STEM Achievement: Clay County Middle and High School TSA teams competed at the Technology Student Association National Competition in Washington, D.C., with the middle school winning a national championship and top-ten finalist honors in two events, and Clay High students earning Gold Achievement Awards. Film & Culture Tech: Choreographer Tiana Nonosina Liufau has carried Polynesian movement from Disney’s animated “Moana” into the live-action version, casting 200+ dancers across the Pacific and spotlighting American Samoa’s dance legacy. Conservation Partnerships: Samoa Conservation Society joined BirdLife’s 125th Partner network, expanding work on invasive species, seabirds, protected areas, and climate resilience—key for island biodiversity including species found in Samoa and American Samoa. Ocean & Climate Watch: El Niño is back, with late-2026 forecasts pointing to a strong-to-very strong event that could reshape weather and stress marine ecosystems. Fisheries Deregulation: NOAA is rolling out regional priorities to cut seafood regulatory burdens and boost catches, including potential changes to endangered Steller sea lion protection boundaries in Alaska. American Samoa Tech & Community: American Samoa Community College names Sonny J. Leomiti interim president, while the territory prepares a major America 250 drone-and-pyrotechnic finale in Tafuna with 300 drones. Local Governance on Deep-Sea Mining: Community groups ask Gov. Pula’alii for a comprehensive territorial review focused on science, risks, governance, and legal options before any major deep-sea mining decisions.