Uncategorized

The Virgin Islands Education Department told lawmakers Tuesday it aims to clear special education evaluation backlogs while tackling staffing shortages, inadequate facilities and multimillion-dollar funding gaps.

What began as an attempt to retrieve a hat that blew overboard turned into the catch of the day for angler Eli James, who reeled in a 30.35 pound kingfish during the 35th Annual Bastille Day Kingfish Tournament on Sunday.

More than 100 children from nearly 70 families gathered Saturday morning along the Christiansted Fort waterfront for the annual Kids Handlining Tournament, a long-standing community event that teaches young people the traditional art of handline fishing while promoting marine conservation and sustainable fisheries.

St. Croix’s fiercest fruit eating competition returned Sunday during the 30th annual Mango Melee, an annual, day-long fundraiser for the St. George Village Botanical Garden filled with food, exhibits, local vendors and activities for all ages. 

Three Democratic candidates for governor and their running mates took to the debate stage Friday night at the St. Croix Educational Complex, three weeks before a consequential primary election that will likely determine the next occupant of Government House. 

For over 90 years, the streets of Frenchtown have come alive each July with French flags, music, food, and community fellowship, honoring the neighborhood’s deep French-Caribbean roots. That longstanding tradition continues Tuesday, July 14, as the Frenchtown Civic Organization hosts its annual Bastille Day Celebration beginning at 6:00 p.m. at the French Heritage Museum and the Joseph Aubain Field parking lot. 

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.

Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. announced Monday that rotational power outages have ended on St. Thomas and St. John following repairs to the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority's Unit 27, while also highlighting the submission of a revised horse racing agreement to the Legislature and the completion of the government's Fiscal Year 2024 Single Audit during his weekly Government House press briefing.

The story of American freedom is often told through 1776, the Emancipation Proclamation, and Juneteenth. But nearly two decades before emancipation reached the mainland, more than 9,000 enslaved laborers on St. Croix forced their own liberation at Fort Frederik.

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.

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.

Flags at Government House and on public buildings to fly at half staff on Friday, May 22.

After two years of development, Crucian-born entrepreneur Brittany Dawson is preparing the launch of Curve Swim, a new swimwear line designed specifically for women with curves. The brand draws directly from her experience growing up on St. Croix and addresses what she identifies as a persistent gap in the swimwear market.

Whether you sat patiently in bumper-to-bumper traffic, opted to get in a few extra steps and walk to the venue, braved the midday heat, or stood in line for your favorite local delicacies, the 2026 St. Thomas Food Fair delivered an experience that made it all worthwhile.

Guests can enjoy live music and cultural performances, carnival-style games and activities for all ages, a variety of local food and refreshments, and community vendors, artisans, and cultural showcase booths.

Representatives from multiple labor unions gathered Monday night as Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. delivered his final State of the Territory Address, citing expired contracts, stalled negotiations, and unresolved workplace safety concerns.

At first glance, the figures in John Obafemi Jones’ work feel celebratory, with masks, movement, and boldly layered color, while also carrying memory, survival, and a deep sense of place that reveals itself the longer you look. His upcoming exhibition at Cane Roots Art Gallery, "I’m Still Here," is a living memoir — one still being written.

Masked suspects robbed a Main Street on St. Thomas jewelry store Wednesday afternoon, taking jewelry valued at several thousand dollars, the Virgin Islands Police Department reported.

For the first time in recent memory, Denmark has formally responded to a request from Virgin Islands advocates seeking accountability tied to Denmark’s former administration of the islands — and the response rejects any legal responsibility.

Lawmakers on Tuesday weighed whether to bypass the Coastal Zone Management permitting process for two major solar farms planned on St. Thomas, a decision that set the urgency of meeting federal deadlines against the need for public oversight.