WTJX Local News

(Left to right) Economist Warren Mosler; former Public Works Commissioner Gustav James; Positive Nelson, a former senator and former agriculture commissioner; and former Senator Adlah “Foncie” Donastorg picked up nomination papers on Wednesday for the gubernatorial race.

Independents show interest in gubernatorial race as more aspirants pick up elected office petitions

Tom Eader

Independents seek to enter gubernatorial races in both districts as congressional and legislative fields also grow ahead of 2026 election cycle.

Brett “Mac” McClafferty arrives at Superior Court on March 13 on St. Thomas for a hearing following his February 21 arrest on charges including grand larceny and forgery tied to an alleged $888,500 scheme involving counterfeit checks and returned bank drafts.

Bankruptcy trustee says McClafferty did not invest alleged victims’ funds, abused corporate accounts

Tom Eader

A bankruptcy trustee’s status report reveals that Brett “Mac” McClafferty never invested any of his alleged victims’ money and spent corporate funds on personal expenses.

Mayo Correctional Institution is a low-security state prison in the Florida Department of Corrections located in Mayo, Florida that houses male prisoners in separate areas depending on the crimes they committed, their current risk assessment, and their behavior.

Ex-Sen. Steven Payne serving sentence for sexual battery on a minor at Mayo prison in Florida

Tom Eader

Former At-Large Senator Steven Payne Sr. begins serving sentence for sexual battery on a minor at Mayo Correctional Institution, a low-security prison in Mayo, Florida.

Hemodialysis patients are enduring heat, supply shortages, and inadequate staff at Schneider Regional Medical Center on St. Thomas.

Hemodialysis patients at SRMC endure heat, makeshift supplies, staff shortages; leadership responds

Tom Eader

Dialysis patient says air conditioner repeatedly breaks down and essential supplies are out of stock — as the hospital points to mechanical failures, supply chain issues.

Delegate to Congress Stacey Plaskett, who picked up a form for filing nomination papers Tuesday to run in the gubernatorial race during the 2026 election cycle, speaks during the Food Fair on January 1, 2026 on St. Croix.

Del. Stacey Plaskett picks up petition for gubernatorial race; elected offices field starts to form

Tom Eader

Delegate to Congress Stacey Plaskett picks up form for filing nomination papers to run in gubernatorial race on first day of filing period.

Carlton Dowe, a former senator who recently retired as executive director of the Virgin Islands Port Authority after being indicted on federal bank fraud charges, speaks during a public hearing on October 8, 2025, in the VIPA boardroom at the Henry E. Rohlsen Airport on St. Croix.

Dowe waives arraignment, pleads not guilty; attorney seeks admission to practice in Puerto Rico

Tom Eader

Carlton Dowe, who recently retired as executive director of the Virgin Islands Port Authority, pleads not guilty to bank fraud; his attorney seeks Puerto Rico admission.

Kosei Ohno, Project Fair Waters lead, speaks during a townhall meeting held on December 1, 2025, at the Legislature of the Virgin Islands on St. Thomas.

Project Fair Waters presses BVI for urgent charter fee reforms amid USVI vessel exodus concerns

Tom Eader

Project Fair Waters, a coalition of USVI marine-industry stakeholders, calls for inflation-based fee adjustments and unlimited vessel access in BVI waters.

Senator Franklin Johnson speaks during legislative session on March 18 in the Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall on St. Thomas.

Senator Johnson blocked from visiting VI prisoners in Mississippi; inmate stabbed to death last week

Tom Eader

Fatal stabbing of Virgin Islands inmate at Mississippi prison prompts Senator Franklin Johnson to speak out about conditions, blocked visit.

Judge orders territorial hospital board to pay $12M to travel nursing company in decade-long dispute

Tom Eader

Superior Court judge awards Worldwide Travel Staffing more than $12 million after St. Croix hospital failed to pay for traveling nurses over more than a decade.

Shawn Harris, a retired Army brigadier general and cattle farmer from Rockmart, Georgia, lost Tuesday’s runoff election for Georgia’s 14th Congressional District but performed 25 points better than any Democrat in the district had in years.

VING veteran Shawn Harris falls short in bid to flip deep-red Georgia congressional seat

Tom Eader

Retired Army brigadier general and Virgin Islands National Guard veteran Shawn Harris came closer than any Democrat in over a decade to flipping Georgia’s 14th District.