AGP Executive Report

Territorial Status: The United States called for dismantling the U.N. decolonization committee, even as political rights and self-determination remain unresolved for the U.S. Virgin Islands and other U.S. territories. Government Finance: Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. proposed $250 million in gross-receipts-tax bonds to cover overdue bills and urgent needs, including $85 million for hospitals, $80 million for public authorities and $70 million for the central government. Beneficiaries would need to follow five-year financial plans. Public Health: A local lab has shortened dengue test turnaround in the Virgin Islands, where results once took one to two months. Workforce: Ghana and the U.S. Virgin Islands plan to sign a November agreement to recruit teachers and nurses; the proposed deal has raised questions about its impact on Ghana’s workforce. Fisheries: NOAA proposed a 28.8% increase in St. Croix’s spiny lobster catch limit. Tourism: The U.S. Virgin Islands is among 15 destinations set to compete at Taste of the Caribbean in Barbados, Nov. 16–19.

Territorial Finances: Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. proposed $250 million in gross-receipts-tax bonds to cover overdue obligations and needs at the government, public utilities and hospitals. The plan allocates $85 million to hospitals, $80 million to public authorities and $70 million to the central government; recipients would have to follow five-year financial plans. Business: Impact PaySystem has begun offering payment processing in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, with the British Virgin Islands next in its expansion plans. Toyota’s planned $55 million expansion of its Puerto Rico distribution center is also relevant to the territory: the facility supplies 24 Toyota and Lexus dealerships, including those in the USVI. Health Workforce: The USVI and Ghana plan to sign a November agreement to recruit nurses and teachers, offering a potential staffing boost while prompting concerns about talent leaving Ghana. Public Health: A local lab is now testing for dengue, replacing a system in which results could take one to two months. Coastal Resources: NOAA has proposed raising St. Croix’s spiny lobster catch limit by 28.8%. Disaster Recovery: The USVI is included in a $1.6 billion federal emergency fund for disaster-damaged transportation infrastructure; the territory’s allocation was not specified.

Territorial Finances: Gov. Albert Bryan is proposing $250 million in gross-receipts-tax bonds to cover overdue bills and urgent needs, including $85 million for hospitals, $80 million for public authorities and $70 million for the central government. Beneficiaries would have to follow five-year financial plans. Business: Impact PaySystem has expanded payment processing to the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, with the British Virgin Islands next. Public Health: During the 2024–25 dengue outbreak, the territory recorded 263 confirmed cases and one death. A local lab cut test-result waits from one to two months to less than a week. Workforce: Ghana and the Virgin Islands plan to sign a November agreement to recruit teachers and nurses, according to reports. St. Croix Environment: NOAA has proposed raising the island’s spiny lobster catch limit by 28.8%. Heritage: Charlotte Amalie is among 10 communities newly designated by the National Park Service as American World War II Heritage Cities.

Business: Impact PaySystem has begun processing payments for merchants in the U.S. Virgin Islands, with Puerto Rico also added and the British Virgin Islands planned next. Toyota is investing more than $55 million to expand its Puerto Rico distribution center, which supplies 24 Toyota and Lexus dealerships in Puerto Rico and the USVI. Clean Energy: A new three-year partnership will pursue renewable energy, infrastructure and workforce projects across Puerto Rico, the USVI and the wider Caribbean. Public Health: During the 2024-25 dengue outbreak, the territory recorded 263 confirmed cases and one death. Local testing cut result times from one to two months to under a week. Fisheries: NOAA proposes raising St. Croix’s annual spiny lobster catch limit by 28.8%, while slightly reducing the St. Thomas-St. John limit; public comments are due Nov. 16. Workforce: USVI and Ghana officials are preparing a November agreement to recruit Ghanaian nurses and teachers, but pay, eligibility and deployment details have not been announced. History: Charlotte Amalie has been named an American World War II Heritage City by the National Park Service.

Clean Energy: A new three-year partnership will pursue renewable energy, climate resilience, safer buildings and workforce training across the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and the Caribbean. Public Health: During the territory’s 2024–25 dengue outbreak, 263 cases and one death were confirmed. Local testing cut result times from one to two months to less than a week. Workforce: The USVI and Ghana plan to sign an agreement in November to recruit Ghanaian nurses and teachers, but pay, eligibility and hiring numbers have not been announced. Fisheries: NOAA proposes raising St. Croix’s annual spiny lobster catch limit by 28.8%, while trimming the St. Thomas–St. John limit slightly. Public comments are due Nov. 16; the changes are not yet in effect. Heritage: Charlotte Amalie is among 10 communities newly designated National Park Service World War II Heritage Cities. Coastal Research: A UC San Diego student is analyzing months of shoreline images from St. Croix’s Botany Bay to study wave patterns.

