Turks and Caicos has spent the last decade racing upward—cranes on skylines, hotels rising from sand, and tourism numbers that would make any regional competitor jealous. But beneath the glitter of growth lies a quieter truth: the people who build, clean, cook, drive, and keep this economy alive have far less power, protection, and predictability than the industries they sustain. The question is no longer whether TCI needs a workers’ union. The question is whether we can affo

The greatest threat to the credibility of the opposition today isn’t the Government. It’s the leadership of Edwin Astwood himself. This isn’t speculation or partisan spin. It’s the cold, unvarnished record. Under his watch, the People’s Democratic Movement has not merely lost elections, it has collapsed into irrelevance. Edwin Astwood Two seats out of nineteen is not a foothold. It’s a footprint on the edge of extinction. Yet from that position, the country is being asked t

The recent performance of the Turks and Caicos Islands team at the CARIFTA Games is deserving of recognition and applause. Anthony Gardiner The team’s efforts on the regional stage reflect both dedication and promise, and special commendation must be given to the athletes who proudly represented the country. The three medals won at the 2026 Games marks a positive step forward for athletics in the Turks and Caicos Islands. The country has two Olympians, including Delano Wi

Thoughts, Prayers and Poems... Hi, my name is Chrystal Charles, and I am a Voice of Turks and Caicos. This, being the first of multiple series, is a body of expression that has been accumulated over many years that I’ve decided to share. This series will be called, Thoughts, Prayers and Poems. Here’s a Prayer of mine…. A Prayer for Fearlessness God… Heavenly Father You who formed me, You who breathed courage into my bones If You have not given us a spirit of fear, Why do we

If you drive just 200 meters down Good Book Road, off Millennium Highway, you’ll find two buildings that say more about the state of our country than any policy document ever could. They are half‑finished, half‑abandoned, and yet fully occupied. Families live inside. Businesses operate from them. And for more than a decade, no one from the Physical Planning Department has intervened. This is not a hidden corner. It is surrounded by new construction.Which means the truth is

If confidence alone could fix a country, Savitri Daniels would have solved everything in a single argument. Unfortunately, governing requires more than dramatic tone and sweeping claims. It requires facts, discipline, and a basic respect for evidence, all of which are in short supply with her. Daniels doesn’t just raise concerns. She unloads them with the certainty of someone presenting a case already proven. Ministers are failing. The country is slipping. Leadership is abs

The Turks and Caicos Islands is being asked to accept one of the largest borrowing exercises in our history—$370.4 million in new debt—at the same time the government has committed to a $400 million airport redevelopment that will not involve borrowing, public share offerings, or citizen participation. Photo Courtesy: Outlook Travel This represents a profound shift in how national development will be financed, who will bear the risks, and who will benefit from the returns.

Voices from the Streets Part 65... This week’s Voices in the Streets highlights the story of Rendy Rigby, a man known by several aliases, including “Bob Cat” and “Give Me Dollar.” Too often, Rendy is overlooked or shunned by community members because of his appearance. Voices from the Street Writer Nixon Dickenson (right) shares a photo with Rendy Rigby Yet I had the privilege of sharing a short but meaningful conversation with him, one that reminded me of the simple power

And the Five‑Year Roadmap to Finally Achieve It Readers, by now you’ve seen the headlines. Both the Premier and the Deputy Governor have expressed deep concern about the standard of service delivered to the public. They want to see a “marked improvement.” The question is: improvement toward what? What does excellence actually look like in a modern public service? Before we talk about fixing anything, we must first define the Gold Standard . Only then can we build a serious,

Thoughts, Prayers and Poems... An Op-Ed by Chrystal Charles Hi, my name is Chrystal Charles, and I am A Voice of Turks and Caicos. This, being the first of multiple series, is a body of expression that has been accumulated over many years that I’ve decided to share. Chrystal Charles This series will be called “Thoughts, Prayers and Poems.” Here’s a thought for you: “An artist’s duty is to reflect the times”: Nina Simone. I took a stance recently to be quiet, because i

