AGP Executive Report

St. John Celebration Music: The U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism and the Division of Festivals just unveiled the St. John Celebration Village lineup (June 28–July 4) under “History and Collaboration with a Musical Mix,” led by Grammy-winning Ashanti, soca powerhouse Kes the Band, and Bunji Garlin & Fay-Ann Lyons for the Independence Day finale, with more big names like Tarrus Riley, Baby Cham, Pressure, Pumpa, Mr. Killa, Lyrikal, Erphaan Alves, WCK, plus VI talent including Spectrum featuring Lorna Freeman, Temisha, Th3rd, Wire to Wire, and Quelbe Resurrection. Lottery Buzz: Powerball climbed to a $238M jackpot (cash value $106.1M) ahead of the June 10 drawing—plus Mega Millions is at $392M (cash value $173.3M) ahead of June 9. Local Culture & Heritage: A Caribbean-wide heritage dialogue highlighted preserving Caribbean identity through historic structures and oral traditions, with VI-linked participation. VI News: Charlotte Amalie officials say a man faces federal charges after CBP found hundreds of rounds of ammunition in checked suitcases arriving from Miami. Sports/Youth: The 2026 Optimist North American Championship wrapped in Halifax Harbour with 172 young sailors competing, including top finishers from Canada and Puerto Rico.

VI Culture & Identity: A Caribbean-wide heritage dialogue is spotlighting how the region can better safeguard cultural memory, historic structures, and oral traditions, with projects like Saba and Dominica’s Resilient Houses using digital storytelling and restoration to keep identity alive. Local Governance: The U.S. Virgin Islands is urging the UN Special Committee on Decolonisation to push real steps toward self-government for remaining non-self-governing territories, including support for visiting missions. VI Community News: UVI’s Medical Simulation Center has been added to the Eligible Training Provider List, unlocking WIOA funding for EMT training, as ten residents complete Cohort 2 and move toward national certification. Arts & Entertainment: Stilt-walking “moko jumbie” performers from Grand Avenue’s Goombay Festival in Coconut Grove are bringing Bahamian Junkanoo traditions to a new generation. Sports & Youth: The 2026 Optimist North American Championship wrapped in Halifax Harbour, bringing together youth sailors from across the Caribbean and beyond. Entertainment/Travel Buzz: Caribbean Week in New York’s Rum & Rhythm is drawing tourism leaders and fans with destination showcases, music, and culture—USVI included. News You Can Use: Mega Millions is at $392M (cash $173.3M) ahead of the June 9 drawing, while Powerball climbed to $225M (cash $100.3M) ahead of June 8.

Caribbean Culture Spotlight: A Miami family is helping keep Bahamian Junkanoo alive for the next generation, with young stilt walkers (moko jumbies) turning school-day kids into festival performers during Goombay-style street celebrations. Arts & Heritage: A Caribbean-wide heritage dialogue launched a digital preservation push, bringing together practitioners from Jamaica, Dominica, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Saba to protect historic sites, oral histories, and traditional building knowledge. Local Community & Safety: In St. Thomas, federal charges are pending after Customs and Border Protection found hundreds of rounds of ammunition in two checked suitcases arriving from Miami. VI Governance: The Virgin Islands is urging the UN to step up decolonisation efforts, including more visiting missions to assess progress on the ground. Travel/Entertainment Buzz: Caribbean Week in New York wrapped with major tourism and culture energy, including a Rum & Rhythm party featuring multiple Caribbean destinations and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Lottery Fun: Mega Millions climbed to $392M and Powerball to $225M—check your tickets.

