Joshua Barry

Virgin Islander Maia Aqui was just 16 when she began crafting “The Manor in the Forest,” a novel that weaves together themes of magic and environmental protection. Now 20, Aqui has released her debut work, a story that follows a spirited orphan whose search for her family’s past leads to a broader mission to protect the natural world.

Hunter Simpson, an 18-year-old solo artist from the Virgin Islands, is proving that passion, mentorship, and hard work can catapult a dream into reality. Born in Philadelphia and raised in the Virgin Islands since he was three years old, Simpson’s journey into the music world is as vibrant and dynamic as his sound — a fusion of soca, Caribbean rhythms, and modern storytelling. Simpson’s connection to Caribbean music started early.

The Health, Hospitals, and Human Services Committee tackled pressing issues in health care access, regulatory reforms, and medical waste management on Friday. Led by Sen. Ray Fonseca, the committee approved three pivotal bills, each aimed at addressing long-standing gaps in the territory’s health care infrastructure. The first measure, Bill No. 35-0254, proposed by Sen. Diane Capehart, seeks to establish the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact.