The Tribune PUZZLER
DPP DECISION CALLED
‘FAILURE OF JUSTICE’
No charges for police officer with no licence in fatal car accident
By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net
A LAWYER condemned the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) yesterday for declining to pursue criminal charges against an off-duty police officer who killed a man in a car accident in 2017, calling it a “miscarriage of justice”. Tavarrie Smith, who represents the estate of Phillip Daniel Clare Jr, announced in the Coroner’s Court that he intends to seek judicial review after the DPP’s Office ruled there was insufficient evidence to move the case forward even though a coroner’s
ARREST WA RR A NTS ISSUED FOR OFFICERS A BSENT FROM INQUEST
By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter
pbailey@tribunemedia.net
CORONER Kara
Turnquest-Deveaux issued arrest warrants and imposed $5,000 fines on several police officers, including the lead investigator, after they failed to appear in court for the inquest into the fatal police shooting of 27-year-old Dino Bain. The officers were summoned to testify in the case, but their absence forced the court to delay proceedings. As a result, the fiveperson jury assembled for the inquest was excused for the day. The coroner
12-year-old girl ordered back to The Bahamas by judge in Canada
By KEILE CAMPBELL Tribune Staff Reporter kcampbell@tribunemedia.net
AN Ontario judge has ruled that a 12-year-old girl must be returned to The Bahamas under
the Hague Convention, despite her recently granted refugee status in Canada, allegations of abuse and her mother’s contention that The Bahamas lacks adequate protections for domestic
violence victims. The child, referred to as “R” in court documents, was represented by Renatta Austin from Ontario’s Office of the
ANOTHER BUSY HURRIC A NE SE A SON FOREC
By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net
FORECASTERS are anticipating an above-average Atlantic hurricane season in 2025, with an early uptick in storm activity expected as early as July. Colorado State University projects 17 named storms this year, including eight hurricanes, four of which could M A
A ST
By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter
pbailey@tribunemedia.net
A 19-YEAR-OLD Royal Bahamas Defence Force marine seaman was granted bail yesterday after being accused, along with an accomplice, of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl last month. Devon Cooper was arraigned before Senior Magistrate Kara Turnquest-Deveaux on a charge of unlawful sexual intercourse. His co-accused, D’John
WAVES crash on shore in Nassau during the passage of Hurricane Nicole in
TOURISTS walk through torrential rain in downtown Nassau yesterday. See PAGE TWO for more.
Photo: Dante Carrer/Tribune Staff
Heavy rains impacted Downtown traffic
TRAFFIC pushes through flooded roads on West Bay Street near The Pointe yesteray during heavy rainfall.
Photo: Dante Carrer/Tribune Staff
Another busy hurricane season forecast for 2025
become major hurricanes.
This marks a slight decrease from its 2024 forecast, which included 23 named storms, 11 hurricanes, and five major hurricanes.
AccuWeather offers a similar outlook, predicting between 13 and 18 named storms, with seven to ten hurricanes and three to five becoming major hurricanes.
In contrast, its 2024 forecast projected 20 to 25 named storms, eight to 12 hurricanes, and four to seven major hurricanes.
According to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Atlantic basin experienced 18 named storms in 2024, including 11 hurricanes and five major hurricanes.
In The Bahamas, acting
Director of the Department of Meteorology Jeffrey Simmons said that storm activity is expected to intensify earlier than in previous years, particularly during July and August. He attributed last year’s relatively delayed start to high concentrations of Saharan dust, which are not expected to pose the same issue this year.
Mr Simmons also noted a broader trend toward
increasingly active hurricane seasons. “We’ve been seeing that a lot, but the amount this year is lower than you know that prediction two three years ago, but we’re still above the average,” he said. “So you know that may excuse me in the next few years, when we re-evaluate our averages, you can see average overall going up. That’s a possibility.” Concerns over forecasting
capabilities were raised following budget cuts to NOAA under the Trump administration. The cuts resulted in the loss of hundreds of staff members, mostly probationary employees, and raised alarms over potential impacts on weather forecasting, particularly during hurricane season.
The Atlantic hurricane season officially runs from June 1 to November 30.
