AGP Executive Report

Tourism & Travel Trade: The ASTA Caribbean Showcase wrapped in St. Kitts and Nevis, with U.S. and regional travel advisors meeting tourism officials, touring hotels, and building destination know-how—an effort aimed at helping sellers match clients to the islands more confidently. Local Consumer & Payments: The V.I. Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs reminded businesses that pennies still count as legal tender, and that declining one-cent availability can’t justify routine cash rounding up, refusing cash, or removing required payment options. Public Health & Retail Compliance: Clorox recalled about 6.3 million bottles of scented Mistolin and Lestoil cleaners sold in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands due to possible Pseudomonas aeruginosa contamination, with DLCA urging immediate stop-use for affected products—especially for people with weakened immune systems or external medical devices. Cybersecurity: Thomson Reuters disclosed an unauthorized breach of its C-Track court case management platform that may have exposed personal data and some sealed/confidential records, including for the U.S. Virgin Islands. Maritime Safety: The Coast Guard Southeast District warned travelers across Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands to verify credentials and inspections before boarding illegal passenger-for-hire charters.

Consumer Safety Recall: Clorox is recalling about 6.3 million bottles of scented Mistolin Dilutable Cleaners and Lestoil Heavy Duty Multi-Purpose Cleaners sold in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands due to possible contamination with Pseudomonas aeruginosa; DLCA is urging Virgin Islands shoppers to stop using affected products right away, especially people with weakened immune systems or external medical devices. Local Business Payments: The VI Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs says pennies still count as legal tender in the territory, and businesses can’t use penny shortages to routinely round up, refuse cash, or drop required payment options while federal “Common Cents” changes are still pending. Travel & Air Service: Delta is rolling out a limited-time loyalty offer for eligible Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express cardholders—spend $10,000 in six months to earn two round-trip Comfort Flight Certificates plus 50,000 bonus SkyMiles, valid for eligible Delta travel including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Maritime Compliance: The Coast Guard is warning travelers across Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to avoid illegal passenger-for-hire charters and to verify credentials before boarding. Cyber & Courts: Thomson Reuters says an unauthorized party accessed files tied to its C-Track court case management platform, affecting courts in 11 U.S. states, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Ontario, with some sealed or confidential materials potentially exposed.

Consumer Protection & Retail Payments: The VI Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs says pennies still count as legal tender in the U.S. Virgin Islands, and businesses can’t use the one-cent coin shortage to routinely round up charges, refuse cash, or drop required payment options; if exact change is temporarily unavailable, any rounding must be fair, consistent, symmetrical, and clearly disclosed. Public Health & Household Goods: Clorox is recalling about 6.3 million bottles of scented Mistolin Dilutable Cleaners and Lestoil Heavy Duty Multi-Purpose Cleaners sold in Puerto Rico and the USVI due to possible Pseudomonas aeruginosa contamination, with the biggest risk for people with weakened immune systems or external medical devices. Cybersecurity for Courts: Thomson Reuters says an unauthorized party accessed files from its C-Track court case management platform, including the U.S. Virgin Islands, with some records potentially containing sensitive personal and sealed/confidential information. Maritime Safety: The Coast Guard is warning travelers across the region, including the USVI, about illegal passenger-for-hire charter operations ahead of Labor Day, urging passengers to verify credentials and vessel inspection status before boarding. Local Agriculture Education: Johnson Bayou High School FFA received a $4,650 Grants for Growing award to build a small hydroponic lab for hands-on plant science and sustainable food production.

Consumer Safety Recall: Clorox Manufacturing Company of Puerto Rico is recalling about 6.3 million bottles of scented Mistolin Dilutable Cleaners and Lestoil Heavy Duty Multi-Purpose Cleaners sold in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands due to possible contamination with Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which can cause serious infections for people with weakened immune systems or external medical devices; Local Consumer Guidance: The V.I. Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs says consumers should stop using affected products immediately and notes only certain scented versions with specific date codes are included; Maritime Compliance: The Coast Guard Southeast District is warning travelers across Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands about illegal passenger-for-hire charter operations, urging passengers to verify credentials and a vessel’s Certificate of Inspection before boarding; Cybersecurity & Courts: Thomson Reuters disclosed an unauthorized breach of its C-Track court case management platform that may have exposed personal data and possibly sealed documents for courts in 11 U.S. states plus the U.S. Virgin Islands and Ontario, Canada; Agriculture Education: Johnson Bayou High School FFA in the U.S. Virgin Islands received a $4,650 Tractor Supply “Grants for Growing” award to build a small hydroponic lab for hands-on plant science and sustainable food production.

