Seabed Mining Push Blocked in House: Rep. James Moylan’s bid to keep Guam and Northern Marianas seabed mining out of FAST-41 expedited permitting failed after the House Rules Committee rejected his amendment to H.R. 1501, despite Moylan warning it could weaken oversight and harm local waters. Meta Youth Safety Settlement: American Samoa is among states in a landmark $17.1B multistate Meta settlement over Instagram/Facebook youth harms; the territory is set to receive $1.1M as Meta must add limits like daily time caps and nighttime blocks plus stronger age-assurance and parental controls. ARPA Interest Under Fire: House lawmakers pressed for a full accounting of about $10M in ARPA interest allegedly invested without clear Fono approval; Senate testimony says the funds were moved to a Kansas firm, but as of Aug. 31 there was no return reported. Immigration Labor Bills: A Senate proposal would create a one-time 90-day Critical Guest Worker amnesty for out-of-status residents to work for StarKist Samoa and other “critical” employers, while a separate effort would pause a special immigration provision for 12 months. ASTCA Board Reconstituted: Gov. Pulaali’i Nikolao Pula dissolved the ASTCA board effective immediately, setting up new governance questions as lawmakers also seek details on ASTCA spending. Deep-Sea Mining Alarm: Community leaders and activists confronted NOAA’s Okeanos Explorer over plans tied to future deep-sea mineral mapping and leasing. Local Business/Jobs: American Samoa Community College named former vice president Dr. Mikaele Etuale as its new president, starting Sept. 8. Regional Security & Trade: At the Pacific Islands Forum in Palau, American Samoa officials pushed for full membership and discussed aligning federal Pacific engagement with territorial economic development and maritime security.