Emergency response has ‘deeper issues’ than number of vehicles, doctor cautions
By KEILE CAMPBELL Tribune Staff Reporter kcampbell@tribunemedia.net
THE Bahamas’ emergency medical system faces deeper challenges than a shortage of ambulances, said Dr Kenville Lockhart, Vice President of the Bahamas Doctors Union, who cautioned that operational readiness involves more than simply acquiring vehicles. His comment came after former Health Minister Dr Duane Sands, the chairman of the Free National Movement, raised concerns about the number of ambulances on New Providence.
Dr Lockhart, speaking in his personal capacity and not on behalf of the union, told The Tribune that emergency response readiness requires comprehensive planning, trained personnel, and infrastructure, not just ambulances.
“It’s a more nuanced matter,” he said. “And it’s not even just to hire anybody off the road. You would have to purchase the vehicles, you would have to train the staff.”
Dr Sands, in a statement on May 11, described the reported number of ambulances on New Providence as a “national disgrace.”
“This is not a drill, not an exaggeration,” he said. “Right now, nearly 300,000 people in the capital are depending on just two working ambulances.”
He questioned the government’s readiness to respond to large-scale emergencies, such as major fires or accidents, and urged an immediate audit of the EMS fleet and emergency funding to address the situation.
Dr Lockhart noted that junior doctors rarely interact directly with ambulance services unless
assigned to Accident and Emergency.
He raised concerns about using ambulances for non-emergency cases due to economic hardship, such as dropping people home after a hospital visit.
Meanwhile, the Public Hospitals Authority (PHA) did not offer specific figures yesterday on functional ambulances but promised forthcoming details.
“The PHA acknowledges the public’s concern and recognises the importance of transparency regarding the state of our emergency medical services,” the Authority said. “To that end, the PHA is in the process of developing a detailed and thoughtful communication that will address these matters more thoroughly. Once finalised, this information will be shared with the public and the media.”
Growth report,
By DENISE MAYCOCK
THE Free National Movement (FNM) is casting doubt on recent government-released figures claiming economic growth while also raising broader concerns about whether that growth is reaching ordinary Bahamians.
In a statement released Monday, FNM Member of Parliament J Kwasi Thompson highlighted a $413m “statistical discrepancy” in the national accounts, calling into question the accuracy of the Bahamas National Statistical
Institute’s report of 3.4 percent GDP growth for 2024.
He said the discrepancy, equivalent to nearly three percent of GDP, merits deeper scrutiny and promised the party would seek further clarification in the coming days.
“This raises important questions about accuracy and accountability,” he said, signalling a potential line of a parliamentary or public inquiry.
Beyond the technical critique, Mr Thompson also sought to reframe the broader economic narrative being put forward by the government, arguing that everyday citizens are not feeling the supposed
growth. He pointed to persistent inflation, high grocery prices, unpaid government vendors, and stalled infrastructure projects as signs that life remains difficult for many.
“The average Bahamian doesn’t need a press release to know that things aren’t getting better—they feel it every day,” he said.
He said the benefits of any economic improvement are being concentrated among “a well-connected few” rather than distributed broadly across society.
“The FNM believes in an economy that works for everyone, not just those at the top,” he said.
ONE of the recently acquired ambulances being driven on an obstacle course during a PHA training exercise last month.
DPP decision called
‘failure of justice’
from page one
jury made a finding of gross negligence by manslaughter last November.
The jury’s verdict followed a years-long wait for an inquest into the
January 10, 2017, death of Clare Jr, who was struck by a civilian vehicle driven by Corporal 3847 Samuel Rolle as he tried to cross Tonique Williams-Darling Highway to get food from
Pressure Point Bar. In court, Cpl Rolle appeared composed as Coroner Kara Turnquest-Deveaux relayed the DPP’s decision. The victim’s family, however, reacted with visible
Arrest warrants issued for officers absent from inquest
from page one
informed the court that the matter will now continue on August 11. Bain was shot and killed by police on Dean Street at 2.30pm on December 28, 2023, one day before his birthday.
The officer implicated in the shooting was present in court and represented by attorney Glendon Rolle. Bain’s family, who have waited nearly two years for answers, showed visible frustration over the delay.
