AGP Executive Report

Local Governance: Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. signed a package of bills into law for St. Thomas/St. John, including mental health education, paid leave for parents of children with disabilities, and a measure allowing green-waste disposal via controlled incineration tech, plus changes tied to hotel development bond proceeds and elections operations. Tech & Access to Law: Guam’s new “Territorial Review” website is live, offering free, plain-English search of Supreme Court of Guam opinions and the Guam Code, with citations reviewed by a human editor. Climate & Risk: NOAA reports May 2026 as the world’s second-warmest May on record, with a high chance 2026 stays among the four warmest years; meanwhile, NWS Miami says no tsunami threat after a 6.1 quake west of Cuba. Privacy & Business Tech: A 3rd Circuit update on session replay code highlights what businesses can do to reduce risk from website tracking-related lawsuits. STEM/Infrastructure: A regional heritage dialogue spotlights digital storytelling and research exchanges to preserve Caribbean cultural memory, including resilient traditional building practices. Local Community Tech: St. Croix Relay for Life returns for its 25th year, with organizers aiming to top a $300,000 fundraising goal.

Travel Tech & Local Impact: Hotels.com says booking last-minute (8–14 days) and starting a stay on Sunday can cut hotel costs by up to ~40%, and it notes St. Croix hotel prices are down about 15% versus last summer. Cybersecurity & Privacy: A 3rd Circuit update on session replay code (SRC) highlights when website tracking claims fail—useful for businesses tightening privacy and security practices. Data Privacy Enforcement: The FTC finalized a modified order against Illuminate Education after a breach exposed data for 10.1 million students, underscoring how weak security and delayed notifications can trigger federal action. Hurricane Tech & Research: NOAA is using uncrewed surface vehicles to study hurricanes, including deployments off the U.S. Virgin Islands aimed at collecting real-time conditions for better forecasting. Climate Watch: NOAA reports May 2026 was the second-warmest May on record, with high odds that 2026 ranks among the four warmest years. Caribbean Heritage Tech: A Caribbean-wide digital heritage push is using research exchanges and digital storytelling to preserve historic sites and traditional building knowledge, including work tied to the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Lottery & Community: Powerball climbed to a $238M jackpot (cash value $106.1M) for the June 10 drawing, with the U.S. Virgin Islands among the places where anyone meeting the age requirement can buy tickets. Privacy & Consumer Tech: A 3rd Circuit ruling offers practical guidance for businesses facing lawsuits over session replay code, emphasizing that lack of injury and standing can sink claims. Hurricane Tech & Preparedness: NOAA forecasts a below-normal 2026 Atlantic hurricane season (8–14 named storms; 3–6 hurricanes), while NOAA also highlights new hurricane research using uncrewed surface vehicles deployed near the U.S. Virgin Islands. Local Health: St. Croix’s Relay for Life marked its 25th year, raising over $200,000 toward a $300,000 goal and spotlighting survivor stories. Climate Context: NOAA reports May 2026 as the world’s second-warmest May on record, reinforcing the broader backdrop for Caribbean resilience planning. Regional Heritage: A Caribbean-wide digital heritage push is spotlighting cultural preservation, including research on traditional Caribbean building practices tied to climate resilience.

Climate Watch: NOAA says May 2026 was the world’s second-warmest May on record, with a 95% chance 2026 lands among the four warmest years—an update that matters for island weather planning. Local Business & Tech: Onity Group (with offices and operations in the U.S. Virgin Islands) announced CFO Sean O’Neil will present June 17 at the Sidoti Small Cap Conference, with investor meetings available. Disaster Recovery Policy: A House Financial Services hearing focused on how HUD’s CDBG-DR program handles local needs after disasters, highlighting why the rules can be hard for communities to use. Privacy & Security: A 3rd Circuit update on session replay code (SRC) lawsuits offers businesses a clearer path to challenge claims tied to website tracking. Hurricane Research: NOAA and partners deployed uncrewed surface vehicles near the U.S. Virgin Islands to collect real-time data in extreme hurricane conditions. Travel Connectivity: United Airlines will launch a new nonstop Newark–St. Croix route starting Oct. 31, 2026.

