The U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit in Boston By THE STAR STAFF The U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit in Boston has overturned a 2025 federal district court ruling that ordered Puerto Rico’s Demographic Registry to include an “X” gender marker on birth certificates, Gov. Jenniffer González Colón announced Thursday. The appellate decision supports the Puerto Rico government’s position that, under current local law, birth certificates will continue to reco

By THE STAR STAFF Extreme drought conditions spread this week across large sections of Puerto Rico’s southern coast and eastern region, with 75.2% of the territory experiencing some level of drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor update released on Thursday. Data valid as of Sept. 1 show that 41% of Puerto Rico is experiencing extreme drought (category D3), a condition appearing primarily along a strip covering much of the island’s south and another extensive area in

By THE STAR STAFF The island Treasury Department said the government closed fiscal year 2026 with stronger-than-expected revenues, driven largely by higher income tax collections from corporations and individuals and a sharp increase in June receipts tied to manufacturing activity. Treasury Secretary Ángel Pantoja Rodríguez announced that net revenues to the General Fund reached $13.9 billion, an increase of $279.1 million compared with the previous fiscal year and well abov

Mary Zapata Acosta, former executive director of the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (Facebook via Autoridad de Energía Eléctrica) By THE STAR STAFF The governing board of the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA) has accepted the resignation of the public corporation’s executive director, Mary Zapata Acosta. In an extraordinary meeting Thursday, board members unanimously accepted Zapata’s departure. As detailed, the engineer by profession presented the letter of

The Aguirre power station in Salinas By THE STAR STAFF Power Expectations LLC has sued the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA) after the utility terminated a contract expected to provide 400 megawatts of temporary generation to support Puerto Rico’s fragile electric power grid. The company, which led the winning consortium for the project, filed a verified complaint Tuesday in the U.S. District Court for the District of Puerto Rico alleging breach of contract, bad fa

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has expanded the drought disaster declaration in Puerto Rico, designating Barranquitas, Caguas and Guayama as primary areas and another 16 municipalities as contiguous areas. By THE STAR STAFF The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has expanded the drought disaster declaration in Puerto Rico, designating Barranquitas, Caguas and Guayama as primary areas and another 16 municipalities as contiguous areas, Gov. Jenniffer González Colón annou

Gov. Jenniffer González Colón (Facebook via Jenniffer González Colón) By THE STAR STAFF The Puerto Rico government is moving to expand its drought‑response strategy by restoring water production capacity at the source, even as emergency distribution measures continue across the island. Gov. Jenniffer González Colón has requested authorization to use $9.7 million from the Emergency Reserve to evaluate and rehabilitate five public wells, while the Financial Oversight and Manag

Rep. Fernando Sanabria Colón By THE STAR STAFF The Puerto Rico House of Representatives has ordered a formal investigation into the growing instability of the PR‑1 corridor between the Las Ochenta community in Salinas and the boundary with Santa Isabel, a stretch of roadway that has become increasingly vulnerable as coastal erosion accelerates across the island. The resolution, introduced by Rep. Fernando Sanabria Colón, directs the Department of Transportation and Public Wor

The increase in fuel prices, already visible at local gas stations, reflects Puerto Rico’s exposure to international price shocks driven by geopolitical instability in the Middle East. By THE STAR STAFF Gasoline and diesel prices in Puerto Rico rose sharply this week as the ongoing conflict involving Iran continues to disrupt global oil markets, pushing crude and refined fuel costs higher worldwide. The increase, already visible at local stations, reflects the island’s exposu

By THE STAR STAFF Puerto Rico Bar Association (CAAPR by its initials in Spanish) President Vivian Godineaux Villaronga expressed concern on Thursday regarding actions and public statements that, in the organization’s view, have limited civic participation, freedom of expression, access to public information, and access to justice. “The Constitution of Puerto Rico clearly establishes that our system of government aims to promote the general welfare and ensure the full enjoymen