A vigil was held in his memory at the site of the shooting on the first anniversary of his death.
Attorney K Melvin Munroe represented the Bain family, while Angelo Whitfield is set to marshal the evidence when the inquest resumes.
TRIBU T ES PAID T O A NDROSIAN A RAMINA
‘Auntie
Bye’ B A in turning 100-ye A r-old
FRIENDS and family have paid tribute to Aramina Bain, who on Monday turned 100 years old..
A celebration will be held on May 24, with a formal dinner at Rozelda M Woodside Primary School in the North Andros community Aramina calls home.
Affectionately known as Auntie Bye, she is a beloved resident of Mastic Point.
In a statement, Juliette Roberts said: “Her stories, shared with a warm smile and the twinkle of nostalgia in her eyes, open a portal to the rich history of North Andros. With an incredible memory and a gift for storytelling, her vivid narratives captivate all who listen, preserving the essence of the past while encouraging younger generations to embrace and honor their heritage.”
At 15, she helped establish the Northern Star Burial Society with Gertrude Simms to support grieving families. Now, 85 years later, it serves as a beacon of hope for many in Mastic Point, North Andros, New Providence, and beyond. As the only living founding member, she has seen it grow from meeting at a home to having a hall, chapel, and
over 900 members. She continued to break new ground as an entrepreneur, becoming the first in her community to introduce the iconic “chicken-in-the-bag” takeout snack restaurant venture that delighted taste buds and paved the way for local food businesses. Her homemade bread became a cherished favorite among
neighbours, earning her a reputation as one of the best bakers in North Andros. She was also a skilled farmer, and a devoted member of Wesley Mt Zion Church. Auntie Bye has a daughter, Veronica, who has blessed her with nine grandsons. She also now has 20 great-grandchildren.
distress and outrage.
The inquest revealed troubling details: the officer’s vehicle was unlicensed and uninsured during the crash.
During a voluntary police interview, he
claimed he did not know Clare Jr had died. A coroner’s inquest does not establish criminal liability. The final call lies with the DPP, who must assess whether the evidence meets the
threshold for criminal proceedings.
Attorney Kevin Armbrister represented Rolle, while Angelo Whitfield marshalled evidence for the Coroner’s Court.
PHILLIP DANIEL CLARE JR
ARAMINA ‘AUNTIE BYE’ BAIN
The Tribune Limited
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“Being Bound to Swear to The Dogmas of No Master”
Publisher/Editor 1903-1914
PICTURE OF THE DAY
LEON E. H. DUPUCH
SIR ETIENNE DUPUCH, Kt., O.B.E., K.M., K.C.S.G., (Hon.) LL.D., D.Litt .
Publisher/Editor 1919-1972
Contributing Editor 1972-1991
RT HON EILEEN DUPUCH CARRON, C.M.G., M.S., B.A., LL.B.
Publisher/Editor 1972-
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The importance of being transparent
YOU will have read the word “transparency” in this column on a number of occasions – usually as we search for it only to find a world far too opaque.
The Public Hospitals Authority takes that to new lows in today’s Tribune
In response to FNM chairman Dr Duane Sands stating that the country has just two working ambulances, the PHA has the audacity to talk about “the importance of transparency” while delivering precisely no such thing.
Have a close read of the following:
“The PHA acknowledges the public’s concern and recognises the importance of transparency regarding the state of our emergency medical services. To that end, the PHA is in the process of developing a detailed and thoughtful communication that will address these matters more thoroughly. Once finalised, this information will be shared with the public and the media.”
Consider the information it is being asked to verify – how many working ambulances there are.
The claim is that there are just two. It cannot take very long at all to check if two ambulances are working. Once done, check if a third is working. There, job done. You now know whether it is accurate or not. How long can it take to check three ambulances?
Of course, as has been noted in this column previously, any half-competent fleet manager will know the state of operation of all vehicles under their care at any time.
Such a fleet manager will have details quickly to hand for what vehicles are fully functional – bar any immediate incident in any given day – and which ones are undergoing repair or maintenance. That person will have a schedule to hand of when maintenance is due
and so on. This genuinely is not rocket science.