Local Arts & Culture: Caribbean Week in New York keeps the party going with Rum & Rhythm in Lower Manhattan, bringing together tourism boards and hoteliers from the Bahamas, Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, St Kitts, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Jamaica and more—plus live music, fashion energy and celebrity sightings. Community & Sports: The 2026 Optimist North American Championship wrapped in Halifax Harbour after a week of youth sailing and international friendship, with Puerto Rico’s Ines Mendez-Larminaux earning Top North American Girl honors. VI News: A man is facing federal charges after U.S. Customs and Border Protection found hundreds of rounds of ammunition in two checked suitcases arriving in St. Thomas from Miami. Public Safety: The National Weather Service in Miami dismissed any tsunami threat after a 6.1 quake west of Cuba, though tremors were felt across much of Florida. Powerball Buzz: The Powerball jackpot climbed to $225M ahead of the Monday, June 8 drawing, with tickets available across the U.S., including the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Lottery Buzz: Powerball climbs to a $225M jackpot (cash value $100.3M) ahead of the Monday, June 8 drawing—tickets are available in the U.S. Virgin Islands, and you don’t need to be a U.S. citizen to play. Local Diplomacy: The VI is urging the UN Special Committee on Decolonisation to push harder on decolonisation for the remaining Non-Self-Governing Territories, including support for visiting missions. Safety Update: After a 6.1 quake near Cuba, the U.S. says there’s no tsunami threat expected for Florida and the wider region. Community & Culture: UVI’s Medical Simulation Center is now an Eligible Training Provider, enabling WIOA funding for EMT training, with 10 graduates completing Cohort 2. Travel/Entertainment Tie-In: Caribbean Week in New York wraps with major tourism and culture energy, including a Rum & Rhythm party featuring USVI among the destinations. Sports: The 2026 Optimist North American Championship concludes in Halifax Harbour with 172 youth sailors competing.

Local Law & Order: A man in St. Thomas is facing federal charges after Customs and Border Protection found hundreds of rounds of ammunition in two checked suitcases arriving from Miami. Arts & Education: The University of the Virgin Islands Medical Simulation Center has been added to the U.S. Virgin Islands Eligible Training Provider List, unlocking WIOA funding for EMT training; ten residents completed Cohort 2 and are now eligible for NREMT certification. Community & Culture: Caribbean Week in New York continues to spotlight the region’s tourism energy, with the USVI among destinations bringing events like Rum & Rhythm to Lower Manhattan. Sports & Youth: The 2026 Optimist North American Championship wrapped in Halifax Harbour, featuring 172 young sailors from across the Americas and the Caribbean. Entertainment Buzz (USVI-linked): Online attention keeps circling “Epstein temple” imagery on Little St. James as newly released photos and permit-versus-construction details fuel fresh debate. Quick Hits: Powerball climbed to $212M for Saturday’s drawing; Mega Millions sits at $368M ahead of Friday.

Local Culture & Tourism: Caribbean Week in New York 2026 wrapped with big energy at Rum & Rhythm, bringing destinations including the US Virgin Islands into the spotlight and keeping the region’s music-and-food scene front and center. USVI Community & Training: The University of the Virgin Islands Medical Simulation Center was added to the Eligible Training Provider List, unlocking WIOA funding for EMT training, as 10 graduates complete Cohort 2 and move toward national certification. Arts & Family Fun: Island SPACE Mango Festival returns June 21 in South Florida with Caribbean food, music, and mango-themed experiences—an easy way for fans to catch the vibe ahead of the World Cup. Sports & Youth: The 2026 Optimist North American Championship concluded in Halifax Harbour, featuring 172 young sailors from across the Americas and the Caribbean. Aviation & Travel: United says it’s adding nonstop Caribbean service fast, including a St. Croix route one flight from New York. Public Safety: Coast Guard and local partners are urging USVI residents to prep for the 2026 hurricane season, even if forecasts lean below-normal. Lottery Buzz: Powerball climbed to $212M for June 6, with a $94.5M cash option.

Local Headlines (USVI): A man is facing federal charges after Customs and Border Protection found hundreds of rounds of ammunition in two checked suitcases arriving in St. Thomas from Miami. Arts & Community: UVI’s Medical Simulation Center was added to the U.S. Virgin Islands Eligible Training Provider List, unlocking WIOA funding for EMT training; meanwhile, the Island SPACE Mango Festival is set for June 21 in South Florida, bringing Caribbean food, culture, music, and family fun. Sports & Youth: The 2026 Optimist North American Championship wrapped up in Halifax Harbour, highlighting youth sailing and international friendship with competitors from across the Caribbean and beyond. Culture & Travel Buzz: Caribbean Week in New York continues to draw tourism leaders and fans, including a Rum & Rhythm party that spotlighted destinations such as the USVI. Public Safety: The 2026 Atlantic hurricane season begins with forecasters calling for a quieter year, but the Coast Guard is urging USVI residents and mariners to prepare now. Lottery Watch: Powerball climbed to $212M ahead of the June 6 drawing.

