AGP Executive Report

Local Food Security: USVI agencies are bracing for new SNAP work and volunteer rules starting Sept. 1, warning up to 5,000 residents could lose benefits—raising fears of deeper hunger, more homelessness, and added strain on DHS and local nonprofits. Territory Politics & Rights: A Pence-founded think tank is urging Congress to restrict birthright citizenship in U.S. territories, citing the Insular Cases and calling for statutory changes for places like the USVI. Community & Youth Leadership: USVI-linked youth news includes FFA chapters earning national recognition, with students set to be honored at the National FFA Convention. Public Service Spotlight: Former USVI Gov. Kenneth Mapp received the Virgin Islands Medal of Honor, and a highway on St. Croix was named for him. Culture & Arts: A Miami arts feature highlights a filmmaker’s faith-driven push to bring an AI-themed sci-fi short to life—showing how local creative dreams keep moving forward. Travel & Lifestyle: Norwegian Cruise Line opened Summer 2028 bookings, including Caribbean calls, as travelers plan earlier for more time ashore.

Local Food Security: New SNAP work and volunteer rules starting Sept. 1 could affect up to 5,000 people in the U.S. Virgin Islands, with housing and homelessness officials warning that even partial benefit loss may push residents toward food pantries and unstable housing. Community & Youth Leadership: FFA momentum continues with SEB Middle earning a national two-star ranking and Crockett FFA taking three-star recognition—both tied to strong student programs and leadership activities. Public Service Honors: Former USVI Gov. Kenneth Mapp receives the Virgin Islands Medal of Honor, and a highway on St. Croix is named for him. Culture & Arts: A Miami filmmaker’s sci-fi short about grief and AI is gaining traction, while Poetry Out Loud registration opens for schools and organizations. Politics & Citizenship Debate: A Pence-founded think tank urges Congress to restrict birthright citizenship in U.S. territories, citing the Insular Cases. National Spotlight on VI: Phillies reliever Alex McFarlane carries “VI STRONG” after hurricanes derailed his youth baseball in St. Thomas. Health & Housing (National): HUD’s Scott Turner joins a foster-youth housing discussion in Montana, highlighting transition support as a homelessness prevention tool.

Local Food Security: USVI agencies are bracing for a hit to SNAP as new work and volunteer requirements kick in Sept. 1, with officials warning up to 5,000 residents could lose benefits—raising fears of deeper hunger, more unstable housing, and added pressure on housing and nonprofit services. Community & Culture: The Delta Sigma Theta Sorority’s 55th Eastern Regional Conference brought thousands of women to Baltimore, filling the city with red and spotlighting Black leadership across education, business, civic life, and community organizing. USVI Recognition: Former Gov. Kenneth Ezra Mapp received the Virgin Islands Medal of Honor, and a St. Croix highway was named for him—honoring his public service and leadership through Hurricanes Irma and Maria. Youth & Education: SEB Middle FFA earned a national Two-Star ranking, while Crockett FFA secured a three-star national chapter recognition—both tied to leadership, community service, and agriculture education. Sports & Pride: Phillies reliever Alex McFarlane, a St. Thomas native, shared how Irma and Maria reshaped his path to the majors and why he carries “VI STRONG” with him. Weather Watch: Tropical Storm Dolly formed but quickly unraveled, with remnants expected to bring squally conditions and locally heavy rain to parts of the eastern Caribbean, including the Virgin Islands.

Local Food Security Watch: USVI agencies warn new SNAP work and volunteer rules starting Sept. 1 could affect up to 5,000 residents, raising fears of deeper hunger, more homelessness, and added strain on DHS and local nonprofits. Community & Youth Recognition: Crockett FFA in Texas and North Pitt FFA both earned national three-star chapter recognition—proof that hands-on ag education and community service are paying off. Territory Pride & Service: Former USVI Gov. Kenneth Mapp received the Virgin Islands Medal of Honor, and a highway on St. Croix was named for him. Culture & Travel Connections: Caribbean Media Exchange will honor hospitality pioneer Ralph Taylor at its Dec. 6 fundraiser, spotlighting the region’s all-inclusive tourism legacy. Sports With a VI Tie: Phillies reliever Alex McFarlane credits his St. Thomas roots—“VI STRONG”—after Irma and Maria reshaped his path to the majors. Weather Note: Tropical Storm Dolly formed but unraveled quickly; remnants may still bring squally showers and locally heavy rain to parts of the eastern Caribbean, including the Virgin Islands. Public Life & Policy: ICE’s “detain nearly all” approach for undocumented immigrants was ruled unlawful by a federal appeals court, with the decision taking effect in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Big Money, Big Questions: Meta settlements tied to youth social media safety include claims that also cover Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Local Events: St. Thomas’ Labour Day horse races were canceled after legislative and licensing hurdles.