So when the authority is asked to respond to whether or not just two ambulances are functional and the reply is well, wait, we’ll come back to you later, but we’re totally being transparent, then our response is skepticism in the extreme.
How many ambulances are working now? Today. Not at some point in the future when you come up with an answer that sounds good. Today.
Meanwhile, we also agree with Dr Kenville Lockhart, vice president of the Bahamas Doctors Union, that operational readiness is about more than buying vehicles – it is about staff training, planning, infrastructure and more. The same holds true with firefighting equipment, police equipment and so on.
You have to have the right personnel with the right access to the right equipment, and it needs to be functioning properly. That is the business of good management.
We seem to have fallen into a situation where we do not have enough staff – witness police officers who are going to double up as ambulance drivers, where we do not have enough vehicles – witness the announcement that more will be bought, and where we reportedly have ambulances that staff are not trained to drive and which some claim are too small for the purpose required.
All of these things can be remedied, with the right plan, and, frankly, with a willingness to be honest about what is needed.
Let us recognise the problems that need to be remedied, and then proceed to do so.
Some more of that transparency could go a long way.
No trust in Lewis’ spot on the PAC
EDITOR, The Tribune.
I WRITE to express my profound concerns regarding the proposed reappointment of Iram D Lewis, Member of Parliament for Central Grand Bahama, to the Public Accounts Committee. As the guardian of our treasury’s integrity, this committee must consist solely of individuals whose conduct is beyond reproach. Regrettably, Mr Lewis’s record of accountability leaves much to be desired.
For eight consecutive years, Mr Lewis has received a yearly Constituency Capital Grant and Constituency Allowance, combined funding in the range of $200K per year, without providing the mandatory accounting for their usage. As a resident of Central Grand Bahama, I, and many of my fellow constituents, have persistently sought transparent explanations from his office. Our repeated inquiries regarding these funds, particularly in light of his likely re-election bid, have gone unanswered satisfactorily.
Had I been aware of his
current committee membership sooner, I would have raised these concerns decisively and advocated for his removal from any oversight role. Entrusting someone who has consistently evaded fiscal accountability with the oversight of public funds is equivalent to placing the fox in charge of the henhouse. As Justice Louis Brandeis so aptly stated, “sunlight is the best disinfectant.” Those who refuse to operate in the light should not be empowered to scrutinise the actions of others. Eight years of financial opacity, in this instance, raise serious doubts about Mr Lewis’s qualifications for a role that demands ‘absolute transparency.’
The repercussions of this appointment extend far beyond the actions of one individual. The authority of the Public Accounts Committee rests on public trust — a trust that is undermined when its members fail to uphold the standards they are charged to enforce. Public service demands accountability; no official can
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Proposal to improve f re services
EDITOR, The Tribune. AN open letter to Wayne Munroe.
Dear Minister Munroe, I read your remarks in this morning’s paper with great interest. While I appreciate your defence of the current structure, it is clear that a string of recent destructive fires and concerns from citizens underscore a national demand for more effective, transparent, and well-resourced fire services.
With respect, I believe the time has come to seriously explore a dedicated National Fire and Emergency Services Branch, separate from the Royal Bahamas Police Force.
credibly oversee others’ financial conduct while simultaneously concealing their own. To include such individuals in a key oversight position jeopardizes the very principles of democratic governance.
In light of these serious considerations, I respectfully urge the Honorable Speaker of the House and the Leader of His Majesty’s Official Opposition to reconsider Mr Lewis’s potential reappointment, or if he is still a member, his continued membership on this committee. Upholding the integrity of our public institutions means ensuring that those entrusted with managing and overseeing our funds are held to the highest standards of transparency and accountability.
Thank you for your attention to this critical matter. I trust that the Honorable Speaker of the House and the Leader of His Majesty’s Official Opposition will give this the serious consideration it deserves.
C ALLEN JOHNSON Freeport, Grand Bahama May 11, 2025.
Here is a constructive plan and rationale for how such a transition can be managed with improved accountability, efficiency, and national safety:
1. Structure and Oversight Proposal: Create a National Fire & Rescue Authority (NFRA) as a civilian emergency agency, under the Ministry of National Security but with its own leadership, budget, and legislative mandate.
