcelo is featured for storytelling through music, while American Samoa’s Ti’alemasunu Dr. Mikaele Etuale is set to lead ASCC as its new president. Regional Watch: Pacific leaders urged more transparency after China’s missile test reportedly passed over islands without adequate warning.

Pacific Sports Spotlight: Rams star Puka Nacua says the NFL’s first regular-season game in Australia can “chase new levels” for Pacific kids, pointing to his Samoan ties and the shared values he sees between football and Polynesian culture. Public Health Watch: Florida is ramping up mosquito surveillance and spraying as locally acquired dengue cases rise, with officials warning more infections are expected in the Tampa Bay area and statewide. Social Media Safety: A major multistate Meta settlement—covering American Samoa among others—requires new limits and safeguards for children on Instagram and Facebook, including daily time caps, mandatory breaks, and tighter access rules. Local Tech & Youth: The PITA Jr. 2026 Summer STEAM Bootcamp wrapped up in American Samoa, using drones and robotics to steer ages 10–12 toward positive, prevention-focused learning. Community Security: Cybersecurity experts urge Pasifika to slow down on scams as AI helps criminals spin up convincing fake shopping sites and phishing messages. Arts & Culture: “Ancestral Tongue” musician Roqué Marcelo shares how music becomes storytelling and a way to be vulnerable, blending island roots with decades of performance.

Youth Online Safety Settlement: American Samoa is included in a sweeping $17.1 billion multistate Meta deal over Instagram and Facebook harms to children, with Gov. and AG updates saying Meta must add daily time limits, “productive pauses,” nighttime blocks, stronger age checks, and tighter controls on bullying and self-harm content. Local Governance & Tech Education: The Christopher James Foeoletini Ledoux Foundation wrapped its PITA Jr. 2026 Summer STEAM Bootcamp for ages 10–12, aiming to steer youth toward tech and engineering as prevention. Arts & Culture: “Ancestral Tongue” musician Roqué Marcelo is spotlighted for decades of storytelling through music, blending styles and island roots. Sports & Community Pride: A top 2029 QB recruit, Khayel Sam Fong-Talia, is set for the 2028 adidas Polynesian Bowl, with family ties to American Samoa. Regional Environment & Debate: American Samoa leaders continue pushing back on deep-sea mining plans, while U.S. lawmakers weigh fast-track permitting and territorial concerns. Digital Safety: Cybersecurity experts warn Pasifika about rising AI-powered online scams and urge stronger protections.

Deep-Sea Mining Fight: American Samoa Gov. Nikolau Pula says his “no” to seabed mining is limited to territorial waters, warning a federal override could still push leases forward as China’s actions fuel the push for critical ocean minerals. Funeral Tech Trend: In New Zealand, livestreaming is now a “standard expectation” at funerals, with families using drones, multi-camera shoots, and on-demand viewing—often to include relatives overseas, including Samoan families in Tutuila and beyond. Meta Youth Safety Settlement: Attorney General Gwen Tauiliili-Langkilde announced American Samoa’s share of a landmark $17.1B multistate Meta deal, requiring new limits and safety features for Instagram and Facebook aimed at protecting children and teens. Local STEAM Spotlight: The Christopher James Foeoletini Ledoux Foundation wrapped its PITA Jr. 3-week STEAM bootcamp for ages 10–12, blending tech and engineering with substance-abuse prevention. ASCC Leadership: Ti’alemasunu Tupuola Dr. Mikaele Etuale was named American Samoa Community College president, taking over Sept. 8. Online Scam Warning: Cybersecurity experts urge Pasifika to protect themselves as AI helps scammers create convincing fake shops and phishing messages.

Meta Youth Safety Settlement: Attorney General Gwen Tauiliili-Langkilde says American Samoa will receive $1.1 million from Meta’s up-to-$17.1 billion multistate deal, with new limits on Instagram/Facebook teen screen time, nighttime blocks, stronger age-assurance, and tighter controls aimed at reducing harms to kids. Deep-Sea Mining Push: Guam Delegate James Moylan’s bid to block seabed mining from fast-track permitting failed in the House Rules Committee, while American Samoa leaders and activists continue pushing back against deep-sea mining plans. Pacific Security Concerns: Pacific Islands Forum leaders urged countries conducting ICBM tests to provide advance notice at least 24 hours ahead, after China’s July test reportedly passed over islands without adequate warning. Local STEAM Spotlight: The PITA Jr. 2026 Summer STEAM Bootcamp wrapped up after a three-week program for ages 10–12, blending tech and engineering as a prevention-focused outreach. Online Scam Alert: Cybersecurity experts warn Pasifika communities about a surge in AI-powered e-commerce scams and urge safer online habits as a new Fearless Planet Index tracks digital threats. Arts & Culture: “Ancestral Tongue” musician Roqué Marcelo is spotlighted for decades of storytelling through music, with performances blending personal history and island roots. Sports TV Guide: Fans can catch Valencia vs. Barcelona on Sept. 6, with kickoff listed for 7:30 a.m. PT in the U.S. Education Leadership: Ti’alemasunu Dr. Mikaele Etuale is named the next American Samoa Community College president, taking over Sept. 8.

Meta Youth Safety Settlement: Attorney General Gwen Tauiliili-Langkilde announced a landmark $17.1 billion multistate deal with Meta over Instagram and Facebook harms to kids, with American Samoa set to receive $1.1 million and Meta required to add tighter teen time limits, nighttime blocks, and stronger age-safety tools. Deep-Sea Mining Push: A House Rules Committee move blocked a bid to carve seabed mining out of FAST-41, while American Samoa leaders and activists continue pushing back against deep sea mining plans offshore. Pacific Security Concerns: Pacific Islands Forum leaders urged transparency after China’s missile test reportedly passed over islands without adequate warning, calling for advance notification. Local STEAM Win: The PITA Jr. 2026 Summer STEAM Bootcamp wrapped after three weeks of tech and engineering training for ages 10–12, aimed at inspiring future innovators. Online Scam Warning: Cybersecurity experts urged Pasifika residents to protect themselves as AI-powered e-shop scams surge, with Norton citing major increases in fraud. Sports Viewing Guide: Fans can catch Valencia vs. Barcelona on Sept. 6, with U.S. options including ESPN+ and fuboTV, plus global listings for Newcastle vs. Bournemouth featuring American Samoa Premier League TV. Arts & Culture: Ancestral Tongue musician Roqué Marcelo is spotlighted for storytelling through music, and a local youth poetry program theme continues with Poetry Out Loud registration deadlines.