AGP Executive Report

Powerball Fever: The jackpot keeps climbing after Saturday’s drawing produced no grand-prize winner. Monday’s estimated prize is $905 million (cash value about $391.9 million), after the numbers 5-9-35-54-63 with Powerball 7 and Power Play 3x. Near-Miss Winners: Four tickets matched all five white balls for $1 million each (Arizona, Florida, Michigan, New York), and a Texas ticket won $2 million by adding Power Play. Weather Watch: The U.S. Virgin Islands is under a Heat Advisory through 4 p.m. AST with heat indices around 110°F to 114°F, plus Saharan dust reducing visibility to about six miles and raising fire danger. Local Culture Loss: St. Croix mourns Bradley Christian, a longtime cultural guardian who helped preserve quadrille and other Virgin Islands traditions. Public Safety Update: A Castle Coakley shooting early Sunday left two brothers dead, pushing St. Croix’s 2026 homicide total to 30. Sports Pride: VIPD Officer Cindy Claudio returns after winning a bronze medal in women’s boxing at the 2026 CAC Games.

Lottery Fever: Powerball keeps rolling after no grand-prize winner Saturday, pushing Monday’s jackpot to an estimated $905 million (cash value about $391.9 million). Winning numbers were 5-9-35-54-63 with Powerball 7; one Texas ticket won $2 million and four others won $1 million. Local Loss: St. Croix cultural guardian Bradley Christian has died; a longtime quadrille caller and author of “Quadrille: The Official Dance of the U.S. Virgin Islands,” he spent decades preserving Virgin Islands traditions through roles including Fort Frederik Museum and the Department of Planning and Natural Resources. Clock Talk: With the Senate in recess, Americans are still expected to “fall back” Nov. 1 even as Trump backs making daylight saving time permanent. Violence Update: An early Sunday shooting outside Castle Coakley Bar left two brothers dead, bringing St. Croix’s homicide total to 16 for the year. Sports Pride: VIPD Officer Cindy Claudio returned after winning bronze in women’s 65kg boxing at the 2026 CAC Games in Santo Domingo.

Powerball Fever: No one matched all six numbers in Saturday’s Powerball drawing, so the jackpot keeps climbing to an estimated $905 million for Monday, Aug. 10 (cash option about $391.9 million). Winning numbers: 5-9-35-54-63, Powerball 7; Power Play 3x. A Texas ticket won $2 million by matching all five white balls plus Power Play, and four other tickets (Arizona, Florida, Michigan, New York) won $1 million. St. Croix Violence: An early Sunday shooting outside Castle Coakley Bar left two brothers dead; VIPD says the victims were identified as Yordani Eduardo (30) and Delli Eduardo (25), with the territory’s homicide total reaching 30 for 2026. Local Sports Pride: VIPD Officer Cindy Claudio returns Sunday after winning bronze in women’s 65kg boxing at the 2026 CAC Games, the first time a USVI woman has medaled in boxing at the event. Citizenship Fight: President Trump signed new executive orders aimed at birthright citizenship and “birth tourism,” drawing fresh criticism over how they could affect U.S. territories.

Lottery Fever: Powerball keeps climbing after Wednesday’s drawing produced no jackpot winner, pushing Saturday’s prize to $856 million (cash value about $370.7 million) and making it the eighth-largest in game history; next drawing is Saturday night, with tickets sold across the U.S., Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the U.K. Local Pride: VIPD Officer Cindy Claudio is set for a hero’s welcome Sunday after winning bronze in the Women’s 65kg boxing division at the 2026 CAC Games in Santo Domingo—an historic first for a USVI woman medaling in boxing at the event. USVI Economy Watch: New employment data shows the territory’s private sector swung from a mid-2025 surge to a third-quarter recalibration, with gross job losses outpacing gains and net private employment down. Citizenship Debate: A new Trump executive order targeting birthright citizenship in U.S. territories is drawing sharp criticism from advocates, raising questions about how rules could affect places including the U.S. Virgin Islands. Community & Culture: The Refaluwasch Journal of Knowledge and Culture joined other territorial groups filing a Supreme Court amicus brief opposing the U.S. Air Force’s proposed open burning and open detonation of hazardous waste on Guam.