Cybersecurity & Courts: Thomson Reuters says an unauthorized party accessed its C-Track court case files in March 2026, with impacts reported in 11 U.S. states plus the U.S. Virgin Islands and Ontario; the company says some sealed or confidential material may be involved and offers identity monitoring for affected people. Consumer Safety: Clorox is recalling about 6.3 million bottles of scented Mistolin and Lestoil cleaners sold in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands due to possible bacteria contamination, with higher risk flagged for people with weakened immune systems or medical devices. Local Business Payments: The DLCA warns USVI businesses not to use the penny shortage as a reason to refuse cash or routinely round up; any rounding must be fair, consistent, symmetrical, and clearly disclosed. Maritime Compliance: The Coast Guard Southeast District is cracking down on illegal passenger-for-hire charters across the region, urging riders in USVI to verify credentials and inspection certificates before boarding. Food & Household Ops: SNAP maximum benefits are set to rise Oct. 1 under USDA rates, but household amounts will still vary by income and expenses. Tourism & Shipping Pulse: A new Norwegian Cruise Line ship, Norwegian Aura, is rolling out major wellness and dining upgrades and will sail from Miami starting after Europe departures.

Currency & Retail Compliance: The DLCA says pennies are still legal tender in the U.S. Virgin Islands and businesses can’t use the one-cent coin shortage to justify refusing cash, dropping required payment options, or routinely rounding up—any rounding must be fair, consistent, symmetrical, and clearly disclosed. Public Health Recall: Clorox is recalling about 6.3 million bottles of scented Mistolin Dilutable Cleaners and Lestoil Heavy Duty Multi-Purpose Cleaners sold in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands due to possible bacteria contamination (including Pseudomonas aeruginosa), with higher risk for people with weakened immune systems or external medical devices. Cybersecurity & Privacy: Thomson Reuters says an unauthorized party accessed files from its C-Track court case management platform, affecting courts in 11 U.S. states, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Ontario, with potential exposure of sensitive personal and sealed/confidential information. Maritime Safety: The Coast Guard is warning residents and visitors across the region—including the U.S. Virgin Islands—about risks from illegal passenger-for-hire charter operations and urges passengers to verify credentials and inspection certificates before boarding.

Product Safety: Clorox Puerto Rico is recalling about 6.3 million bottles of scented Mistolin Dilutable Cleaners and Lestoil Heavy Duty Multi-Purpose Cleaners sold in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands due to possible bacteria contamination, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The risk is mainly for people with weakened immune systems or those with external medical devices; exposure can occur via inhalation, eyes, or breaks in skin. Maritime Safety: The Coast Guard Southeast District is warning travelers across Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands about illegal passenger-for-hire charter operations ahead of Labor Day, urging passengers to verify credentials, safety plans, and inspection certificates before boarding. Cybersecurity & Privacy: Thomson Reuters says an unauthorized party accessed files from its C-Track court case management platform, affecting courts in 11 U.S. states plus the U.S. Virgin Islands and Ontario, Canada, with potential exposure of sensitive personal data and some sealed/confidential records. Household & Food/Travel Impact: SNAP maximum benefits are set to rise nearly 3% starting Oct. 1 under new USDA rates, though individual household amounts will vary by income and household size.

Cybersecurity & Courts: Thomson Reuters says an unauthorized party accessed files from its C-Track court case system, affecting appellate courts in 11 U.S. states plus the U.S. Virgin Islands and Ontario, with possible exposure of names, Social Security numbers, driver’s license data, medical info, and sealed/confidential records. Consumer Safety: CPSC recalled 6.3 million bottles of Clorox Mistolin Dilutable Cleaners and Lestoil Heavy Duty Multi-Purpose Cleaners sold in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands due to possible bacterial contamination. Maritime Compliance: Coast Guard Southeast District is warning travelers across the region, including the U.S. Virgin Islands, about illegal passenger-for-hire charter operations and urges passengers to verify credentials and inspection certificates before boarding. Local Governance & Public Service: Former USVI Gov. Kenneth Mapp received the Virgin Islands Medal of Honor and Route 75 was designated the “Gov. Kenneth E. Mapp Highway.” Tourism & Shipping: Norwegian Cruise Line announced its Norwegian Aura—its largest ship—plus new wellness and dining features, with voyages that include Miami.

