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VI Update started on TikTok, where we deliver fast, factual reporting that thousands rely on every day. By request, we also post to Facebook, and now we bring that same coverage here. The stories below link directly to our latest updates — click through to see the full videos included and community discussions.
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Clearing Up Usvi Dui And Open Container Laws
The United States Virgin Islands (USVI) offers a unique blend of cultural norms and legal frameworks that often surprise visitors. While the territory is part of the United States, its legal drinking age is set at 18, unlike the standard 21 years in the mainland U.S. This distinction, along with other local laws, has led…
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Seaborne Airlines: A New Chapter or Another Holding Pattern?
Seaborne Airlines, a key player in inter-island travel in the Virgin Islands, is under new ownership and leadership following a $1.425 million bankruptcy sale. The airline is now owned by the Leonite Fund, a New York-based private family office, and led by Darrell Richardson, a seasoned aviation executive known for restructuring Gulfstream into Silver Airways….
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EPA Returns to St. Croix Refinery for Second Cleanup
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved a second round of chemical cleanup at the former Limetree Bay or Hess refinery on St. Croix. This phase focuses on removing liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) left inside two process units and an ISO container, which were overlooked due to a clerical error in earlier reporting. The oversight…
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Dr. Gardiner Speaks Out on Abrupt Closure of Caribbean Kidney Center
On July 1st, Dr. Walter Gardiner made a decision that sent shockwaves through the island of St. Thomas: the abrupt closure of the Caribbean Kidney Center (CKC), the only private dialysis clinic in the USVI. With just hours’ notice, patients were left scrambling, and lawmakers accused him of abandoning care. Dr. Gardiner was called to…
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Healthcare Crisis Sparks Protests Across Virgin Islands
Protesters took to the streets on both St. Croix and St. Thomas this week, raising alarms about what they describe as a collapsing healthcare system in the Virgin Islands. Demonstrations were held outside the territory’s main hospitals—Juan F. Luis Hospital (JFL) on St. Croix and Schneider Regional Medical Center on St. Thomas—where healthcare workers, patients,…
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Dialysis Clinic Closure on St. Thomas Leaves Patients in Crisis
On July 1st, patients relying on life-saving dialysis on St. Thomas were given less than two hours’ notice before the Caribbean Kidney Center shut its doors. The closure occurred without a transition plan, patient records, or any arrangements for continued care. Dr. Walter Gardiner, the medical director of the clinic, emailed Schneider Regional Medical Center…
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VI Secures Rum Revenue but Faces New Challenges
The Virgin Islands has successfully secured a critical revenue stream, avoiding a potential $40 million annual loss. However, this victory comes with significant challenges that could impact housing and healthcare support. The federal excise tax on rum, known as the “rum cover-over,” is now permanently set at $13.25 per proof gallon. This tax, collected by…
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Virgin Islands Faces Aging Crisis: AARP Advocates for Transformative Elder Care Legislation
The Virgin Islands is experiencing a rapidly aging population, with over 20% of residents now over the age of 60. This demographic shift, coupled with a shrinking total population, has raised concerns about the future of elder care in the territory. On Monday, November 7th, the Senate’s Committee on Health, Hospitals, and Human Services convened…
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Seaborne Airlines Sold to Leonite Fund: What’s Next?
