AGP Executive Report

Citizenship Fight: Trump signed new executive orders aimed at narrowing birthright citizenship and restricting “birth tourism,” following the Supreme Court’s recent 14th Amendment ruling—setting up fresh legal challenges. Territorial Legal/Environment: The Refaluwasch Journal of Knowledge and Culture joined other U.S. territories in a Supreme Court amicus brief urging stronger environmental review and public participation in Guam’s proposed Air Force open burning and detonation of hazardous waste. Hemp Policy Push: U.S. Virgin Islands-linked momentum shows up in the broader federal fight over hemp THC rules, with senators pressing Congress not to delay a November ban on intoxicating hemp products. Local/Regional Water Stress: Puerto Rico’s San Juan area is moving into a 48-hour water ration plan due to historic drought, a reminder of how quickly regional infrastructure strain can escalate. Sports/USVI Pride: USVI Police Officer Cindy Claudio earned a bronze medal at the CAC Games after a semifinal stoppage. Powerball Watch: The Powerball jackpot climbed again to about $856 million after no winner, with the next drawing Saturday.

USVI Sports & Recognition: Virgin Islands Police Department Officer Cindy Claudio secured a Bronze Medal for the territory after a semifinal bout at the 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games ended with a stoppage in Santo Domingo, following an earlier win over Puerto Rico’s Victoria Vélez. Federal Immigration Policy: President Trump signed executive orders aimed at curbing “birth tourism,” including new limits tied to birthright citizenship after the Supreme Court’s 14th Amendment ruling. Territorial Environment & Federal Review: A coalition including Refaluwasch Journal of Knowledge and Culture filed an amicus brief at the US Supreme Court backing Prutehi Guåhan’s challenge to the US Air Force’s proposed open burning and open detonation of hazardous waste on Guam, with implications for other US territories including the USVI. Local Public Safety: At Cyril E. King Airport in Charlotte Amalie, a disturbance escalated into a physical confrontation with Port Authority police, leading to the arrest of Da Quan Evans after an incident at the Delta counter. Regional Water Stress: Puerto Rico began a 48-hour water ration plan for major San Juan-area municipalities amid a historic drought, underscoring shared Caribbean infrastructure pressures. Health & Education Funding Signals: Sterling Optical’s Adams-Mahepath Scholarship continued its 25-year run by awarding 13 students across St. Croix and St. Thomas-St. John. Environment & Tourism Risk: New reporting highlights record sargassum levels—27 million metric tons in July—smothering Caribbean and Gulf beaches and threatening tourism and coastal livelihoods.

Territorial Law & Order: A man was arrested after a disturbance at Cyril E. King Airport escalated into a physical confrontation with Virgin Islands Port Authority police, following a Delta check-in/boarding dispute tied to closed CBP and TSA checkpoints. Federal Courts & Accountability: New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez sued the U.S. Justice Department and acting AG Todd Blanche, alleging “stonewalling” over access to unredacted Jeffrey Epstein Zorro Ranch records—an effort tied to whether crimes went beyond already-linked sex trafficking. Health Policy: A coalition of attorneys general is pushing Congress to preserve the 2025 federal hemp redefinition, warning that reopening loopholes would bring back intoxicating hemp products. Antitrust & Drug Prices: States announced a $400 million settlement in principle with Sandoz over alleged generic drug price-fixing and market manipulation, with a total payout of about $469 million if approved. Environment & Tourism: New research highlights record sargassum levels smothering Caribbean and Gulf beaches, raising fresh concerns for tourism and coastal cleanup costs. Sports (Regional): USVI’s athletes continued to show up at CAC Games, including a reported medal result in women’s softball.

