Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley’s bid to create a new “minister of state” role in his government could be an attempt to expand the Cabinet “through the back door,” according to …
March 24, 2025
March 18, 2025
Opportunity seen in Trump turmoil
United States President Donald Trump’s erratic handling of the US economy has drawn concern here and abroad, but some business leaders believe it could mean opportunity for the Virgin Islands’ …
March 17, 2025
New policy to guide district projects
A new “Civil Mitigation Policy” will help ensure fairness and accountability in district-level infrastructure projects like road repairs, ghut clearing, drainage works, retaining walls and utility expansions, according to Communications …
January 23, 2025
No-confidence vote still in works
On Friday, opposition members repeated a claim they have been making for four months, insisting that Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley should be ousted over his alleged failure to tackle rising …
January 23, 2025
Walwyn wall case tossed
A magistrate tossed out charges against two former Virgin Islands education officials on Jan. 21, effectively ending a criminal case linked to a 2014 wall project at the Elmore Stoutt …
January 9, 2025
Leaders endorse VI’s call for climate help
Caribbean territories and other small island states facing climate-change threats received a show of support from leaders around the region following an international meeting last month in St. Kitts and …
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November 25, 2024
West End terminal faces new bid delay
More than seven years after Hurricane Irma destroyed the West End ferry terminal, the plan to replace the facility continues to face delays. The deadline for bids for the construction …
November 14, 2024
Premier pushes ‘privacy’ ahead of register reforms
Measures originally aimed at shining a light on the owners of Virgin Islands-registered companies will be carefully tailored to “balance privacy,” Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley said Monday in an apparent …
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November 14, 2024
38-mile road project could cost $100m, Penn says
Of the $100 million loan the government signed Oct. 31, $36 million is earmarked for roadwork. The allocation may fall far short. The cornerstone of leaders’ plan to repair the …
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October 24, 2024
Governor has assented to 4 of 15 COI bills
Four of the 15 bills the House of Assembly passed recently pursuant to recommendations from the Commission of Inquiry have now received assent from Governor Daniel Pruce, according to Premier …
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October 17, 2024
Beef Island flights taking off
Another regional airline has announced new routes to and from the Virgin Islands, further boosting the territory’s expanding connections to the rest of the Caribbean and beyond. The Haiti-headquartered carrier …
October 10, 2024
US storms could disrupt shipping here
Extreme weather hitting the United States on the back of a major port strike along the country’s eastern seaboard will likely disrupt shipping in the Virgin Islands in the coming …
October 10, 2024
Premier defends $100m borrow
Premier Dr. Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley has hit back at opposition criticism of a $100 million loan designed to boost the government’s long-delayed recovery from the hurricanes of 2017. His comments …
September 5, 2024
Opposition tries no-confidence vote
Citing a lengthy list of grievances and accusing the premier of “incompetence,” the opposition attempted to topple the government with a vote of no-confidence on Tuesday in the House of …
August 29, 2024
Civil service reform debated in House
Just ahead of the Saturday deadline for completing the Commission of Inquiry reforms, the House of Assembly has been debating a bill that would bring sweeping reforms to the …
July 25, 2024
Fahie says US informant, not him, led drug conspiracy
Former premier Andrew Fahie is pushing back against prosecutors’ contention that he led a plan to smuggle cocaine into the United States, instead arguing that it was a Drug Enforcement …
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July 4, 2024
US aims to jail Fahie for life
Last month, former premier Andrew Fahie asked a Miami judge to sentence him to the minimum 10 years in prison for conspiring to smuggle thousands of kilograms of cocaine into …
July 3, 2024
BVIEC mum on cost of 3-year fuel deal
Despite weeks of requests from the Beacon, the BVI Electricity Corporation has withheld basic details of a major fuel deal signed recently with SOL St. Lucia Limited. The utility, which …
June 28, 2024
Blistering review blasts law enforcers
Police and prison holding facilities described as “squalid” and “inhumane.” Evidence left unsecured on police officers’ desks in a “chaotic” manner. An unsafe police gun range where shooting drills occur …
June 27, 2024
Maynard gets 9 years for cocaine conspiracy
During a friendly lunch meeting in St. Thomas in March 2022, Oleanvine Maynard explained her financial goals to an undercover operative she believed to be a member of Mexico’s Sinaloa …
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June 19, 2024
Regulator warns banks to shape up
A regulator has demanded that banks in the Virgin Islands cut the long lines for services and treat their customers better or face tougher penalties. The warning from the Financial …
June 13, 2024
Eyeing minimum, Fahie asks for 10 years
An attorney for ex-premier Andrew Fahie argued last week that he was accused of acting only as a “figurehead” in the cocaine-trafficking scheme that led to his conviction and should …
June 7, 2024
HOA tackles crown land reforms
The 2022 Commission of Inquiry report blasted the government’s handling of crown land and called for comprehensive reforms after finding evidence that “serious dishonesty” may have occurred in at least …
May 23, 2024
Government touts first-year record
In an elaborate three-hour ceremony that featured dancers, saluting children, and the Rocky theme song, Premier Dr. Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley touted his government’s first year in office in a “territorial …
May 21, 2024
Concerns raised about Chinese fishing boats
In recent years, opposition member Stacy Mather has been hearing about evidence that Chinese boats may be fishing illegally in the territory’s waters, he said this month in the House …
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