News
$16 Million Stimulus Announced by PNP Gov’t, coming in August
By Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
#TurksandCaicos, July 15, 2022 – A new $16 Million Price Inflation Stimulus (PIS) is on the way for Turks and Caicos Islanders. The announcement was made by Premier Washington Misick in a press conference on Thursday.
“Rising prices of fuel, supply chain issues, increasing commodity prices, and rising food costs have negatively impacted the purchasing power of every household. Bills are increasing at such a fast pace that salaries can’t keep up,” he said.
Misick explained that the stimulus package was created in order to combat this and the 9.1per cent inflation rate. The package has three parts. The first is a $1,000 payout for Turks and Caicos Islanders and British Overseas Territory Citizens.
From the bulk stimulus approved for relief amidst soaring oil, food and fuel prices, $12 million dollars have been allocated for cash in the pockets of roughly 12,000 people.
“The stimulus is intended to provide relief for homeowners who require assistance with rent— for homeowners who require assistance with electricity bills— with loan payments and utilities to provide relief for transportation expenses and groceries.”
Misick explained that those who had applied and were approved for the $500 Inflation stimulus, which was issued earlier this year would not have to reapply as their payments would be processed automatically and money would start to be dispersed by next month.
The stimulus in February this year was intended to serve up to 13 thousand people, however, a report informed that of the 13,094 applications, 11,481 were approved.
The individuals who were unsuccessful in the first quarter stimulus can now re-apply, however those who were registered and received the cheques which were being issued up to March, are guaranteed this new financial help funded by the public purse.
Information issued several weeks ago explained, an additional $ 600,000 was allocated to pay the deferred individuals who were approved after the payment period of the early 2022 Inflation stimulus.
Based on the explanation of the qualifiers by Premier Misick, 519 Islanders who were not immediately approved for the stimulus in February will be able to apply for this new one. The premier did not address whether the requirements that blocked younger applicants from the last financial relief, due to a lack of requisite identification would be waived.
The second part of the PIS package engineered to combat the massive thirty-eight percent food increase, is a waiver on customs duties and Customs Processing Fees on nearly two dozen breadbasket items.
This measure is set to begin on August 1st and will apply to breadbasket items on a list to be published by the Ministry of Finance. It is an across the board break; goods brought in by grocers or individuals will all be temporarily duty free and Customs Processing Fee free.
The third part of the stimulus package is a $2 million injection into the works program to provide more jobs.
As an addition, the customs duty exemption for returning residents has been raised by $200 to $600 dollars. This increase applies to items acquired on non-business travel. Completion of the sometimes cumbersome but formerly requisite declaration forms will be waived on the goods below $600.
“We will keep the situation under review.—The stimulus that we will give you in August is just the first supplementary for the financial year. We do have a supplementary appropriations bill that we will bring to the house in September,” said the Premier, hinting at supplemental relief which may come in the future for TCI residents.
Misick maintained that the government had been paying attention to inflation and had the statistics to prove it. However he acknowledged the breakdown in communications that had caused people to feel underrepresented in the financial tsunami over the past few months, explaining that his government is still constructing the Communications Secretariat to improve public relations.
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
