AGP Executive Report

Island Leisure: Yacht Haven Grande in St. Thomas has opened Coral Cove Racquet and Pool Club, with tennis, pickleball and padel courts, a pool and pro shop. The marina also expanded Harbor360 with a new event floor and harbor views. Film & Culture: Jamaican thriller Stew Peas is set to open October 29 in St. Thomas and St. Croix as part of a seven-territory Caribbean release. Family Wellness: Education Department workshops running October 13–15 across St. John, St. Thomas and St. Croix will help parents recognize student distress and suicide warning signs and find support. Regional Travel: Contour Airlines’ new twice-weekly Trinidad–Dominica service offers connections to San Juan and St. Thomas, adding another link for island travelers. Consumer Alert: The U.S. Virgin Islands remains on the EU’s tax-jurisdiction blacklist, even as Panama was removed.

Island Leisure: Yacht Haven Grande in St. Thomas has opened Coral Cove Racquet and Pool Club, with tennis, pickleball and padel courts, a pool and pro shop. The marina also expanded its Harbor360 event venue with a new upper floor and harbor views. Student Well-Being: V.I. Education is holding parent workshops Oct. 13–15 on recognizing student distress and suicide warning signs, with sessions on St. John, St. Thomas and St. Croix. Caribbean Film: Jamaican thriller Stew Peas arrives in St. Thomas and St. Croix on Oct. 29 as part of a seven-territory regional release. Travel Connections: New twice-weekly Contour service between Trinidad and Dominica offers same-plane connections to San Juan and St. Thomas, adding another regional route for island travelers.

Student Wellness: V.I. Education is holding parent workshops Oct. 13–15 on St. John, St. Thomas and St. Croix, with guidance on recognizing mental health concerns and suicide warning signs and finding support. Caribbean Film: Jamaican thriller Stew Peas will open Oct. 29 in St. Thomas and St. Croix as part of a seven-territory regional release—the first Jamaican film distributed across the Caribbean by the exhibitor. Travel Connections: Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands are set for a combined 7.6% increase in December seat capacity, as airlines add flights following Spirit’s shutdown. Community Support: A fundraiser is helping bring Jamiri Mannan Francis, a father of five killed in Jackson, Mississippi, home to St. Thomas for burial.

Student Well-Being: The V.I. Department of Education announced parent workshops on student mental health and suicide warning signs, scheduled for Oct. 13–15 on St. John, St. Thomas and St. Croix. Island Connections: December flight capacity for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands is up at least 7.6% combined despite Spirit Airlines’ closure. Contour’s new twice-weekly Trinidad–Dominica service also offers onward connections to St. Thomas. St. Croix Getaway: A new travel feature spotlights The Buccaneer’s three beaches, oceanfront golf and nearly 80-year family story. Community Support: A fundraiser is helping bring Jamiri Francis, a father of five killed in Jackson, Mississippi, home to St. Thomas for burial.

Politics: A report by Epstein investigator Julie K. Brown is renewing scrutiny of Rep. Stacey Plaskett’s past ties to Jeffrey Epstein as she seeks to become the territory’s first female governor. Education: V.I. Education will hold parent workshops on student mental health and suicide warning signs across St. John, St. Thomas and St. Croix, Oct. 13–15. Separately, UVI full-time tuition is set to rise about 56% in Spring 2027. Tourism & Travel: St. Croix’s Buccaneer resort is spotlighting its three beaches and oceanfront golf, while added airline seats are boosting December travel capacity to Puerto Rico and the USVI despite Spirit’s shutdown. Community: A fundraiser is helping bring Jamiri Mannan Francis, a father of five killed in Jackson, Mississippi, home to St. Thomas for burial.

Little St. James: A new wave of document releases has pushed Epstein Island back into online feeds, renewing attention on the property off St. Thomas. Reporting says the files and victim accounts describe sexual abuse and trafficking, while online rumors about tunnels and ritual sites are unsupported. Territorial Politics: Journalist Julie K. Brown has questioned Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett’s past ties to Epstein as she seeks the governorship, citing campaign donations and text-message exchanges. Student Well-Being: The V.I. Education Department is holding parent workshops across St. John, St. Thomas and St. Croix on student mental health and suicide warning signs, Oct. 13–15. Higher Education: UVI’s full-time undergraduate tuition will rise about 56% in Spring 2027; the president apologized for the delayed notice. Travel & Tourism: St. Croix’s Buccaneer resort is spotlighted for its three beaches and long family history. Regional air links are also expanding: Contour’s new Trinidad–Dominica flights connect onward to St. Thomas, while Puerto Rico and the USVI are set for increased December seat capacity.