Commissioner of Fire & Emergency Services: Appointed leader with direct accountability.
Regional Divisions: Units in New Providence, Grand Bahama, and key Family Islands.
Disaster Response Linkage: Strong integration with NEMA and public health.
Why?
This avoids silos by establishing proper interagency collaboration
protocols, not more bureaucracy. The agency would no longer compete with criminal investigations or policing priorities for attention and funding.
2. Fire Truck & Equipment Needs
Minimum National Standard Proposal:
New Providence: Ten modern pumpers, two aerial ladder trucks, one hazmat unit.
Grand Bahama: Six pumpers, one ladder truck.
Abaco, Exuma, Eleuthera, Long Island: Two pumpers each, plus one tanker per island.
Small islands (Bimini, Andros, Cat Island, etc.): One quick-response unit per major settlement.
Total Estimate: 35–40 fire trucks across the country (new or upgraded fleet).
$20–25m investment, aligned with your recent mention of $20m allocation.
3. Manpower & Training
Proposal: Initial Staffing Target: 300–350 trained firefighters nationwide.
200 in New Providence 60 in Grand Bahama 90 across the Family Islands
Ongoing Training Cycle: 50 recruits per year in certified fire academy with modules on: Fire suppression Rescue operations
Fire investigation
Community fire education 4. Budget
Accountability Proposal: Separate annual line item for the National Fire & Rescue Authority in the national budget. Annual performance audits and public reporting of:
Number of fires responded to Equipment uptime Emergency response times Community engagement programs delivered 5. Community Engagement & Prevention
Launch a national fire safety awareness program. Partner with local councils and schools for fire drills and extinguisher training. Use community-based volunteer auxiliaries in outer islands with smaller populations.
Closing Thoughts
This proposal is not about discrediting your efforts or those of the Royal Bahamas Police Force. Instead, it recognizes that fire services demand specialised focus, resourcing, and community engagement that a standalone branch can better deliver. A well-structured, accountable fire authority can be a proud national institution—prepared, professional, and responsive in every settlement across our islands. I look forward to your thoughts and hope this can start a wider conversation across political lines and agencies. The safety of our people is too important for it to be an afterthought.
RICHARD RUDON New Providence May 13, 2025.
Tribune’s picture of the day!
high quality image to pictureoftheday@tribunemedia.net
A BLUE Queen parrotfish smiles for the camera.
Photo: Scuba Mike
Need for committed, responsible leadership
LESS than two weeks ago, a small fire grew into a massive blaze that destroyed the homes of dozens of people along with other buildings. The response was not sufficient, whatever the cause. Now, political parties are going back and forth about fire services and the associated cost. The back and forth is far from productive as the parties are not interested in solving the problem that the country is experiencing which includes dry conditions and the apparent inability to effectively fight the fires that are happening with increasing frequency. Their interest is in gaining votes by making another party look incompetent. These are the days that give us the evidence we need to assess leadership. Who is a good leader? Who is loud and quick to speak, but has little of substance to say? Who actively listens to other people? Who seeks good counsel and acts on the combination of
By Alicia Wallace
advice, data, and needs? Who has the ability to generate ideas, not only on their own, but with other people? Who is willing and able to both think and do? Who demonstrates care for the people they lead and on whose behalf they lead? Who is comfortable with being challenged and show that they are capable of accepting critique and taking steps to improve? When we look at the people on the frontline of politics, there are very few people demonstrating the qualities of a capable and effective leader. There are many who talk, talk, talk. There are many who state their objections to this, that, and the next
Recommendations
1. ReLiving Single. This podcast is a companion to people rewatching Living Single—a 90s sitcom following four Black women and two Black men as they navigate life, largely from their Brooklyn brownstone apartments. The television show enjoyed five seasons, bringing a diverse group of people, including magazine editor and publisher Khadijah and building maintenance worker Overton, into people’s homes.The ReLiving Single podcast is hosted by Erika Alexander (who played “Maxine Shaw, attorney-at-law”) and Kim Coles (who played the naive and quirky Synclaire James. It is shaping up to a be a fun walk down the memory line that is enjoyable, funny television, with different takes on the episode and the inside scoop from behind some of the scenes.