Public Health: A CDC report says dengue test results in the U.S. Virgin Islands took one to two months during the 2024–25 outbreak, before local testing cut turnaround to under a week. The outbreak caused 263 confirmed cases and one death. Health and Education Staffing: Ghana and the territory plan to sign an agreement in November to recruit nurses and teachers, but numbers, pay and contract terms have not been announced. St. Croix Economy: A proposal to restart the island’s idled refinery is drawing scrutiny. A Politico report links the effort to a gas discount operation with unclear ownership and questions about its business practices. Fisheries: NOAA proposes raising St. Croix’s annual spiny lobster catch limit by 28.8%, while slightly lowering the St. Thomas-St. John limit. Public comments are due Nov. 16; the changes are not yet in effect. Local History: Charlotte Amalie has been named an American World War II Heritage City by the National Park Service, recognizing the territory’s wartime history.

Workforce Talks: The U.S. Virgin Islands and Ghana plan to sign an agreement in November to recruit Ghanaian nurses and teachers for local vacancies. Numbers, qualifications and employment terms have not yet been announced. Fisheries: NOAA is proposing a 28.8% increase in St. Croix’s annual spiny lobster catch limit, while slightly lowering the St. Thomas-St. John limit. The proposal is open for public comment through Nov. 16. Territorial Rights: Rep. Morgan Griffith says he cannot confirm whether his bill restricting birthright citizenship in the territories has stalled, and says he has not read a related Senate bill. Reef Health: A global assessment finds 44% of reef-building coral species face elevated extinction risk; its findings predate the 2023–25 mass bleaching event, and include reefs in the Virgin Islands. World War II Heritage: Charlotte Amalie is among 10 places newly designated by the National Park Service as an American World War II Heritage City.

Workforce: Ghana and the U.S. Virgin Islands plan to sign a November agreement to recruit Ghanaian nurses and teachers, but hiring numbers, pay and contract terms are still undecided. Fishing: NOAA proposes raising St. Croix’s federal-water spiny lobster catch limit by 28.8%, while slightly lowering the St. Thomas–St. John limit. Public comments are due Nov. 16; the changes are not yet in force. Heritage: Charlotte Amalie is among 10 places newly designated World War II Heritage Cities by the National Park Service. Energy: A recent analysis says USVI electricity rates near 43 cents per kilowatt-hour reflect the high costs of isolated island grids, even as utility reform could improve how fairly and efficiently the system is run. Territorial rights: Rep. Morgan Griffith says he cannot confirm whether his bill to restrict birthright citizenship in U.S. territories has stalled, and says he has not read a related Senate proposal.

Fisheries: NOAA proposes raising St. Croix’s annual spiny lobster catch limit by 28.8%, while slightly reducing the combined St. Thomas–St. John limit. The changes are not yet in effect; public comments are due Nov. 16. Health and Education: Ghana and the territory plan to sign a November agreement to recruit Ghanaian nurses and teachers. The number of positions and employment terms have not been announced. Territorial Rights: A bill that could restrict birthright citizenship for some children born in U.S. territories remains without a scheduled House hearing; its sponsor says he cannot confirm whether it has stalled. Reefs: A global study found 44% of assessed reef-building coral species face elevated extinction risk. Its findings predate the severe 2023–25 bleaching event, raising concerns for U.S. Virgin Islands reefs and the communities that depend on them. Local History: Charlotte Amalie is among 10 places named American World War II Heritage Cities by the National Park Service.

Health and Education: USVI officials and a Ghanaian delegation agreed to develop a recruitment framework for Ghanaian nurses and teachers to help fill critical jobs. A memorandum is expected in November, but staffing numbers, qualifications and employment terms have not been announced. Local Heritage: Charlotte Amalie has been named an American World War II Heritage City by the National Park Service, recognizing the territory’s wartime history. Reef Concerns: A new global assessment classifies 44% of reef-building coral species as threatened; the findings predate the severe 2023–2025 bleaching event and include reefs in the USVI. Power Costs: An energy-policy analysis puts USVI residential electricity near 43 cents per kilowatt-hour, arguing island geography means rates are likely to remain far above the mainland even with better utility management. Air Links: Breeze Airways plans to begin nonstop service between Tampa and St. Thomas on Dec. 16.