Consumer Safety: Clorox-linked cleaner recall hits the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico: 6.3 million bottles of Scented Mistolin Dilutable Cleaners and Lestoil Heavy Duty Multi-Purpose Cleaners may be contaminated with bacteria, with specific PR01 date codes and retailer sales listed by the CPSC. Cybersecurity & Courts: Thomson Reuters disclosed an unauthorized breach of its C-Track court case management files, affecting courts in 11 U.S. states plus the U.S. Virgin Islands and Ontario; the company says some records could include sensitive personal and sealed/confidential information, with identity monitoring offered. Maritime Enforcement: The Coast Guard Southeast District is warning residents across Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands about illegal passenger-for-hire charter operations ahead of Labor Day, urging passengers to verify credentials and inspection certificates before boarding. Tech & Consumer Protection: Montana AG Austin Knudsen announced a major Meta settlement over claims Facebook and Instagram were designed to be addictive to minors and misled the public; the deal also covers claims from Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Hospitality & Travel: Norwegian Cruise Line opened bookings for Summer 2028, including Caribbean sailings and extensive port time, signaling continued demand for regional travel.

Maritime Safety Push: The Coast Guard Southeast District is warning travelers across Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands about the risks of illegal passenger-for-hire charter operations ahead of Labor Day, urging riders to verify Merchant Mariner Credentials, look for a Coast Guard Certificate of Inspection for boats carrying more than six passengers, and question suspiciously low prices and unclear contracts. Court Tech Disruption: A Thomson Reuters cyberattack tied to court management software reportedly affected systems in 11 states, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Canada, with concerns about exposure of sealed documents and personal information. Mortgage Rules Fight: Ten state attorneys general are challenging an OCC rule on real estate lending escrow accounts and interest-on-escrow preemption, arguing states’ long-running escrow interest requirements should not be overridden. Territory & Trade Tensions: Trump again promoted a “New U.S. Territory” map that includes the Strait of Hormuz, as Iran pushes back and mine-clearing efforts aim to restore commercial shipping through the waterway. Local Recognition in Agriculture: FFA chapters tied to U.S. Virgin Islands inclusion in national programs continue to earn top national rankings, highlighting ongoing youth agriculture leadership.

Mortgage & Banking Watch: Ten state attorneys general sued to block an OCC rule on real estate lending escrow accounts and interest-on-escrow preemption, a fight that could ripple into how lenders handle escrow payments. USVI Public Service: Former Gov. Kenneth Mapp received the Virgin Islands Medal of Honor, and Route 75 was renamed the “Gov. Kenneth E. Mapp Highway,” highlighting ongoing focus on disaster recovery and leadership. Territory Gaming: Labor Day horse races on St. Thomas were cancelled after the Legislature effectively stalled the Southland Gaming horse-racing agreement, leaving the planned Sept. 6 race day without the needed license. Kids Online Safety: Meta agreed to a $17 billion settlement over alleged harm to minors, with Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands included and additional child-safety steps like daily time caps. Caribbean Tourism Leadership: CMEx will honor hospitality pioneer Ralph Taylor at its Dec. 6 leadership awards, spotlighting the region’s all-inclusive tourism growth. Climate & Agriculture: Puerto Rico was declared a drought disaster for 26 municipalities, unlocking emergency loans for farmers and ag producers.

USVI Governance: The 36th Legislature sent a St. Thomas horse racing and gaming bill back to committee, a move Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. called effectively killing the Southland Gaming deal—leaving the Sept. 6 Labour Day races cancelled and the licensing path unclear. Local Economy & Agriculture: Puerto Rico’s drought disaster declaration covers 26 municipalities, unlocking SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans for small businesses and agricultural producers hit by severe water shortages—an important signal for regional farming and supply chains. Industry & Finance: A new CommercialCrimePolicy.com platform was launched by Surety One to streamline commercial crime insurance and fidelity bond applications, aiming to speed up coverage submissions for businesses. Tech & Access: Sun West Mortgage and AngelAi rolled out “Angel Agents” for enterprise AI deployment, pitching faster, multi-tenant setup with private user data—relevant to USVI firms watching AI adoption. Legal/Markets: The Ninth Circuit rejected prediction-market sports contracts as “swaps” under the Commodity Exchange Act, setting up a circuit split that could shape how regulators treat similar products.