Medal of Honor Monday: Former USVI Gov. Kenneth Mapp received the Virgin Islands Medal of Honor, and St. Thomas also marked Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Robert Edward Galer’s WWII heroism—plus a “Gov. Kenneth E. Mapp Highway” designation. Local Housing & Youth Support: HUD Secretary Scott Turner joined the governor for a foster youth housing discussion focused on keeping young people housed and moving toward independence. Food Security Watch: USVI agencies warned that new SNAP work and volunteer requirements starting Sept. 1 could affect up to 5,000 residents, raising fears of more hunger, pantry demand, and homelessness. Community & Culture: CMEx is spotlighting Caribbean hospitality pioneer Ralph Taylor ahead of its Dec. 6 Leadership Awards. Tropical Weather: Tropical Storm Dolly formed but unraveled quickly; remnants may still bring squally showers and some rain relief to the eastern Caribbean and the Virgin Islands. Territory Politics: The 36th Legislature sent a horse racing and gaming bill back to committee after Gov. Bryan said it effectively killed the deal.

Medal of Honor & Local Pride: Former USVI Gov. Kenneth Mapp received the Virgin Islands Medal of Honor, with a St. Croix highway named for him—an emotional reminder of leadership through Hurricanes Irma and Maria. Community & Culture: Caribbean Media Exchange (CMEx) will honor hospitality pioneer Ralph Taylor at its 2026 Leadership Awards, spotlighting the all-inclusive concept’s Caribbean roots. Food Security Watch: USVI agencies are bracing for new SNAP work and volunteer rules starting Sept. 1, warning up to 5,000 people could be affected and more families may turn to pantries as homelessness pressures rise. Sports & Youth: Golden Eagle women’s basketball released its full 2026-27 slate, including a Thanksgiving trip to the U.S. Virgin Islands. Territory News: St. Thomas horse racing’s Labour Day races were canceled after a legislative bill was sent back to committee, leaving the industry without the needed license. Online Safety: Meta’s massive child-safety settlement includes claims covering the U.S. Virgin Islands, with new limits and design changes aimed at reducing teen addiction.

Food Security & Housing: USVI agencies are bracing for fallout from new SNAP work and volunteer rules starting Sept. 1, warning up to 5,000 residents could lose benefits—pushing more people toward food pantries, unstable housing, and homelessness as government and nonprofits strain. Local Governance: St. Thomas lawmakers sent a horse racing and gaming bill back to committee instead of approving it, a move Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. says effectively killed the deal—leading to the cancellation of Labour Day races on STT. Youth, Arts & Education: Poetry Out Loud school registration is open now through Oct. 30, with free curriculum materials available for teachers and students gearing up for school and state competitions. Community & Culture: Delta Sigma Theta Sorority’s 55th Eastern Regional Conference brought thousands of Black women in red to Baltimore, highlighting leadership, education, and civic power. Sports & Local Pride: Phillies reliever Alex McFarlane, a St. Thomas native, credits his “VI STRONG” community mindset after Hurricane Irma and Maria reshaped his path to the majors. Sailing & Tourism: St. Croix will host the 2026 ISCA Sunfish World Championship Nov. 4–14, with the regatta serving as a Pan American Games qualifier.

Food Security & Housing: USVI agencies are bracing for fallout from new SNAP work and volunteer rules starting Sept. 1, warning that up to 5,000 residents could lose benefits—driving more people toward food pantries, unstable housing, and homelessness as government and nonprofits strain to keep up. Local Governance: The St. Thomas Labour Day horse races were cancelled after the Legislature sent the Southland Gaming bill back to committee, leaving the deal without the license needed for the Sept. 6 race day. Youth & Online Safety: A major multistate Meta settlement includes the U.S. Virgin Islands, with new child-safety requirements for Facebook and Instagram—plus money tied to the case—aimed at reducing addictive design and mental health harms. Community & Sports: St. Croix will host the 2026 ISCA Worlds and Pan American Games qualifying event, bringing international sailors to the territory Nov. 4–14. Weather Watch: Tropical Storm Dolly formed but unraveled quickly, with only a chance of squally weather and locally heavy rain as remnants move toward the eastern Caribbean and the Virgin Islands.

