AGP Executive Report

Air Connectivity: United Airlines will launch a new nonstop route between St. Croix (Henry E. Rohlsen Airport) and Newark Liberty starting Oct. 31, 2026—once a week on Saturdays—ending a more-than-30-year gap for direct service to the NYC area. Hurricane Watch: NOAA says the 2026 Atlantic season is likely below normal (55% chance), with 8–14 named storms and 3–6 hurricanes, driven in part by expected El Niño conditions. Energy Reliability: St. Thomas and St. John saw weekend blackouts tied to mechanical instability at a power plant; the utility warned customers to expect outages of about two hours while crews work to restore service. Cybersecurity: A NASCIO-Deloitte study reports state CISO confidence in protecting public data fell from 48% to 22% in four years, with third-party breaches and AI-enabled attacks topping concerns. Broadband Funding: BEAD planning shows ISPs are set to contribute about $11.4B in matching funds—over 37% of total project costs—while noting U.S. Virgin Islands locations were not eligible due to other commitments. Tourism Tech & Travel: Caribbean Week in New York 2026 is drawing regional tourism leaders, including USVI representatives, as destinations push for stronger connectivity and resilience.

Hurricane Outlook: NOAA says the 2026 Atlantic season is likely calmer than usual, with a 55% chance of below-normal activity (8–14 named storms; 3–6 hurricanes; 1–3 major), driven in part by expected El Niño—still a reminder that one storm can hit the U.S. Virgin Islands hard. Local Energy Reliability: St. Thomas and St. John saw weekend blackouts tied to mechanical instability at a power plant, with VI Water and Power warning customers to expect short outages while crews restore service. Broadband Funding: A new analysis of BEAD planning finds ISPs are lining up to cover about $11.4B in matching funds—over 37% of total project costs—while noting the U.S. Virgin Islands had no eligible locations under the program’s rules. Cybersecurity: A NASCIO-Deloitte study reports state CISO confidence in protecting public data fell from 48% to 22% since 2022, with third-party breaches and AI-enabled attacks topping concerns. Caribbean Tech & Tourism: Caribbean Week in New York 2026 is drawing tourism ministers and leaders, including USVI representatives, as the region pushes for stronger connectivity and resilience. Health & Tech Lifestyle: A new column argues sun protection can be greener—using clothing and shade first, then sunscreen when needed.

Hurricane Watch: NOAA says the 2026 Atlantic season has a 55% chance of being below normal, but still expects 8–14 named storms and up to 3–6 hurricanes—so the U.S. Virgin Islands can’t treat a “quiet” forecast as a free pass. Energy Reliability: St. Thomas and St. John saw weekend blackouts tied to mechanical issues at a power plant, with the utility warning of short outages while crews worked to restore service. Broadband Funding Math: A new analysis says internet providers plan to add about $11.4B in matching cash for BEAD projects—over 37% of total costs—while noting the U.S. Virgin Islands had no eligible locations under the program’s rules. Cybersecurity Pressure: A NASCIO-Deloitte study finds state CISO confidence in protecting public data fell from 48% to 22%, with third-party breaches and AI-enabled attacks topping concerns. Local Policy Tech: The USVI Senate advanced a measure to manage green waste via controlled incineration only when safer options like composting and mulching aren’t available. Military Community: The Lyman Museum is again a Blue Star Museum, offering free admission to active-duty service members and families through Sept. 7.

Hurricane Watch: NOAA says the 2026 Atlantic season is likely calmer, with a 55% chance of below-normal activity (8–14 named storms; 3–6 hurricanes; 1–3 major), but officials stress the region can still be hit by a single life-changing storm. Energy Reliability: St. Thomas and St. John saw weekend blackouts tied to mechanical instability at a power plant, with utility crews working to restore service and warning of short outages. Cybersecurity Funding Pressure: A NASCIO-Deloitte study finds state CISO confidence in protecting public data fell from 48% to 22%, with third-party breaches and AI-enabled attacks topping concerns. Local Policy Tech: The USVI Senate advanced a green waste disposal bill that allows controlled incineration only when safer options like shredding, mulching, composting, and reuse aren’t available. Tourism Tech & Connectivity: Caribbean Week in New York 2026 kicked off in Manhattan, bringing USVI and regional leaders together to strengthen connectivity and resilience as global competition intensifies.

