AGP Executive Report

Energy & Local Economy: The White House is reportedly in talks with potential investors to restart defunct refineries, including St. Croix’s facility, with discussions involving the EPA over regulatory steps for reopening. Power & Resilience: After Hurricane Irma, the U.S. Virgin Islands has been turning home solar and batteries into a “virtual power plant” to help stabilize the grid faster by linking household storage. Public Safety & Courts: A federal filing tied to acting Attorney General Todd Blanche’s Epstein-related statements is in the spotlight ahead of a Senate confirmation vote. Consumer Protection: A coalition of attorneys general is urging the FCC to strengthen “Know Your Customer” rules to curb illegal robocalls and scams. Elections: Former Vice President Kamala Harris endorsed Stacey Plaskett for governor and Milton Potter for lieutenant governor ahead of the Aug. 1 USVI primary. Lottery Buzz: Powerball is up to an estimated $707 million for Saturday after no Wednesday winner; Mega Millions hit $800 million Tuesday with a Florida ticket. Environment: Sargassum continues to disrupt Caribbean beaches, with researchers exploring why blooms persist and how to reduce impacts.

Lottery Buzz: Mega Millions hit a record-breaking $800 million jackpot after a Florida ticket matched all numbers (34-48-49-59-70, Mega Ball 12); the cash option is about $344.2 million, and the next drawing is Friday, July 31, while Powerball climbs to an estimated $663 million for Wednesday’s drawing (30-36-40-42-57, Powerball 2, PowerPlay 2x). Public Safety & Courts: Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche’s Senate confirmation is facing fresh pressure after survivors’ attorneys filed court papers citing his statements about FBI handling in the Epstein case ahead of a confirmation vote. Local Crime Watch: VIPD is asking the public for help locating 27-year-old Abassi Boston, wanted in connection with a St. Croix homicide; officials warn not to approach him and to call 911 with tips. Governance & Community: Former Vice President Kamala Harris endorsed Stacey Plaskett for governor and Milton Potter for lieutenant governor ahead of the Aug. 1 USVI primary. Travel & Business: Fly the Whale will launch daily San Juan–St. Thomas flights starting Aug. 3, cutting the trip to about 35 minutes. Environment: Sargassum seaweed continues to disrupt Caribbean beaches and coastal life, with scientists exploring solutions to stop the recurring blooms. Consumer Protection: US and state attorneys general are urging the FCC to strengthen “Know Your Customer” rules to curb illegal robocalls.

USVI Politics: Former Vice President Kamala Harris endorsed Gov. candidate Stacey Plaskett and Lt. Gov. pick Milton Potter, touting their leadership ahead of the territory’s Aug. 1 primary. Public Safety: VIPD is asking the public to help locate 27-year-old Abassi Boston, wanted in connection with a St. Croix homicide, warning residents not to approach him. Crime & Courts: Court records describe a dramatic St. Croix manhunt after a ShotSpotter alert, ending with suspect Samuel Rivera Jr.’s surrender. Consumer Protection: USVI Attorney General Rayfield joined a broad push urging the FCC to strengthen “Know Your Customer” rules to curb illegal robocalls. Environment: Seaweed sargassum is again flagged as a self-sustaining beach problem, with scientists exploring solutions. Travel & Business: Fly the Whale announced a new daily San Juan–St. Thomas flight starting Aug. 3. Local Culture/Sports: Caribbean Basketball Confederation leaders highlight growing regional participation on the international stage. Lottery Buzz: Mega Millions hit an $800 million jackpot after a Florida ticket matched all numbers; Powerball sits at $663 million.

Lottery Fever: Mega Millions keeps climbing to an estimated $800 million for Tuesday’s drawing, with numbers 34-48-49-59-70 and Mega Ball 12; the cash value is about $344.2 million, and tickets are sold in 45 states plus D.C. and the U.S. Virgin Islands. More Robocall Pressure: U.S. and state attorneys general, including Virgin Islands AGs, are urging the FCC to tighten “Know Your Customer” rules to stop illegal robocalls by forcing phone providers to better verify customers and their business. Local Public Safety: VIPD is asking the public for help locating 27-year-old Abassi Boston, wanted in connection with a St. Croix homicide; officials warn residents not to approach him and to call 911 with tips. Politics in the Territory: Former Vice President Kamala Harris endorsed Stacey Plaskett for governor and Milton Potter for lieutenant governor ahead of the Aug. 1 USVI primary. Travel Update: Fly the Whale will launch a new daily San Juan–St. Thomas route starting Aug. 3, cutting the trip to about 35 minutes.

