Sen. Brenda Pérez Soto By THE STAR STAFF District III (Arecibo) Sen. Brenda Pérez Soto on Monday introduced Senate Bill 1301, a measure aimed at strengthening the safety and protection of minors and people with conditions that limit their ability to communicate during individual therapeutic interventions. The proposal amends the Patient’s Bill of Rights and Responsibilities to recognize the right of parents, guardian or legal representatives to request audio and video recordi

By THE STAR STAFF The Financial Oversight and Management Board for Puerto Rico has issued a warning to the Puerto Rico Department of Education (DE) and the Office of Management and Budget stating that the agency’s growing reliance on non‑recurring funds to cover recurring Special Education obligations is “not sustainable” and must end. In a letter dated May 29, the oversight board said the issue is not whether services should be delivered, but that the DE has repeatedly faile

Puerto Rico Supreme Court Associate Justice Roberto Feliberti Cintrón wrote the majority opinion. (poderjudicial.pr) By THE STAR STAFF The Puerto Rico Supreme Court held that noncompete clauses in professional services contracts remain valid and enforceable when assigned to another party, provided the restrictions are reasonable and the contractor demonstrates consent through their actions. The decision, announced last week, is the first time Puerto Rico’s highest court has r

Popular Democratic Party Senate Minority Leader Luis Javier Hernández Ortiz, foreground, and PDP Sen. Josian Santiago Rivera By THE STAR STAFF The Popular Democratic Party (PDP) delegation in the Senate filed a lawsuit on Monday asking the San Juan Superior Court to compel Justice Secretary Lourdes Gómez Torres to release information on cases closed or archived by the Department of Justice’s Public Integrity and Comptroller Affairs Division. The announcement was made during a

By THE STAR STAFF Rep. Víctor Parés Otero, chairman of the House Government Committee, asserted on Monday that funds do not exist to suspend the second ‘crudita’ (Law 1-2015). Parés said the lower chamber “will not approve anything that lacks replacement revenue sources -- anything that would amount to imposing a greater burden on the people.” “Suspending the second ‘crudita’ -- imposed by the Popular Democratic Party (PDP) in 2015 -- would cost $217.4 million; this amount wo

Balneario de Carolina (discoverpuertorico.com) By THE STAR STAFF Carolina Mayor José Carlos Aponte Dalmau celebrated on Monday what he called a “double victory” for the municipality after Carolina Beach (Balneario de Carolina) was recognized as the best beach in Puerto Rico in USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. Carolina Beach earned the top spot in the 2026 edition of the competition, which is determined through public voting by readers and travelers worldwide. Isla V

At-large Sen. Ada Álvarez Conde By THE STAR STAFF At-large Sen. Ada Álvarez Conde has sent a formal communication to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) requesting information, oversight and action regarding federal agreements tied to water contamination and longstanding failures in sanitary infrastructure affecting the Condado area and other communities across the island. The move comes as San Juan Mayor Miguel Romero Lugo sued the Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority o

Cayey Mayor Rolando Ortiz Velázquez, left, along with District 29 Rep. Gretchen Hau Irizarry, participated in Sunday’s graduation ceremonies for the eastern-central mountain town’s senior classes in a packed event at Municipal Theater. By THE STAR STAFF Cayey Mayor Rolando Ortiz Velázquez and District 29 (Cidra-Cayey) Rep. Gretchen Hau Irizarry participated in Sunday’s graduation ceremonies for the town’s senior classes in a festive event held at a packed Municipal Theater,

Ombudsman of Puerto Rico Edwin García Feliciano By THE STAR STAFF The fleeting window of peace between La Fortaleza and the island Legislature cannot be wasted on political pleasantries, said Puerto Rico’s ombudsman, Edwin García Feliciano, who has issued an ultimatum demanding that the government form an aggressive, unbreakable united front to force the Financial Oversight and Management Board to open its eyes to the economic devastation tearing Puerto Rican families apart.

Speaker of the Puerto Rico House of Representatives Carlos “Johnny” Méndez Nuñez By THE STAR STAFF Island lawmakers are traveling to Washington, D.C., this week to lobby members of Congress and officials in the executive branch to preserve the island’s current Medicaid funding levels, which are scheduled to expire on Sept. 30, 2027. Speaker of the Puerto Rico House of Representatives Carlos “Johnny” Méndez Nuñez said Sunday that the delegation will focus on maintaining the 76