Caribbean Heritage & Tech: A Caribbean-wide dialogue tied to the Caribbean Culture Fund’s digital heritage push focused on preserving historic sites, oral histories, and traditional building knowledge, including the Resilient Houses Project linking Saba and Dominica through research exchanges, restoration, and digital storytelling. Local Tech/Legal Watch: A long-running dispute over Larry Page’s U.S. Virgin Islands islands (Hans Lollik and Little Hans Lollik) hit another snag after mediation failed, sending negotiations to further court proceedings. Hurricane Readiness & Research: NOAA-backed uncrewed surface robots were deployed off the U.S. Virgin Islands to study hurricanes in extreme conditions, feeding real-time data to the National Hurricane Center; NOAA also projects a below-normal Atlantic season, but officials stress preparedness. Privacy & Consumer Data: The 3rd Circuit offered guidance on website session replay code litigation, emphasizing limits on claims when plaintiffs can’t show injury or standing. Travel Connectivity: United Airlines announced a new nonstop Newark–St. Croix route starting Oct. 31, 2026, a major boost for direct access between the NYC region and the island.

Caribbean Digital Heritage: The Caribbean Culture Fund launched Artefacts of Jamaica, bringing together cultural practitioners from Jamaica, Dominica, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Saba to tackle how to preserve historic sites, oral histories, and traditional building knowledge as development and climate pressures mount. Coastal Tech & Resilience: A new corrosion-design framework argues coastal solar and battery projects need tougher electrical-enclosure planning than standard models assume, aiming to extend the life of PV and BESS in salt, humidity, and UV-heavy environments. Hurricane Readiness: NOAA is forecasting a below-normal 2026 Atlantic season (8–14 named storms; 3–6 hurricanes), but VI and Caribbean coverage stresses that even one major storm can disrupt communities—so residents should review plans and supplies now. Hurricane Research Breakthrough: NOAA and partners deployed uncrewed surface robots from the U.S. Virgin Islands to collect real-time hurricane data, including missions targeting hurricane eyewalls. Privacy & Business Risk: A 3rd Circuit update on session replay code (SRC) claims highlights what businesses can do to reduce exposure from website tracking litigation. Local Community Health: St. Croix’s Relay for Life marked its 25th year, raising over $200,000 toward a $300,000 goal and spotlighting survivor stories. Travel Connectivity: United Airlines announced a new nonstop Newark–St. Croix route starting Oct. 31, 2026, improving access to the island from the NYC region.

Hurricane Watch: NOAA is forecasting a below-normal 2026 Atlantic season (55% chance), with 8–14 named storms and 3–6 hurricanes—still a reminder that one major hit can disrupt the U.S. Virgin Islands. Disaster Tech & Research: NOAA and partners deployed uncrewed surface robots off the U.S. Virgin Islands to study hurricanes in extreme conditions, aiming to improve intensity forecasts and feed real-time data to the National Hurricane Center. Privacy & Business Security: The 3rd Circuit offered guidance on session replay code and website tracking litigation, emphasizing what plaintiffs must show to sue—useful for local businesses reviewing data practices. Cybersecurity/Consumer Safety: The FTC finalized an order against Illuminate Education over a large student-data breach tied to weak security and delayed notifications. Travel Connectivity: United Airlines announced a new nonstop Newark–St. Croix route starting Oct. 31, 2026, a major boost for regional travel. Local Community Tech Angle: St. Croix Relay for Life marks 25 years, with organizers targeting $300,000 for cancer support.

Hurricane Watch (Eastern Pacific): Tropical Storm Cristina formed Monday in the North Pacific, with the National Hurricane Center warning that even weaker systems can trigger flash flooding far inland. Hurricane Watch (Eastern Pacific): Another named storm, Boris, also formed Monday, again highlighting heavy-rain and flooding risk away from the center. Hurricane Outlook (Atlantic): NOAA is forecasting a below-normal 2026 Atlantic season (55% chance), with 8–14 named storms and 3–6 hurricanes, driven in part by El Niño and warmer Atlantic waters. Hurricane Research Tech: NOAA and partners deployed five uncrewed surface robots from the U.S. Virgin Islands last summer, aiming to collect real-time hurricane eyewall data to improve forecasts. Privacy & Business Tech: The 3rd Circuit offered guidance on session replay code lawsuits, focusing on when plaintiffs can’t show injury or standing. Cyber/Infrastructure (Broadband): BEAD planning shows ISPs are lining up to fund a large share of broadband project costs, shaping what connectivity reaches hard-to-serve areas. Local Energy Reliability: St. Thomas and St. John saw blackouts over the weekend tied to power-plant mechanical issues, with customers warned to expect outages.

