Blackout, flood watch and police shooting lead Jamaica’s evening news

Jamaica’s power and water resilience came under fresh scrutiny after Friday night’s islandwide blackout, with critics urging policymakers and utility providers to invest more seriously in solar backup systems. The outage left many Jamaicans without electricity and also disrupted piped water service for thousands.

Opposition water spokesman Ian Hales said National Water Commission treatment plants remain too dependent on the Jamaica Public Service grid. Richard Wallace, chairman of the Negril Tourism Destination Council, also backed greater use of solar power, saying it could improve reliability and reduce costs. The Consumers’ Intervention of Jamaica said the blackout exposed a serious weakness in national infrastructure, especially as the hurricane season begins.

Energy Minister Daryl Vaz said he was awaiting a full report from JPS on the cause of the outage. He said the incident was not a cyberattack, but a grid failure, and warned that JPS is not guaranteed a renewed electricity licence when the current one expires in 2027. He also pointed to possible changes to the Office of Utilities Regulation.

The Meteorological Service of Jamaica issued a flash flood watch until 5 p.m. Wednesday as unstable weather continued. Low-lying and flood-prone areas in Westmoreland, St. Elizabeth, Manchester, Clarendon, St. Thomas, St. Catherine, Kingston and St. Andrew were named among those at risk.

In Kingston, Jonestown residents protested after the fatal police shooting of 24-year-old Alexander Marsh. Police said officers followed a suspicious man into a yard on Pen Street and fired after he allegedly pointed a submachine gun at them. INDECOM and internal police oversight bodies are investigating.

In the Clansman gang trial, Justice Dale Palmer allowed the statement of the late Chenise Roberts into evidence after finding the prosecution met the legal threshold. The statement relates to events at Eureka Place in St. Andrew and the killing of Noah Smith.

Health Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton also renewed concern about alcohol abuse, citing St. Ann among parishes with high reported use. He said substance abuse is linked to road crashes, domestic violence and pressure on hospitals, and announced stronger school-focused interventions on cannabis edibles and vaping.