AGP Executive Report

Gun Laws in Focus: The U.S. Virgin Islands legislature has sent Bill 36-0144 to the governor’s desk, banning AR-15s, suppressors, and magazines holding more than 15 rounds, with safety training for licensed holders; Attorney General Gordon Rhea backs it, while gun-rights groups warn it could face court challenges. Local Safety & Community Grief: A 15-year-old student, Tre’Vante Etienne, was killed in a Friday afternoon shooting in Savan, St. Thomas; VIPD says the investigation is early, with Major Crimes Unit handling it and territory mental health resources deployed. Local Governance: Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. approved multiple measures from the 36th Legislature, including mental health education, paid leave for parents of children with disabilities, and authorization to dispose of green waste via controlled incineration. Maritime Trade: Water Spirit Freight Services resumed freight operations at Pier 14 in San Juan, restoring cargo links among Puerto Rico, St. Croix, St. Thomas and Tortola with updated schedules and limited vehicle/perishable-cargo rules. Federal Legal Aid Push: Attorney General Dave Sunday led a bipartisan coalition urging Congress to keep funding the Legal Services Corporation for civil legal aid, including in U.S. territories. Tourism Media Partnership: CTO and TEMPO Networks announced an expanded collaboration to boost Caribbean tourism storytelling through digital, social and broadcast coverage, including St. John Celebration programming. Corruption Case Update: Former OMB director Jenifer O’Neal was sentenced to seven years in federal prison in the Mon Ethos corruption case.

Gun Control in Focus: The U.S. Virgin Islands legislature has passed Bill 36-0144 banning AR-15s, suppressors, and “high capacity” magazines over 15 rounds, sending it to Gov. Albert Bryan Jr.’s desk; Attorney General Gordon Rhea backs the measure, while gun rights groups warn it could face court challenges, including a DOJ civil rights lawsuit already filed June 10. Community Safety: A 15-year-old student, Tre’Vante Etienne, was killed in a Friday afternoon shooting in the Savan area of St. Thomas; VIPD says the investigation is early, with Major Crimes Unit handling it, and territory-wide mental health resources were deployed. Local Governance: Gov. Bryan approved multiple bills from the 36th Legislature, including mental health education, paid leave for parents of children with disabilities, controlled incineration for green waste, and changes tied to hotel development bond proceeds. Tourism & Culture: TEMPO Networks and the Caribbean Tourism Organization announced a partnership to expand Caribbean tourism storytelling, with added St. John Celebration coverage. Business/Infrastructure: AECOM won a nationwide DHS contract covering modernization work that includes Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Sports/Travel: Royal Caribbean added La Romana, Dominican Republic, to select 2026 Rhapsody of the Seas itineraries from San Juan, replacing a day at sea.

Local Politics & Governance: Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. signed a package of bills for St. Thomas, including mental health education, paid leave for parents of children with disabilities, controlled incineration for green waste, and changes tied to hotel development bond proceeds, while issuing two line-item vetoes and urging clarifications. Courts & Public Safety: Former USVI OMB director Jenifer O’Neal was sentenced to seven years in federal prison in the Mon Ethos corruption case, with restitution ordered; former Police Commissioner Ray Martinez received 10 years earlier, and contractor David Whitaker got 22 months. Territorial Representation: A new look at the Insular Cases highlights that about 3.6 million US territory residents—including USVI voters—can vote in presidential primaries but not the general election. Economy & Consumer Watch: A St. Croix consumer report alleges “shrinkflation” on shelves, pointing to Sabra hummus moving from 10 ounces to 8 ounces while prices reportedly stay high. Tourism & Culture: CTO and TEMPO Networks announced a partnership to expand Caribbean tourism storytelling, and TEMPO is also set to spotlight the St. John Celebration. Community & Events: A St. Croix legal professionals meeting in St. Croix paired continuing education with community service, including a clothing drive for UVI students. Sports & Entertainment: Google’s World Cup-themed Doodle is set to appear in the USVI ahead of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2026. Odds & Ends: Powerball jackpot climbed again after no Saturday winner, reaching about $269 million for the next drawing.

