News
Minister Connolly Budget Highlights; DMO is ‘no sin’, Zero Arrears in Gaming and Churches to get direct support
By Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
TOURISM
With a budget of nearly 50 percent higher than the year prior, Minister of Tourism Josephine Connolly, says her ministry has plans in several sectors including Climate Change, Agriculture and Tourism to improve islanders’ lives.
When it comes to the new concept to guide and govern tourism, $1.6 million dollars has been allocated for the completion of the Destination Management Organization and Tourism Regulatory board in the next year, Connolly said.
The Government is now waiting for consultants to present several documents including the governance structure, the required legislation management plans and all members of current staff will be transferred to the DMO.
“There is no sin in evaluating what you have to create something even better. The Destination Management Organization and Regulatory Authority will ensure that we are working cooperatively with the private sector in a sustainable and strategic way,” she insisted.
A capacity study is coming, its cost: $100,000 and it will explore how many other carriers the government can allow into Grand Turk for cruising. Governor’s Beach will also be upgraded in anticipation of new cruise lines and the enhancement carries a $240,000 price tag.
GAMING
Minister Connolly described the revenue collections by the Gaming Commission which were 80 per cent higher than expected at 2.8 million ’a major achievement’. It was achieved through the ‘aggressive’ collection of arrears resulting
in no outstanding arrears.
RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS
For the Church, $250,000 has been set aside for a Religious Affairs unit. This is in tandem, Connolly said, with the creation of the Faith Based initiative and Advisory Committee through which Grant Programs, Food and Shelter Assistance, Social and Youth Programs and subsidies or support to church schools will be facilitated.
ENVIRONMENT
Connolly promised that the next holding of the TCIs Climate Change Summit will bring larger international and regional crowds.
AGRICULTURE
In the agricultural sector Minister Josephine Connolly said the TCIG would be ‘aggressively’ promoting the industry as well as providing grants for new and current farmers. In order to boost campaigns to enter farming there will be educational campaigns and the allocation for grants will increase from $100,000 to $250,000.
A loan scheme, national nursery and the establishment of school farms are also in the works.
FISHERIES
A fisheries management policy is on the way as well for that industry to the tune of $50,000 and is to be complemented by a ‘Fishing Corp’. The Fishing Corp will be established by early 2023 to strengthen relations with local fishermen.
International partners have gifted the Turks and Caicos, 77,000 pounds has been gifted to the TCI from International partners to “enhance marine ecosystems” Connolly said.
By the end of the second quarter of the year there will be new regulations for small crafts including jet skis to promote safety.
The safety of the environment is also being secured with DECR adding 2 new members to the beach patrol unit, more strict protection of nature reserves will be carried out by the DECR as well with 650 thousand dollars also allocated to the upgrading of beach access points as well as funding two new boats.
The Minister maintained that the many initiatives were for the benefit of the TCI Islanders and the preservation of the islands.
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