Local Justice & Public Safety: A man was arrested at Cyril E. King Airport after a disturbance at the Delta counter escalated into a physical confrontation with Virgin Islands Port Authority police; he posted $500 bail and is set for an Advice of Rights hearing. Territorial Courts & Federal Oversight: The U.S. Virgin Islands is listed among jurisdictions participating in the inaugural NextGen Uniform Bar Examination, with most sites running smoothly after some venue-specific issues. Health Policy: A major push to improve Medicare Advantage payments is gaining momentum, with congressional support urging CMS to use a benchmark tied to the U.S. Virgin Islands’ current level for Puerto Rico starting in 2028. Federal Legal Fight (Epstein Records): New Mexico AG Raúl Torrez sued the DOJ and acting AG Todd Blanche over alleged “stonewalling” in releasing unredacted Jeffrey Epstein files tied to Zorro Ranch. Antitrust & Drug Pricing: A coalition of states announced a $400 million settlement in principle with Sandoz over alleged generic drug price-fixing and market manipulation. Environment & Tourism: Record sargassum levels—reported at 27 million metric tons in July—are smothering Caribbean and Gulf beaches, raising fresh concerns for tourism and coastal cleanup. Elections & Governance: Stacey Plaskett advanced in the Democratic governor primary, setting up the next phase of territorial political competition. Sports (USVI at CAC Games): The USVI women’s softball team won silver after the gold-medal game was postponed and then cancelled due to heavy rain and unsafe field conditions.

Local Public Safety: A man was arrested after a physical altercation with Virgin Islands Port Authority police at Cyril E. King Airport, following a dispute at the Delta counter that escalated into knocking down line stanchions and a confrontation with officers. Federal Health Policy: Governor Jenniffer González-Colón welcomed congressional support aimed at improving Medicare Advantage payment benchmarks for Puerto Rico, with the effort tied to the same funding fight that has long included the U.S. Virgin Islands. Territorial Courts & Professional Testing: The inaugural NextGen Uniform Bar Examination launched across 10 jurisdictions, including the U.S. Virgin Islands, with most sites running smoothly after a few localized tech issues. Antitrust & Drug Pricing: Multiple attorneys general, including South Dakota’s Marty Jackley and others, announced a $400 million settlement in principle with Sandoz over alleged generic drug price-fixing and competition restraints, with payments totaling about $469 million if approved. Hemp Regulation Watch: Attorneys general coalitions urged Congress to preserve 2025 federal hemp reforms and keep intoxicating hemp products out of the market, while the Senate budget bill includes a delay of a federal hemp ban through Dec. 11. Community & Education: Sterling Optical’s Adams-Mahepath Scholarship marked 25 years by awarding $1,500 scholarships to 13 students across St. Croix and St. Thomas-St. John. International Spotlight: Senator Ron Wyden renewed claims that a “60 Minutes” Jeffrey Epstein segment was suppressed, as CBS pushed back calling the allegation “categorically false.”

Territorial Politics: Stacey Plaskett won the USVI Democratic governor primary, topping Lt. Gov. Tregenza Roach and setting up a November bid to become the territory’s first woman governor, with Milton Potter as her running mate. Federal Hemp Policy: Attorneys general led by William Tong and Tim Griffin pushed Congress to keep 2025 federal hemp reforms in place, warning that reopening the “loophole” could bring back intoxicating hemp products; the Senate also included a short delay of a federal hemp ban in a budget bill. Antitrust/Drug Pricing: A coalition of 43 states and territories announced a $400 million settlement in principle with Sandoz over alleged generic-drug price-fixing and competition restraints, with total payments around $469 million and injunctive reforms; separate state shares were also announced. Fraud Enforcement: DOJ’s Fraud Division highlighted major fraud actions across the Southeast tied to federal-state partnerships, including SNAP, SBA, housing benefits, and tax fraud cases. Legal Access/Testing: The USVI participated in the inaugural NextGen Uniform Bar Examination across 10 jurisdictions, with some site-specific tech issues reported elsewhere. Public Safety & Environment: Reports warn of unusually widespread sargassum blanketing Caribbean and Gulf coastlines, raising concerns for marine life and tourism. Sports: The USVI women’s softball team earned a silver medal at the CAC Games after rain and wind forced cancellation of the gold-medal game.

