Deep-Sea Mining Push (CNMI/Marianas): The Marine Minerals Administration has advanced a proposed seabed lease sale near the Mariana Trench, setting Dec. 16 for a potential auction and limiting formal comment rights to the CNMI governor—prompting fresh criticism from Guam leaders who call it a “race to the bottom” and warn regulators are moving ahead of adequate study. Legal Challenge (American Samoa): Fa‘asao Amerika Samoa and the Conservation Council for Hawai‘i, via Earthjustice, filed suit to stop the first-ever commercial deep-sea mining lease sale in U.S. waters off American Samoa, arguing the government’s endangered-species review was unlawful and too thin. NOAA Mapping Missions (American Samoa): NOAA Ocean Exploration will run two deepwater expeditions around American Samoa aboard Okeanos Explorer (ROV mapping Aug–Sep; second mission late Sep–Oct), with real-time streaming and publicly released data to support future critical-mineral decisions. STEM Education (Society for Science): Society for Science selected 100 educators for its 2026–2027 Advocate Program, investing $326,000 to expand student access to original research and science competitions. Local Skills & Training (Fagalii Tinifu/ASCC-ACNR): Fagalii Tinifu members completed a 12-session Basic Sewing Program through ASCC-ACNR’s Family and Consumer Sciences outreach, graduating with puletasi and other home-made items. Aviation Recovery (Samoa Airways): Work continues to dismantle the damaged Twin Otter 5W-FAY at Fitiuta after engineers ruled out repair and flight back, using local support and specialized crews.