2. The Wedding Setup by Sonali Dev. The short story is available in ebook format and can be read in two lunch breaks. Ayesha’s best friend is getting married. Ayesha’s mother is determined to set her up with a doctor. Ayesha is not enthusiastic, but prepares to go through the motions, then she learns that her brother’s best friend is also attending the wedding. This short story packs a number of themes including self-discovery, communication, and making happiness a priority. There are many full length novels by Sonali Dev that center family, friendship, and romance including Pride, Prejudice, and Other Flavors which is the first in the four-book The Rajes series.
3. Transforming Spaces. Take advantage of the opportunity to spend time on a bus with art-enthusiasts and people new to the local act scene while knowledgeable guides give the inside scoop on the exhibitions and individual pieces you will see on the six-hour gallery-hopping tour taking place this weekend. Choose your tour guide, carefully select your bus buddies, and buy tickets for a day of art and socializing. This year, the participating galleries are Balcony House (Central Bank of The Bahamas), CAB Gallery & Studio, D’Aguilar Art Foundation, Hillside House Gallery, TERN Gallery x Poinciana Paper Press, and University of The Bahamas’ Pro Gallery. Tickets are $50 each and can be purchased at tsbahamas.com.
item. There are many who dress up and take certain postures to appear dominant which people can easily mistake for confidence and/or competence. We see many pretenders—people who take on an acting role without ever managing to become what they want us to see. Leadership is not a prized position to be won or title to be worn. It is a commitment to set and work toward the achievement of goals, to identify and solve problems without delay, and to work with others for the best outcome for people experiences the greatest vulnerability. The legacy of a leader is not about them, but about the impact they have on systems and outcomes— the actions they take to support other people in achieving goals and creating positive change. Leadership requires self-awareness and commitment to personal development. Leaders need to know that they do not and cannot excel in all areas and they need to have strong teams that include people with a wide range of experiences and skills. They think strategically and guide team members in doing the same. They focus on the greater good, prioritizing it above any benefits they may otherwise be able to access. Great leaders care about people, and that is evident in what they do and the ways they set about their work.
As the next general election draws near, there will be more posturing. There will be more opposition for the sake of opposition. There will be more of various parties talking at one another through the press, accomplishing nothing when there are many opportunities to engage with one another, discussing available options and opportunities that can be created. There will be finger-pointing, name-calling, and mud-slinging. We need not participate in it. We need not give it oxygen. We need not lead them to believe this is an effective way to sway voters. We need to demand true leadership which includes clear positions on issues and detailed, costed plans for taking action on them. Leadership is not complaining. Leadership is not pointing at the other party. Leadership is not vague disagreement. People who seek support for their leadership must no longer
“Leadership is not a prized position to be won or title to be worn. It is a commitment to set and work toward the achievement of goals, to identify and solve problems without delay, and to work with others for the best outcome for people experiences the greatest vulnerability.”
PEACE FOR A LL
On Thursday, May 8, 2025, Pope Leo XIV delivered his first remarks since his appointment from the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica. His message focused on peace. He said, “God loves us, all of us, evil will not prevail. We are all in the hands of God. Without fear, united, hand in hand with God and among ourselves, we will go forward. We are disciples of Christ, Christ goes before us, and the world needs his light. Humanity needs him like a bridge to reach God and his love. You help us to build bridges with dialogue and encounter so we can all be one people always in peace.”
In his first Sunday address, he called for a ceasefire, noting he
is “deeply hurt” by the genocide (though he did not use this appropriate term) in Gaza. He said, “May a ceasefire immediately come into effect. May humanitarian aid be allowed into the civilian population and may all hostages be freed.”