Hemp Policy Push: AG William Tong and a coalition of 34 attorneys general urged Congress to preserve 2025 federal hemp reforms and keep intoxicating hemp products out of stores. Legal Education Access: The USVI joined 10 jurisdictions in the inaugural administration of the NextGen Uniform Bar Examination, with most sites running smoothly after a few network issues elsewhere. Territorial Politics: Stacey Plaskett won the Democratic governor primary, setting up a November bid with Milton Potter as her running mate. Antitrust/Drug Pricing: AGs announced a $400 million settlement in principle with Sandoz over alleged generic drug price-fixing and reduced competition, with USVI tied to the broader multi-state effort. Local Procurement: A public invitation for bids was issued for the William D. Roebuck Industrial Park lift station renovation on St. Croix, with questions due Aug. 17 and bids due Aug. 31. Sports & Community: The USVI women’s softball team earned a silver medal at the CAC Games after rain and wind forced cancellation of the gold-medal game. Environment: A new report warns sargassum seaweed is growing in large quantities across the Caribbean and Gulf, threatening coastlines and tourism.

Territorial Politics: Delegate Stacey Plaskett won the Democratic governor primary, pairing with Senate President Milton Potter as the Plaskett–Potter ticket pulled ahead in unofficial tallies after a high-turnout weekend. Territorial Elections Watch: The weekend also featured a Republican primary win for Guam Del. James C. Moylan, underscoring how U.S. territories are shaping congressional representation. Antitrust & Health Policy: A coalition of state attorneys general announced a $400 million settlement in principle with Sandoz over alleged generic-drug price-fixing and reduced competition, with the deal contingent on signatures and headed toward a 2027 trial. Local Legal/Property Rights: A St. Croix dispute highlights how “permission” to enter a unit can spiral into felony exposure and eviction fights when occupancy turns into residence. Cruise Safety & Victims’ Rights: A guide explains how the Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act is supposed to route crime victims to confidential support and shore-based help. Public Procurement: The Economic Development Park Corporation/USVIEDA invited bids for the William D. Roebuck Industrial Park lift station renovation on St. Croix, with questions due Aug. 17 and bids due Aug. 31. Environment & Tourism: New reporting says sargassum is growing in large quantities in the Caribbean and Gulf, raising fresh concerns for beaches and marine life. Sports: USVI women’s softball earned silver at the CAC Games after weather forced cancellation of the gold-medal game. Odds & Ends: Powerball climbed again toward a near-$750M jackpot after another miss.

Territorial Politics: Stacey E. Plaskett and Senate President Milton E. Potter won the USVI Democratic governor primary, beating Tregenza A. Roach by 1,439 votes in unofficial results, with turnout reported at 47.75%. Public Procurement: The Virgin Islands Economic Development Authority is inviting bids for the William D. Roebuck Industrial Park lift station renovation on St. Croix, with questions due Aug. 17 and bids due Aug. 31. Legal & Consumer Protection: Attorney General William Tong led a coalition announcing a $400 million settlement in principle with Sandoz over alleged generic-drug antitrust conduct, with USVI included among states and territories; separate reporting also flags a St. Croix “squatter by permission” dispute raising warnings about permissive occupancy and self-help evictions. Energy & Resilience: USVI’s virtual power plant effort links home batteries and solar to stabilize the grid after Hurricane Irma, while other coverage notes White House talks about reopening defunct refineries, including St. Croix. Governance & Health: A Senate daylight saving time delay keeps the Nov. 1 “fall back” on the calendar, despite medical groups’ push for permanent standard time. Environment & Tourism: New research says sargassum is growing in the Caribbean and Gulf in unusually large quantities, with major impacts on shorelines and marine life.

