Commentary

Election season is here but how effective are political parties in the USVI? Are they vetting candidates, building coherent policy platforms, and helping produce good governance — or do they need major reform?

For many of us, hurricane preparation is not just a checklist, but an emotional process. It brings back memories of long lines, hot nights without power, cold showers, damaged roofs, blocked roads, lost workdays, and the deep uncertainty that comes after a major storm. So yes, preparedness begins at home; but, in the Virgin Islands, it cannot and should not end there.

At a time when so many people feel exhausted by increasingly fractured public life, I sometimes wonder whether broader society might benefit from reflecting more deeply on the role that consultation, humility, and nonpartisanship could play in strengthening civic culture.

April is the month where the monstrous leatherback sea turtles come onto our shores to lay their eggs, particularly on the island of St. Croix. Like the leatherback sea turtles, one of our rarest, beautiful wildflowers in the Virgin Islands, known as Watapama or Wattapania, which loves our dry weather, comes into bloom.

"Pete was a dedicated public servant, a devoted husband and father, and by every account, a man of quiet strength, deep faith, and an open heart. The Virgin Islands is better for his service."

36th Legislature of the Virgin Islands' Calendar

In his biweekly column, Langley Shazor speaks to issues important to men within the territory.

"Frederiksted deserves safety, investment, and the full attention of every level of government. We will continue to fight for nothing less."

If you want to do something heroic this election cycle, start with mothers. Put us at the forefront of your platforms. Then follow through. The way we support mothers during the earliest stages of parenthood eventually echoes throughout the entire society.

After months of community support across St. Thomas and Juneau, young Cade Jobsis received a groundbreaking gene therapy for a rare genetic disorder, marking a major milestone in a journey fueled by family, resilience, and generosity.

"As Delegate to Congress, I was proud to work alongside him as he demonstrated his intellectual rigor and deep humanity. His passing leaves a void in our public life."

The DPVI reaffirmed that democracy does not begin at the general election, but at the primary—where voters first exercise their choice and political parties fulfill their role in the democratic process.

A lifetime of being labeled “too much” finally had a name. In this powerful op-ed, Michele L. Weichman shares how undiagnosed mental illness, stigma, and workplace discrimination shaped her life — and why silence is no longer an option.

In 2023, there were five of us representing the Virgin Islands — one from St. Thomas and four from St. Croix. It was a proud moment to stand together, united in advocacy and committed to ensuring that our voices were part of the national conversation. In 2024, I found myself alone. I was the only voice representing the U.S. Virgin Islands. While that reality could have felt isolating, it instead strengthened my resolve. I understood more clearly than ever that showing up matters. If you are not at the table, no one knows what you want.

36th Legislature of the Virgin Islands REVISED SENATE CALENDAR May 4 – May 15 WEDNESDAY, MAY 06, 2026 Committee on Education and Workforce Development 10:00 A.M. Frits E. Lawaetz Legislative Conference Room The Committee will consider proposed legislation as well as receive a status update from the University of the Virgin  Islands. BLOCK I Status update from the University...

A student production of Hadestown turns an ancient myth into a striking reflection of today’s world, blending love, loss and climate anxiety into a performance that leaves one question lingering: can hope survive doubt?

If you are paying attention this year, there are not a lot of mango trees flowering. You (Virgin Islands residents) probably didn’t notice that with the many issues our global community is facing these days, who has paid attention to if a mango tree is blossoming or not? We are in April, and soon it will be hurricane season. However, the greatest teacher of humankind is the environment.

How long do WAPA and the government expect residents to bear the mental, physical and financial cost of a poorly maintained, dilapidated monopoly that has failed them for generations and squandered taxpayers’ money through mismanagement and bad contracts without accountability?

In his biweekly column, Langley Shazor speaks to issues important to men within the territory.

The residents of the Virgin Islands may know it as a landfill today, but Anguilla Estate on St. Croix's south shore has a long and fertile history.