JPS report on islandwide blackout under review as new outages hit Jamaica

Energy Minister Daryl Vaz says his ministry is reviewing a preliminary Jamaica Public Service report on the cause of last Friday night's islandwide blackout. He also requested urgent information from JPS on outages reported between Monday and Tuesday, including disruptions linked to bad weather. JPS later said supply had been restored to customers affected Tuesday morning after a loss of gas supply to South Jamaica Power Company generating units.

The Government has put the first phase of the public passenger vehicle fare increase at 8 per cent, but economist Kenan Faulner warned that some commuters could see higher effective increases because fares are rounded to amounts that match available currency.

As Jamaica enters another hurricane season, Jamaica Evangelical Association chairman Bishop Dr. Alvin Bailey urged the State to give churches a more formal role in disaster relief. He said churches already support communities during emergencies and want to partner in response and recovery work.

In St. Elizabeth, police appealed to drivers to stop flashing headlights to alert others to police operations. They said the practice helps reckless drivers and people transporting illegal guns avoid enforcement. Police reported more than 100 tickets, several vehicle seizures and a few arrests, while noting that the parish has recorded 13 fatal crashes and 16 road deaths since the start of the year.

The FBI is offering up to US$150,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Jamaican woman Elaine Esco, who lived in South Florida. Investigators allege she and five co-defendants filed more than 90 fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program applications during the COVID-19 pandemic, obtaining over US$34 million. She was charged in May 2025 with wire-fraud conspiracy, wire fraud and money-laundering offences, and was last seen in Palm Beach County two days before missing a June 5 court date.

The Sagicor internal fraud trial also continued Monday. A witness testified about branch attendance procedures, daily user transaction reports and the absence of a required printed and stamped report for accused employee Tishan Samuels on September 29, 2022, although the attendance register showed she was at work. Malikica Mloud, Trishia Molton, Alysia Molton White and Samuels face a 22-count indictment.

Jamaica Teachers' Association president Mark Malava said the newly approved transport fare rise has deepened teachers' anxiety as wage talks with the finance ministry continue. He said teachers are struggling with higher living costs, delayed offers and salaries he described as uncompetitive in the Caribbean.