Cybersecurity & Privacy Enforcement: The FTC finalized a modified order against education tech firm Illuminate after alleging it failed to use reasonable security for cloud-stored student data, tied to a breach affecting 10.1 million students—another reminder that privacy promises can turn into enforceable obligations. Scam Alert: Medicare Fraud Prevention Week spotlights a fast-growing phone scam using AI voice cloning, where callers impersonate a beneficiary’s daughter and push for urgent Medicare details. Hurricane Tech & Preparedness: NOAA is forecasting a below-normal 2026 Atlantic season (55% chance), with 8–14 named storms and 3–6 hurricanes; officials stress that even one major storm can disrupt the USVI. Coastal Energy Reliability: A new corrosion design framework targets longer life for coastal PV and BESS by accounting for salt air, humidity, wind-driven rain, and UV—key for island infrastructure. Hurricane Research Robotics: NOAA and partners deployed uncrewed surface robots from the USVI to collect real-time hurricane eyewall data, aiming to improve intensity forecasts. Broadband Funding: A BEAD spending analysis finds ISPs plan to add nearly $11.4B in matching funds for broadband projects across states and territories (noting USVI ineligibility due to other commitments). Local Power Reliability: Reports of St. Thomas and St. John blackouts point to mechanical faults at a power plant, with customers facing short outages while crews restore service.

Hurricane Watch: NOAA is forecasting a below-normal 2026 Atlantic season (55% chance), with 8–14 named storms and 3–6 hurricanes, including 1–3 major hurricanes—so the U.S. Virgin Islands still needs to plan for the one storm that can matter most. Local Resilience: The VI Water and Power Authority reported weekend blackouts on St. Thomas and St. John tied to mechanical instability at a power plant, with outages affecting a large share of customers. STEM & Research: NOAA and partners deployed five uncrewed surface robots off the U.S. Virgin Islands last summer to study hurricanes in extreme conditions, aiming to improve intensity forecasts and feed real-time data to the National Hurricane Center. Cybersecurity: A new NASCIO-Deloitte study finds public-data protection confidence among CISOs has fallen sharply, with third-party breaches and AI-enabled attacks topping concerns—an issue for territory agencies too. Connectivity: United announced a new nonstop Newark–St. Croix route starting Oct. 31, 2026, boosting air access for residents and visitors.

Cybersecurity & Privacy Enforcement: The FTC finalized a modified order against Illuminate Education, saying the ed-tech firm failed to use reasonable security for cloud-stored student data, after vulnerabilities were flagged by a vendor and a breach exposed records for 10.1 million students. Hurricane Forecasting: NOAA predicts a below-normal 2026 Atlantic season (55% chance), with 8–14 named storms and 3–6 hurricanes, citing El Niño development and weaker trade winds. Coastal Tech Resilience: A corrosion design framework argues coastal PV and BESS projects need stronger upfront durability planning than standard electrical screening assumes, since salt air and humidity can shorten equipment life. Local Infrastructure & Power: The VI Water and Power Authority reported weekend blackouts on St. Thomas and St. John tied to mechanical instability at a power plant, with outages affecting about 22% of customers Sunday night. Broadband Funding: A new analysis says ISPs plan to contribute nearly $11.4B in matching funds for BEAD, exceeding the 25% minimum—though the U.S. Virgin Islands had no eligible locations due to other commitments. Tourism Connectivity: United announced a new nonstop Newark–St. Croix route starting Oct. 31, 2026, aiming to boost air access for the territory. STEM Research: NOAA and partners deployed uncrewed surface robots from the U.S. Virgin Islands to study hurricane conditions, including sending vehicles toward eyewalls for real-world data. Governance & Representation: A report highlights that U.S. territory residents, including in the U.S. Virgin Islands, have no senators and only nonvoting House representation, tying it to the Insular Cases.

Hurricane Watch: NOAA says the 2026 Atlantic season is likely “below normal” (55% chance), with 8–14 named storms and 3–6 hurricanes—El Niño and slightly warmer Atlantic waters are key factors, but officials stress prep still matters. Disaster Readiness: A separate local-focused roundup urges residents to review plans and kits even with a calmer forecast, since one storm can still disrupt communities. Coastal Tech: A corrosion-focused design framework aims to extend the life of coastal PV and BESS by accounting for salt air, humidity, wind-driven rain, and UV—an issue many electrical designs underestimate. Cybersecurity: A new NASCIO-Deloitte study finds 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. Privacy & Security: The FTC finalized a modified order against Illuminate Education after a breach exposed 10.1 million students, highlighting gaps between privacy promises and real security practices. Tourism & Connectivity: Caribbean Week in New York 2026 is underway, with USVI leaders among ministers pushing “One Caribbean” branding and stronger air connectivity. Energy Reliability: VI Water and Power Authority reported weekend blackouts on St. Thomas and St. John tied to a mechanical fault, with customers warned to expect outages.