Lottery Fever: Powerball keeps climbing after no jackpot winner Wednesday; Saturday’s drawing is set at about $856 million (cash value about $372 million) with numbers 14-20-59-60-61 and Powerball 25, plus a $1 million consolation winner reported from Ohio. Citizenship Fight: President Trump signed new executive orders aimed at birthright citizenship and “birth tourism,” drawing criticism from Right to Democracy and raising questions about how rules could affect U.S. territories including the U.S. Virgin Islands. Local Justice: On St. Croix, a CIVICS & THE BENCH explainer breaks down why judges can’t simply deny bail to repeat offenders under the Revised Organic Act and Virgin Islands Supreme Court precedent. USVI Economy: A BLS-based look at territory employment shows a swing in 2025—private-sector job gains in Q2 followed by losses in Q3—highlighting ongoing volatility in a small workforce. Sports Spotlight: USVI boxer Cindy Claudio earns a bronze medal at the Central American and Caribbean Games after a semifinal stoppage. Community & Culture: Refaluwasch Journal of Knowledge and Culture joined other territorial groups filing a Supreme Court amicus brief over Guam’s proposed open burning and detonation of hazardous military waste.

Citizenship Fight in the Territories: A new Trump executive order is drawing fresh alarm in the U.S. territories, with Right to Democracy calling it “troubling” after the Supreme Court rejected an earlier birthright citizenship move; the order bars federal agencies from recognizing citizenship for people born in a territory “where citizenship is not conferred by Federal statute,” and it arrives as Congress weighs ending birthright citizenship for places including the U.S. Virgin Islands starting Jan. 1, 2027. Lottery Buzz: Powerball keeps climbing after no jackpot winner Wednesday, now at $856 million for Saturday’s drawing (cash option about $372 million); tickets are sold in 45 states plus D.C., Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the U.K., and an Ohio ticket matched five numbers for $1 million. Local Courts & Public Safety: On St. Croix, a CIVICS & THE BENCH explainer tackles public frustration over repeat offenders, bail, and how the Superior Court sets pre-trial release under the Revised Organic Act. Sports Spotlight: USVI Police Officer Cindy Claudio earned a bronze medal in women’s boxing at the CAC Games in Santo Domingo. Community & Culture: Refaluwasch Journal of Knowledge and Culture joined other territorial groups filing a Supreme Court brief urging stronger environmental review and public participation in a Guam hazardous-waste burning and detonation case. Tourism/Travel Note: Preferred Hotels & Resorts welcomed The Botany in St. Thomas into its network.

Lottery Watch: Powerball keeps rolling after Wednesday’s drawing produced no jackpot winner, pushing the prize to an estimated $856 million ahead of Saturday night; the winning numbers were 14-20-59-60-61 with Powerball 25 and a 2X Power Play, and one Ohio ticket matched five white balls for $1 million. Immigration Policy: President Trump signed new executive orders aimed at narrowing birthright citizenship and targeting “birth tourism,” following the Supreme Court’s June decision upholding citizenship for most babies born on U.S. soil. Environment & Guam/USVI: The Refaluwasch Journal of Knowledge and Culture joined other territorial groups filing an amicus brief urging the U.S. Supreme Court to require rigorous environmental review and public participation before the Air Force can open-burn and open-detonate hazardous waste on Guam—an issue with implications for other territories including the U.S. Virgin Islands. Sports: USVI Police Department Officer Cindy Claudio earned a bronze medal at the 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games after a semifinal stoppage, securing a podium finish for the territory. Local Tourism/Hotels: Preferred Hotels & Resorts announced 10 new member properties, including The Botany in St. Thomas, set to debut this winter. Hemp Policy: Senators and outside groups are pushing Congress over whether to delay a federal hemp THC ban in November.

Local Sports: Virgin Islands Police Department Officer Cindy Claudio earned a Bronze Medal for the U.S. Virgin Islands after a hard-fought women’s 65kg semifinal at the 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games in Santo Domingo, where the bout was stopped in Round 2 and both semifinal losers are awarded podium finishes. Immigration Policy: President Donald Trump signed executive orders aimed at curbing “birth tourism,” including new limits tied to birthright citizenship after the Supreme Court upheld the 14th Amendment interpretation. Environment & Health: A coalition of territorial groups, including the Refaluwasch Journal of Knowledge and Culture, filed an amicus brief urging the U.S. Supreme Court to require stronger environmental review before the U.S. Air Force can open-burn and detonate hazardous waste on Guam. Community & Travel: Middle Tennessee men’s basketball will travel to the U.S. Virgin Islands for the 2026 Paradise Jam (Nov. 20-23), with St. Thomas games against Temple and other tournament opponents. Lottery Buzz: Powerball climbed to an estimated $856 million for Saturday’s drawing after Wednesday’s jackpot had no winner; the next draw is Aug. 8 at 10:59 p.m. ET.