Territorial Politics: Delegate Stacey E. Plaskett won the USVI Democratic governor primary, defeating St. Kitts-born Lt. Gov. Tregenza A. Roach, with Plaskett–Potter taking 4,493 votes (about 47%) to Roach–Francis’ 3,054; results are unofficial pending certification. Elections Oversight: USVI election officials Carlene Herbert and Kenrico Wheatley Jr. were invited to observe the Aug. 1 Democratic primary, shadowing operations and tabulator use without handling ballots or affecting audits. Government Contracting: The Virgin Islands Economic Development Authority invited sealed bids for the William D. Roebuck Industrial Park lift station renovation (IFB# 2026-01 EDPC), with questions due Aug. 17 and bids due Aug. 31; public bid opening is Sept. 2. Energy & Grid Resilience: After Hurricane Irma, the territory is expanding a virtual power plant approach (VIBES 2.0) that links home batteries to stabilize the grid. Public Safety & Courts: A federal tax-fraud case involving a Miami man includes claims tied to USVI-related income reporting and restitution of about $34.8M.

Democratic Primary Results: Delegate Stacey E. Plaskett and Senate President Milton E. Potter won the USVI Democratic governor primary, taking 4,493 votes (about 47%) to defeat Tregenza A. Roach, with turnout reported at 47.75% and results still unofficial pending certification. Delegate Race: In the same primary, Janelle K. Sarauw led the Democratic delegate-to-Congress contest with 4,913 votes (about 53%), setting up a November fight against independents. Election Oversight: VI election officials Carlene Herbert and Kenrico Wheatley Jr. were invited to observe the Aug. 1 USVI Democratic primary, with a strictly educational role and no ballot handling. Energy & Grid Resilience: After Hurricane Irma, the territory is expanding a “virtual power plant” approach that links home batteries and solar to stabilize the grid. Local Environment: A new report says sargassum is growing in large quantities in the Caribbean and Gulf—described as “none of this is normal”—raising fresh concerns for tourism and marine life. Public Safety Policy: Attorneys general are urging the FCC to strengthen “Know Your Customer” rules to curb illegal robocalls. St. Croix Legal/Economic Pressure: Federal court developments continue to swirl around major St. Croix-related legal and environmental disputes, including efforts tied to restarting the island’s refinery. National Lottery Buzz: Powerball keeps climbing toward nearly $750M after another missed jackpot, with the next drawing set for Aug. 3.

Democratic Primary Upset Watch: Stacey E. Plaskett and Milton E. Potter reportedly won the USVI Democratic gubernatorial primary in unofficial results, with Plaskett also set to face independent candidates in the Nov. 3 general election. Delegate Race: Janelle K. Sarauw led the Democratic bid for Delegate to Congress, positioning her for the November contest. Local Election Oversight: VI election officials were invited to observe the USVI Aug. 1 Democratic primary, with a strictly educational role. Energy Resilience: After Hurricane Irma, the territory is expanding a “virtual power plant” model that links home solar and batteries to stabilize the grid faster. St. Croix Refinery Restart: Talks reportedly continue around reopening the St. Croix refinery, with federal and regulatory support discussed as investors weigh options. Public Safety & Trust: A VIPD officer ambush response sparked renewed debate online about when high-tech policing tools are used. Coastal Crisis: Seaweed (sargassum) is blanketing Caribbean and Gulf beaches, raising fresh concerns for tourism and marine life. Fraud & Enforcement: A Miami man pleaded guilty to tax fraud tied to misreported income and EDC-related claims, with major restitution and forfeitures.

Energy & Environment: A new University of South Florida report says sargassum is growing in large quantities in the Caribbean and Gulf—about 27 million metric tons recorded in July—blanketing beaches, killing marine life, and threatening tourism. Local Energy Resilience: After Hurricane Irma, the Virgin Islands Energy Office is rolling out VIBES 2.0, linking home solar-plus-battery systems into a virtual power plant to stabilize the grid in sub-seconds. St. Croix Refinery Push: White House discussions with potential investors are reportedly aimed at reopening mothballed refineries, with St. Croix on a short list; the effort could hinge on EPA regulatory requirements. Public Safety & Courts: A federal filing ahead of Acting AG Todd Blanche’s Senate confirmation alleges FBI failures in the Epstein case, with survivors pointing to his own statements. Elections: VI election officials Carlene Herbert and Kenrico Wheatley Jr. are set to observe the Aug. 1 Democratic primary, shadowing operations and tabulator use without handling ballots. Govt Oversight: A bipartisan coalition of attorneys general is urging the FCC to strengthen “Know Your Customer” rules to curb illegal robocalls. Community Event: “Pray Over the U.S. Virgin Islands” at Point Udall is scheduled for Aug. 8, with faith leaders, residents, and elected officials invited to gather.