Sustainable Tourism: A Caribbean research initiative at SOTIC 2026 showed how local knowledge, environmental science and storytelling can support tourism while benefiting communities. St. Croix Getaways: The Buccaneer’s three beaches, oceanfront golf and nearly 80-year family history put the island’s heritage and outdoor appeal in the spotlight. Student Well-Being: V.I. Education announced parent workshops on recognizing mental-health concerns and suicide warning signs among students. Higher Education: UVI’s full-time undergraduate tuition is set to rise about 56% in Spring 2027, with the president apologizing for the delayed notice. Territorial Politics: Reporter Julie K. Brown renewed scrutiny of Rep. Stacey Plaskett as she pursues the governorship, citing her past ties to Jeffrey Epstein; the allegations are attributed to Brown’s reporting.

Sustainable Tourism: Caribbean researchers and tourism practitioners at SOTIC 2026 explored how science, local knowledge and storytelling can support conservation and community livelihoods. St. Croix Getaway: The Buccaneer’s three beaches, coastal golf course and family history offer visitors several ways to enjoy its Christiansted estate. Family Well-Being: V.I. Education will hold free workshops Oct. 13–15 on St. John, St. Thomas and St. Croix to help parents spot mental-health concerns and suicide warning signs. Higher Education: UVI’s full-time undergraduate tuition is set to rise about 56% in Spring 2027, drawing an apology from the president over delayed notice. Travel: December seat capacity to Puerto Rico and the USVI is projected to grow at least 7.6% combined, despite Spirit Airlines’ shutdown.

St. Croix Getaway: The Buccaneer pairs three beaches with oceanfront golf and a hillside Great House overlooking Christiansted, offering guests plenty to do without leaving the resort. Family Well-Being: V.I. Education will hold free workshops Oct. 13–15 on St. John, St. Thomas and St. Croix to help parents recognize mental-health concerns and suicide warning signs in students. Higher Education: UVI’s full-time undergraduate tuition will rise about 56% in Spring 2027; the university’s president apologized for the delayed notice. Regional Travel: Contour’s new twice-weekly Trinidad–Dominica flights connect through Port of Spain to San Juan and St. Thomas, while December seat capacity to Puerto Rico and the USVI is up at least 7.6% combined. Sailing Season: USVI Sailing Week is set for April 8–11, 2027, bringing regattas, island-hopping, a boating expo and nightly festivities to St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix. Local Ties: The EU’s updated tax-haven blacklist still includes the USVI, even as Panama was removed.

Student Well-Being: V.I. Education will hold October 13–15 workshops on St. John, St. Thomas and St. Croix to help parents spot mental-health concerns and suicide warning signs. Travel Links: Puerto Rico and the USVI are set for a combined 7.6% rise in December seat capacity as airlines add flights after Spirit’s exit; Contour’s new Trinidad–Dominica service also offers connections to St. Thomas through San Juan. UVI Tuition: Full-time undergraduate tuition for traditional on-campus classes will rise about 56% in Spring 2027, with the university’s president apologizing for the delayed notice. Sailing Week: Three signature boating events will unite for the first USVI Sailing Week, April 8–11, 2027, with races, live music and activities across St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix. St. Croix Tennis: The Buccaneer’s facility received a 2026 USTA Outstanding Facility Award, recognizing its courts, community programs and youth offerings.

Student Well-Being: The V.I. Department of Education will hold parent workshops on student mental health, suicide warning signs and ways to find support on St. John, St. Thomas and St. Croix, Oct. 13–15. Higher Education: UVI plans to raise full-time undergraduate tuition for traditional on-campus students by about 56% in Spring 2027; the university says per-credit rates will stay unchanged. Sailing & Boating: The first USVI Sailing Week is set for April 8–11, 2027, bringing regattas, island-to-island sailing, boat showcases and live music to St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix. Community Sports: St. Croix’s Buccaneer tennis facility earned a national USTA award for its courts, programs and contribution to growing the sport. Caribbean Connections: New twice-weekly Contour flights between Trinidad and Dominica offer same-plane connections through Port of Spain to St. Thomas.