Energy Reliability: U.S. Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority reported weekend blackouts on St. Thomas and St. John tied to mechanical fault and plant instability, with outages lasting about two hours when affected. Cybersecurity & Governance: A NASCIO-Deloitte study says state CISO confidence to protect public data fell from 48% to 22% in four years, with third-party breaches and AI-enabled attacks top concerns. Weather Tech: NOAA predicts a below-normal 2026 Atlantic hurricane season (55% chance), forecasting 8–14 named storms and 3–6 hurricanes, citing El Niño and weaker trade winds. Public Safety Online: Bipartisan state attorneys general urged Congress to reject the House Kids Internet and Digital Safety Act, arguing it would preempt state enforcement and weaken protections for minors, including around AI. Health & Travel: Dengue cases in the U.S. jumped 359% in 2024, driven mostly by travel-linked infections, with Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands among the biggest sources. Tourism & Connectivity: Caribbean Week in New York 2026 brings tourism ministers and leaders to Manhattan to coordinate strategy and strengthen air access for the region.

Energy Reliability in the USVI: St. Thomas and St. John saw weekend blackouts tied to mechanical instability at a power plant, leaving nearly 60% of St. Thomas without power at one point and prompting warnings of short outages while crews work to restore service. Cybersecurity Pressure: A new NASCIO-Deloitte study finds state CISO confidence in protecting public data has plunged from 48% to 22% in four years, with third-party breaches and AI-enabled attacks topping concerns—relevant for USVI agencies too. Hurricane Tech & Forecasting: NOAA predicts a below-normal 2026 Atlantic season, with 8–14 named storms and 3–6 hurricanes, citing El Niño and noting upgrades using AI, drones, and improved models. Online Child Safety Fight: Bipartisan state attorneys general are urging Congress to reject the House Kids Internet and Digital Safety Act, arguing it could preempt stronger state protections and weaken accountability for harms to minors. Public Health & Mosquitoes: Google-backed Verily is seeking federal approval to release 32 million mosquitoes in California and Florida as part of a disease-control effort, reigniting ethical and environmental debate. Local Policy: The USVI Senate advanced a measure to manage green waste via controlled incineration only when safer options like shredding, mulching, composting, and reuse aren’t available.

Energy Reliability: St. Thomas and St. John saw weekend blackouts tied to mechanical instability at a power plant, with V.I. Water and Power Authority warning of about two-hour outages and reporting nearly 60% of St. Thomas customers without power as of Sunday night. Cybersecurity & Public Data: A NASCIO-Deloitte study says state CISO confidence to protect public data fell from 48% to 22% over four years, with most CISOs pointing to third-party breaches and AI-enabled attacks as major threats. Local Tech Policy: A bipartisan coalition of 44 state attorneys general urged Congress to reject the House Kids Internet and Digital Safety Act, arguing it would preempt state enforcement and weaken protections for minors, including around age assurance and AI. Tourism Tech & Branding: During Caribbean Week in New York, U.S. Virgin Islands leaders are joining regional tourism ministers and commissioners, with airline analyst Henry Harteveldt set to keynote on airline trends and what they mean for Caribbean air connectivity. Elections & Governance: With the Nov. 2026 filing deadline approaching, unofficially 107 candidates have entered races across governor, delegate, legislature, and boards—raising questions about whether USVI political parties are doing enough to vet candidates and build coherent platforms.

NOAA & Disaster Readiness: NOAA/NWS is rolling out updated hurricane “cone of uncertainty” graphics for 2026, including tweaks meant to better explain forecast errors and reduce overreliance on the storm track line. Local Environment & Waste Policy: The U.S. Virgin Islands Senate advanced a green waste disposal measure (Bill No. 36-0232) that allows controlled incineration only when safer options like shredding, mulching, composting and reuse aren’t available, with added rules aimed at limiting smoke and protecting nearby communities. Online Safety Lawmaking: A bipartisan coalition of 44 state attorneys general urged Congress to reject the House Kids Internet and Digital Safety Act, arguing it would weaken state enforcement and fall short on duties of care, age assurance, and emerging AI risks. Child Safety Enforcement: Connecticut AG William Tong announced an investigation into Roblox over reported child exploitation and harm, signaling more state-level pressure on major platforms. Public Health: A new study reports U.S. dengue cases in 2024 jumped 359% over the 2010–2023 average, driven mostly by travel-linked infections, including a large share tied to the Caribbean and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Coral Research Funding: NOAA designated Nova Southeastern University’s National Coral Reef Institute as the Atlantic Reef Research Coordination hub, expanding support for research and restoration across Florida, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Tourism Tech & Connectivity: Caribbean Week in New York kicks off June 1 with a CTO-led delegation including Gov. Albert Bryan Jr., focusing on partnerships and air connectivity—plus airline analyst Henry Harteveldt’s keynote on “Turbulence & Opportunity” for the Caribbean. STEM & Workforce: A VI Consortium panel at the St. Croix Economic Development Summit warned recovery buildout hinges on attracting, housing, training, and retaining enough skilled workers and strengthening local subcontractor capacity.

