Gene “Sparky” Fountain, a well-known Bahamian who regularly weighed in on the country’s political landscape and national issues, has died. Fountain was a familiar voice to listeners of local radio talk shows, frequently calling in to share his views on topical issues and engage in discussions about the direction of the country. Whether through radio discussions or social media, he made his voice heard on matters affecting The Bahamas, reflecting his deep interest in the natio

Police Sergeant Steven Duncombe was laid to rest at Lakeview Cemetery today following a funeral service at Bahamas Faith Ministries, as family, friends, colleagues and members of the Royal Bahamas Police Force gathered to pay their final respects. Duncombe, a cyclist attached to the Traffic Division, died on September 14 following injuries sustained in a traffic collision two days earlier on Prince Charles Drive. At the time of the crash, Duncombe was providing escort service

FNM Senator Elsworth Johnson is facing questions over his criticism of Superintendent Terico Sweeting’s appointment to the Royal Bahamas Police Force Promotions Board, given an unresolved professional complaint against Johnson himself. Johnson has questioned why Sweeting was selected to sit on the promotions board, despite Sweeting’s involvement as a witness in the investigation into the November 2023 theft of $1.475 million from an armoured security vehicle. Sweeting has not

The Bahamas’ unemployment rate fell to 8.1 per cent in the first quarter of 2026, according to the latest Labour Force Survey released by the Bahamas National Statistical Institute. The rate declined by 0.6 percentage points from 8.7 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2025, as the number of unemployed people fell by more than 1,200. The labour force stood at 249,025 people during the first quarter, an increase of 1,535 compared with the previous quarter. The number of unemploy

A mother of four is facing child neglect charges after police said she left her children, including a two-month-old baby, home alone while she took a three-day cruise to The Bahamas. Nathalie Belizaire, 29, faces four counts of child neglect after officers found her children without adult supervision inside their North Miami Beach apartment on September 26. The father of Belizaire’s two-month-old child became concerned after seeing what appeared to be a Carnival Cruise Line t

COI leader Lincoln Bain was arrested this morning during a protest at Cabbage Beach, one day after a tourist was swept into rough seas while attempting to get around a controversial fence erected along the shoreline. Bain, leader of the Coalition of Independents, was among a group of supporters and concerned Bahamians who gathered at the Paradise Island beach to protest the barrier, which has sparked renewed concerns about public access and safety. The arrest came as proteste

Retired Supreme Court Justice Donna Newton has been sworn in as the Bahamas’ new Information Commissioner as the government moves to strengthen the implementation of the Freedom of Information Act. Newton received her instrument of appointment during a ceremony at Government House yesterday morning, with members of the Judiciary in attendance. Her appointment took effect on September 18. Newton brings decades of legal and judicial experience to the newly appointed role. She w

One year after the death of Golden Isles Member of Parliament and former Minister of Environment and Natural Resources Vaughn Miller, tributes continue to remember a man whose public life was shaped by faith, broadcasting and service. Miller died on September 28, 2025, at the age of 64. Police reported that an adult male was found unresponsive inside a vehicle on Sears Hill Road in eastern New Providence. He was taken to Doctors Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Authori

Bahamian hospitality executive Jackson Weech has been appointed Director General of Tourism, taking over the senior post on October 1. Weech succeeds Latia Duncombe, who has been reassigned to the Office of the Prime Minister following her tenure as Director General. The Ministry of Tourism says Weech brings more than 35 years of experience in the tourism and hospitality industry, with a career spanning The Bahamas, the wider Caribbean and the United Kingdom. In his new role,

Two people are dead following a reported industrial accident in Lyford Cay. Police are currently on the scene investigating the incident. The circumstances surrounding the accident, including the identities of the victims and what led to their deaths, have not yet been released. Further details are expected as the investigation continues.

Baha Mar has introduced a new 16-week fully paid parental leave programme for eligible employees welcoming a child through birth or adoption. The policy, effective June 29, provides eligible mothers and fathers with 16 weeks of parental leave at 100 per cent of their base salary. In a message to associates, Baha Mar President Graeme Davis said the enhanced benefit reflects the resort’s commitment to supporting employees and their families during what he described as one of li

The education community is mourning the passing of veteran educator Beverly Taylor, a retired Assistant Director of Education whose decades of dedicated service helped shape the lives of generations of Bahamian students and educators. The Ministry of Education described Ms. Taylor as a committed career educator whose leadership and service left a lasting impact on the Department of Education and the wider Bahamian education landscape. Ms. Taylor was particularly recognised fo

Progressive Liberal Party Senator Robyn Dawn Lynes has made the leap from the campaign trail to the diplomatic arena, following her appointment as The Bahamas’ new Ambassador and Plenipotentiary Representative to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). Lynes, who emerged as one of the PLP’s more visible candidates during the 2026 general election, will now represent The Bahamas at the regional level after mounting a spirited challenge in the Killarney constituency. Although she ul

Five homes, solely occupied by Haitian nationals, were demolished in the Cowpen Manor area as the Unregulated Communities Action Task Force stepped up its efforts to clear shantytowns and other unauthorised communities across New Providence. The demolition exercise was carried out by members of the task force as authorities continue to identify and assess unregulated communities throughout the country. The latest demolition comes as the task force continues its assessment of

A 37-year-old Royal Bahamas Police Force officer has died from injuries sustained in a traffic accident on Prince Charles Drive and Garden Road on Saturday. Police said the accident occurred shortly before 2 p.m., prompting officers to respond to the scene, where they found a police motorcycle extensively damaged and the officer suffering from serious injuries. A white Suzuki motor vehicle, driven by a man and carrying a female passenger, was also damaged in the collision. Th

A 21-year-old man has been charged in connection with the car crash that claimed the life of prominent Bahamian artist Stefan Davis in Miami-Dade, Florida. Luis Manuel Perez has been charged with vehicular homicide. He was taken into custody following the September 2 crash near Northwest 51st Terrace and Northwest 33rd Avenue. Perez had deserted his post at Fort Bliss, Texas, in February and had an active warrant for military desertion. Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office deputies sa

The Davis administration is planning to purchase two safe houses — one for men and another for women — to provide shelter and support for people living with mental health challenges, Minister of State for Health and Wellness Owen Wells says. Wells said the facilities are intended to provide a safe space for people with mental illnesses who are living on the streets while also addressing concerns about public safety. The minister said his ministry is preparing to take a propos

The Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources is investigating reports of a snake in Abaco believed to be a Burmese python, warning that the potentially invasive species could pose a serious threat to the island's wildlife, agriculture and wider ecosystem. The ministry said it is treating the reported sighting seriously because of the highly invasive nature of Burmese pythons and the potential danger an established population could present to native species. While Burmese

184 Haitian nationals were repatriated to Cap-Haïtien, Haiti, during a coordinated immigration enforcement operation involving New Providence, Inagua and Haiti. The operation began with a Bahamasair flight departing New Providence for Inagua carrying 29 detainees. Upon arriving in Inagua, an additional 71 detainees boarded the aircraft, bringing the total number of people on that flight to 100. The aircraft then proceeded to Cap-Haïtien, Haiti, where all 100 detainees were di

The government and the Bahamas Union of Teachers have reached an agreement following months of sometimes tense negotiations. The agreement was reached following a meeting at the Office of the Prime Minister today between government officials and representatives of the teachers union. In a statement posted on X, the prime minister thanked Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Chester Cooper, Bahamas Union of Teachers President Belinda Wilson and her executive team fo