USVI Governance: The 36th Legislature sent a horse racing and gaming bill back to committee, a move Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. called effectively killing the Southland Gaming deal; senators also confirmed new board nominees for WAPA and the Board of Pharmacy. Tourism & Hospitality: Caribbean Media Exchange (CMEx) will honor hospitality pioneer Ralph Taylor at its 2026 Leadership Awards and Fundraiser, spotlighting his role in expanding the all-inclusive model across Barbados and St. Lucia. Agriculture & Youth Leadership: Two FFA chapters earned national recognition, including Crockett FFA’s three-star National Chapter Award rating and North Pitt FFA’s three-star honor. Finance & Tech (Territory-Relevant): Meta agreed to a $17.1 billion multistate settlement over alleged addictive design and child safety failures; the deal includes Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands and requires new youth safety measures. Disaster & Food Security: Puerto Rico received a federal drought disaster declaration covering 26 municipalities, unlocking SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans for farmers and small businesses. Energy/Infrastructure: A St. Croix native was confirmed to WAPA’s governing board, with lawmakers citing decades of procurement and power-industry experience. Business Risk (Local): USPS duty-collection changes are drawing pushback from a territory delegate, who urged a pause for the U.S. Virgin Islands and other territories.

AI & Finance Access: Sun West Mortgage Company and AngelAi launched “Angel Agents,” aiming to let thousands of users run secure, personalized enterprise AI with private data in a fast, multi-tenant setup. Biotech Business Update: YD Bio Limited reported unaudited results for the six months ended June 30, 2026, highlighting a shift toward profitability and a surge in revenue tied to expanded commercial orders. Local Governance & Jobs: The USVI Legislature sent the Southland Gaming horse-racing bill back to committee, leaving the St. Thomas racetrack plan in limbo and contributing to the cancellation of Labour Day races. Online Safety & Territory Impact: A $17.1B multistate Meta settlement includes claims brought by Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, with required child-safety changes like daily time caps and removal of like counters. Agriculture & Disaster Relief: Puerto Rico received a federal drought disaster declaration covering 26 municipalities, unlocking SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans for small businesses and agricultural producers. Infrastructure & Energy Oversight: USVI senators confirmed new board nominees for WAPA and the Board of Pharmacy, moving governance and oversight forward.

Tourism & Hospitality: Caribbean Media Exchange (CMEx) is set to honor hospitality pioneer Ralph Taylor at its 2026 Leadership Awards and Fundraiser, spotlighting his role in expanding all-inclusive travel across Barbados and St. Lucia. Local Governance: Former USVI Gov. Kenneth Mapp received the territory’s Medal of Honor, with St. Croix’s Route 75 officially named the “Gov. Kenneth E. Mapp Highway.” Legislative & Gaming: USVI’s Labour Day horse races were cancelled after lawmakers sent the Southland Gaming bill back to committee, leaving the racetrack plan in limbo. Agriculture & Disaster Relief: Puerto Rico’s drought disaster declaration unlocks SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans for affected small businesses and agricultural producers—an issue that also matters for regional food supply chains. Digital Safety & Consumer Protection: A major multistate Meta settlement (covering Puerto Rico and the USVI) requires new child-safety measures on Facebook and Instagram, with funds tied to consumer protection. Infrastructure & Utilities: The 36th Legislature advanced key board appointments for WAPA and the Board of Pharmacy, keeping oversight moving on power and health regulation.

Territory Policy & Commerce: The U.S. government declared a drought disaster for parts of Puerto Rico, opening SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans for small businesses and agricultural producers in 26 municipalities—an important lifeline for growers facing crop losses and stalled production. Local Governance & Sports/Entertainment: On St. Thomas, the Labour Day horse races were cancelled after the Legislature sent the Southland Gaming racetrack bill back to committee, leaving the planned Sept. 6 race day without the needed license. Online Safety & Consumer Protection: A landmark $17.1B multistate settlement with Meta over addictive design of Facebook and Instagram includes U.S. Virgin Islands participation, with required child-safety changes like daily time caps and removal of like counters. Aviation & Travel Industry: Delta rolled out a “first-ever” limited-time premium credit card welcome offer aimed at attracting new cardholders, including Comfort certificates—another sign of intensifying airline competition. Cruise Construction & Tourism: Oceania Cruises floated out its new ship, Oceania Sonata, moving from dry dock to fitting-out ahead of an August 2027 debut with Caribbean sailings from Miami.