California-based reggae band Stick Figure has once again made waves in the music industry, securing its sixth title on the Billboard Reggae Albums chart. Their latest release, *Free Flow Sessions*, debuted at an impressive #2. The album, which dropped on November 14 via Ruffwood Records, features 12 tracks, including six brand-new compositions. These tracks, such as *Moon Palace*, *Walking in My Shoes*, and *Fools Gold*, showcase the band’s signature dub-style reggae beats, with many tracks being remixed, extended, and reimagined. Stick Figure’s journey to the top began in 2009 with *Smoke Stack*, which peaked at #8. Since then, their subsequent albums—*Burial Ground* (2012), *Set in Stone* (2015), *World On Fire* (2019), and *Wisdom* (2022)—have all claimed the #1 spot. Notably, *World On Fire*, *Set in Stone*, and *Wisdom* continue to hold positions on the latest chart at #5, #7, and #8, respectively. Meanwhile, Bob Marley and the Wailers maintain their legendary status with *Legend*, logging 306 non-consecutive weeks at #1. Other notable entries include Shaggy’s *Best of Shaggy: The Boombastic Collection* at #3 and Sean Paul’s *Dutty Classics Collection* at #4. The reggae scene remains vibrant, with artists like Vybz Kartel making their mark on various Billboard charts, while regional charts highlight the enduring appeal of reggae across the U.S. and Canada.
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Brace for a recession
The Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) has issued a stark warning about the economic fallout from Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm that ravaged the island late last month. The catastrophic damage is expected to reverse recent economic gains, spike unemployment, and significantly reduce GDP, potentially plunging the nation into a recession in the coming quarters. Dr. Wayne Henry, Director General of the PIOJ, described the short- to medium-term economic outlook as ‘generally negative,’ projecting an 11-13% contraction in the current October-December quarter and an overall decline of 3-6% for fiscal year 2025/26. ‘The impacts of Hurricane Melissa are unprecedented, and the country must brace for a recession,’ Henry stated during the institute’s quarterly press briefing on Tuesday. A recession, typically marked by two or more consecutive quarters of declining GDP, often brings rising unemployment, reduced business investment, and lower consumer spending. This grim forecast follows a period of economic recovery after Hurricane Beryl in 2024, which the PIOJ had previously dismissed as a recession risk. However, the scale of Melissa’s destruction has forced a reassessment. James Stewart, Senior Director in the Economic Planning and Research Division, noted that economic growth is unlikely to return until late 2026, with a downturn expected for the next three to four quarters. The storm’s historic devastation has severely damaged residential and productive assets, wiping out an estimated 41% of Jamaica’s GDP. Key industries such as Agriculture, Tourism, Information and Communication, and Construction are among the hardest hit. Agriculture, in particular, faces severe challenges, as the seven most affected parishes account for 74% of domestic crop production and major livestock operations. Tourism, responsible for 90% of the island’s hotel room stock, has been crippled by temporary closures, reduced capacity, and a US Level 3 Travel Advisory. Preliminary data for October already shows an 18% drop in visitor arrivals. Infrastructure damage, halted capital projects, and curtailed transportation services further exacerbate the economic strain. Henry emphasized that while the projections are dire, they remain fluid and could change with new information. Recovery to pre-hurricane levels is conservatively estimated to take 3-5 years, given the extensive loss of productive assets. The PIOJ, supported by international partners, aims to complete its damage and loss assessment by mid-December. Despite a strong July-September quarter driven by election-related spending, tourism, and sports events, the economic outlook remains bleak. Agriculture had shown remarkable growth of 23.9% earlier in the year, but Melissa’s impact has erased these gains. For the first nine months of 2025, real GDP grew by 2.4%, supported by increases in the Goods Producing and Services Industries. However, the road to recovery will be long and arduous, requiring swift and effective humanitarian and economic recovery initiatives.
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Comedian Dufton Shepherd to make impact with Nov 30 Slightly Unhinged
Comedian Dufton “Duffy” Shepherd, known for his infectious cheerfulness, was left heartbroken after witnessing the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa in western Jamaica. The Category 5 storm left a trail of destruction that surpassed his worst fears. However, Shepherd quickly transformed his grief into action, using his upcoming comedy show, *Slightly Unhinged*, as a platform to bring relief and smiles to his fellow Jamaicans.
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Gov’t allocates $10m per constituency to kick-start national clean-up campaign
In response to the widespread devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa, Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness has unveiled a comprehensive $630 million national clean-up initiative. During a ministerial statement in the House of Representatives on Tuesday, Holness announced that each of Jamaica’s 63 constituencies will receive $10 million to spearhead the recovery efforts. Additionally, $150,000 will be allocated to each councillor within these constituencies to support local coordination.
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Regional confab to address early childhood education concerns
A pivotal regional colloquium is set to take place on November 27-28 at The University of the West Indies (The UWI) Regional Headquarters in St Andrew, Jamaica. Organized by the Jamaica National (JN) Foundation in partnership with the Early Childhood Commission, The UWI School of Education, and the Dudley Grant Early Childhood Resource Centre, the event seeks to address critical gaps in Jamaica’s early childhood education sector. The initiative comes in the wake of Hurricane Melissa, which exacerbated existing challenges in the sector, highlighting the urgent need for systemic improvements. Claudine Allen, General Manager of JN Foundation, emphasized the long-term nature of this endeavor, stating, ‘It is not a sprint, it is a marathon.’ She expressed concern over the damage reported by the National Education Trust and stressed the importance of collaborative efforts to mitigate learning losses and ensure equitable access to quality education. The colloquium aims to bring together regional experts to share successes, challenges, and actionable solutions. Topics on the agenda include inclusion, technology’s role in education, teacher training, and policy effectiveness. Over 20 speakers from across the Caribbean will participate, fostering a collaborative environment to develop strategies for sustainable progress. The event, themed ‘Building Strong Foundations: Advancing Early Childhood Education through Policy, Practice and Partnership,’ underscores the commitment of stakeholders to create a robust framework for early childhood education. Interested participants are encouraged to register via the JN Foundation website at www.jnfoundation.com.
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Poverty levels dip to historic low 7.8%
Jamaica has reached a significant milestone in its fight against poverty, with the national poverty rate dropping to a historic low of 7.8% in 2024, down from 8.2% in 2023. Additionally, extreme poverty, also known as food poverty, has fallen to 2.7%, the lowest level since 1989. These findings were disclosed by Dr. Wayne Henry, Director General of the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ), during the institute’s quarterly media briefing on Tuesday. The data, sourced from the Jamaica Survey of Living Conditions (JSLC) conducted by the Statistical Institute of Jamaica, highlights the nation’s progress in addressing economic disparities. Dr. Henry emphasized that the 2024 poverty rate is statistically similar to the previous year’s figure, considering the margin of error. He explained that food poverty, which refers to households’ inability to afford the minimum daily caloric intake for good health, has seen a gradual decline since 2013 when it stood at 10.3%. Key factors contributing to this improvement include targeted social protection programs, record-low unemployment rates, and enhanced macroeconomic stability, including moderate inflation. Despite economic challenges such as weather-related shocks that reduced agricultural output and rural earnings, government interventions, inflation moderation, and increased employment have helped maintain household consumption levels. Dr. Henry also noted that poverty rates have shown relative stability across all regions, with the Greater Kingston Metropolitan Area recording the lowest rate at 2.5%. Rural areas, historically the most affected, saw a slight reduction to 11% in 2024. Furthermore, mean per capita consumption expenditure grew by 5.5% nominally and 1.1% after adjusting for inflation. The PIOJ is also developing a multidimensional poverty index to capture broader forms of deprivation, such as limited access to education, healthcare, and housing, complementing traditional monetary measures.
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‘Playing politics’
Members of Parliament (MPs) from the People’s National Party (PNP) have voiced strong criticism against the Jamaican Government’s handling of the recovery process following Hurricane Melissa. At a press conference held at the Office of the Leader of the Opposition, PNP legislators from Westmoreland and Hanover expressed their frustration over the widespread homelessness and suffering experienced by thousands of Jamaicans. Dr. Dayton Campbell, MP for Westmoreland Eastern, highlighted the extensive damage, estimating that approximately 5,000 houses were completely destroyed, with many others suffering significant damage to infrastructure. He praised the efforts of private sector entities and non-governmental organizations for stepping in to provide relief, but criticized the Government’s response as inadequate, delayed, and politically motivated. Campbell emphasized the need for urgent intervention to provide temporary housing for displaced individuals and called for greater involvement of elected officials in the distribution of aid. Other MPs, including Duane Vaz, Ian Hayles, Heatha Miller-Bennett, and Andrea Purkiss, also expressed disappointment with the Government’s approach, citing issues with shelter conditions, relief distribution, and the under-reporting of devastation in their constituencies. They urged the Government to take more decisive action to address the humanitarian crisis and ensure that affected communities receive the support they need.