Few people have spoken out about the genocide enacted by Israel against Palestinians since 2023. There is even less conversation about it now, a year and a half later. For some, it is easy to forget the horrors taking place when it is not happening in their own countries or to their own people. As more people are murdered every day, and with no end in sight, it is even more important to speak up and stand on the side of justice. There can be no peace, of any kind, when people fail to stand in solidarity with
one another, recognizing the value of human life. Colonisation and its effects are known to us. There is no complication in what is taking place. The continued genocide and silence around it are clear indications of the lack of commitment of world leaders and community leaders to peace and what it really takes to achieve it. It is a travesty to speak of any god, to speak of peace, and to speak of leadership, having nothing to say about the Palestinian right to land and life in Palestine. For those who do not feel “informed” enough about the mass murder of people in order to entirely take their land, there are many resources. Visit palestinianfeministcollective. org, palestinecampaign. org, and bdsmovement.net to get started.
be allowed to hide behind these lazy stunts.
ESPN
says it’s streaming service will start in September at $29.99
NEW YORK
Associated Press
ESPN said Tuesday that its new all-encompassing streaming service will take on a familiar name — ESPN — and launch in September at an initial price of $29.99 per month.
The service will enable consumers to view all of ESPN’s various networks, including ones devoted to the SEC, Big 10 and ACC college leagues, as well as content from the current ESPN+ streaming service, which will be folded in to the new product.
The network also promised enhancements to its ESPN app for mobile devices, including using artificial intelligence to create a personalized “SportsCenter” for consumers that concentrates on news and highlights for their favorite teams, sports and athletes.
September will represent a big moment for ESPN on par with the cable sports network’s launch in 1979, the introduction of ESPN2 in 1993 and launch of the ESPN.com website two years later, said Jimmy Pitaro, ESPN chairman. The exact date it will become available will be announced later.
It’s also a pivotal development in the accelerating industry shift from television to streaming. ESPN and its sister channels will remain available on cable and satellite systems. After kicking around several ideas for what to call the service, which was known informally as “Flagship” during the developmental stages, Pitaro said executives decided to keep it simple.
“There’s power in our name and there’s trust in our name,” he said. All live events shown on ESPN networks, along with sports shown on broadcast sister ABC-TV, will be available through the streaming service. So will its other programming, like “SportsCenter”,
a month
“Pardon the Interruption,” “First Take,” “The Pat McAfee Show,” “NFL Live” and original films. ESPN announced Tuesday that a former network personality, Rich Eisen, will bring his daily program to ESPN even as he continues to work at the NFL Network.
ESPN’s streaming service will be available for $299.99 per year. The Disneyowned network said it will also allow people to bundle ESPN along with Hulu and Disney+ for $35.99 a month — or $29.99 a month for the first year.
Although consumers will be able to buy the more limited slate of programming available now on ESPN+ for $11.99 a month, Pitaro said ESPN decided against offering other lower-cost alternatives containing some, but not all, of the company’s various services. It would be too confusing for consumers, he said.
Pitaro said ESPN remains open to other acquisitions or partnerships to build programming. That includes potentially taking on some struggling regional sports networks that show baseball, even though ESPN decided earlier this year to opt out of the final three years of its contract to show Major League Baseball at the end of this season.
“When the league is ready to have a conversation, we are ready to listen,” Pitaro said.
Miller’s Ale House selects Ziosk’s tabletop technology to enhance guest engagement
TEXAS Associated Press
ZIOSK, the industry leader in guest engagement at the table, today announced a partnership with Miller’s Ale House, a thriving casual dining brand and part of the Roark Capital portfolio. The collaboration will deploy across all 115 locations in Q2, bringing dynamic engagement technology to every table, enhancing the guest experience and helping to optimise operations.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www. businesswire.com/news/ home/20250513144187/en/ Central to the rollout is Ziosk’s zMini, a single, connected tabletop platform that empowers guests to order appetizers, desserts, and re-order a round of drinks as well as pay at the table and sign up for marketing programs, all with the tap of a finger. Integrating with their existing tech stack, it’s a powerful guest engagement tool that also helps operators run their restaurants more efficiently.
“At Miller’s, we are committed to leveraging
technology to provide our employees and our guests a better overall experience. Ziosk transforms every table into a digital engagement point, allowing us to connect with guests in ways that weren’t possible before,” said Brett Patterson, CEO of Miller’s Ale House. “Over 95% of our guests are choosing to pay through Ziosk, and
more than half are providing feedback before they leave, so we’re capturing meaningful data that helps us fine-tune our guest experience.”
