WTJX Local News

Senator Marvin Blyden, chair of the Committee on Housing, Transportation and Telecommunications, left, and Derek Gabriel, executive director of the Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority.

Senator Marvin Blyden gives VIHFA’s Derek Gabriel deadline to provide information on HUD suspension

Tom Eader

Senator Marvin Blyden warns of subpoena after the Legislature’s legal counsel finds no basis for blanket confidentiality claim.

Banco Popular’s Sunshine Mall branch on St. Croix. The branch will close December 28, with customers directed to the bank’s Sunny Isle branch.

Tom Eader

Bank cites declining transactions and profitability, security risks, and limitations at Sunshine Mall property.

Jed JohnHope, who was disqualified from the race for delegate to Congress after election officials determined he did not meet the signature requirement, has terminated his attorney and will represent himself in his federal lawsuit seeking a spot on the November 3 ballot.

Jed JohnHope terminates attorney, representing himself in delegate to Congress ballot access lawsuit

Tom Eader

Attorney Terri Griffiths asks the federal court to let her withdraw as Jed JohnHope seeks a spot on the November 3 ballot.

Bertha C. Boshulte Middle School on St. Thomas. Joseph Ofori, a former math teacher at the school, is charged with child abuse and assault in connection with an incident involving a student in November 2024. Ofori told police he was suspended and received several disciplinary sanctions, according to court documents.

Teacher charged with child abuse after slapping student, causing hearing loss and ruptured eardrum

Tom Eader

A former middle school teacher charged with child abuse and assault in the alleged 2024 slapping of a student had bail set at $5,000. The boy’s mother filed a civil suit.

Pirate’s Penny, a vessel owned by Stormy Pirates Boat Charters that was seized by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, is pictured docked in Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands.

As CBP cracks down on ROAM reporting, St. Thomas charter operators say the app is failing them

Tom Eader

A Red Hook charter company says CBP seized its vessel over a ROAM app error. A second operator’s boat was seized over a missed clearance deadline.

An AI-generated illustration depicting that public comments on the proposed intoxicating hemp rules and regulations are under review by the Virgin Islands Cannabis Advisory Board.

Cannabis Advisory Board removes proposed hemp sales time limits in draft rules after public comments

Tom Eader

Board votes unanimously to let licensed retailers sell hemp products during business hours instead of a fixed 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. window.

Profane graffiti was quickly removed from the bust of Moses “General Buddhoe” Gottlieb, left, and the Freedom statue in downtown Frederiksted after government officials discovered the vandalism on Monday. Officials from the Virgin Islands Department of Sports, Parks and Recreation continue consulting with the Department of Planning and Natural Resources’ State Historic Preservation Office to secure specialized cleaning products to fully restore both historical monuments and restore their protective seals.

Officials act quickly to restore vandalized Buddhoe and Freedom historical statues in Frederiksted

Tom Eader

Officials moved fast to clean the Frederiksted monuments, but faint marker traces and a damaged protective coating mean restoration work is not finished yet.

Brett “Mac” McClafferty arrives at Superior Court September 3 on St. Thomas.

Judge dismisses Brett “Mac” McClafferty’s suit challenging disqualification as political candidate

Tom Eader

A federal judge has dismissed Brett “Mac” McClafferty’s lawsuit challenging his disqualification from the November delegate to Congress ballot.

Assistant Attorney General Julie Beberman, left, and Supervisor of Elections Caroline Fawkes arrive at Superior Court Friday.

Judge to weigh due process issue in Stephen ‘Smokey’ Frett’s gubernatorial disqualification

Tom Eader

Judge Venetia Velázquez gives Fawkes’ attorney until Monday to address whether Frett was given an opportunity to present argument and evidence required under due process.

Op-Ed: The State of Our Hospitals: Progress, Partnership and the Facts

Dr. Jerry R. Smith

Dr. Jerry R. Smith is the Chairman of the Virgin Islands Government Hospital and Health Facilities Corporation.