Homeland Security Contract: AECOM won a nationwide U.S. Department of Homeland Security contract for architecture and engineering work tied to critical infrastructure modernization, including projects across U.S. territories such as the U.S. Virgin Islands. Consumer Watch: A St. Croix report alleges “Sabra Switch” shrinkflation, with hummus containers reportedly downsized from 10 ounces to 8 while shelf prices stay high. Local Politics & Courts: A Second Amendment advocacy group warned Virgin Islands lawmakers that proposed gun-control bills could be struck down by courts, citing pending rulings. Elections & Waste Bills: Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. signed measures covering mental health education, paid leave for parents of children with disabilities, controlled incineration for green waste, and elections operations, plus other infrastructure and retirement-related changes. Anti-Corruption: Former OMB director Jenifer O’Neal was sentenced to seven years in federal prison in the Mon Ethos corruption case. Tourism Media: CTO and TEMPO Networks announced a long-term partnership to expand Caribbean tourism storytelling through digital, social, and broadcast coverage. St. John Celebration: TEMPO is partnering with the VI Department of Tourism and Division of Festivals to expand coverage of the 2026 St. John Celebration, with a major Village lineup led by Ashanti, Kes the Band, and Bunji Garlin & Fay-Ann Lyons.

Local Governance: Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. has approved a slate of 36th Legislature bills, including measures to expand mental health education, give working parents of children with disabilities four hours of paid leave for medical appointments, strengthen elections operations, and bolster public infrastructure—along with steps to burn green waste using controlled incineration technologies. Elections & Public Services: Bryan also signed legislation tied to hotel development bond proceeds, directing funds to the Government Employees’ Retirement System and government health facilities, while issuing line-item vetoes and urging clarifications in parts of key laws. Courts & Anti-Corruption: Former USVI OMB director Jenifer O’Neal was sentenced to seven years in federal prison in the Mon Ethos corruption case, with three years of supervised release and $34,000 restitution; the case involved bribery allegations, money laundering conspiracy, and handling of public funds. Community & Culture: The USVI Department of Tourism and Division of Festivals announced the St. John Celebration Village lineup, led by Ashanti, Kes the Band, and Bunji Garlin & Fay-Ann Lyons, with additional performances from Tarrus Riley, Baby Cham, and local Virgin Islands talent. Tourism & Media: CTO and TEMPO Networks announced a strengthened 20-year collaboration to expand Caribbean tourism storytelling through digital, social, and broadcast coverage, including select CTO events. Sports: A debate showdown is set in Florida’s CD 16 Republican primary race, with Sydney Gruters, Eddie Speir, and Ed Pope scheduled to appear in Sarasota on July 31. Odds & Ends: Mega Millions climbed to $413 million for Friday’s drawing, and Powerball rose to $239 million ahead of Wednesday’s draw.

USVI Law & Policy: Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. signed a slate of bills from the 36th Legislature, including measures to burn solid waste, expand mental health education, add paid leave for parents of children with disabilities, strengthen elections operations, and redirect certain hotel development bond proceeds to the Government Employees’ Retirement System and health facilities. USVI Courts: Former OMB director Jenifer O’Neal was sentenced to seven years in federal prison in the Mon Ethos corruption case, with restitution ordered; her co-defendant, former VI Police Commissioner Ray Martinez, received 10 years earlier this week. Tourism & Culture: TEMPO Networks and the USVI Department of Tourism/Division of Festivals expanded coverage for the 2026 St. John Celebration, marking a first-time major St. John focus as TEMPO marks 20 years. St. John Celebration Lineup: The Village stage lineup was announced for June 28–July 4, led by Ashanti, Kes the Band, and Bunji Garlin & Fay-Ann Lyons, with major regional and local acts. Travel Access: CBP expanded Mobile Passport Control to three more USVI airport locations, adding faster pre-departure processing for eligible travelers.

