WTJX NEWSFEED

On today’s WTJX Radio NewsFeed: Yesterday, 30 acres were lost to a brush fire on St. Croix's South Shore Road. We speak with Fire and Emergency Medical Services Director Antonio Stevens for details.

 

ICE says it is not currently seeking proposals to build a secure housing facility on St. Thomas, after a federal procurement document sparked news reports of a possible new immigration detention center on the island.

 

And Fly The Whale is now offering daily flights between St. Thomas and San Juan, Puerto Rico.

 

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Pictured: A brush fire caused land to be burned alongside St. Croix’s South Shore Road.

Photo Credit: WTJX/Glenroy Roberts, Sr.

On today’s WTJX Radio NewsFeed: A new court filing alleges the Virgin Islands prison remains out of compliance with a federal consent decree, citing continued deficiencies in inmate safety, staffing, supervision, and access to legal resources.

 

The Virgin Islands has entered extreme drought conditions as emergency officials warn that prolonged dry weather is threatening farmers, increasing wildfire risk, and heightening concerns ahead of the peak of hurricane season.

 

Attorney General Gordon Rhea has joined a bipartisan coalition urging the FCC to strengthen customer verification requirements aimed at preventing illegal robocalls.

 

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Pictured: An inmate reviews paperwork inside the Virgin Islands prison. 

Source: WTJX file photo 

On today’s WTJX Radio NewsFeed: Police have identified the man fatally shot at Moe’s Service Station on Friday as 23-year-old Joshawn Ayala, who was one of two cousins charged in 2022 with the murders of Stacie Schjang and Arnold Jarvis Jr.

          Public hearings are underway this week as the Virgin Islands Port Authority considers a new FAA-compliant methodology for airport rates and charges. Residents who wish to participate virtually can access the Zoom meeting here.

          Governor Albert Bryan Jr. is calling for community cooperation following the fatal ambush of executive security Officer Eustace Charles, as investigators make an arrest while investigating the case.

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Pictured: A January 2026 mugshot of Joshawn Ayala who was fatally shot Friday at a St. Croix Service Station.

Source: VIPD

On today’s WTJX Radio NewsFeed: Police are investigating a daytime shooting that left a man in critical condition, and a woman with non-life-threatening injuries this afternoon at Moe's Service Station on St. Croix.

          The Florence Williams Public Library in Christiansted will reopen tomorrow after a temporary closure this week to address operational issues.

          Governor Albert Bryan Jr. says existing disaster recovery programs remain operational while the administration works to overturn HUD's suspension of the Housing Finance Authority from future federal housing programs.

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Pictured: VIPD investigates a shooting Friday afternoon along Northside Road near the Midland Road intersection in front of Moe’s Service Station. Police said responding officers found a man and woman with gunshot wounds inside the black Acura RDX. Both victims were transported to the Governor Juan F. Luis Hospital and Medical Center.

Source: WTJX/Tom Eader

On today’s WTJX Radio NewsFeed: The Territorial Hospital System’s CEO Darlene Baptiste, says workforce reductions remain under review as senators demanded more details on an austerity plan designed to reduce payroll costs and improve the hospitals' financial stability.  

          After nine burglaries were reported in a single day, police are stepping up patrols and warning St. Croix residents and businesses to strengthen security and report suspicious activity.

          Lawmakers advanced legislation aimed at protecting seniors from financial exploitation while weighing changes to strengthen enforcement and expand protections.

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Pictured: Darlene Baptiste, CEO for the Governor Juan F. Luis Hospital and Schneider Regional Medical Center

Source: Legislature of the Virgin Islands  

On today’s WTJX Radio NewsFeed: Former Office of Management and Budget Director Jenifer O'Neal is asking the Third Circuit Court of Appeals to release her from federal custody while she challenges her public corruption convictions.  

          The Florence Williams Public Library on St. Croix is temporarily closed until further notice while DPNR works to address operational issues affecting the facility.

          The Virgin Islands Police Department is investigating a reported shots-fired incident near the Vegetable Market in Frederiksted after multiple 911 calls and ShotSpotter alerts, though no victims were found.

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Pictured:  On July 1 former OMB Director Jenifer O'Neal arrived at the Ron de Lugo Federal Building to surrender to U.S. Marshals and begin serving her seven-year prison sentence.

Source: WTJX/Roshan Sookram

On today’s WTJX Radio NewsFeed: Lawmakers voted to postpone action on a revised horse racing agreement with Southland Gaming, sending the proposal to a Committee of the Whole for public testimony August 19 on St. Croix before taking a final vote during a legislative session planned for August 21.

          Police are investigating the territory's 26th homicide for the year following the death of a 61-year-old Anthony DeLugo who was found shot inside a Wintberg residence.

          The Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority says it is strengthening internal controls and preparing its response following the news of HUD's suspension on Monday. We also speak with Delegate to Congress Stacey Plaskett and Senator Marvin Blyden, Chair of the Senate Committee on Housing, Transportation and Telecommunications.  

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Pictured: Senators gather on the floor of the Earl B. Ottley Legislative Hall during today's special session where lawmakers voted to send the revised Southland Gaming agreement to a Committee of the Whole for public testimony before taking a final vote next month.

Source: Legislature of the US Virgin Islands

On today’s WTJX Radio NewsFeed: Governor Albert Bryan Jr. says the territory will appeal the decision of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, who suspended the Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority from future federal funding programs, citing years of alleged financial mismanagement, weak fraud controls, and slow disaster recovery.

           Residents living near the Charlotte Amalie High School construction site should expect months of increased construction activity as crews continue rock removal and other major site work through the end of the year.

           Governor Bryan says no witnesses have been invited to testify ahead of Tuesday's special session on the revised horse racing agreement. Senate President Milton Potter says senators will caucus this evening before the meeting while indicating he supports sending the measure through the Legislature's regular committee process for public testimony and review before a final vote.

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Pictured: Governor Albert Bryan Jr. speaks at today's Government House Press Briefing

Source: Government House of the US Virgin Islands