Public Safety & Crime: St. Croix is reeling after the fatal ambush of VIPD Executive Security Unit Officer Eustace Charles in Williams Delight, with authorities using surveillance tracking and multi-agency work; court filings also describe a rapid dragnet that led to the arrest of Ra’Kheel A. Velazquez (“Pablo”) on weapons counts. Robocalls & Consumer Protection: Attorneys general, including South Dakota’s Jackley and California’s Bonta, are urging the FCC to strengthen “Know Your Customer” rules to curb illegal robocalls and related scams. Lottery Buzz: Mega Millions is up to $800M and Powerball to $663M, with Monday’s Powerball numbers 6-26-46-58-65 and Powerball 25 (Power Play 2x). Local Courts & Guns: Gun-rights groups are suing the U.S. Virgin Islands over concealed carry for nonresidents, while federal court fights continue over firearm restrictions. Tourism & Development: Club Med broke ground on Club Med St. Croix, a 2027 opening that will redevelop Carambola Beach Resort into an Exclusive Collection with 150 keys. Environment: Sargassum is described as becoming a self-sustaining, recurring coastal problem, with impacts on beaches, boating, and marine life. Sports: SIU men’s basketball announced a nonconference slate featuring the Paradise Jam in St. Thomas, and U.S. Virgin Islands athletes continue competing at regional games.

Public Safety: St. Croix is mourning VIPD Executive Security Officer Eustace Charles, 51, killed in an early-morning ambush in Williams Delight; authorities say surveillance helped track vehicles, and the investigation is being handled jointly by VIPD and the FBI, with arrests already made and more expected. Court & Guns: Court filings describe a rapid, multi-agency dragnet that led detectives to Ra’Kheel Velazquez (“Pablo”) on felony weapons counts after ShotSpotter alerts and a vehicle trace tied to the attack. Local Crime Investigation: Another St. Croix case followed a Queen Mary Highway traffic stop that recovered two unlicensed handguns, including an un-serialized “ghost gun,” leading to charges and bail. Environment & Research: A new WHOI study says seawater around U.S. Virgin Islands reefs carries distinct chemical and microbial signals that can flag reef health changes before they’re visible, with ocean currents shaping results. Sports (USVI in focus): At the 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games, U.S. Virgin Islands softball got underway in Santo Domingo, while Indiana men’s basketball beat the USVI in the FISU America Games gold-medal run. Tourism & Development: Club Med broke ground on Club Med St. Croix, a 2027 opening redevelopment of Carambola Beach Resort with 150 keys. Citizenship Fight: Guam and CNMI leaders urged Rep. Morgan Griffith to withdraw his bill targeting birthright citizenship in U.S. territories, warning it could create stateless children. Lottery: Powerball’s jackpot climbed to about $633 million for the July 27 drawing (numbers: 6-26-46-58-65, Powerball 25).

Police & Public Safety: St. Croix is mourning Executive Security Unit Officer Eustace Charles, killed in an early-morning ambush in Williams Delight; VIPD says the probe is joint with the FBI, and investigators used surveillance and ShotSpotter-linked leads to track suspects, with one man held on weapons charges after an intelligence dragnet. Local Crime Update: A separate Queen Mary Highway traffic stop led to the recovery of two unlicensed handguns, including an un-serialized “ghost gun,” and the remand of two men on $50,000 bail. Courts & Guns: Gun Owners of America and Gun Owners Foundation filed a new federal lawsuit challenging USVI concealed-carry rules for nonresidents. Housing & Federal Funding: HUD has suspended disaster and housing authority funding over fraud and mismanagement claims, adding pressure to already strained recovery efforts. Tourism & Development: Club Med broke ground on a St. Croix resort set to open in 2027, redeveloping Carambola Beach into a 150-key Exclusive Collection property. Sports & Community: St. Croix will host ISCA Sunfish Worlds in November, and the U.S. Virgin Islands U15 team drew with the U.S. Virgin Islands in Goombay Cup action. Weather Watch: Hurricane Genevieve tracking updates are circulating as the storm develops in the Pacific. Odds & Numbers: Powerball climbed to a $633M jackpot for Monday’s drawing.

St. Croix Public Safety: A VIPD Executive Security Officer, 51-year-old Eustace Charles, died after an early-morning ambush in Williams Delight; authorities say surveillance helped track vehicles, several people were taken into custody, and the case is being handled jointly by VIPD and the FBI. Gun Laws in Court: Gun Owners of America and Gun Owners Foundation filed a new federal lawsuit seeking to let nonresidents apply for concealed-carry licenses in the U.S. Virgin Islands, arguing Second Amendment rights don’t stop at the shoreline. Hurricane Watch: Maps are tracking Hurricane Genevieve as it develops in the Eastern Pacific, with warnings that even weaker storms can bring dangerous inland flooding. Lottery Buzz: Powerball’s jackpot jumped to an estimated $633 million for Monday, July 27, after Saturday’s drawing had no winner; the game’s UK expansion is also in the mix. Sports & Community: St. Croix is set to host the ISCA Sunfish Worlds in November, and the U.S. Virgin Islands opened the Goombay Cup with a 2-2 draw against Bermuda. Tourism Spotlight: Trunk Bay on St. John was ranked the world’s best beach in a Beach.com global list, with its underwater snorkeling trail and national-park setting highlighted.