Seaborne Virgin Islands, a critical carrier for inter-island travel, has officially been sold. On July 1st, a Florida bankruptcy court finalized the sale of Seaborne Airlines to the Leonite Fund, a Delaware-based limited partnership. The winning bid, totaling $1.4 million, includes $700,000 in cash and the assumption of up to $675,000 in liabilities. The court…
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Virgin Islands Excluded from Federal Border Policy Bill
Congress has passed what it is calling the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” a sweeping piece of legislation aimed at reforming federal immigration and border security policies. However, the bill explicitly excludes the Virgin Islands and other U.S. territories from its provisions, raising concerns about fairness and oversight. The bill introduces new funding and partnerships for…
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New Federal Fee on International Money Transfers Could Impact Virgin Islanders
Buried within the recently passed “One Big Beautiful Bill” by the U.S. House of Representatives is a new 1% federal fee on all electronic money transfers sent abroad. This fee applies to wire transfers, services like Western Union, and digital wallets such as PayPal. While the U.S. Virgin Islands is not considered “abroad” under the…
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177 Years Ago: The Emancipation Rebellion of St. Croix
On July 3rd, 1848, the enslaved people of St. Croix, a Danish colony at the time, forced the end of slavery through their own collective action. This pivotal moment in history was not the result of a royal decree or legislative reform but a movement led by ordinary people—enslaved workers, free laborers, artisans, and organizers—who…
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Operation Dry Water: Increased Patrols for Boating Safety in the USVI
As the Fourth of July weekend approaches, the U.S. Coast Guard and local law enforcement agencies across Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands are ramping up patrols as part of Operation Dry Water. This national campaign focuses on preventing boating under the influence (BUI) to ensure safety on the water. Cmdr. Matthew Romano, Chief…
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Virgin Islands National Guard Faces Funding and Resource Crisis
The Virgin Islands National Guard, once home to one of the best-trained aviation teams in the country, is now grappling with a severe lack of resources and delayed funding. Major General Kodjo Knox-Limbacker, head of the V.I. National Guard, testified before the Senate, revealing that the territory has been without aviation or maritime assets since…
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ICE Arrests Man in St. Thomas Using License Plate Surveillance
Immigration enforcement in the U.S. Virgin Islands typically focuses on ports of entry and exit, where Customs and Border Protection screens passengers boarding ferries and flights. However, last Thursday marked a notable departure from this norm when federal agents conducted a street-level operation on St. Thomas. The incident began at a McDonald’s on Route 313,…
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Governor Bryan Drops Legal Fight Over Pay Raise Rollback
The political battle over Virgin Islands Governor Albert Bryan Jr.’s controversial pay raise appears to be nearing its conclusion. Governor Bryan has confirmed that he will not pursue legal action against the 36th Legislature’s unanimous override of his veto on the bill rescinding pay raises for himself and Lieutenant Governor Tregenza Roach. The Legislature voted…
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Supreme Court Clears Path for Executive Order Limiting Birthright Citizenship
Thousands of families across the United States are facing uncertainty after the Supreme Court allowed former President Trump’s Executive Order 14160, which limits birthright citizenship, to take effect. The order, signed in January, states that individuals born in the U.S. will not automatically receive citizenship if their parents are not U.S. citizens or green card…
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Catamaran Catches Fire in Altoona Lagoon, St. Croix
A catamaran anchored in Altoona Lagoon near Christiansted, St. Croix, caught fire late this morning, with smoke and flames visible across much of the area. The incident occurred at approximately 10:30 AM, drawing the attention of bystanders and prompting social media coverage. Video footage shared by Lioness Sport Fishing, who was on the water at…
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When Life-Saving Medication Becomes a Budget Line Item, Who Pays the Price?
The cost of keeping government workers healthy in the Virgin Islands may soon come at the expense of cutting off their treatment. At a recent Government Employees’ Service Commission (GESC) meeting, Health Insurance Board officials revealed that the government health plan’s cost is projected to exceed $190 million next year—a record high. In response, the…
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2025 Virgin Islands Paté Festival Winners Announced Despite Blackout
The 2025 Virgin Islands Paté Festival concluded with a flavorful celebration, even as an island-wide power outage cut the final ceremony short. Organizers shared the official winners list this week, ensuring the culinary achievements were recognized despite the unexpected interruption. Here are the winners as announced by the festival: Best Seafood Paté: Bestie’z, praised for…
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Fact Check: Viral Tweet Claiming “The Caribbean Will Feel It” is Not a Real Threat
A viral tweet claiming “The Caribbean will feel it,” allegedly from the Iranian military, has been debunked. The tweet is not a real threat, nor is it from the actual Iranian military. The tweet originated from an account on X (formerly Twitter) labeled as a “commentary account.” Despite this clear labeling, the account had a…
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Saharan Dust Blankets Virgin Islands: Health and Weather Impacts
A thick plume of Saharan dust has arrived in the Virgin Islands, bringing hazy skies, redder sunsets, and potential health concerns. The dust, which traveled across the Atlantic from West Africa, reached the territory yesterday and is expected to linger through the weekend. The Virgin Islands Department of Health has flagged the air quality as…
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Illegal Guns in the Virgin Islands: A Pipeline from the Mainland
When gun violence strikes in the Virgin Islands, the first question often heard is: where are these weapons coming from? Many point to South America or down-island trafficking routes. The truth? The pipeline runs straight from mainland America. For years, the U.S. Virgin Islands has enforced some of the toughest gun laws in the region….
