U.S. Virgin Islands Governor Albert Bryan Jr. has declared a state of emergency for St. Croix amid ongoing water-service challenges, keeping emergency response resources mobilized as the Water and Power Authority (WAPA) works to rebuild water supplies and restore pressure across the island. The declaration, outlined in Executive Order No. 548-2026, took effect August 30 … Continued
The Virgin Islands Police Department (VIPD) is facing mounting staffing pressures as employee departures continue to outpace hiring, dozens of positions remain vacant and nearly 100 employees approach retirement eligibility. Presenting VIPD’s fiscal year 2027 budget Tuesday, Police Commissioner Mario Brooks said the department recorded 33 employee separations during the current fiscal year, including 21 … Continued
The U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) has recorded 32 homicides so far in 2026, with 4 lives lost to gun violence in a matter of 3 days on St. Croix and St. Thomas. On Sunday August 9th, the island of St Croix was shaken by an early morning homicide that claimed the lives of brothers 30-year-old … Continued
U.S. Virgin Islands Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett says the British Virgin Islands’ charter vessel fees have cost the USVI more than 800 jobs. Speaking on the Caribbean Currency podcast, Plaskett said the impact of the BVI’s new licensing regime for foreign-based charter vessels has been severe, with the USVI’s marine tourism sector suffering significant economic losses. … Continued
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has suspended the Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority (VIHFA) from receiving additional federal funding and barred the agency from future federal procurement while an investigation proceeds, citing years of adverse audit findings, weak financial controls, slow disaster recovery efforts and the criminal conviction of its former … Continued