Territory Spotlight: St. Thomas native Alex McFarlane keeps “VI STRONG” close as he makes his MLB debut with the Phillies, after Hurricanes Irma and Maria wiped out local baseball and forced him to rebuild his path off-island. Local Governance & Community: On St. Thomas, the Labour Day horse races have been cancelled after the Legislature sent the Southland Gaming bill back to committee, leaving the planned Sept. 6 race day without the needed license. Sports & Culture: St. Croix is set to host the 2026 ISCA Sunfish World Championship (Nov. 4–14), a major international sailing event and a Pan American Games qualifier, with opening ceremonies at Christiansted Fort. Youth & Online Safety: A sweeping multistate Meta settlement includes the U.S. Virgin Islands, with new child-safety requirements for Facebook and Instagram and major payouts tied to the case. Journalism & Accountability: The Miami Herald and WLRN won top honors at the Sunshine State Awards for their Brightline investigative series “Killer Train,” underscoring the role of watchdog reporting across the region.

Local Sports Pride: Phillies reliever Alex McFarlane credits his St. Thomas roots for his “VI STRONG” mindset after Hurricanes Irma and Maria wiped out his community’s baseball fields and left the island rebuilding for months. Caribbean Travel: Norwegian Cruise Line opened Summer 2028 bookings with 450+ voyages across 20 ships, including Caribbean sailings and lots of long port days—an early nudge for travelers planning ahead. Youth & Education: North Pitt FFA earned national recognition in the 2026 National Chapter Award Program, joining a wider push for hands-on learning and leadership. Community & Weather Watch: Tropical Storm Dolly formed but quickly unraveled, with remnants still expected to bring squally weather and locally heavy rain to parts of the eastern Caribbean, including the Virgin Islands later this weekend. USVI Governance: St. Thomas horse racing on Labor Day weekend was canceled after the Legislature sent the gaming bill back to committee, leaving Southland Gaming without the needed license. Online Safety Policy: A federal appeals court ruled ICE’s “detain nearly all” policy for long-term undocumented immigrants is unlawful, with the decision taking effect in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Youth Social Media Accountability: A landmark $17.1 billion Meta settlement over alleged addictive design and misleading safety claims is set to reshape youth protections, with the U.S. Virgin Islands included in the multistate deal and Meta required to add new child-safety measures like daily time limits and other controls. Local Governance & Public Life: In St. Thomas, the Legislature sent a horse racing and gaming bill back to committee after Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. said the process effectively killed the planned Sept. 6 Labour Day races—leading to the event’s cancellation. Immigration Courts: A federal appeals court ruled ICE’s policy to detain nearly all undocumented immigrants without hearings is unlawful, with the decision taking immediate effect in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Community & Culture: St. Croix will host the 2026 ISCA Sunfish World Championship (Nov. 4–14), a major international sailing event and a Pan American Games qualifier. Lifestyle & Travel: A new Caribbean travel roundup highlights the “best beaches” chosen by locals and travel experts, with the focus on avoiding tourist traps.

Youth Online Safety & Accountability: Meta has agreed to a sweeping $17.1 billion settlement over claims it designed Facebook and Instagram to be addictive to minors and misled the public on safety—an effort that also includes the U.S. Virgin Islands in the multistate deal, with required child-safety changes like daily time limits and other controls. Local Governance & Community Life: On St. Thomas, the Labour Day horse races were cancelled after the Legislature sent the key Southland Gaming bill back to committee, leaving the event without the needed license. Weather Watch: Tropical Storm Dolly formed east of the islands but unraveled quickly; remnants may still bring squally weather and locally heavy rain to the eastern Caribbean and the Virgin Islands later this weekend. Sports & Tourism: St. Croix will host the 2026 ISCA Worlds and Pan American Games qualifying event, bringing international sailors to Christiansted Nov. 4–14. Culture & Education: Poetry Out Loud registration is open for the 2026–27 school year, with the program spanning U.S. territories including the U.S. Virgin Islands. Arts & Wellness: Norwegian Aura is rolling out new wellness and dining upgrades, adding more thermal experiences and fresh specialty options for Caribbean travelers.

