Local news

Virgin Islands lawmakers heard pros and cons Tuesday of a plan to petition Washington to change the Revised Organic Act to allow election of the local attorney general, a position now filled and vacated at the governor’s pleasure. The Committee on Homeland Security, Justice and Public Safety ultimately declined to forward the legislation out of committee, but the debate touched on many hot-button issues around elections, public integrity, and territorial autonomy.

The Senate Committee on Homeland Security, Justice and Public Safety Tuesday tried to determine who should carry a gun and what guns residents should be allowed to carry.

While in the early stages of the 2024 Election process, both the St. Croix and St. Thomas-St. John districts saw a flurry of activity Tuesday, with more than two dozen candidates showing interest in various races.

The Republican Party in the Virgin Islands plans to run its own primary if the Elections System of the Virgin Islands cannot, according to a letter received by the Source Tuesday.

A man who was scheduled to face trial in a St. Thomas murder case pleaded guilty at a hearing held Monday in Superior Court. A Superior Court judge accepted the change of plea from defendant Luis Mota Rivas.

Right to Democracy, an organization that works to advance democracy, equity, and self-determination in the territories, invites the public to a Confronting Colonialism Info Session on Wednesday, May 15, at 12:00 p.m. at Our Town Frederiksted on St. Croix. 

The Virgin Islands Port Authority reopened the Henry E. Rohlsen Airport runway on St. Croix at 11:38 a.m. Tuesday after an emergency landing caused a temporary closure. 

Government House communications director Richard Motta held a short media briefing Monday to announce that Gov. Albert Bryan, Jr. was off-island this week and remind the public of the Health Department’s ViBeWell event in June.

Legislators, elections officials, and legal experts wrestled Monday with how to answer basic elements of Virgin Islands elections thrown into question by a January court ruling.

About 50 people attended a town hall meeting on Monday at David Canegata BallPark Multipurpose Center on St. Croix to address concerns and provide clarity about the documents that must be presented to obtain a limited-purpose driver’s license or a limited-purpose identification card.

The Virgin Islands Little League Softball League came to a successful conclusion when all six teams converged at the Rudy Krieger Ballpark in Sion Farm, St. Croix for a weekend filled with softball. 

Gigantic soap bubbles made in the wind were one of the activities at the Children’s Museum of St. Croix, sold out second annual fundraiser May 11 at the St. Croix Tennis Club. According to board member Ellie Hirsh, the play stations were to demonstrate to adults how children can learn through playing.

As authorities processed a misdemeanor arrest for negligent driving on St. Thomas, they found the defendant had allegedly neglected something else. Court records say that discovery led to felony accusations for the errant driver. 

David S. North was born with dedication to service imbedded in him and never lost track of that primary purpose. He lived it right up until days before he died on April 26 at 95 years old.

In his biweekly column, Langley Shazor speaks to issues important to men within the territory. This week’s topic discusses finding the best version of yourself.

For a U.S. citizen who hails from, say Ohio, there’s more than one way to lose the right to vote in a presidential election. You could become a convicted felon. Or you could just move to the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Watch now: Check out our weekly weather forecast with Jesse Daley, covering Sunday, May 12, through Saturday, May 18.

A second amended complaint filed Friday in Manhattan federal court by six victims of Jeffrey Epstein who are suing the V.I. government for alleged violations of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act claims territory officials actively conspired with the late multimillionaire to perpetuate his sex-trafficking scheme for their own gain.

Mother’s Day weekend at Yacht Haven Grande saw the return of the Virgin Islands Boating Expo, now into its second year in the Virgin Islands. Thirty vessels ranging from power boats to luxury yachts were on display at St. Thomas’ premiere marina.

What started out as a morning of heavy rains and downpours turned out to be an afternoon of sunny skies for the University of the Virgin Islands, Albert A. Sheen Campus “MVP” Class of 2024 graduates. The University conferred over 80 degrees to graduates at the ceremony.