Powerball Watch: No jackpot winner matched Saturday’s Powerball numbers (3-4-24-36-47, Powerball 17), so the prize climbed to an estimated $633 million for the next drawing Monday night; a Michigan ticket won $1 million. Sports & Community: The U.S. Virgin Islands’ U15 girls drew Bermuda 2-2 in the Goombay Cup, while Bermuda later played Turks & Caicos to a goalless draw. Local Sailing Spotlight: St. Croix will host the ISCA Sunfish Youth, Women’s, Masters & Open World Championships Nov. 4-14, with a July 29 meet-and-greet in Christiansted. Gun Rights Court Fight: Gun Owners of America and Gun Owners Foundation sued the U.S. Virgin Islands over concealed-carry rules for nonresidents, seeking permission for out-of-territory applicants to get licenses. Public Health: CDC says the multistate Salmonella outbreak tied to imported moringa leaf powder is over, after 131 illnesses across 38 states, including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Tourism & Travel: A new luxury villa resort is opening on St. Thomas, and Contour Airlines announced additional Caribbean connectivity, including St. Thomas–St. Maarten nonstop service.

Lottery Buzz: Powerball’s jackpot is back at an estimated $600 million for Saturday, July 25, after no winner matched all numbers Wednesday; the drawn numbers were 3-4-24-36-47 with Powerball 17 and Power Play 4x, and tickets are sold in 45 states, D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Sports & Community: St. Croix is set to host the ISCA Sunfish Worlds, with a Meet & Greet July 29 at Hotel Comanche in Christiansted, while the U.S. Virgin Islands also opened the Goombay Cup with a 2-2 draw against Bermuda. Public Safety: VIPD Special Operations arrested 26-year-old St. Croix man Jahneal Gilbert on unlicensed firearm and ammunition charges after officers spotted a handgun in plain view near Midland Road. Local News & Travel: A new luxury villa resort, The Botany, is opening this winter on St. Thomas with 20 solar-powered villas and a private beach setting. Legal Fight Over Guns: Gun Owners of America and Gun Owners Foundation filed a federal lawsuit seeking to let nonresidents apply for concealed carry licenses in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Citizenship Debate: Guam and CNMI leaders are urging U.S. Rep. Morgan Griffith to withdraw his bill targeting birthright citizenship in U.S. territories, arguing it could create statelessness and violates territorial agreements.

Lottery Buzz: Mega Millions keeps climbing ahead of Friday’s drawing, now at a $743 million jackpot (cash value $323.4 million); Friday’s numbers were 2, 5, 42, 44, 60 with a gold Mega Ball of 1, and the next drawing is Tuesday, July 28. Local Sports: Bermuda’s U15 girls opened the Goombay Cup in the Bahamas with a 2-2 draw against the U.S. Virgin Islands. Gun Rights in Court: Gun Owners of America and Gun Owners Foundation filed a new federal lawsuit challenging the U.S. Virgin Islands’ concealed-carry rules for nonresidents, seeking permission for nonresidents to apply for licenses. Police Action: VIPD Special Operations arrested a 26-year-old St. Croix man near Midland Road Bar on unlicensed firearm and ammunition charges after officers spotted a handgun in plain view. Travel & Tourism: Southwest Airlines says it will add new routes in 2027, including a Las Vegas-to-Honolulu “reverse redeye” that’s already being called one of its worst. Health: CDC says a Salmonella outbreak linked to imported moringa leaf powder is over after 131 illnesses across 38 states. Education: Ten Virgin Islands undergraduate students finished the CREW fellowship and presented five public health research projects.

Lottery Buzz: Mega Millions climbed to a $743 million jackpot ahead of Friday’s drawing, with the last numbers reported as 25-37-59-68-70 and Mega Ball 10. Tourism & Travel: A new luxury St. Thomas villa resort, The Botany, is set to open this winter with 20 villas and a secluded beach setting, while Southwest Airlines plans more Caribbean service including nonstop St. Thomas–St. Maarten routes. Local Crime & Guns: VIPD Special Operations arrested a 26-year-old St. Croix man near Midland Road Bar during “Operation Rapid Response,” charging him with carrying an unlicensed firearm and ammunition possession. Courts & Gun Rights: Gun Owners of America and Gun Owners Foundation filed a second lawsuit against the U.S. Virgin Islands over concealed carry for nonresidents, and DOJ also moved to block enforcement of the territory’s semiauto magazine ban. Public Health: CDC closed a multistate Salmonella outbreak tied to imported moringa leaf powder after 131 illnesses across 38 states, including distribution reaching Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Education: Ten Virgin Islands undergrads completed the CREW fellowship and presented five public health research projects.

