News

The U.S. Virgin Islands Area Labor Federation, a coalition representing approximately 4,000 workers across the territory, has selected Delegate Stacey Plaskett as its choice for the Democratic gubernatorial ticket after a poll conducted following the Democratic gubernatorial debate on June 26.

This year’s delegation reflects both the growing depth of youth athletics in the territory and the federation’s commitment to long‑term athlete development.

U.S. Virgin Islands Soccer Federation referee instructor Robert Ferrell II has been selected by Concacaf to participate in the 2026 Concacaf Referee & Instructor Academy Consolidation, one of the region's premier referee development programs. (Video Inside)

The Virgin Islands Board of Education and Board for Career and Technical Education warned lawmakers that funding shortfalls continue to affect student scholarships, school facilities and workforce development as they presented their fiscal year 2027 budget requests.

Nearly two years after lawmakers created the Virgin Islands Bureau of School Construction and Maintenance to address decades of deteriorating school facilities, the agency says it still lacks the funding needed to move beyond emergency repairs, leaving hundreds of maintenance requests unresolved across the territory.

The Department of Property and Procurement unveiled proposed amendments Wednesday to the long-planned Water Island Hotel Project that would remove Honeymoon Beach from the lease agreement while expanding inland development areas, increasing rent paid by the developer, and adding new financial safeguards intended to keep the project on schedule.

A vision years in the making took shape on St. Croix over the Independence Day weekend as the inaugural Deep End Music Festival brought together nationally recognized musicians and local performers for three days of live music.

As French Heritage Week gets underway on St. Thomas, Sib's on the Mountain is celebrating 102 years in business by welcoming the community back for a weekend of live music, dancing, food and tradition. The annual Bastille Weekend festivities honor the island's French roots while celebrating the diverse community that continues to shape St. Thomas today.

Registration for the 35th annual event takes place at the Captain's Meeting on Friday at 7:30 p.m. at The Shack at The Hideaway in Hull Bay on St. Thomas. Final registration happens on Saturday at the same location from noon until 4 p.m. More than 200 anglers —adults and juniors of all skill levels — and over 60 boats are expected to enter.

Ferrell has been selected to represent the U.S. Virgin Islands in the Instructor Academy, joining a distinguished group of referee instructors from across the Concacaf region.

Against the backdrop of recent concerns over government finances and delayed payments, Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. is proposing a bipartisan task force to develop financing strategies and structural reforms for the territory's hospitals, WAPA and the Waste Management Authority.

Ten Democratic candidates in the St. Croix District's Senate race laid out competing visions for the territory Tuesday night, tackling everything from government accountability and affordability to health care, education and public safety during a two-hour forum ahead of the primary election.

The Virgin Islands Department of Education is seeking $186.7 million for its fiscal year 2027 budget that would primarily fund employee salaries and benefits, school operating costs, and core educational services.

Residents and businesses across the eastern end of St. Thomas and throughout St. John should prepare for two planned overnight power outages next week as the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority completes a pair of infrastructure projects designed to improve the reliability of the electrical system.

From building emergency kits to preparing important documents and communication plans, residents gathered Tuesday for an AARP Virgin Islands disaster preparedness summit focused on helping individuals and families navigate hurricane season with confidence

A 26-year-old St. Croix woman has been arrested in connection with a June burglary and assault in the Hospital Ground residential area, according to the Virgin Islands Police Department.

Proposed initiative would develop bond-financing options and structural reforms for hospitals, health care centers, VIWMA and WAPA.

Watch Now: From public safety and education to infrastructure and community news, we cover the stories shaping the U.S. Virgin Islands. This week: the University of the Virgin Islands responds after being placed on show-cause status by its accreditor; another homicide on St. Croix comes as the territory intensifies its response to rising gun violence; the Humane Society of St. Thomas suspends animal intake over delayed government funding; and WAPA explains the mechanical issues behind continued rotating outages on St. Thomas and St. John. Host Adisha Penn recaps these highlights and more.

A passing tropical wave may bring a brief chance of showers and thunderstorms to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands by midweek, though the wave is not expected to develop into a tropical system. Heat, Saharan dust, and breezy conditions are expected to remain the main weather concerns.

A Bovoni woman wanted in the attack and subsequent head stomping of a woman at the Red Hook ferry terminal on St. Thomas has surrendered, police said Monday.