Hurricane Watch: NOAA is forecasting a below-normal 2026 Atlantic season: 8–14 named storms, 3–6 hurricanes, and 1–3 major hurricanes, with El Niño expected to suppress storm formation even as Atlantic waters run slightly warmer. Disaster Readiness: Local emergency messaging still stresses “prepare anyway” because one storm can overwhelm infrastructure and disrupt communities. Coastal Tech Resilience: A corrosion-focused design framework aims to extend the life of coastal PV and battery energy storage systems, targeting salt air and humidity that can shorten equipment service life. Cybersecurity for Public Data: A new NASCIO-Deloitte study finds state CISO confidence in protecting public data has fallen from 48% to 22% in four years, with third-party breaches and AI-enabled attacks topping concerns. Privacy & Security Enforcement: The FTC finalized an order against Illuminate Education after a breach exposed data of 10.1 million students, highlighting gaps between privacy promises and real security practices. Local Energy Instability: Weekend blackouts hit St. Thomas and St. John amid power plant mechanical issues, leaving about 22% of customers without service Sunday night. STEM/Research: NOAA and partners deployed uncrewed ocean robots from the U.S. Virgin Islands to collect real-time hurricane data, including potential eyewall missions. Tourism Connectivity: United announced a new nonstop Newark–St. Croix route starting Oct. 31, 2026, boosting regional travel options.

Medicare Fraud Alert: The FTC and partners are warning that Medicare scams are evolving fast in 2026, with phone calls now using AI voice cloning to sound like a loved one and push victims to hand over Medicare details. Coastal Solar & Storage Durability: A new corrosion-focused design framework argues coastal PV and BESS projects need tougher upfront electrical equipment planning, since salt air, humidity, and UV can shorten real-world service life beyond standard models. Hurricane Tech & Readiness: NOAA is backing hurricane research with uncrewed surface robots deployed off the U.S. Virgin Islands, aiming to improve intensity forecasts and feed real-time data to the National Hurricane Center, while NOAA’s 2026 Atlantic outlook still calls for a below-normal season—no reason to skip preparedness. Energy Reliability in the VI: St. Thomas and St. John saw weekend blackouts tied to instability at a power plant, with the utility warning of short outages while crews work to restore service. Cybersecurity Funding Pressure: A NASCIO-Deloitte study finds state CISO confidence in protecting public data has fallen sharply, with third-party breaches and AI-enabled attacks topping concerns. Tourism Connectivity: United announced a new nonstop Newark–St. Croix route starting Oct. 31, 2026, a major boost for travel tech and regional access.

Coastal Energy Resilience: A new corrosion-design framework argues that salt air, humidity, wind-driven rain, and UV can shorten the life of coastal PV and battery storage systems faster than standard models assume—pushing designers to use the National Electrical Code as a safety floor, not a service-life guarantee. Hurricane Readiness: NOAA is forecasting a below-normal 2026 Atlantic season (8–14 named storms; 3–6 hurricanes), but local guidance stresses that one storm can still disrupt the U.S. Virgin Islands—so residents should review plans and kits now. Local Power Reliability: St. Thomas and St. John saw weekend blackouts tied to mechanical instability at a power plant, with the utility warning of short outages while crews restore service. Cybersecurity Watch: A NASCIO-Deloitte study reports U.S. Virgin Islands and other jurisdictions face a sharp drop in CISO confidence in protecting public data, with third-party breaches and AI-enabled attacks topping concerns. Broadband Funding: BEAD planning shows private ISPs are expected to match federal broadband dollars at scale, with analysis covering most states and territories (noting USVI had no eligible locations under the program rules). Tourism Tech & Connectivity: Caribbean Week in New York 2026 brings USVI leaders into regional talks on market strategy and air connectivity as competition intensifies.

Hurricane Tech & Preparedness: NOAA says the 2026 Atlantic season is likely below normal (55% chance), but the U.S. Virgin Islands still needs to plan for the one storm that can matter most. Robotics for Storm Forecasting: NOAA and partners deployed five uncrewed surface robots from the U.S. Virgin Islands last summer, aiming to send real-time hurricane eyewall data to forecasters. Energy Reliability: St. Thomas and St. John saw weekend blackouts tied to mechanical issues at a power plant, underscoring ongoing grid instability. Cybersecurity Watch: A new NASCIO-Deloitte study finds state CISO confidence in protecting public data fell from 48% to 22%, with third-party breaches and AI-enabled attacks flagged as top threats. Broadband Funding: BEAD planning shows ISPs are set to match with nearly $11.4B of their own cash—over 37% of total project costs—though USVI eligibility constraints remain. Tourism & Connectivity: Caribbean Week in New York 2026 brings USVI leaders into regional talks on boosting air access and resilient tourism growth. Travel Tech: United announced a new nonstop between St. Croix and Newark starting Oct. 31, 2026.