Lottery Buzz: Powerball is up to a $212M jackpot (with a $94.5M cash option) ahead of Saturday, June 6, and tickets are sold in 45 states plus DC, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Local News: A man is facing federal charges after Customs and Border Protection found hundreds of rounds of ammunition in two checked suitcases arriving in St. Thomas from Miami. Arts & Community: The UVI Medical Simulation Center has been added to the U.S. Virgin Islands Eligible Training Provider List, unlocking WIOA funding for EMT training, as its EMT Cohort 2 completes with a strong path to national certification. Sports & Youth: The 2026 Optimist North American Championship wrapped in Halifax Harbour, featuring 172 youth sailors from across the Americas and beyond, with Puerto Rico’s Ines Mendez-Larminaux earning Top North American Girl honors. Culture & Travel: Caribbean Week in New York 2026 is underway, bringing tourism leaders—including USVI officials—together under “One Caribbean: Infinite Experiences.”

USVI Public Safety: A man is facing federal charges after U.S. Customs and Border Protection found hundreds of rounds of ammunition in two checked suitcases arriving in St. Thomas from Miami, with the bags linked to the same record locator and seized during routine X-ray screening. Arts & Education: The University of the Virgin Islands Medical Simulation Center has been added to the U.S. Virgin Islands Eligible Training Provider List, unlocking WIOA funding for EMT training; the center also announced Cohort 2 completion with 10 graduates now eligible for NREMT certification. Tourism & Culture: Caribbean Week in New York 2026 is underway, bringing together tourism ministers and officials—including the U.S. Virgin Islands—for talks on boosting connectivity and resilience as travel preferences shift toward authentic cultural experiences. Community & Family Fun: Island SPACE Mango Festival returns Sunday, June 21, with Caribbean food, music, and mango-themed activities ahead of Father’s Day. Sports/Travel Buzz: United Airlines plans the only nonstop New York–St. Croix route starting Oct. 31, adding another direct gateway to the U.S. Virgin Islands.

U.S. Virgin Islands & Caribbean Travel: United Airlines is adding the only nonstop New York–St. Croix service this fall, launching Oct. 31 with weekly Saturday flights from Newark—another sign airlines are moving fast to meet Caribbean demand. Arts & Education: The University of the Virgin Islands Medical Simulation Center has been added to the territory’s Eligible Training Provider List, unlocking WIOA funding for EMT training; meanwhile, the Lyman Museum is again a Blue Star Museum, offering free admission to active-duty military families. Local Workforce & Community: Ten EMT graduates completed UVI MSC’s Cohort 2 program and are now positioned for national certification. Culture & Tourism Spotlight: Caribbean Week in New York 2026 brings tourism ministers and officials together under “One Caribbean: Infinite Experiences,” with USVI among the participating destinations. Public Safety Reminder: The 2026 Atlantic hurricane season opens June 1 with forecasts leaning below-normal, but officials stress preparedness still matters. Entertainment/Pop Culture: “Love Island USA” season 8 includes three contestants with Colorado ties, adding a fresh local angle for viewers.

USVI Arts & Education: The University of the Virgin Islands Medical Simulation Center has been added to the U.S. Virgin Islands Eligible Training Provider List, unlocking WIOA funding for EMT training; the center also marked Cohort 2’s completion with 10 graduates on track for NREMT credentials. Local Community & Culture: The Lyman Museum in Hilo is joining Blue Star Museums, offering free admission for active-duty service members and up to five family members from May 16 through Sept. 7. Travel & Entertainment Buzz: United Airlines is set to launch the only nonstop New York–St. Croix route this fall (starting Oct. 31), bringing more direct access to the U.S. Virgin Islands. Hurricane Season Prep: Coast Guard Southeast District is urging residents and mariners across the region, including the U.S. Virgin Islands, to prepare now for the 2026 Atlantic season. Tourism Spotlight: Caribbean Week in New York 2026 is underway, with USVI tourism leaders among the ministers and commissioners gathering to push “One Caribbean: Infinite Experiences.”

