Opposition members are advancing efforts to make House of Assembly committee proceedings public, with specific focus on opening Public Accounts Committee deliberations to public scrutiny. Opposition Leader Ronnie Skelton endorsed the move toward transparency during a recent media inquiry from 284 Media, noting similar practices in other parliamentary systems. Eighth District Representative Marlon Penn revealed … Continued
At a press conference earlier today, Premier Dr. the Hon. Natalio Wheatley provided an update on the Virgin Islands’ progress in implementing the recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry. He outlined the path towards governance reform, a process crucial to lifting the Order in Council that threatens to suspend the territory’s Constitution. Premier Wheatley recounted … Continued
Territorial At-Large Representative Stacy Mather called for a comprehensive approach to youth development, criticizing the government’s prioritization of entertainment spending over crucial social programs. Speaking at a recent press conference, Mather emphasized that while parents bear great responsibility for young people’s development, they require robust social support systems to succeed in raising the next generation. … Continued
A Virginia couple is suing the USVI Port Authority and several contractors over a 2023 fall at Cyril E. King Airport that resulted in multiple surgeries, according reports from local press there. Timothy Fadool of Amherst, Virginia, claims he suffered severe injuries after falling on a poorly maintained pathway while following directions to the Hertz … Continued
Opposition lawmaker Hon. Myron V. Walwyn criticized the government’s practice of rushing important legislation through the House of Assembly while warning against compromising civil liberties in the name of law enforcement. Speaking at a press conference on Friday the Sixth District Representative highlighted concerns over recent bills, including the Police Act and Computer Misuse and … Continued
Residents of Anegada continue to wait for land titles promised over a year ago, while development by non-residents progresses on the island, Territorial At Large Representative Lorna Smith said during a recent press conference. The delay contradicts Premier Natalio Wheatley’s previous pledge to provide deeds to Anegadians, a move he said would dramatically impact their … Continued
Acting Police Commissioner Jacquline Vanterpool deflected questions about potential resource shortages within the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force during a recent press conference while acknowledging such concerns might have merit. Vanterpool noted that the matter would require further conversation. Vanterpool emphasized that the force is maximizing its effectiveness with available resources, as revealed in discussions … Continued
Twelve Royal Virgin Islands Police Force officers currently interdicted from duty continue to receive partial salaries, some for up to eight years so far. This is according to the Acting Commissioner of Police Jacqueline Vanterpool who made the comments during deliberations before the Standing Finance Committee in 2024. The suspended officers, primarily sergeants and constables, … Continued
Opposition Leader Hon. Ronnie Skelton challenged the government’s celebration of record tourism numbers, arguing that the territory’s high proportion of cruise ship visitors overshadows more economically significant overnight stays. The criticism comes as the Virgin Islands marks a milestone of 1,092,139 tourist arrivals in 2024, a 9.8% increase from 2023. While cruise visitors accounted for … Continued
SpaceX’s latest Starship test flight ended in destruction Thursday after achieving a rare booster capture, marking another dramatic chapter in the development of the world’s largest rocket. The spacecraft, carrying 10 dummy satellites, broke apart approximately eight and a half minutes into flight after its engines shut down one by one during ascent. The last … Continued