Local Lawmaking: Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. signed several bills into law after the 36th Legislature’s May 28 session, including measures to strengthen elections operations, expand mental health education, provide paid leave for parents of children with diagnosed disabilities, support controlled incineration for green waste, and redirect certain hotel development bond proceeds to the Government Employees’ Retirement System and health facilities; he also issued two line-item vetoes and asked lawmakers to clarify parts of key legislation. Sentencing in VI Corruption Case: Former Office of Management and Budget Director Jenifer O’Neal was sentenced to seven years in federal prison in the Mon Ethos corruption case, with supervised release and restitution ordered; she was convicted alongside former Police Commissioner Ray Martinez. Tourism & Community: The U.S. Virgin Islands will spotlight St. John Celebration with a major TEMPO Networks partnership, and the territory released the Village lineup for the June 28–July 4 festival featuring Ashanti, Kes the Band, Bunji Garlin & Fay-Ann Lyons, plus local talent. Travel Convenience: CBP expanded Mobile Passport Control to three additional USVI pre-departure airport locations, aiming to speed arrival processing. Sports Buzz: Google’s Doodle marked the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2026 opening, visible in the USVI among other places.

Corruption Case: Jenifer O’Neal, a former USVI Office of Management and Budget director, was sentenced to seven years in federal prison in the Mon Ethos corruption case, with three years of supervised release and $34,000 restitution; the case also involved former Police Commissioner Ray Martinez (10 years), and contractor David Whitaker (22 months, $600,000 restitution). Tourism & Culture: TEMPO Networks is expanding its 20th anniversary push with its first St. John Celebration partnership, adding a dedicated TEMPO Night in the Carnival Village for the June 14–July 4 festival. St. John Celebration Lineup: The Village stage lineup for June 28–July 4 features headliners Ashanti, Kes the Band, and Bunji Garlin & Fay-Ann Lyons, with additional acts including Tarrus Riley, Baby Cham, and Virgin Islands performers. Travel Access: CBP expanded Mobile Passport Control to three more USVI pre-departure locations—Cyril E. King (St. Thomas), Cyril E. King General Aviation, and Henry E. Rohlsen (St. Croix). Business/Local Economy: Onity Group announced CFO Sean O’Neil will present at a Sidoti small-cap conference, noting the company’s operations include the US Virgin Islands.

Congressional Inquiry: Bill Gates testified behind closed doors to the House Oversight Committee that he never saw signs of Jeffrey Epstein’s criminal activity and said he did not visit Epstein’s U.S. Virgin Islands islands, as lawmakers press deeper into Epstein’s network and influence. Lottery Watch: Powerball climbed to a $238 million jackpot for the June 10 drawing (cash value $106.1 million); winning numbers were 12, 31, 38, 60, 66 with Powerball 14 and Power Play 2x. Immigration Enforcement: U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Heriberto Hernandez repatriated 32 people to the Dominican Republic after an interdiction near Desecheo, Puerto Rico, as part of efforts targeting human smuggling and unlawful maritime migration. Tourism & Culture: The U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism unveiled the St. John Celebration Village lineup for June 28–July 4, headlined by Ashanti, Kes the Band, and Bunji Garlin & Fay-Ann Lyons, with local talent also featured. Travel Convenience: CBP expanded Mobile Passport Control to Cyril E. King Airport and two additional pre-departure locations in St. Thomas and St. Croix.