An Op-Ed by Anthony Gardiner For nearly a decade, one figure has loomed large over politics in the Western Hemisphere: Donald Trump. Whether admired by supporters or criticized by opponents, his unapologetic political style has reshaped political conversations not only in the United States but across much of the world. Anthony Gardiner His return to the Oval Office on January 20, 2025, after defeating incumbent Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 election signaled mo

An Op-Ed by Ranaldo Forbes Let me be clear: I am not here to defend corruption, but accountability must never become a blank check. And that is precisely what the Special Investigation and Prosecution Team (SIPT) has become, a blank check drawn on the backs of the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands. Ranaldo Forbes March 13, 2026, Premier Charles Washington Misick stood before Parliament and confirmed what many of us have long suspected: the SIPT process has cost this

Every Turks Islander understands one truth: our airport is our lifeline . It is how we work, how we travel, how we stay connected to the world, and how our economy survives. When the airport fails, the country fails. When it thrives, every family benefits. The Howard Hamilton International Airport in Providenciales That is why the redevelopment of Howard Hamilton International Airport is not just another government project. It is a national crossroads — one that will determin

Tarfon’s reminder has followed me across continents and decades: “It is not your duty to finish the work, but you are not at liberty to neglect it.” It is a simple sentence, yet it carries a national-sized responsibility. It tells us that no one individual can fix a country, but every person is obligated to contribute to do its repair. It tells us that progress is not a miracle, but a discipline. And it tells us that the worst sin is not failure, but neglect. For twenty yea

An Op-Ed by Paladin In an article published on January 31, 2026, in a local newspaper, it was reported that Premier Hon. Missick received approval to establish the first Mortgage Company in the Turks and Caicos Islands. The company will be initially financed with $20 million from the TCI Government. This is undeniably a step in the right direction. However, we must ask a more important question: Is it the best step in that direction? One of the inherent limitations of a

An Op-Ed by Paladin Invest Turks and Caicos has launched a new Fisheries Pilot Programme to help local fisherfolk transition from survival-based practices to sustainable, profit-generating businesses. Eighteen participants across the islands are receiving up to $50,000 each in funding, along with technical training and business coaching to improve record keeping, financial management, and operations. The pilot is backed by $1 million in Cabinet-approved funding and aims to st

An Op-Ed by Alicia Swann What’s on my mind is a Turks and Caicos that deserves to be celebrated, not reshaped into something unrecognizable. Alicia Swann Yes, Providenciales has grown. It has welcomed businesses, ideas, and people from all over the world, and in many ways, it reflects the beauty of a melting pot. But growth should not mean erasure. Progress should not require us to trade away the very soul of who we are. There is a moment we are standing in right now th

Dear Editor, I write in response to the article on the cover of the Weekly News, December 6–12 publication, “Healthcare Strained: Over 1,000 Flown Out in Eight Months.” I note that the Minister of Health, Hon. Kyle Knowles, stated that the system is “in need of serious repair.” First and foremost, one of the major issues contributing to the strain, an issue Minister Knowles did not highlight, is the Government’s own responsibility in allowing employers to bring in workers w

An Op-Ed by Hon. Jameka Williams For too long, the topic of independence has been treated like something dangerous, tiptoed around, avoided, and kept in the shadows by those who fear the responsibility that comes with it. But with the realities unfolding in our country today, silence is no longer an option. Our political climate demands honesty, courage, and a serious conversation about the direction we want these islands to take. Jameka Williams Everywhere we turn, we se

An Open Letter to the TCI Governor and the TCI Integrity Commission I struggled for days contemplating whether or not I should write this article. I told myself to let it go, to move on quietly, as so many of us are expected to do when the system fails us. Sabrina Elizabeth Green, Translator & Founder, ProLingo Solutions Ltd., Turks and Caicos Islands In speaking out we often fear ridicule, victimization, being labelled as troublemakers or even worst, blackballed all togeth