Regional Travel: Contour Airlines has launched twice-weekly flights between Trinidad and Dominica, with same-plane connections through Port of Spain to St. Thomas and San Juan. Community: A fundraiser is helping bring Jamiri Mannan Francis, a father of five killed in Jackson, home to St. Thomas for burial. UVI: Full-time undergraduate tuition for traditional on-campus classes is set to rise about 56% in Spring 2027; President Safiya George apologized for the late notice. Sailing: The first USVI Sailing Week is planned for April 8–11, 2027, bringing races, a boating expo, island rallies, live music and waterfront events to St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix. Tennis: St. Croix’s Buccaneer tennis facility has earned a national USTA award for its courts, programs and community access.

Little St. James: A new look at Jeffrey Epstein’s former U.S. Virgin Islands property separates documented abuse and court records from online rumors; its planned resort redevelopment remains stalled. St. Thomas Family: A fundraiser is helping bring Jamiri Mannan Francis, a father of five killed in Jackson, home to St. Thomas for burial. UVI Tuition: Full-time undergraduate tuition for traditional on-campus courses is set to rise about 56% in Spring 2027, with the university president apologizing for the delayed notice. Sailing Week: The first U.S. Virgin Islands Sailing Week is planned for April 8–11, 2027, bringing regattas, a boating expo, island rallies and live music across St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix. St. Croix Tennis: The Buccaneer’s eight-court tennis facility earned a 2026 USTA Outstanding Facility Award for its courts, community programs and amenities.

Environmental Advocacy: Community groups from the U.S. Virgin Islands and other territories have filed a Supreme Court brief backing Guam’s Prutehi Guåhan in its fight over the Air Force’s planned open detonation at Tarague Beach. Arguments are set for Oct. 7. Higher Education: UVI full-time undergraduate tuition for traditional on-campus students is set to rise about 56% in Spring 2027. President Safiya George apologized for the delayed notice. Coming Together on the Water: The first USVI Sailing Week is planned for April 8–11, 2027, bringing regattas, boating events, live music and parties to St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix. Community Support: A fundraiser is helping bring Jamiri Mannan Francis, a St. Thomas native killed in Jackson, Mississippi, home for burial. Sports: St. Croix’s Buccaneer tennis facility has earned a national USTA Outstanding Facility Award for its courts, programs and community reach.

Local Education & Cost of Living: UVI says full-time undergraduate tuition will jump about 56% for Spring 2027 on-campus students, with President Safiya George apologizing for delayed notice to families. Community & Health Access: Nearly 100 community HIV-prevention groups lost federal grants as funding shifts toward state and local health departments, raising concerns for testing and PrEP access in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. Local Culture & Sports: St. Croix’s Buccaneer tennis facility earned a 2026 USTA Outstanding Facility Award, recognized for courts, programming, and community access. Territorial Spotlight: A new report on Jeffrey Epstein’s “island” legacy points to stalled redevelopment and ongoing legal fights tied to the U.S. Virgin Islands property. Travel & Family Fun: Royal Caribbean announced “The SpongeBob Musical” will debut at sea on Hero of the Seas in August 2027, bringing Bikini Bottom to the Caribbean cruise circuit. Aviation & Connectivity: Contour Airlines launched twice-weekly service between Trinidad and Dominica, signaling continued regional air expansion.

U.S. Virgin Islands Education: UVI says full-time undergraduate tuition for on-campus students jumps about 56% in Spring 2027, with President Safiya George apologizing for delayed notice to students and families. Community & Health Access: SNAP benefit rules are changing, with small inflation-based increases and new requirements that could affect eligibility, while states also face higher administrative costs. Public Health Funding: Nearly 100 community HIV-prevention groups report losing federal funding as dollars shift toward state and local health departments, including in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Local Sports & Lifestyle: St. Croix’s Buccaneer tennis facility earns a 2026 USTA Outstanding Facility Award, spotlighting youth and community programming. Culture & Travel: Royal Caribbean announces “The SpongeBob Musical” as an at-sea production debuting on Hero of the Seas in August 2027, adding another family-friendly reason to plan a Caribbean cruise. Tourism & Events: First annual USVI Sailing Week (April 8–11, 2027) brings STIR, Three Sheets Regatta & Rally, and VIBE together across St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix.