News
Kyle Knowles, Political ‘Newbie’ Making Big Progress
By Deandrea Hamilton
Editor
#TurksandCaicos, March 12, 2022 – The newest kid on the political block has turned out to be a trendsetting leader for the governing Progressive National Party.
“I’m just wanting to do things right. Get things done for once. It definitely drives home the mindset that even as a parliamentarian, there is nothing wrong with rolling up your sleeves and doing some heavy lifting,” said Kyle Knowles, Wheeland – Member of Parliament.
How he got it done was by knowing the processes and activating government departments established to help.
“As a former civil servant and wanting to follow the procedure, just touching bases with my colleagues, touching bases with primarily the Public Works Department and them having the access to funding and equipment through a contractor, to have it done, and just bringing them out and having them see first-hand the high traffic that we have in this area…”
He said it all helped and work began later in 2021.
Kyle Knowles won the Wheeland District in February 19 2021 General Elections in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
The Wheeland District is usually the first constituency to be complete its electoral process, but in 2021, it was the last district to announce the final tally: 270 for PDM incumbent, Delroy Williams, a former government minister and 273, for newbie, Kyle Knowles to secure another seat in a near sweep for the Progressive National Party, PNP.
News of the upset, spread fast and far. Kyle Knowles had unseated a veteran and is now doing what appears to be the most – without a ministerial portfolio – of any member of parliament. Now, he is working to ensure he keeps the confidence of the electorate by upholding his campaign pledges.
“Overtime, there has been a lot of erosion to the sides of the road and damages to the curves; so wanting to mitigate the risk of it all was very important to me and I am just glad we were able to get it done.”
Accidents where cars were literally flipped upside-down have stopped. Employees of the Amanyara Resort, which live in a staff residence off the highway are grateful and the future is newly paved roadways and sidewalks, featuring also bike paths.
“It brought a different outlook to the constituency; always being one wanting to see more organized, beautified area,” said Hon Knowles in an interview as he stood at an intersection which used to be accident-prone, “Starting off here, only seemed right. With the help of the Ministry of Infrastructure, in helping to pave some other roads, it helped to bring some normalcy to the constituency.”
The roadway could be described as a death trap. A tricky curve has cost lives and resulted in freakish accidents. Motorists do speed along this thoroughfare, but taking back the bush which once jutted out into the highway and widening the roadway has brought an end to traffic tragedies and relief to pedestrians.
As for what was done: “They got a tractor, they got a grader, they got a roller, they got a few loads of quarry and they proceeded to carry out the exercise putting the quarry down, pushing it so that it would take shape, watering it so that it would be hard and fastened to the road and to the sides or area they were working and that was it. Then Mother Nature did its part.”
The Member of Parliament says, residents and motorists have been appreciative of the works programme which has seen the Millennium Highway widened and bushes trimmed.
“We have to drive safely and responsibly, but again we have to see how we can have the roadways properly cleared for that to happen,” said Knowles.
Kyle Knowles, who is a 34-year old husband and father of a young daughter has a behemoth of a problem in this very same community as well; an elephant in the room with a funky smell and an infamous reputation: the Providenciales Landfill, better known as the ‘Dump’.
Easing of the issues linked to the landfill was also a significant part of the Knowles Election campaign. Many are holding on and holding him to solving the problem.
“We have made significant strides with the CDB Consultation. I want to thank Ms Tiffany Murray, who is the current project manager spearheading those works, she’s done an excellent job, trying her endeavor best to make sure we hit those targets. Hopefully by April, we would have hit some major landmarks with those works,” said Knowles when questioned.
An update is expected to be delivered soon Knowles shared. The Ministry of Health has posted him to the special committee working with the Caribbean Development Bank on the consultation of national solid waste management solutions.
The Dump has been blamed for polluting the atmosphere, attracting illicit activity and emitting foul odors to the communities and resorts flanking the property in the northwest of Providenciales.
The Bahamas, August 27, 2026 – The Royal Bahamas Police Force wishes to inform members of the public that several individuals are scheduled to appear before the Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 27th August 2026, at 12:00 noon.
The individuals and charges are as follows:
An 18-year-old female is scheduled to be arraigned on the following charges:
Three (3) counts of Murder
Three (3) counts of Attempted Murder
Three (3) counts of Possession of a Firearm with Intent to Endanger Life
Three (3) counts of Possession of an Unlicensed Firearm
Two (2) counts of Possession of Ammunition
Armed Robbery
Abetment to Armed Robbery
Stealing
Receiving
The charges stem from three separate shooting incidents and an armed robbery that occurred on Friday, 21st August 2026, and Saturday, 22nd August 2026.
The first shooting occurred in the area of Soldier Road and Baillou Hill Road, resulting in the death of a 51-year-old male.
The second shooting occurred in the area of Joe Farrington Road, resulting in the death of a 52-year-old male.
The third shooting occurred in the area of Gladstone Road, resulting in the death of a 36-year-old male.
The armed robbery occurred at a business establishment in the area of Carmichael Road and Baillou Hill Road.
A 21-year-old male is scheduled to be arraigned on one charge of:
- Murder
The charge stems from a shooting incident that occurred on Tuesday, 21st July 2026, in the area of Samson Street, Nassau Village, which resulted in the death of a 28-year-old male.
A 32-year-old male is scheduled to be arraigned on the following charges:
- Murder
- Attempted Murder
These charges stem from a shooting incident that occurred on Wednesday, 24th December 2025, in the area of Graham Drive, Yellow Elder, which resulted in the death of a 25-year-old male.
RBPF, PACD
by Deandrea Hamilton | Editor
PROVIDENCIALES, TCI — In a country where government press conferences are virtually non-existent, ministers are often difficult for
journalists to access and regular broadcast television news has disappeared, TCI Innovation, Technology and Energy Minister E. Jay Saunders has challenged Caribbean media to become “impossible to ignore.”
Speaking at the Caribbean Broadcasting Union gathering, Saunders argued that the Caribbean does not have a relevance problem but a “discoverability and positioning problem.”
Discoverability is precisely the issue in Saunders’ home country. Even Government’s own attempts at video news broadcasting have struggled against the realities of consistently producing a daily, weekly or even monthly newscast.
The difficulties confronting TCI media extend well beyond algorithms: limited advertising revenue, underfunding, shortages of trained professionals and insufficient human capacity leave newsrooms struggling for both staff and stamina.
Then there is the reality of operating in one of the region’s smallest societies. Politicians, journalists, advertisers, businesses and the subjects of stories often exist within the same tight economic and social circles. A controversial report that might create a ripple elsewhere can produce a tsunami in TCI, intensifying concerns among journalists about commercial and professional victimisation.
Saunders believes AI can help.
He urged Caribbean media to use the technology to transform one original story into television, radio, web, podcast, social and translated content without multiplying newsroom workload.
He also wants regional journalism structured so AI systems can find, understand and trust Caribbean sources, moving media beyond traditional SEO into Answer Engine Optimisation.
His ultimate message was emphatic: “Use AI not to make Caribbean media more artificial — but to make Caribbean voices more visible.”
For Turks and Caicos media, however, becoming visible may require more than technology. It requires an environment in which journalism can survive.
That last sentence is where I think we land the plane. It acknowledges that EJ actually has some us
Bahamas News
Bahama Brass Band Invitation Sparks Heritage Debate Ahead of TCI Constitutional Holiday
Turks and Caicos, August 20, 2026 – The planned participation of the Bahama Brass Band in the Turks and Caicos Islands’ inaugural Constitutional Holiday celebrations on August 30 has sparked public debate over culture, heritage and the historical contributions of Turks and Caicos Islanders abroad.
Organizers defended the invitation, saying the band’s inclusion is intended to highlight the deep historical ties between the two countries
and honor Turks and Caicos men who helped establish and develop the institution in Grand Bahama.
According to the organizers, the Bahama Brass Band began in 1955 in Pine Ridge, Freeport, with Turks and Caicos Islanders, including the late Deacon Reuben Hall Sr. of Middle Caicos and Jenkins Williams and Mervin Hendfield of North Caicos, among those who helped build its foundation. The band eventually grew to more than 50 men.
The organizers also pointed to the participation of Turks and Caicos men in The Bahamas’ Independence celebrations on July 10, 1973, arguing that their contributions became part of Bahamian history while maintaining strong connections to their homeland.
Supporters say bringing the band home represents an opportunity to honor those pioneers, showcase their regional influence and expose younger generations to an important part of Turks and Caicos history.
However, concerns raised publicly described the invitation as potentially disrespectful to local culture and heritage. Organizers acknowledged those concerns, apologizing to anyone who felt overlooked or offended, while maintaining that no disrespect was intended.
The committee said the event should ultimately unite rather than divide, presenting the band’s history as evidence of the reach and resilience of Turks and Caicos heritage.
PHOTO CREDIT: Bahamas Brass Band