Powerball: No one won the Aug. 5 Powerball jackpot. The winning numbers were 14-20-59-60-61 with Powerball 25 (Power Play 2x). The prize rolls to an estimated $856 million for Saturday’s drawing at 10:59 p.m. ET, with a cash value estimated around $372 million. One Ohio ticket matched five white balls for $1 million. Local relevance: Powerball is sold in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, so island players are in the mix for Saturday’s top prize. Public policy: A multi-state coalition of attorneys general is urging Congress to preserve the federal redefinition of hemp and reject efforts to weaken it, warning that reopening the loophole could bring back intoxicating hemp products. Environment/tourism: Scientists report record sargassum levels—about 27 million metric tons in July—blanketing Caribbean and Gulf beaches and threatening tourism.

Lottery Fever: Powerball keeps climbing ahead of Wednesday’s Aug. 5 drawing, now estimated at $786 million (cash value $341.6 million) after no jackpot winner in the Aug. 4 run; the latest drawn numbers were 14-20-59-60-61 with Powerball 25 and PowerPlay 2x, and tickets are sold in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Regional Health & Tourism: A new report says sargassum is smothering Caribbean and Gulf beaches, with 27 million metric tons recorded in July—bad news for shoreline tourism and marine life. Local Weather & Safety: St. Croix residents are seeing Saharan dust easing but heat is spiking, with a Heat Advisory and continued high fire danger as dry conditions persist. Territorial Sports: The USVI women’s softball team earned a silver medal at the Central American and Caribbean Games after rain and wind forced the gold-medal game to be postponed and then cancelled. Legal & Accountability: Sen. Ron Wyden renewed pressure over claims that a “60 Minutes” Epstein-related segment was “suppressed,” while New Mexico AG Raúl Torrez sued DOJ seeking access to unredacted Epstein files.

Hemp Policy Push: South Dakota AG Marty Jackley joined a 34-state coalition urging Congress to keep the 2025 federal hemp redefinition in place and avoid reopening loopholes that could bring back intoxicating hemp products. Drug Pricing Accountability: Michigan AG Dana Nessel announced a $400 million settlement in principle with Sandoz over alleged generic drug price-fixing, with Sandoz facing about $469 million total if approved; South Dakota’s share is $996,862.80. USVI Weather & Safety: St. Croix residents get Saharan dust clearing but face a Heat Advisory (heat index over 105°F) and high fire danger due to dry conditions; officials warn to hydrate and avoid outdoor burning. Epstein/60 Minutes Fallout: Sen. Ron Wyden says a “60 Minutes” Epstein-related segment was “suppressed,” while CBS calls the claim “categorically false.” Local Politics: Territorial primaries saw Del. Stacey Plaskett advance in the Democratic governor race. Sports: USVI women’s softball won silver at the CAC Games after rain forced cancellation of the gold-medal game. Tourism & Environment: Seaweed sargassum is blanketing Caribbean and Gulf beaches, threatening marine life and visitor experiences.

USVI Politics: Delegate Stacey Plaskett won the Democratic nomination for governor, defeating Lt. Gov. Tregenza Roach in the weekend territorial primary; Plaskett’s ticket with Senate President Milton Potter took the lead with 4,493 votes and a 1,439-vote margin as turnout neared 48%. Public Safety: On St. Croix, police arrested Albert Lindo III after an alleged machete break-in at Annas Retreat, where officers say he entered his grandmother’s home, scattered belongings, and threatened violence during a disturbance. Weather & Fire Risk: St. Croix residents saw Saharan dust ease early Tuesday, but a Heat Advisory remains in effect with heat index values above 105°F and critically dry conditions keeping fire danger high. Health/Consumer Watch: Attorneys general nationwide pushed to keep federal hemp reforms in place, warning that reopening loopholes could bring back intoxicating hemp products. Business/Legal: A coalition of states announced a $400 million settlement in principle with Sandoz over alleged generic drug price-fixing, with final approval pending. Sports: The USVI women’s softball team was awarded silver at the CAC Games after rain and wind forced cancellation of the gold-medal game. Lottery: Powerball climbed to an estimated $786 million for Wednesday after no jackpot winner in the Aug. 3 drawing.

Local Weather: St. Croix is under a Heat Advisory as Saharan dust clears, with heat index values expected to top 105°F and brief showers possible, while critically dry conditions keep fire danger high. Territorial Politics: Delegate Stacey Plaskett won the Democratic primary for governor, defeating Lt. Gov. Tregenza Roach, with the Plaskett–Potter ticket leading in unofficial results. Public Safety: VIPD arrested an Annas Retreat man after police say he used a machete to force open his grandmother’s door, dumped belongings, and allegedly threatened officers during a disturbance. Health & Antitrust: U.S. attorneys general, including leaders tied to the Sandoz case, announced a $400 million settlement in principle over alleged generic drug price-fixing and competition limits, with total payments projected around $469 million. Sports: The USVI women’s softball team earned a silver medal at the CAC Games after rain and wind forced cancellation of the gold-medal game. National Watch: Powerball continues climbing after no jackpot winner on Aug. 3; Wednesday’s estimated prize is $786 million (cash option $341.6 million).

Lottery Watch: Powerball’s huge run continues—no jackpot winner in Saturday’s Aug. 1 drawing, and Monday’s Aug. 3 prize is now $748 million (cash value $325.1 million). The Monday numbers are 8-30-41-48-54 with Powerball 4 and PowerPlay 2x. Territorial Politics: Democratic Del. Stacey Plaskett advanced in the USVI governor primary, setting up a November bid for governor with Milton Potter as her running mate. Public Safety: VIPD says an Annas Retreat man used a machete to force open his grandmother’s door during a disturbance, leading to charges including forcible/unlawful entry and disturbance of the peace. Health & Consumer Protection: A coalition of 43 attorneys general announced a $400 million settlement in principle with Sandoz over alleged generic drug price-fixing, with total payments estimated at about $469 million if approved. Local Infrastructure: The Economic Development Park Corporation is inviting bids for the William D. Roebuck Industrial Park lift station renovation on St. Croix. Environment: Sargassum seaweed continues to smother coastlines across the Caribbean and Gulf, with scientists warning it may be entering a self-sustaining cycle.

Antitrust & Consumer Protection: USVI is among the states tied to a major Sandoz antitrust settlement in principle, with Attorney General Tong announcing a $400 million deal that could total about $469 million for state enforcers, including injunctive reforms aimed at stopping generic drug price-fixing and competition limits. Local Courts & Safety: On St. Croix, police arrested a woman after a dispute over a vacated apartment at Estate Work & Rest escalated into threats to stab a landlady and a physical confrontation that included a Taser. Housing & Land Use: A separate St. Croix report highlights the risks of “squatter by permission,” where permissive access can turn into a legal fight over removal. Public Works: The Economic Development Park Corporation is seeking bids for renovation of the William D. Roebuck Industrial Park lift station on St. Croix, with questions due Aug. 17 and bids due Aug. 31. Politics: Stacey E. Plaskett won the USVI Democratic gubernatorial primary, with Milton E. Potter as running mate, while Janelle Sarauw won the Democratic delegate primary. Weather & Travel Impact: A moderate earthquake and aftershock were reported north of St. Thomas, and residents were asked to report what they felt. Environment: Seaweed sargassum continues to blanket Caribbean and Gulf coastlines, with scientists warning it may be self-sustaining and worsening tourism and marine impacts. Sports: USVI women’s softball ended a long medal drought at the CAC Games, taking silver after rain forced cancellation of the gold-medal game.

Local Politics: Delegate to Congress Stacey E. Plaskett won the USVI Democratic governor primary, defeating Tregenza A. Roach, with the Plaskett–Potter ticket taking 4,493 votes and a 1,439-vote margin; turnout was 47.75% with 9,991 ballots cast, pending certification. Delegate Race: Janelle K. Sarauw captured the Democratic primary for delegate to Congress with 4,913 votes (about 53.21%), beating Delia Smith (3,007) and others. Lottery Buzz: Powerball kept rolling after no jackpot winner in the Aug. 1 drawing; the next drawing Monday, Aug. 3 is estimated at $748 million (cash option $325.1 million). Winning numbers: 6-17-27-48-50, Powerball 5, Power Play 3x. Infrastructure Bids: The Economic Development Park Corporation is inviting sealed bids for the William D. Roebuck Industrial Park lift station renovation on St. Croix (IFB# 2026-01 EDPC), with questions due Aug. 17 and bids due Aug. 31. Public Safety/Weather: A moderate 4.93 earthquake and a 4.00 aftershock were reported north of St. Thomas; VITEMA asked residents to report where and when they felt the tremors. Crime Alert: VIPD issued a wanted bulletin for 21-year-old Deshawn Henley in a 3rd-degree burglary investigation on St. Croix.