Today on MORNING BLEND:

Listeners have their say on the reports suggesting there is support for Prime Minister Perry Christie to lead the PLP into the next general election in 2017, and beyond, and the persistent rumours that some are trying to lure former PM Hubert Ingraham out of political retirement, and back into frontline politics and the leadership of the FNM. By the end of another 5-year term, Mr. Christie would be nearly 80, and Mr. Ingraham would be approaching 75!

“In The News”, police are investigating two separate sexual assaults in Bimini. This sparks a spirited discussion about the reported increases in rapes, attempted rape and other sexual assaults in the country.
Plus, more on the “spin” on both the former and the most recent BTC deals, and the gambling referendum.

And February is Heart Month, and the Bah. Heart Association has a full schedule of events planned. Association Member Tessa Simone Lightbourne tells us these events include the 50th Annual Heart Ball on Feb. 15, and “Go Red Day” on Feb. 21, on which everyone is being encouraged to dress in red and purchase a pin. The Annual Fun Run/Walk is set for March 1. For more info on all the events contact the Sir Victor Sassoon Bahamas Heart Foundation at 327-0806, log on to sassoonheartfoundation.org or Facebook.com/sassoonheart

Be sure to follow Dwight on twitter @MorningBlend969 and check out our new Facebook page! http://facebook.com/MorningBlend969 Also contact us via email at morningblend@nasguard.com and call in to the studio 323-6232 | 323-8160.

today on MORNING BLEND:

Bahamas Film Commissioner Craig Woods discusses film production in The Bahamas, and the challenges the Tourism Ministry faces in attracting international film and television projects to the country. He tells Dwight and guest host Stephen Hanna (host of Guardian Radio’s “What’s the Point”) about the aims and objectives of the Film Commission. Woods also has some suggestions for local film and TV producers.

“In The News”, strong reaction to the 20-year prison sentence for an HIV-positive armed-robbery convict who raped a 17-yr old virgin after escaping police custody last year. Although he was facing a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, he received a deduction for his guilty plea. Outraged listeners say this crime warranted the death penalty.

And the government netted less than $100 million for selling less than 51 percent of BTC to CWC, says government lead negotiator Franklyn Wilson. While he’s not saying how negotiators have reached this conclusion, he tells The Nassau Guardian all will be revealed in a parliamentary committee.
Also, reaction to the frequent BEC power cuts in Nassau over the weekend, and to the Seattle Seahawks Super Bowl blowout of the Denver Broncos.

Plus our “Quote of the Week”.

Be sure to follow Dwight on twitter @MorningBlend969 and check out our new Facebook page! http://facebook.com/MorningBlend969 Also contact us via email at morningblend@nasguard.com and call in to the studio 323-6232 | 323-8160.

Today on MORNING BLEND:

‘Operation Potcake’ is back for 2014. Laura Kimble, chair of BAARK, says the goal is to spay and neuter 1,000 dogs. But this year, they will be “fixing” cats as well. The program runs from Sunday, February 2 through Thursday, February 6. Visit operationpotcake.com, call 323-5138 or Facebook.com/OperationPotcake for details.

Also, the 11th Star Performers Track Classic is set for Saturday, February 1. The Baker Concrete/Greyco Ltd. sponsored event is expected to feature some 1,000 track and field athletes from The Bahamas, the region, and even Canada. Coach David Charlton with Star Trackers tells us athletes as young as 5-years old will be competing. And J.R. McDonald with Baker/Greyco discusses why his company has been supporting this family friendly event for the past 10 years.
It’s set for 9am-7pm at the old Thomas A. Robinson Stadium. Visit startrackersbahamas.com for more info.

And “In the News”, the president of the Court of Appeal says lawmakers need to further clarify which capital crimes are the “worst of the worst”. Anita Allen is also urging changes to laws that require magistrates to hand down mandatory sentences in certain drug, firearm and gun cases. We get reaction.

Plus, our “Song of the Week”.

Be sure to follow Dwight on twitter @MorningBlend969 and check out our new Facebook page! http://facebook.com/MorningBlend969 Also contact us via email at morningblend@nasguard.com and call in to the studio 323-6232 | 323-8160.

Today on MORNING BLEND:

It’s “National Privacy Week” here in The Bahamas. Data Protection Commissioner Sharmie Farrington Austin tells us her office is responsible for administrating and enforcing the Data Protection (Privacy of Personal) Information Act. We discuss cyber crimes, social media privacy concerns, data security breaches, and the requirements of data controllers.
Contact the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner at 702-1552 or email dataprotection@bahamas.gov.bs

“In The News”, we get a surprise telephone call from Belinda Wilson, President, Bahamas Union of Teachers. She calls to weigh in on our discussion, and reinforce the union’s position on the controversial fingerprinting of expatriate teachers, as yet another group of foreign public school teachers was told this week they had to have their fingerprints taken at the Central Detective Unit and also pay the $100 fee. Wilson says not only is it discriminatory to force only expat teachers to do this, but it’s also against the labour laws of the country.
Listeners have widely mixed views on the issue, which the Ministry of Education claims will help them better weed out foreign teachers with criminal pasts.

Be sure to follow Dwight on twitter @MorningBlend969 and check out our new Facebook page! http://facebook.com/MorningBlend969 Also contact us via email at morningblend@nasguard.com and call in to the studio 323-6232 | 323-8160.

TODAY ON MORNING BLEND:

“Breaking the Cycle of Abuse in Women and Children” is a special forum set for Thursday night to “break the silence” of abuse in the country. Hosted by the DNA Women’s Alliance, the forum will feature speakers from the Crisis Centre. Guests (pictured l to r) Lydia Isaacs-Thompson, DNA Women’s Alliance 2nd Vice President, Marsha Thompson, 1st Vice President, and Podesta Moore, President, tell us the forum is January 30 at BPSU Hall on East St. South and Soldier Rd. at 7pm.

And Meteorologist Wayne Neely discusses “The Great Bahamas Hurricane of 1929: The Story of the Greatest Bahamian Hurricane of the Twentieth Century”. That’s the title of his latest in a series of books about hurricanes. Neely says the category 4 storm essentially sat of Andros and New Providence for 3 days, destroying many of the buildings of the islands. Contrary to official international estimates that about 50 people were killed, Neely estimates that more than 100 people were killed in the Bahamas as a result of the storm, many of them sponge fishermen out-to-sea at the time. The storm hit just one month before the onset of stock market crash that led to the Great Depression, and it took years from the country’s economy to recover from his devastating impact.
The book is available in local bookstores and online.

Plus, “In The News”, reaction to last night’s Vote No victory celebration rally on the 1st anniversary of the gambling referendum. Plus, the latest on the BTC deal, and the most recent US Embassy crime warning about Nassau and Freeport.

Be sure to follow Dwight on twitter @MorningBlend969 and check out our new Facebook page! http://facebook.com/MorningBlend969 Also contact us via email at morningblend@nasguard.com and call in to the studio 323-6232 | 323-8160.