Gun Rights in Court: The U.S. Justice Department asked a federal judge to block the U.S. Virgin Islands from enforcing its modern semiautomatic firearms magazine ban, calling it “glaringly unconstitutional,” and pointing to a recent federal appeals ruling against similar restrictions. Second Amendment Lawsuit: Gun Owners of America and Gun Owners Foundation filed a new suit seeking to let nonresidents apply for concealed-carry licenses in the territory, arguing the current system blocks out-of-territory applicants. Citizenship Fight: Rep. Morgan Griffith’s bill to end automatic birthright citizenship in U.S. territories faces backlash after he admitted he did not consult Guam or other territories before introducing it, with the measure targeting births after Jan. 1, 2027. Public Health: CDC declared the moringa leaf powder Salmonella outbreak over after 131 illnesses in 38 states, with products traced to imported powder distributed including in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Local Health Research: Ten Virgin Islands students completed the CREW fellowship and presented five public health studies at Government House on St. Thomas. Travel & Tourism: A new luxury resort, The Botany, is set to open this winter on St. Thomas, while St. John’s Trunk Bay was ranked among the world’s best beaches for its underwater snorkeling trail.

Sports: Indiana men’s basketball rolled past the U.S. Virgin Islands 120-63 at the FISU America Games, jumping from a 10-point first-quarter lead to a huge second-quarter surge and cruising to a 57-point win, with Vaughn Karvala leading the offense (32 points, seven 3-pointers). Federal policy: Rep. Morgan Griffith introduced the End Birthright Citizenship for Territories Act, aiming to end automatic citizenship for children born to non-U.S. citizens in Guam, Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands and the U.S. Virgin Islands, arguing Congress can change territory rules. Courts & guns: The DOJ asked a federal judge to block the U.S. Virgin Islands’ semiautomatic firearms magazine ban as “glaringly unconstitutional,” while Gun Owners of America filed a separate lawsuit seeking nonresident concealed-carry licensing. Business & grants: The SBA launched a $6 million Women’s Business Center modernization competition, including support for the U.S. Virgin Islands, with proposals due Aug. 10. Regional connectivity: Contour Airlines announced new Caribbean service, including a nonstop St. Thomas–St. Maarten route.

SBA Funding for Women Entrepreneurs: The U.S. Small Business Administration launched a $6 million Women’s Business Center Modernization Initiative, targeting states and territories where demand has outgrown existing support— including the U.S. Virgin Islands. The program will build statewide networks through Lead Centers and local Service Centers, expanding counseling, training, and access to capital. Proposals are due Aug. 10. Local Business & Tourism: A new luxury resort, The Botany, is set to open this winter on St. Thomas inside the Preserve at Botany Bay, with 20 villas and a sustainability-focused setup. Regional Travel Boost: Contour Airlines announced new nonstop routes starting Oct. 5, including St. Thomas–St. Maarten, plus connections involving Dominica and Trinidad. Immigration Enforcement in the Region: CBP and Border Patrol intercepted two maritime smuggling attempts off Puerto Rico, detaining 37 migrants and one U.S. citizen; one leg reportedly departed from St. Thomas. Politics & Rights Watch: A House Oversight Committee is set to interview former JPMorgan banker Jes Staley about his ties to Jeffrey Epstein. Gun Laws: Gun Owners of America filed a lawsuit challenging the Virgin Islands’ firearm restrictions for nonresident U.S. citizens. Sports: The inaugural U15 Girls Goombay Cup kicks off July 24 in Nassau with teams including the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Housing & Federal Funding: HUD suspended funding to the U.S. Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority, saying an investigation found “widespread financial mismanagement,” weak fraud controls, false certifications and improper payments tied to nearly $2 billion in hurricane recovery money; HUD says the territory has been deprived of about $1.3 billion meant for residents, and VIHFA can seek a hearing. Citizenship Fight: A new bill, H.R. 9724, would end automatic birthright citizenship for children born in U.S. territories starting Jan. 1, 2027, drawing sharp pushback from territorial leaders including Del. Moylan and others who call it dangerous and say citizenship security remains legal for now. Local Weather: A Heat Advisory is in effect for St. Croix, St. Thomas and St. John as heat index values top 100°F, with officials also watching brush-fire risk from dry conditions. Business & Tourism: Club Med broke ground on Club Med St. Croix, targeting first guests in 2027. Regional Travel: Contour Airlines announced new nonstop service between St. Thomas and St. Maarten starting Oct. 5, twice weekly. Small Business: SBA launched a $6M competition under a Women’s Business Center modernization effort, with the U.S. Virgin Islands included among eligible territories.