Local Governance: The Labour Day horse races at Clinton E. Phipps Sr Racetrack on St. Thomas were cancelled after the Legislature sent the Southland Gaming horse-racing bill back to committee, leaving Southland without the needed license. Territorial Citizenship Debate: A conservative think-tank is pushing the idea that Congress can “limit U.S. citizenship” in territories, reviving fears around birthright citizenship for places like the U.S. Virgin Islands. Youth Online Safety & Consumer Protections: Meta’s massive multistate settlement includes the U.S. Virgin Islands and adds child-safety rules for Facebook and Instagram, with daily time caps and other limits aimed at reducing compulsive use. Local Sports & Community: St. Croix will host the ISCA World Championship and Pan American Games qualifying sailing event Nov. 4–14, bringing international competitors and spotlighting the island’s maritime culture. Culture & Education: Poetry Out Loud registration is open for the 2026–27 school year, with the program active across U.S. territories including the U.S. Virgin Islands. Island Life & Travel: A Caribbean cruise itinerary highlights stops including Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, as travel brands market 2027 sailings from San Juan.

USVI Sports & Gaming: The Labour Day horse races at Clinton E. Phipps Sr Racetrack on St. Thomas were cancelled after the Legislature sent the Southland Gaming horse-racing bill back to committee, leaving Southland without the needed license to run the Sept. 6 event. Territorial Politics: The 36th Legislature also confirmed two gubernatorial nominees tied to WAPA and the Board of Pharmacy, while forwarding housing and land-use bills to the governor. Youth Online Safety: Meta’s landmark $17.1B settlement over addictive features on Facebook and Instagram includes U.S. Virgin Islands participation, with new child-safety steps like daily time caps and removal of like counters. St. Croix Sailing Spotlight: St. Croix will host the 2026 ISCA World Championship (Nov. 4–14), a Pan American Games qualifier, bringing international Sunfish sailors to the island. Culture & Education: Poetry Out Loud registration is open for the 2026–27 school year, with the program active across the U.S. Virgin Islands and other U.S. jurisdictions.

Social Media & Youth Safety: New Hampshire Gov. Kelly Ayotte and AG John Formella announced a landmark multistate Meta settlement worth up to $224.3 million for the Granite State, with Meta required to add major child-safety changes to Facebook and Instagram. Territorial Impact: The same deal also covers claims involving the U.S. Virgin Islands, as part of a broader $17.1 billion agreement with 48 states and territories. More State Payouts: South Dakota is set to receive at least $52.6 million (with possible growth), while Oklahoma is guaranteed more than $235 million, as Meta faces court approval and new youth protections. Local Sports Spotlight: St. Croix will host the 2026 ISCA World Championship (Nov. 4–14), a qualifying event for the Pan American Games, with sailors from around the world and local opening ceremonies in Christiansted. Community & Culture: Poetry Out Loud registration is open for the 2026–2027 school year, with the program spanning U.S. territories including the U.S. Virgin Islands. USVI Budget Pressure: USVI OMB Director Julio Rhymer Jr. warned lawmakers about a projected $59 million deficit tied to lower-than-expected revenues, and urged action to cover near-term cash needs.

Online Safety & Consumer Protection: A sweeping $17.1 billion multistate settlement with Meta over alleged addictive design on Facebook and Instagram is moving through court review, with the U.S. Virgin Islands named among the jurisdictions seeking safeguards for children and teens. Territorial Finance: U.S. Virgin Islands OMB Director Julio Rhymer Jr. warned lawmakers that revenues are tracking about 9.4% below forecast, putting a projected $59 million deficit on the table and pointing to possible use of legal settlement funds to cover near-term gaps. Culture & Community: Caribbean Media Exchange (CMEx) launched honoree profiles for its 2026 Leadership Awards, spotlighting “Carivangelist” Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon and her decades of sharing Caribbean culture and lifestyle. Local Environment & Development: A proposed St. John superyacht marina faces a new legal fight after environmental groups sued the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, arguing the project’s environmental and aesthetic impacts weren’t adequately studied. Education & Youth Arts: Poetry Out Loud registration opened for the 2026–27 school year, with the program operating across U.S. territories including the U.S. Virgin Islands. Literacy Recognition: Guam educator Joseph Chargualaf II was named a 2026/27 National Book Foundation Teacher Fellow, part of a cohort that includes the U.S. Virgin Islands. Travel & Lifestyle: A Caribbean cruise itinerary highlights St. Thomas and St. Maarten stops, with departures from San Juan and a call at Charlotte Amalie.