News
World meteorological day; focus on TCI
Dana Malcolm
Staff writer
#TurksandCaicos, March 23, 2023 – As the world celebrates World Meteorological Day 2023, the Turks and Caicos will soon be able to celebrate the first anniversary of its own National Meteorological Service following its creation in 2022. We spoke to Dr. Holly Hamilton, the Director of Meteorology, to check up on how the Department is doing.
“Things are going well – we hired a meteorological assistant in September (Kendly Smith) and he’s now off for training in Barbados at the Caribbean Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology, along with another young man and so that is a significant step for us.”
When the two young men complete their training, the Department will be a team of four up from just Dr Holly and Tiffany Henfield, Meteorological Officer. They may be small, but they certainly get the work done.
They send out 3-day forecasts every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday (you can see those on the DDME Facebook page) and they also serve our air carriers, but Dr Holly says they are aiming to do a lot more in the future and this means we have to get our students involved and interested in the field.
“One of the key projects we have ongoing right now is the development of a strategic plan for National Meteorological Services for the Turks and Caicos, and what we hope to birth out of that is the Turks and Caicos National Weather Service,” she explained.
This year’s World Meteorology Day was celebrated under the theme, “The Future of Weather, Climate and Water across Generations,” and it’s a particularly apt theme in the context of the Turks and Caicos. 
“The vision of the NWS is to deliver high-quality local water, climate and ocean services to the country, and in order to do that we will need a staff. We will need forecasters, observers, technicians, IT personnel, and so forth; and the goal is to have local people to fill those positions as much as possible, so we have to start somewhere.”
She emphasized that we should start planting the seed in schools and in the minds of our young people to consider meteorology as a career.
The Turks and Caicos Airports Authority out of which the meteorological service is based, released a statement to mark the global day.
“As weather, climate, and the water cycle know no national or political boundaries, international cooperation at global and regional scales is essential for the development of meteorology, climatology and operational hydrology so that countries can reap the benefits from their application,” the statement read.
It’s through the WMO and the work of its national partners across the globe that we are able to trust in weather forecasts that keep us safe. It is especially important for countries like the Turks and Caicos and the entire Caribbean region, whose status as islands makes us vulnerable to climate shocks and complicates the delivery of aid.
TCIAA also highlighted regional efforts that had seen meteorology grow in the Caribbean.
“Regionally, the Caribbean Meteorological Organisation (CMO), a specialised institution of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), provides the coordination of joint scientific and technical activities among the respective National Meteorological and Hydrometeorological Services.”
It explained that while the WMO celebrates 150 years, the CMO is celebrating 50 years in 2023.
It is through the WMO and the CMO that Turks and Caicos has received guidance on meteorological legislation and policy, as well as strategic planning and national frameworks for weather, water, and climate services, the TCIAA says.
It’s through guidance like this that the TCI has its Met Service and is aiming to create the National Weather Service. Dr. Holly is directly involved in the decision-making process on the tropical cyclone advisories for the Turks and Caicos, which are still issued by the Bahamas Department of Meteorology for now.
The country will see more of these as we move into the hurricane season.
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
-
News1 week agoBermudAir Launches New York Area’s First Nonstop Service to South Caicos, Now Just a 3.5 Hour Flight from Newark
-
Bahamas News1 week agoCBC Supports Opportunities for Young Bahamian Basketball Players
-
Bahamas News1 week agoBahama Brass Band Invitation Sparks Heritage Debate Ahead of TCI Constitutional Holiday
-
News4 days agoSaunders Tells Caribbean Media: Be Seen, Be Heard – But What About TCI
-
Bahamas News2 days agoRoyal Bahamas Police Force – ARRAIGNMENT NOTICE