Workforce & Health Training: UVI’s Medical Simulation Center was added to the VI Eligible Training Provider List, unlocking WIOA funding for EMT training; cohort 2 just wrapped with ten graduates and a strong national certification pass push. Caribbean Tourism Spotlight: Caribbean Week in New York 2026 kicks off June 1–5 under “One Caribbean: Infinite Experiences,” with USVI leaders among the ministers and commissioners mapping out the next push for visitor growth and better air connectivity. Travel & Island Access: United Airlines plans the only nonstop New York–St. Croix service starting Oct. 31 from Newark, aiming to cut layovers for winter travelers. Local Power Woes: St. Thomas and St. John saw another early-Sunday blackout, with VI Water and Power citing generation loss and renewed frustration over reliability. Entertainment/Community Events: Lyman Museum joins the Blue Star Museums program for free admission for active-duty military and families, while Island SPACE’s Mango Festival lines up Caribbean food, music, and family fun ahead of the World Cup. Politics & Governance: A U.S. territories piece highlights the “voice but no vote” reality in Congress for places like the USVI.

Caribbean Week in New York 2026: Tourism ministers and officials from across the region—including the U.S. Virgin Islands—are gathering in Manhattan for the June 1–5 summit under the theme “One Caribbean: Infinite Experiences,” with strategy talks on airlift, marketing, sustainability, and resilience. USVI Travel & Airlift: United Airlines says it will launch the only nonstop New York–St. Croix service this fall, starting Oct. 31 with weekly Saturday flights from Newark. Local Power & Daily Life: St. Thomas and St. John saw a total blackout early Sunday, the second in the weekend, tied to generation loss at a power plant, as residents push for faster fixes to ongoing outages. Arts & Community: The Lyman Museum in Hilo is joining Blue Star Museums, offering free admission for active-duty military and families from May 16 through Sept. 7. Sports/Family Fun: Island SPACE Mango Festival is set for June 21 ahead of the World Cup match, blending Caribbean food, live music, and cultural activities. Politics & Governance: A BVI proposal calls for decentralizing government services by moving key ministries to sister islands to boost local economies.

Air Travel & Tourism: United Airlines says it’s adding the only nonstop New York–St. Croix route this fall (starting Oct. 31 from Newark), part of a broader push for more Caribbean nonstop service. Caribbean Week in New York: Tourism leaders from across the region—including the British Virgin Islands and U.S. Virgin Islands—are gathering June 1–5 for Caribbean Week 2026 at InterContinental New York Times Square under “One Caribbean: Infinite Experiences,” with strategy sessions on airlift, sustainability, and marketing. Local Governance: BVI political hopeful Mark Vanterpool argues for decentralizing government by moving key ministries to sister islands, including Tourism to Virgin Gorda and Fisheries/Environment to Anegada. Power & Community Impact: St. Thomas and St. John saw another total blackout over the weekend, with the utility citing generation loss and pointing to long-running infrastructure strain. Military & Culture: The Lyman Museum’s Blue Star Museums program offers free admission to active-duty service members and families through Sept. 7. Hurricane Readiness: Coast Guard and NOAA updates urge VI residents to prepare now despite a below-normal 2026 Atlantic forecast. Lottery Buzz: Powerball climbed to $194M for Wednesday’s drawing, with Mega Millions also rolling after no jackpot winner.

Sunscreen & sustainability: A new column argues that this summer’s best sun protection may be what you already own—long-sleeve shirts, wide-brim hats, and shade—calling out how clothing can be kinder to oceans than lotion. Caribbean events in the spotlight: Ahead of Father’s Day and the June 21 World Cup match, South Florida’s Island SPACE Mango Festival is set to bring Caribbean food, live music, and family fun. Local governance idea: BVI political hopeful Mark Vanterpool says key ministries should be moved to sister islands to boost local economies, including proposals to relocate Tourism to Virgin Gorda and Fisheries/Environment to Anegada. Military culture perk: The Lyman Museum is again a Blue Star Museum, offering free admission to active-duty service members and families through Sept. 7. Travel & access: United is adding the only nonstop New York–St. Croix service this fall, putting the island “one flight from New York.” Power & preparedness: Coast Guard and hurricane-season coverage urges residents to plan now, even with a below-normal forecast. Power outages: A total blackout hit St. Thomas and St. John twice this weekend, highlighting ongoing grid struggles. Money watch: Mega Millions and Powerball jackpots continue to climb with no grand-prize winners reported in the latest draws.