Health and Education: Ghana and the U.S. Virgin Islands plan to sign a November agreement to recruit Ghanaian nurses and teachers for hard-to-fill jobs. The number of recruits and employment terms have not been announced. Air Access: Breeze Airways is set to launch twice-weekly nonstop flights between Tampa and St. Thomas on Dec. 16. Local Heritage: Charlotte Amalie is among 10 new World War II Heritage Cities named by the National Park Service, recognizing the territory’s wartime history. Climate and Reefs: NOAA’s winter outlook favors warmer-than-average conditions in the Virgin Islands. A global reassessment also found 44% of reef-building coral species face elevated extinction risk; its findings predate the 2023–25 global bleaching event.

Caribbean Film: The 284 Excellence Film Festival in Tortola drew 30 submissions from 10 countries and territories, including the U.S. Virgin Islands, ahead of its Oct. 29–Nov. 1 program. St. Thomas History: Charlotte Amalie is among 10 new National Park Service-designated World War II Heritage Cities. Territorial Rights: A proposed bill would end automatic citizenship for some children born in the territories starting in 2027; its sponsor says he has not read a related Senate bill and cannot confirm whether his measure has stalled. Travel: Breeze Airways is set to launch nonstop Tampa–St. Thomas flights Dec. 16. Reef Risks: A global reassessment found 44% of reef-building coral species threatened, with U.S. Virgin Islands reefs among those facing warming-related risks. Power Costs: A report puts USVI residential electricity rates near 43 cents per kilowatt-hour, citing island geography as a major driver.

Heritage: Charlotte Amalie has been named one of 10 new National Park Service World War II Heritage Cities, recognizing the territory’s role in the war. Climate: NOAA’s winter outlook favors warmer-than-average temperatures for the U.S. Virgin Islands. A new coral assessment found 44% of reef-building species at elevated risk of extinction, based on data collected before the severe 2023–25 bleaching event. Territorial Rights: A bill that could restrict birthright citizenship for some children born in the territories remains without a scheduled hearing. Its sponsor says he cannot confirm whether it has stalled and has not read a related Senate proposal. Travel: Breeze Airways plans to launch nonstop Tampa–St. Thomas flights on Dec. 16. Island Research: Resident photos from St. John and St. Thomas helped researchers document a spider type not previously recorded in the region’s scientific literature.

Territorial Citizenship: Rep. Morgan Griffith says he cannot confirm whether his bill targeting birthright citizenship in U.S. territories has stalled—and says he has not read a similar Senate proposal. His bill would deny automatic citizenship to some children born in the territories starting in 2027. Winter Outlook: NOAA forecasts warmer-than-average temperatures for the U.S. Virgin Islands this winter as a powerful El Niño shapes conditions across the country. Healthcare Funding: A bipartisan bill would set Puerto Rico’s Medicare Advantage payment benchmark to match the U.S. Virgin Islands’, aiming to address a funding gap that leaves Puerto Rico’s payments far lower. Air Links: Breeze Airways plans twice-weekly nonstop flights between Tampa and St. Thomas starting Dec. 16. Island News: Photos from St. John and St. Thomas helped researchers document a spider genus not previously recorded in the region’s scientific literature. Jamaican thriller Stew Peas is also set to open in U.S. Virgin Islands theaters on Oct. 29.

Birthright Citizenship: Rep. Morgan Griffith says he cannot confirm whether his bill to end automatic citizenship for some children born in U.S. territories has stalled. He also says he has not read a Senate version introduced Sept. 30. The House bill remains before two committees, with no hearing scheduled. Winter Outlook: NOAA expects above-average temperatures in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico this winter, as El Niño shapes the December-to-February forecast. New St. Thomas Flights: Breeze Airways plans twice-weekly nonstop service from Tampa beginning Dec. 16, adding a new option for travelers from Florida’s Gulf Coast. Island Wildlife: Photos taken by residents on St. John and St. Thomas helped researchers document a spider genus not previously recorded in the region’s scientific literature.

Power Costs: A utility reform brief says WAPA’s residential rates, near 43 cents per kilowatt-hour, reflect the high costs of the territory’s small, isolated grids; reforms should improve operations, but mainland-level rates are unrealistic. Winter Outlook: NOAA’s 2026–27 forecast favors warmer-than-average temperatures in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands as El Niño shapes the season. New Air Link: Breeze Airways plans twice-weekly nonstop flights between Tampa and St. Thomas starting Dec. 16, adding a winter travel option. Island Science: Photos from St. John and St. Thomas helped researchers document spider types not previously recorded in the Virgin Islands, as part of a study covering the territory and Puerto Rico. Caribbean Cinema: Jamaican thriller “Stew Peas” is set to open Oct. 29 in the USVI, with screenings planned on St. Thomas and St. Croix. Cruise Season: Royal Caribbean’s Rhapsody of the Seas opened Dominica’s season after calls at St. Thomas and St. Croix.