Local news

A 15-year-old boy died Friday after being shot multiple times in the area of Vester Gade on St. Thomas, according to the Virgin Islands Police Department.

The 36th Legislature on Friday approved a sweeping overhaul of the Virgin Islands' firearms laws, advancing legislation supporters say is necessary to comply with recent court rulings while opponents argue it imposes new burdens on law-abiding gun owners. 

The U.S. Virgin Islands has been given a rare opportunity to leave a message for future generations as part of America's Official Time Capsule, a historic project commemorating the nation's 250th anniversary.

Board members were enthusiastic about the proposals from Kyle Sexius, a native St. Thomian who graduated from Charlotte Amalie High School, served with the National Guard in Iraq and Afghanistan and traveled extensively before returning home. But they also expressed reservations, given the deed that governs the public park.

A new lawsuit from the Virgin Islands Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs claims the country’s largest pharmaceutical providers have conspired to increase prices while reducing consumer choice.

Officials working to develop a new solid waste management plan for the territory say there’s a chance that successful implementation could produce millions of dollars needed by the V.I. Waste Management Authority. The last of a series of public hearings on the proposed plan took place Thursday night on St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix.

The Ruby Rutnik Scholarship Fund has announced that this year’s winners are Nadjah Jn Philip and Nemiah Williams.

The V.I. Port Authority is tagging vehicles in a St. John parking facility with notices instructing motorists to remove their cars before they do. About a dozen vehicles have been cited for illegal parking in the facility known as the Gravel Lot.

A federal judge sentenced former V.I. Management and Budget Director Jenifer O’Neal to seven years in prison Thursday, closing a chapter in the corruption and bribery scandal that first came to light two years ago and that has seen three high-ranking government officials and others convicted and incarcerated. 

The Senate Health, Hospitals and Human Services Committee on Thursday reviewed the territory’s mental and behavioral health system, hearing testimony on staffing shortages, facility delays and gaps in services. 

The Senate Health, Hospitals and Human Services Committee on Thursday advanced a bill that would tighten the tracking of school vaccinations in the Virgin Islands and spell out in law which students must be immunized to attend class.

The Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources is inviting the public to help shape the future of exhibits at Fort Frederik Museum on St. Croix as officials move forward with plans to reimagine the historic landmark as a center for Virgin Islands history, culture and community storytelling. 

A Virgin Islands man pleaded guilty to smuggling 88.67 grams of fentanyl into St. Croix by mail, enough to potentially kill every resident of the island, officials said Wednesday.

A federal judge granted a brief continuance Thursday morning, until 1 p.m., during a sentencing hearing for Jenifer O’Neal, the former Management and Budget director who in December was convicted on charges of wire fraud, bribery and money laundering conspiracy.

A federal judge Wednesday sentenced convicted felon, cybersecurity contractor and star witness David Whitaker to 22 months in prison for his role in a bribery scheme that roiled the territory and led to multiple high-profile resignations and convictions.

Jenifer O’Neal’s motion to seal her sentencing request and accompanying 24 letters of support was denied by a federal judge Wednesday, the day before the former V.I. Management and Budget director is due to be sentenced for wire fraud, bribery and money laundering conspiracy. 

Social media fans got a preview of the highlights to come from the 2026 St. John Celebration on Wednesday. Division of Festivals Director Ian Turnbull and St. John Administrator Shikima Jones-Sprauve hosted a livestream presentation around noon, hoping to entice residents and visitors to join the fete. 

On Tuesday evening, the Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources’ Division of Libraries, Archives, and Museums hosted a Microsoft Teams virtual town hall to gather community input on the design for the future of exhibits and visitor experiences at Fort Christian Museum on St. Thomas, marking an early step in a larger effort to reimagine the historic site. About 15 people were present.

Colorado State University has lowered its forecast numbers for the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, now calling for slightly fewer named storms and hurricanes, as confidence grows that a potentially strong El Niño could help suppress activity across the Atlantic basin.

The King of the Wing Festival is celebrating a major milestone as it returns for its 15th anniversary weekend, bringing together the best in food, culture, music, arts, and entertainment to Magens Bay and downtown St. Thomas Friday through Sunday.