Caribbean Tech & Policy: A bipartisan bloc of 44 state attorneys general is urging Congress to reject the House Kids Internet and Digital Safety Act, arguing it would weaken state enforcement and leave gaps in protections for minors, including around age assurance and emerging tech like AI. Local Governance: The U.S. Virgin Islands Senate advanced a green waste disposal measure on St. Thomas, allowing controlled incineration only when safer options like shredding, mulching, composting, and reuse aren’t available, with added rules aimed at reducing smoke and particulate impacts. STEM & Environment: NOAA named Nova Southeastern University’s National Coral Reef Institute as the Atlantic Reef Research Coordination hub, boosting coral reef research and restoration support across Florida, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Workforce & Recovery Tech: A VI Consortium panel at the Economic Development Summit warned recovery projects will hinge on attracting, housing, and training enough skilled workers and strengthening local subcontractor capacity. Tourism Tech: Caribbean Week in New York kicks off June 1, with Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. leading a regional delegation focused on partnerships and innovation to strengthen Caribbean air connectivity and tourism branding.

USVI Policy & Environment: The St. Thomas Senate advanced Bill No. 36-0232 to manage the territory’s green waste crisis using controlled incineration technologies, but lawmakers added guardrails: incineration can only be used when safer options like shredding, mulching, composting, and reuse aren’t available, with added requirements for sorting vegetative vs. non-vegetative debris, reduced smoke/particulates, and stricter fire-safety and operating downtime rules. Online Safety Fight: A bipartisan coalition of 44 state attorneys general urged Congress to reject the House Kids Internet and Digital Safety Act, saying it would preempt state enforcement and leave gaps on platform duty-of-care, age assurance, and emerging tech like AI. Public Health Watch: A new study reports US dengue cases in 2024 jumped 359%, driven mostly by travel-linked infections, with Puerto Rico and the USVI among the key destinations. STEM & Climate Research: NOAA designated Nova Southeastern University’s National Coral Reef Institute as an Atlantic Reef Research Coordination hub, expanding coral reef research and restoration support across Florida, Puerto Rico, and the USVI. Tech, Energy & Data Centers: A major deal ties AI data center growth to fossil fuel power infrastructure, as DigitalBridge moves to acquire ArcLight Capital Partners.

NOAA Hurricane Forecast Updates: NOAA/NWS National Hurricane Center is rolling out new “cone of uncertainty” graphics for 2026, including tweaks to how forecast errors are understood—aimed at helping people avoid over-focusing on the narrow storm-track line. Local Governance: The St. Thomas/St. John Senate advanced a green waste disposal bill (Bill No. 36-0232) that allows controlled incineration only when safer options like shredding, mulching, composting, and reuse aren’t available, with added limits to smoke and particulate matter. AI + Energy Infrastructure: DigitalBridge’s planned acquisition of ArcLight Capital Partners links the AI data center boom to a fossil fuel power portfolio, raising questions about how long coal and gas assets stay in the mix. Online Child Safety Push: AG Letitia James and CT AG William Tong joined a multistate push to reject the federal KIDS Act, arguing it would weaken state authority to protect children online while backing the Senate’s KOSA approach. Public Health: A new study reports U.S. dengue cases in 2024 jumped 359%, driven mostly by travel-linked infections, with a large share tied to Caribbean destinations including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Coral Reef Research: NOAA designated Nova Southeastern University’s National Coral Reef Institute as an Atlantic Reef Research Coordination hub, explicitly including work supporting Florida, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Workforce for Recovery: A VI Consortium panel warned that disaster recovery buildout depends on attracting, housing, training, and retaining enough skilled labor and strengthening local subcontractor capacity. Tech + Immersive Entertainment: Sandbox VR opened its third Las Vegas location, expanding location-based VR experiences for tourists and groups.

Green Waste Policy: The U.S. Virgin Islands Senate approved Bill No. 36-0232 to allow controlled incineration of green waste, but lawmakers added guardrails: incineration can only be used when safer options like shredding, mulching, composting, and reuse aren’t available, with added sorting rules, reduced smoke/particulates, stronger fire safety, and required startup/shutdown procedures. AI + Power Infrastructure: A DigitalBridge deal to acquire ArcLight Capital Partners would link AI data center growth to a fossil-fuel power portfolio, raising questions about how long coal and gas plants stay in the mix. Online Child Safety: Multistate and multibillion-dollar tech policy battles continue, with AGs urging Congress to reject the KIDS Act and Connecticut launching an investigation into Roblox over alleged harm to children. Public Health: A new study says U.S. dengue cases in 2024 jumped 359%, driven mostly by travel—much of it tied to Caribbean destinations including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. STEM Research Capacity: A new NSF EPSCoR-linked report spotlights HBCU research readiness, including institutions in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Coral Reef Science: NOAA designated Nova Southeastern University’s National Coral Reef Institute as an Atlantic Reef Research Coordination hub, explicitly including research and restoration support across Florida, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

