Félix Aponte, president of the Chamber of Food Marketing, Industry and Distribution (midatraining.org) Meanwhile, a rise in use of weight-loss medications is indicated By THE STAR STAFF The 2026 Consumer Snapshot study by the Chamber of Food Marketing, Industry and Distribution (MIDA by its acronym in Spanish) concluded that most consumers in Puerto Rico have cut their monthly spending, a third of the population is considering leaving the island, and a number of respondents a

By THE STAR STAFF Given the pattern of declining blood donations during the summer months, Hospital Auxilio Mutuo and Banco de Sangre Servicios Mutuos announced a blood collection day that will take place next Tuesday, June 16, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the 9th floor of Auxilio Mutuo Hospital in Hato Rey. The initiative, which commemorates Blood Donor Month, seeks to strengthen the blood reserves available to meet the needs of patients who require transfusions during surgeries

Health Secretary Víctor Ramos Otero Rapid coordination ensures timely treatment By THE STAR STAFF The Puerto Rico Department of Health has confirmed a case of infant botulism and underscored the swift response that allowed the patient to receive life‑saving treatment within 48 hours of the initial alert. According to the agency, the suspected case was reported on May 27 by the University Pediatric Hospital after an infant presented symptoms consistent with the illness, includ

Coamo Mayor Juan Carlos García Padilla, at left By THE STAR STAFF Coamo Mayor Juan Carlos García Padilla urged Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (PRASA) Executive President Luis Gonzalez Delgado on Tuesday to reject the proposal to connect the Jacaranda housing development in Santa Isabel to the Toa Vaca water system, which supplies parts of the Los Llanos and Santa Catalina communities in Coamo. The mayor said that after multiple meetings and discussions with PRASA, t

Senate President Thomas Rivera Schatz By THE STAR STAFF The island Senate has requested details on tax decrees, communications with developers, meetings and actions related to the exclusive residential project under construction in the Convention Center District. Senate President Thomas Rivera Schatz requested detailed information from the Department of Economic Development and Commerce (DDEC by its acronym in Spanish) regarding potential tax incentives, official communicatio

Universidad del Sagrado Corazón (USC) awarded an honorary doctorate to former Gov. Sila M. Calderón Serra during its 87th graduation ceremony on Tuesday. From left, USC President Gilberto Marxuach Torrós, Calderón Serra, and Samuel Céspedes, chairman of the USC board of directors. USC president to graduates: ‘Where are you going to put your heart?’ By THE STAR STAFF Universidad del Sagrado Corazón (Sacred Heart University; USC by its initials in Spanish) held its 87th graduat

Gabriela Nicole Pratts Rosario By THE STAR STAFF The Legal Aid Society of Puerto Rico (SAL by its acronym in Spanish) has asked the Office of the Inspector General to investigate how sworn statements from witnesses in an active criminal case were allegedly leaked to a journalist and discussed publicly on a YouTube podcast. The SAL represents Anthonieshka Avilés Cabrera, who faces criminal charges in the Aibonito Judicial Region. Her mother, Elvia Cabrera Rivera, is being trie

Puerto Rico has reached its lowest child poverty rate in more than 30 years, dropping from 58% in 2022 to 52% in 2024, according to the 2026 KIDS COUNT Data Book. By THE STAR STAFF Puerto Rico has reached its lowest child poverty rate in more than 30 years, dropping from 58% in 2022 to 52% in 2024, according to the 2026 KIDS COUNT Data Book. “Reaching the lowest child poverty rate in over 30 years is good news for Puerto Rico and a clear sign that addressing this challenge is

Loíza Mayor Julia Nazario Fuentes By THE STAR STAFF Several communities in Loíza had been without running water for 13 consecutive days as of Monday, prompting Mayor Julia Nazario Fuentes to publicly criticize the Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (PRASA) and warn that the municipality may join San Juan and Bayamón in legal action over the prolonged service failures. The affected sectors -- Torrecilla, Piñones, El Indio and Terraplén -- have relied on limited emergency

San Juan Mayor Miguel Romero Lugo By THE STAR STAFF San Juan Mayor Miguel Romero Lugo announced Monday that the municipality has obtained a court-approved stipulation granting it, for the first time, direct participation in the operational decision-making and evaluation processes of the Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (PRASA) for the metropolitan region’s potable water system. The ruling, issued as part of a lawsuit filed by the municipality, requires PRASA to open a