The new partnership has already been paying dividends on multiple fronts. With Ziosk’s new marketing ecosystem, Miller’s Ale House has seen an increase in appetizer,
US CHIP maker
Nvidia will partner with Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund-owned AI startup Humain and will ship 18,000 chips to the Middle Eastern nation to help power a new data center project.
The partnership was revealed Tuesday as part of a White House trip to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. Saudi Arabia has been working to develop its artificial intelligence capacity and strengthen its cloud computing infrastructure with the help of foreign investment.
“AI, like electricity and internet, is essential infrastructure for every
up for their marketing programs at a rate significantly higher than their other channels.
“We’re excited to partner with the Miller’s Ale House brand and help elevate what’s already an exceptional guest experience,” said Raymond Howard, Co-Founder and Chief Revenue and Growth Officer at Ziosk. “By combining best-inclass hospitality with intelligent marketing and actionable insights, we’re helping grow revenue, create stronger engagement, and enhance performance across every location.”
nation,” said Jensen Huang, founder of Nvidia. “Together with Humain, we are building AI infrastructure for the people and companies of Saudi Arabia to realize the bold vision of the Kingdom.”
The cutting-edge Blackwell chips will be used in a 500 megawatt data center in Saudi Arabia, according to remarks at the SaudiU.S Investment Forum in Riyadh on Tuesday. The California company said its first deployment will use its GB300 Blackwell chips, which are among Nvidia’s most advanced AI chips at the moment, and which were only officially announced earlier this year.
data we collect through Ziosk, combined with AI-powered insights, are game-changers. This platform helps us capture guest interactions, engage them meaningfully, measure satisfaction, and drive return visits. You simply don’t get this level of visibility without the robust data that Ziosk delivers.”
drink and dessert purchases , in addition to an overall improvement in service quality and ease of ordering. This advanced tool allows them to deliver targeted, real-time promotions based on dayparts to drive upsells and unlock a new opportunity for digital engagement. Miller’s Ale House has also seen guests sign
The zMinis are providing a level of convenience that’s been noticed by both guests and team members alike. Guests like that they can dine the way they want to dine, with the power to order and pay on their own time right at the table. The staff is using the operational insights to refine each shift’s performance to truly provide guests with an enjoyable experience.
“Miller’s Ale House is dedicated to enhancing every guest touchpoint, and Ziosk gives us the tools to do that in a smart, scalable way,” said Katie Knight, Miller’s Ale House CMO. “The depth and breadth of
As the partnership evolves, there’s one shared vision at the heart of this collaboration: meeting guests where they are and engaging with them to deliver the convenience they crave that keeps them coming back again and again. Ziosk, the pioneer of pay-at-the-table, is a premier SaaS hospitality platform for restaurants. Ziosk’s core product suite includes solutions for payat-the-table, ordering, loyalty, guest engagement, guest feedback, and advanced data collection and analysis, in addition to hardware products like the Ziosk Pro Server and Ziosk zMini tablets. Ziosk’s newest offerings include the Drop & Pay™ Digital Check Presenter and DigiSite, an industry-leading location intelligence solution. Based in Dallas, the company processes over $17B in transactions annually and engages over 1bn guests per year.
STEPHEN A Smith arrives at Spike TV’s Video Game Awards in Los Angeles in December 2009.
Photo: Matt Sayles/AP
Associated Press
SAUDI officials attend a signing ceremony at the Royal Palace in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, yesterday.
Photo: Alex Brandon/AP
Arabia
MILLER’s Ale House Selects Ziosk as Tabletop Technology Partner to Enhance Guest Engagement and Elevate Experience.
Students of Long Bay School in Abaco share their talents
LONG Bay School students were the first to perform in the 2025 E Clement Bethel National Arts Festival Abaco adjudications, on May 5, 2025, when the event visited the school in Dundas Town. Younger students - even of grade two - showed off their singing skills, while a number of older students played the keyboard, sang, danced and beat Junkanoo drums. Among those present was Abaco Family Island activity coordinator for the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture Candi Stubbs-Dawkins.
Photos: Eric Rose/BIS