Demand outpacing recovery in tourism bounceback WESTERN BUREAU: Jamaica’s tourism industry is facing an unusual post-hurricane challenge: demand for the destination is running ahead of the country’s ability to accommodate it. Eight months into the year, flights to the island are operating at an average 85 per cent load factor even though available airline seats have fallen 22 per cent year-on-year, yet approximately 30 per cent of the hotel room stock affected by Hurricane Melissa is still to return to service.
PNP: Gov’t failed to plan for school reopening - Opposition cites safety, deadline concerns as repairs lag The People’s National Party (PNP) has accused the Government of “building narratives” to cover up a failure to properly plan for the new school year, pointing to widespread delays in school renovations across the country as evidence of poor strategic management. Speaking at a press conference on Monday, PNP President Mark Golding said the fact that only 57 of the 313 severely damaged schools have been fully repaired is evidence that no “sensible” plan was in place to address the issue before the beginning of the new academic year.
RESET VALUES - Harrison challenges schools to shape students of sound character amid rising moral concerns WESTERN BUREAU: Speaking against the background of the recent abduction and sexual assault of a 10-year-old student in Clarendon, Jamaica Teachers’ Association President La Sonja Harrison is calling on school administrators to endeavour to instil stronger ethical values in the current generation of students as part of efforts to build a better Jamaica.
Harrison: Jamaica must stop normalising failure in education Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA) President La Sonja Harrison is warning that Jamaica is facing an education emergency and is calling for urgent national action to address widening learning gaps. Speaking at a Rotary Club of Kingston luncheon last Thursday, Harrison called for the development of a national foundational learning emergency plan to tackle persistent weaknesses in literacy and numeracy.
St James residents urged to seek permission for social events WESTERN BUREAU: Senior Superintendent of Police Eron Samuels, the police commander for St James, is reminding persons who want to hold social events in their communities to first seek permission from the police and the municipal authorities, so that the requisite security measures can be put in place. Samuels issued the reminder while addressing last Thursday’s monthly meeting of the St James Municipal Corporation (StJMC), where he reported that St James had recorded 45 murders to date, which is four more than the corresponding period last year.
‘A writer’s writer’ Veteran journalist Balford Henry, who died on Monday, is being remembered by colleagues, friends and the political class for his fair yet fearless journalism. His death at age 74, following a brief illness, has triggered widespread tributes across the media industry. “Balford was the person who taught me to look beyond the speech,” recalled Gleaner Associate Editor Robert Hart.
$29-million waste station opens in Westmoreland WESTERN BUREAU: There is hope that garbage collection in Westmoreland will improve significantlyfollowing the opening of a $29-million waste transfer station, which will allow trucks to make multiple collection runs instead of spending much of the day transporting waste to St James. Speaking at the commissioning of the new transfer station in George’s Plain, Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie said it should bring greater efficiency to the parish’s waste-management system as it will feature a solar system and an office.
SECOND CHANCE Justice Minister Delroy Chuck says there is no longer a backlog of expungement applications following the recent amendments to the Criminal Records (Rehabilitation of Offenders) Amendment Act (2026). Chuck made the disclosure on Sunday at the Eastern Region Assize Church Service at East Queen Street Baptist Church in downtown Kingston, marking the start of the 2026-2027 legal year. The service, attended by Chief Justice Bryan Sykes and members of the legal fraternity, was held under the theme ‘Embracing Justice: Restoring Righteousness and Hope’.
Llewellyn defended wedding invitation from ex-inmate in story of redemption Former Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Paula Llewellyn never expected a wedding invitation from a former inmate she had encountered as a state witness. When it came, she was surprised but accepted, despite staff members warning her not to attend. “Miss Llewellyn, you can’t go. Don’t you see he was a criminal?” she recalled them telling her. But Llewellyn had seen firsthand the power of a second chance and told them to “ calm down”.
‘Never okay’ - Morris Dixon orders probe into children abandoned at hospital Youth Minister Dr Dana Morris Dixon says a probe has been launched to determine the circumstances that led to five children remaining in the care of the Spanish Town Hospital for several months after being abandoned by their families. Morris Dixon said leaving vulnerable minors in long-term institutional care without family affection is an administrative breakdown that can “never be seen as okay”. “With children, we have to be especially careful, and we have to be especially responsible,” said Morris Dixon.