WTJX Virgin Islands Public Broadcasting System

All candidates running under the party’s banner were initially qualified to run by the Office of the Supervisor of Elections after the office determined they met statutory requirements. The Democratic Party of the Virgin Islands then certified those candidates who met the party’s own internal requirements.

Certified candidates pull lots in both districts ahead of Democratic Party primary election First election cycle under new dual-certification process follows settlement between Democratic Party and Elections System; candidates learn Aug. 1 primary ballot order.

“I think I filed correctly,” Weber said, adding that he plans to argue both local and federal election law in his appeal. He also questioned why other petition issues can be corrected while district filing errors cannot. “If you can cure a petition because the people who have signed it may not be valid or the wrong party, really and truly, what does it matter where I deliver it?” he questioned. “It’s delivered in the Virgin Islands. I am who I am.” Weber is asking for a non-disqualification.

The VI Code requires candidates to file nomination petitions in the district where they reside. Fawkes said the rule cannot be corrected after the filing deadline.

James Weber III appeals disqualification from delegate race, requests Board of Elections hearing Former Senator James Weber III challenges ruling that he filed in wrong district, arguing petition should be accepted and asking Board of Elections to review decision.

Come thru black music month on NPR’s Tiny Desk. Look for Eve in June!

On today’s WTJX Radio NewsFeed: The Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority hosted its first Lineworker Exhibition & Festival at the Agricultural Fairgrounds to showcase the skills, safety practices, and everyday work of its linemen, while also honoring crews who helped restore power in Jamaica after Hurricane Melissa. District Judge Mark Kearny upheld the public corruption convictions of former Police Commissioner Ray Martinez and former OMB Director Jenifer O’Neal, rejecting their efforts to overturn the jury’s verdicts ahead of their respective June 9 and 11 sentencing. The Virgin Islands Parole Board is preparing to hear parole applications from 35 inmates housed in correctional facilities in Mississippi, Virginia, and the territory during a week of hearings scheduled for late June. Listen to these stories and more.

WTJX NEWSFEED: May 29, 2026 On today’s WTJX Radio NewsFeed: The Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority hosted its first Lineworker Exhibition & Festival at the Agricultural Fairgrounds to showcase the skills, safety practices, and everyday work of its linemen, while also honoring crews who helped restore power in Jamaica a...

“As always, the rule of law applies to everyone regardless of their temporary power and influence,” Kearney wrote in the opening sentence of the memorandum.

“These two former senior government officials now ask us to set aside the unanimous verdict from a twelve-person jury who heard all the evidence,” Kearney continued. “They repeat arguments they made to the jury. The adduced evidence overwhelmingly confirmed the officials’ disregard for the rule of law. We decline to set aside the jury’s considered verdicts.”

Judge Kearney denies acquittal bids from Martinez, O’Neal; Whitaker sentencing delay also rejected Judge denies Martinez & O’Neal’s motions for acquittal in 48-page ruling; rejects Whitaker’s bid for sentencing delay in separate ruling.

The amendments bar convicted felons and individuals convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude from holding any public office within the jurisdiction of the Virgin Islands, increase campaign donations, change early voting dates, and eliminate permit fees for political signs.

Senator Kenneth Gittens moved the amendment that would prohibit individuals convicted of felony offenses or crimes involving moral turpitude from qualifying for, being elected to or holding public office within the jurisdiction of the Virgin Islands unless they receive a full pardon restoring their civil rights. Individuals convicted of s*x offenses would be permanently barred from public office unless expressly pardoned with restoration of that eligibility. The amendment does not affect eligibility for the delegate to Congress, because eligibility requirements for that office are set by federal law.

Election amendments pass during Senate session on felon eligibility, campaign finance, early voting Senators approve bill with election-related amendments barring convicted felons from public offices, increasing campaign donations, and changing early voting dates.

Lawmakers amended the bill to place additional restrictions and operational requirements on the use of controlled incineration for green waste disposal at territory landfills. Under the amendments, controlled incineration may only be used when other environmentally safe disposal methods — including shredding, mulching, composting and reuse — are unavailable. The amendments also require the Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority and landfill operators to prioritize alternative green waste management practices over incineration.

Legislature approves bill authorizing controlled burning of green waste at landfills as last option Measure allows Waste Management Authority to use air curtain incinerators at landfills when other methods are unavailable, while imposing air monitoring requirements.

Despite initially qualifying Boschulte, Fawkes informed WTJX on Wednesday that she disqualified him because of his position on the Board of Elections. “He must resign from the board for me to qualify him,” Fawkes wrote in a text message to WTJX. Fawkes subsequently told WTJX on Wednesday evening that she received Boschulte’s resignation letter and qualified him to run as a candidate in the Democratic primary election. Boschulte’s resignation letter was dated May 27, effective that day.

Boschulte was elected to the board in 2024 for a four-year term and served as vice chair. During a board meeting on April 22, a motion that would have effectively removed him as vice chair failed on a 2-6 vote.

Lawrence Boschulte resigns from Board of Elections to run for Senate Local law prevents Board of Elections vice chair from remaining on board while seeking legislative office.

On today’s WTJX Radio NewsFeed: For the first time since the expansion of the Court, the Supreme Court of the Virgin Islands has its full complement following the legislature's confirmation of Judge Denise Francois, while attorney Renee Andre received confirmation to the Superior Court bench in the St. Thomas–St. John district. A constitutional advisor says parts of the proposed Virgin Islands constitution may invite federal legal challenges, as delegates continue the territory’s sixth effort to adopt a constitution. The Veterans Drive Improvement Project on St. Thomas has secured its final major federal permit, allowing the waterfront and transportation improvement project to move closer to the solicitation and procurement phase. Listen to these stories and more.

WTJX NEWSFEED: May 28, 2026 On today’s WTJX Radio NewsFeed: For the first time since the expansion of the Court, the Supreme Court of the Virgin Islands has its full complement following the legislature's confirmation of Judge Denise Francois, while attorney Renee Andre received confirmation to the Superior Court bench in th...

“While employee deductions continue to be accurately recorded within the payroll system, limited cash flow has at times prevented timely remittance of all obligations to GERS and other third-party entities,” Darlene Baptiste, CEO of the territory’s consolidated hospital system wrote.

In speaking with WTJX, GERS Administrator Angel Dawson Jr. said, “If they, in fact, withheld employee contributions that have not been remitted, they’re responsible for remitting those as well, and this is in addition to a 6% lost-income opportunity cost that we impose, as well as a 1.5% penalty,” he said.

Dawson said missing employer contributions would impact the ability for employees to obtain the loans. He said GERS has not received contribution payments from JFL since July 28, 2025, for the pay period ending May 15, 2025, and that the delinquency affects employees’ ability to secure new loans or refinance existing ones. He said GERS requires timely remittance of employer and employee contributions, as well as loan repayments withheld from workers’ paychecks, and cannot continue issuing loans if repayments are not being received.

Hospitals CEO responds to Sen. Gittens letter: JFL, SRMC owe $20.38M in back payroll deductions JFL accounts for $19.5 million of total outstanding debt to GERS, tax agencies, and labor unions; SRMC attributes smaller $844,000 balance to allotment timing.