St. John Celebration lineup: The Virgin Islands Department of Tourism and the Division of Festivals unveiled the St. John Celebration Village schedule (June 28–July 4) in Knight’s Ville, headlined by Grammy-winning Ashanti, soca powerhouse Kes the Band, and Bunji Garlin & Fay-Ann Lyons for the Independence Day finale, with additional performances from Tarrus Riley, Baby Cham, Pumpa, Pressure, and more, plus a spotlight on local VI talent. Travel and border updates: U.S. Customs and Border Protection expanded Mobile Passport Control to three VI airports—Cyril E. King (including General Aviation) and Henry E. Rohlsen—letting eligible travelers submit info in advance via a free app. Tourism spotlight: The VI used Caribbean Week in New York to highlight record visitor momentum and a new United nonstop flight between Newark and St. Croix. Airline partnership: Southwest and Singapore Airlines launched an interline deal for single-ticket journeys connecting Singapore’s network with nearly 120 Southwest destinations via shared U.S. gateways. Weather and climate: NOAA reported May 2026 as the world’s second-warmest May on record, with high odds that 2026 will rank among the four warmest years. Local health milestone: St. Croix Relay for Life marked its 25th anniversary, raising more than $200,000 toward a $300,000 goal.

Local Culture: At Coral Reef Elementary, 11-year-old Christopher Gay is turning into a “super moko jumbie” on stilts, helping carry Bahamian Junkanoo traditions forward during last weekend’s Goombay Festival in Coconut Grove. Regional Heritage: A Caribbean-wide dialogue on preserving cultural identity and historic structures highlighted projects like the Resilient Houses Project, linking traditional building practices to climate resilience across islands including the U.S. Virgin Islands. Local Governance & Rights: The VI urged the UN Special Committee on Decolonisation to push decolonisation for the remaining non-self-governing territories, including support for visiting missions and peaceful paths to self-government. Federal/Local Security: In St. Thomas, a man faces federal charges after CBP found hundreds of rounds of ammunition in two checked suitcases arriving from Miami on American Airlines. Travel & Connectivity: Southwest announced a new interline partnership with Singapore Airlines/Scoot that lets passengers book single-ticket journeys connecting to St. Thomas service and other U.S. routes. Sports & Community: St. Croix Relay for Life marked its 25th anniversary, with survivors and volunteers rallying toward a $300,000 goal. Money Watch: Mega Millions climbed to $392 million ahead of the June 9 drawing, while Powerball rose to $225 million ahead of June 8.

Caribbean Culture & Heritage: A Caribbean-wide dialogue tied to the Caribbean Culture Fund’s digital heritage push examined how the region can better safeguard cultural memory, including historic structures and oral histories, with a focus on shared architectural know-how through projects like the Resilient Houses Project linking Saba and Dominica. USVI Courts & Property: Tech billionaire Larry Page remains locked in a long-running legal fight over ownership of Hans Lollik and Little Hans Lollik islands in the U.S. Virgin Islands after mediation failed, sending the dispute back to further court proceedings. VI Federal Security: In St. Thomas, federal charges were filed after Customs and Border Protection found hundreds of rounds of ammunition in two checked suitcases arriving from Miami on American Airlines. Navy Update: USS Iwo Jima returned to Norfolk after a historic 10-month deployment supporting operations in the U.S. Fourth Fleet area, including enhanced counter-narcotics work in the Caribbean. Local Community Health: St. Croix Relay for Life marked its 25th anniversary, with survivors and volunteers gathering at the St. Croix Educational Complex track as organizers aimed to top a $300,000 fundraising goal. Territorial Self-Government: A bipartisan congressional briefing on “consent of the governed” highlighted ongoing democratic gaps for Americans in U.S. territories, including participation by U.S. Virgin Islands Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett.

Lottery Watch: Powerball climbed again after Monday’s drawing produced no jackpot winner; the next draw is set for Wednesday with an estimated jackpot topping $238 million, with Monday’s numbers 3, 24, 34, 43, 49 and Powerball 20 (Power Play 3x). Local Community & Health: St. Croix Relay for Life marked its 25th anniversary on June 6 at the St. Croix Educational Complex track, with 35 teams and more than $200,000 raised toward a $300,000 goal, featuring survivor stories and American Cancer Society support. Territorial Affairs: The U.S. Virgin Islands urged the UN Special Committee on Decolonisation to use its “good offices” and visiting missions to help advance decolonisation for the remaining Non-Self-Governing Territories, including pushing for visiting requests to assess progress on the ground. Public Safety: U.S. officials said there’s no tsunami threat after a 6.1 earthquake west of Cuba, though tremors were felt across much of Florida. Travel & Business: Hotels.com’s 2026 index says travelers can save by booking about a week ahead and starting stays on Sundays, while Southwest and Singapore Airlines launched a single-ticket partnership connecting Singapore’s long-haul network with Southwest flights. Federal Court/VI: A man faces federal charges after CBP found hundreds of rounds of ammunition in checked suitcases arriving in St. Thomas from Miami.