AI + Energy Deals: DigitalBridge’s planned acquisition of ArcLight Capital Partners could keep aging coal and gas plants running longer by tying the AI data-center boom to fossil fuel power infrastructure. Online Child Safety Fight: NY and CT AGs joined a bipartisan push to reject the federal KIDS Act, arguing it would weaken state protections for kids online; Connecticut also opened an investigation into Roblox over alleged harm. Public Health: A new report finds U.S. dengue cases jumped 359% in 2024, driven mostly by travel-linked infections, with Puerto Rico and the USVI accounting for a large share. Local Workforce Reality Check: A VI Economic Development Summit warned recovery projects hinge on attracting, housing, training, and retaining enough skilled workers and subcontractors. STEM Research Funding: NOAA named Nova Southeastern University’s National Coral Reef Institute as the Atlantic Reef Research Coordination hub, boosting research and restoration support across Florida, Puerto Rico, and the USVI. Immersive Tech + Tourism: Sandbox VR opened a third Las Vegas location, expanding location-based VR entertainment. Caribbean Tech/Travel Business: Caribbean Week in New York returns June 1 with a high-level regional tourism delegation including USVI leadership.

Online Child Safety Push: New York AG Letitia James joined a bipartisan coalition urging Congress to reject the KIDS Act, saying it would weaken state power to protect kids online and shield big tech; Connecticut AG William Tong also announced an investigation into Roblox over reports of child harm. Public Health Watch: A new study finds U.S. dengue cases in 2024 jumped 359%, driven mostly by travel-linked infections, with the Caribbean—including the U.S. Virgin Islands—accounting for a large share. Coral Reef Research: NOAA named Nova Southeastern University’s National Coral Reef Institute the Atlantic Reef Research Coordination hub, with expanded support for research and restoration across Florida, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Disaster Recovery Workforce: At a St. Croix economic development summit, leaders warned USVI recovery buildout hinges on attracting, housing, training, and retaining enough workers and strengthening local subcontractor capacity. Caribbean Tech & Tourism: Caribbean Week in New York returns June 1 with a regional leadership delegation led by Gov. Albert Bryan Jr., and Fanatics Markets launched a FIFA World Cup 2026 prediction hub available in U.S. Virgin Islands.

USVI Workforce Crunch: A VI Consortium panel on St. Croix warned disaster recovery buildout hinges on attracting, housing, training, and retaining enough skilled workers and subcontractors—citing labor shortages plus gaps in support services like surveying, testing, trucking, and disposal. Coral Reef Research Funding: NOAA designated Nova Southeastern University’s National Coral Reef Institute as the Atlantic Reef Research Coordination hub, boosting coordination and funding for reef research and restoration across Florida, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Public Safety Tech: A new FBI plan would expand nationwide license plate reader access “in near real time,” raising privacy and state-law questions as contractors and states debate data-sharing rules. Online Child Safety: AGs including New York’s Letitia James urged Congress to reject the KIDS Act, arguing it would weaken state power to protect children online, while Connecticut opened an investigation into Roblox. Health Watch: A study found U.S. dengue cases in 2024 jumped 359%, with most infections tied to travel—Caribbean destinations including the USVI accounted for a large share. Tourism & Tech: Caribbean Week in New York returns June 1 with regional leaders, and Fanatics Markets launched a FIFA World Cup 2026 prediction hub available in U.S. Virgin Islands. Local Culture: Charlotte Amalie High School athletic leader Arthur “Jimo” Jamison died at 91.

Finance & Markets: SCOR just announced a cash tender offer for its EUR 250M 2047 subordinated notes and EUR 500M 2048 notes, alongside plans to issue new subordinated debt—watch this closely for how it reshapes its capital strategy. Online Child Safety: Attorney General James joined a bipartisan push urging Congress to reject the KIDS Act, while Connecticut AG Tong opened an investigation into Roblox over alleged child harm—both moves keep the spotlight on how states can regulate Big Tech. Public Health: A new study says U.S. dengue cases in 2024 jumped 359%, driven mostly by travel, with the Caribbean—including Puerto Rico and the USVI—accounting for a big share. Local Workforce Reality Check: USVI recovery planning is running into a familiar bottleneck: not just funding, but enough workers, housing, transport, and capable local subcontractors. Tech Surveillance Watch: The FBI is seeking nationwide access to license plate reader data “in near real time,” raising fresh privacy and state-law concerns. Odds & Ends: Mega Millions is back in the $311M range, and yes, people are still chasing the next big win.