Energy & Industry: The White House is reportedly in talks with potential investors to reopen mothballed refineries, with St. Croix’s refinery on a “short list,” and discussions reportedly include EPA regulatory requirements—raising the stakes for local environmental and legal battles. Elections & Governance: VI election officials—Supervisor Carlene Herbert and Deputy Kenrico Wheatley Jr.—are invited to observe the Aug. 1 Democratic primary, with a strictly educational role and no handling of ballots or equipment. Public Safety & Courts: A VIPD wanted notice asks the public to help locate Abassi Boston in a St. Croix homicide investigation, warning residents not to approach him. Local Law Enforcement Trust: A VI Free Press analysis looks at how residents reacted online after the ambush death of VIPD Executive Security Officer Eustace Charles Sr., highlighting frustration over when high-tech tracking is used. Campaign Politics: Former VP Kamala Harris endorsed Stacey Plaskett for governor and Milton Potter for lieutenant governor ahead of early voting and the Aug. 1 primary. Environment & Tourism: AP reports a major sargassum surge is blanketing Caribbean and Gulf coastlines, with scientists saying this year’s growth pattern is “not normal,” threatening marine life and visitor-dependent economies.

Energy & Infrastructure: The White House is reportedly in talks with potential investors to reopen mothballed refineries, with St. Croix on a short list—an effort that could hinge on EPA regulatory requirements and years of local environmental and legal battles. Local Politics & Elections: U.S. Virgin Islands election officials Carlene Herbert and Kenrico Wheatley Jr. are set to observe the territory’s Aug. 1 Democratic primary, shadowing operations and tabulator use without handling ballots. Campaign Trail: Former Vice President Kamala Harris endorsed Stacey Plaskett for governor and Senate President Milton Potter for lieutenant governor ahead of early voting. Public Safety & Courts: VIPD is seeking Abassi Boston in connection with a St. Croix homicide, warning residents not to approach him. Federal Policy Watch: A bipartisan coalition of attorneys general is urging the FCC to strengthen “Know Your Customer” rules to curb illegal robocalls. Community & Faith: Restore America’s Paradise plans a free Aug. 8 prayer gathering at Point Udall, “Pray Over the U.S. Virgin Islands.” Governance & Services: The SBA announced a $6 million Women’s Business Center modernization competition, including the U.S. Virgin Islands among eligible territories.

Energy & Environment: St. Croix’s long-troubled refinery restart is back in the spotlight as White House discussions reportedly explore private investment and possible federal support, with talks reportedly involving the EPA—an effort framed as helping stabilize fuel prices. Disaster Resilience: After Hurricane Irma, the Virgin Islands is moving toward a “virtual power plant” model that links home solar and batteries to help steady the grid in sub-seconds, using existing household storage instead of new generation. Public Safety & Courts: A VIPD request for help to locate 27-year-old Abassi Boston follows an ongoing St. Croix homicide investigation, while a separate local commentary argues that VIPD’s rapid response to the ambush of Officer Eustace Charles Sr. collided with public frustration over when high-tech policing is used. Elections & Governance: VI election officials have been invited to observe the Aug. 1 Democratic primary, with a delegation from the VI Board of Elections set to shadow operations and voting-tabulator use. Federal Policy Watch: Multiple attorneys general—including those pushing for stronger “Know Your Customer” rules to curb illegal robocalls—are pressing the FCC for tougher standards. Community & Faith: Organizers plan a free Aug. 8 prayer gathering at Point Udall, “Pray Over the U.S. Virgin Islands,” aimed at unity and renewal.