Decolonisation Push: VI Special Envoy E. Benito Wheatley urged the UN Special Committee on Decolonisation to use its “good offices” and visiting missions to help the territory’s decolonisation path, including more requests for on-the-ground assessment. Territory Democracy Debate: A bipartisan congressional briefing in Washington examined what “consent of the governed” means for the 3.6 million Americans in U.S. territories, with VI Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett joining via video. Local Justice Update: A man faces federal charges after CBP found hundreds of rounds of ammunition in two checked suitcases arriving in St. Thomas from Miami. Hurricane Watch: NOAA forecasts a below-normal 2026 Atlantic season, with 8–14 named storms and fewer hurricanes than average. Storm Tracking: Maps track Tropical Storm Cristina and Tropical Storm Boris in the Eastern Pacific. Workforce & Health: UVI Medical Simulation Center was added to the VI Eligible Training Provider List, enabling WIOA-funded EMT training; cohort 2 graduates are moving toward national certification. Privacy & Business: The 3rd Circuit offered guidance on data privacy and “replay code,” outlining steps businesses can take after dual rulings. Medicare Fraud Prevention: Medicare Fraud Prevention Week highlights new scam tactics, including phone scams and AI voice-clone impersonations.

Medicare Fraud Prevention Week: The Senior Medicare Patrol is urging Virgin Islands seniors and families to watch for fake Medicare calls, unrequested tests, and suspicious charges, and to review Medicare Summary Notices and Explanation of Benefits while reporting scams to local SMP at 1-877-808-2468. USVI Courts & Security: A man is facing federal charges after Customs and Border Protection found hundreds of rounds of ammunition in two checked suitcases arriving at Cyril E. King Airport in St. Thomas from Miami. Workforce & Health Care Training: The University of the Virgin Islands Medical Simulation Center was added to the U.S. Virgin Islands Eligible Training Provider List, unlocking WIOA funding for EMT training; cohort 2 has completed the program and is moving toward national certification. Local Aviation & Travel: Winair and Contour Airlines launched an interline partnership to improve one-itinerary connections across the Caribbean, including access to San Juan via St. Maarten. Hurricane Outlook: NOAA is forecasting a below-normal 2026 Atlantic season with 8 to 14 named storms and 3 to 6 hurricanes, but officials stress preparedness still matters. Community & Culture: Caribbean Week in New York wrapped up with major tourism and entertainment events that included the US Virgin Islands among participating destinations.

Lottery Buzz: Powerball climbed to $212 million ahead of Saturday’s June 6 drawing, with a $94.5 million cash option; tickets are sold in 45 states, D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Public Safety: A man is facing federal charges after Customs and Border Protection found hundreds of rounds of ammunition in two checked suitcases arriving in St. Thomas from Miami. Military Update: The USS Iwo Jima returned to Norfolk after a historic 10-month deployment that included Caribbean operations supporting counter-narcotics and homeland security tasks. Local Workforce: The UVI Medical Simulation Center was added to the U.S. Virgin Islands Eligible Training Provider List, unlocking WIOA funding as 10 EMT trainees complete the program and move toward national certification. Travel & Connectivity: United announced new nonstop service from St. Croix to Newark starting Oct. 31, 2026, ending the need for connections to reach the New York area. Hurricane Watch: NOAA is forecasting a below-normal 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, with 8 to 14 named storms expected.