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Still on track
Despite the severe damage caused by Hurricane Melissa in West Green and Catherine Hall, including sections of the Montego Bay Perimeter Road Project, the National Road Operating and Constructing Company Limited (NROCC) has confirmed that the project remains on schedule for its May 2026 completion. NROCC Managing Director Stephen Edwards assured the public that the construction timeline is being adjusted to accommodate the challenges posed by the hurricane. Edwards emphasized that while some minor work is required on the road connecting West Green to Howard Cooke Boulevard, the overall project is progressing as planned. The hurricane, a Category 5 storm, caused significant damage, including the emergence of a spring in one section of the bypass road, raising concerns about potential long-term impacts. The US$374-million project, funded by the Jamaican government and executed by China Harbour Engineering Company, includes several phases, such as the Montego Bay Bypass, Barnett Street/West Green Avenue Road Rehabilitation, and a comprehensive drainage study. The project aims to alleviate traffic congestion in Montego Bay by diverting vehicles from heavily congested streets and will feature open-road tolling, eliminating the need for toll booths. Despite the ongoing construction, some motorists have been using the road, prompting NROCC to issue warnings about the dangers of accessing the site before its official opening. Edwards urged the public to refrain from using the bypass road until it is fully completed and declared safe for regular traffic.
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Power play
In a decisive move to accelerate national power restoration efforts, Jamaica’s Energy Minister Daryl Vaz announced on Tuesday that the government has approved a $150 million emergency loan to the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS). However, the government firmly rejected any early extension of JPS’s operating licence beyond its 2027 expiration. The loan, expected to be disbursed at a rate of $75 million per month, aims to expedite repairs to the electricity grid devastated by Hurricane Melissa on October 28. Vaz emphasized that the funds would enable JPS to mobilize resources and restore power to major areas by late January or early February 2024. The minister clarified that the loan is strictly separate from ongoing discussions about JPS’s licence renewal, ensuring no delays in recovery efforts. He highlighted that the government’s approach preserves its negotiating leverage, particularly as JPS had sought a 15-year licence extension in exchange for self-financed recovery. Vaz assured that the loan, spanning five years with an interest rate to be finalized by the Ministry of Finance, poses no risk to taxpayers. JPS has the option to repay the loan within two years, and if the company fails to secure a renewed licence by 2027, the government is prepared to acquire its assets. Updated assessments now estimate hurricane damage at $350 million, significantly lower than earlier projections of $480–$600 million. Meanwhile, JPS has suspended dividend payments until full restoration is achieved. Opposition energy spokesman Phillip Paulwell raised concerns about transparency, urging the government to secure concessions from JPS, including grid access, renewable energy flexibility, and cheaper power for industrial zones. Paulwell also called for structural reforms to address long-standing issues like monopoly control and electricity pricing, suggesting that the loan should push for greater flexibility in crisis situations, such as allowing private solar systems to share power with neighbours during outages.
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Smiley Faces Christmas Caravan brings joy to Arouca
For over a decade, the Arouca community has been illuminated each December by the heartwarming efforts of Ronald Garvin, founder of the Smiley Faces Events Christmas Caravan. What began as a modest Christmas party on Forde Street has evolved into a mobile celebration that brings gifts, music, and holiday cheer directly to families across the area. Garvin, a health, safety, and environment assistant, has dedicated himself to fostering a sense of togetherness and joy during the festive season. The caravan, which features a truck loaded with toys, snacks, and sweet boxes, aims to create an inclusive environment where every child feels valued and celebrated. Garvin’s initiative, which started in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, has grown to encompass multiple streets, reaching hundreds of children annually. The event not only delivers presents but also strengthens community bonds and inspires acts of kindness. Garvin’s motivation stems from his own upbringing, where his mother’s determination ensured that he and his siblings always had something to look forward to during the holidays. Despite challenges in securing funding, Garvin and his team of volunteers continue to make the caravan a beloved tradition. This year, they hope to reach 500 children, spreading the message of joy, love, and generosity. Garvin encourages corporate Trinidad and Tobago to contribute, emphasizing the importance of giving during the holiday season. The caravan’s impact extends beyond material gifts, offering hope and creating lasting memories for families. As Garvin aptly puts it, the true essence of the season lies in one word: giving.