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Fugitive from 2020 Fatal DUI Crash Extradited to St. Croix
Fugitive from 2020 Fatal DUI Crash Extradited to St. Croix A fugitive involved in a fatal DUI crash in 2020 has been extradited from Texas to St. Croix, bringing a long-standing case closer to resolution. Kaley L. Lund, a 32-year-old Colorado woman, was arrested in Corpus Christi, Texas, by U.S. Marshals and local authorities. She…
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Gun Violence in the U.S. Virgin Islands: A Crisis Deeply Rooted in the Community
Gun Violence in the U.S. Virgin Islands: A Crisis Deeply Rooted in the Community The U.S. Virgin Islands continues to grapple with a severe gun violence crisis, ranking among the most dangerous places globally for homicides. This alarming reality was underscored during a Senate hearing on Monday, where Antonio Emmanuel, Executive Director of the Office…
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US Virgin Islands Moves Closer to Drafting Its First Constitution
US Virgin Islands Moves Closer to Drafting Its First Constitution The U.S. Virgin Islands is making strides toward drafting its first constitution, a document that could redefine the territory’s government, rights, and the limits of local power. The territory currently operates under the Revised Organic Act of 1954, a federal law passed by Congress that…
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Traveling to the U.S. Virgin Islands: What Non-Citizens Need to Know
Traveling to the U.S. Virgin Islands: What Non-Citizens Need to Know For travelers planning a visit to the U.S. Virgin Islands, recent events have highlighted the importance of understanding immigration rules, especially for non-citizens. A honeymoon trip to St. Croix turned into a months-long ordeal for a newlywed bride, now detained by Immigration and Customs…
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Are the Virgin Islands at Risk Amid Rising Global Tensions?
Are the Virgin Islands at Risk Amid Rising Global Tensions? On Friday night, June 21, U.S. B‑2 bombers struck Iran’s Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan nuclear facilities in an operation named “Operation Midnight Hammer.” The Pentagon has described the mission as a success, deploying 420,000 pounds of bunker-penetrating munitions and 30 Tomahawk missiles to cripple Iran’s…
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Seaborne Airlines Faces Potential Sale to Nella Airlines Affiliate
Seaborne Airlines Faces Potential Sale to Nella Airlines Affiliate Seaborne Virgin Islands, a critical carrier for inter-island travel in the territory, is nearing a potential sale after enduring financial challenges. The prospective buyer, STK I US LLC, is linked to Nella Airlines, a U.S.-based aviation group led by Brazilian entrepreneur Mauricio Souza. Nella Airlines has…
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Charter Fee Debate Reignites Between USVI and BVI
Charter Fee Debate Reignites Between USVI and BVI The US Virgin Islands (USVI) government has reaffirmed its decision not to impose reciprocal charter fees on British Virgin Islands (BVI) vessels, despite renewed calls from the Virgin Islands Professional Charter Association (VIPCA) to revisit the issue. This decision comes as VIPCA advocates for what it…
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What’s the Price of Delay? In St. Croix, It’s $2,000 a Dead Body — and Years of Broken Promises
What’s the Price of Delay? In St. Croix, It’s $2,000 a Dead Body — and Years of Broken Promises Over two years ago, the Virgin Islands Department of Justice pledged to provide St. Croix with a functional morgue. Today, despite investments in modular equipment and site work, the island continues to send deceased individuals…
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Governor Bryan and WAPA Urge PSC to Reconsider Fuel Charge Reduction
Governor Bryan and WAPA Urge PSC to Reconsider Fuel Charge Reduction The Public Services Commission (PSC) recently voted to reduce the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority’s (WAPA) fuel charge, known as the LEAC, from over 22¢ to 17¢ per kilowatt-hour. This reduction, set to take effect at the start of next month, promises financial…
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St. Croix Residents Warned of Rising Burglary Incidents
St. Croix Residents Warned of Rising Burglary Incidents The Virgin Islands Police Department (VIPD) has reported a concerning increase in burglaries across St. Croix. During a recent press conference, Deputy Chief Naomi Joseph revealed that since the start of April, there have been 57 reported break-ins. These incidents are occurring island-wide, from Frederiksted to Christiansted,…
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Juneteenth: A Shared History of Freedom and Struggle
Juneteenth: A Shared History of Freedom and Struggle Today marks Juneteenth, the day in 1865 when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to enforce the emancipation of enslaved individuals, over two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. For those last enslaved men, women, and children held in bondage in the Confederacy, this day symbolized the end…
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Older Videos available elsewhere
We host the videos you see here on Facebook, we only extended our social media coverage to there recently. For dozens of older videos please visit our original location @RealBrianLouden on Tik Tok.