By THE STAR STAFF Roberto Vaquero, director of field operations for U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in San Juan, issued a reminder on Wednesday that operators of small vessels must report their arrival when navigating between Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. “Failure to comply with federal reporting requirements when entering Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands can result in significant penalties and enforcement actions,” Vaquero stated in written remarks

The Traveling Artists of Education international fine arts program provides students with an educational and cultural experience focused on artistic development, leadership, discipline and integral growth. By THE STAR STAFF As part of Education Week, the island Education Department announced on Wednesday the awarding of 15 scholarships to outstanding students from the public school system selected to participate in the “Traveling Artists of Education” international fine arts

Telecommunications Bureau Chairman Osvaldo Soto García, left, accepts the Award for Innovation with Public Service Impact from Puerto Rico Innovation and Technology Service Executive Director Poincaré Díaz Peña. By THE STAR STAFF Telecommunications Bureau Chairman Osvaldo Soto García announced on Tuesday that the agency has received the Award for Innovation with Public Service Impact in recognition of its development and integration of a new official alerts portal. The award

Gov. Jenniffer González Colón By THE STAR STAFF Gov. Jenniffer González Colón on Tuesday signed into law five measures -- two of them from her administration -- aimed at modernizing government structures, updating criminal statutes, and strengthening protections for vulnerable populations. She also vetoed six bills, most for lacking identified funding sources or for conflicting with Puerto Rico’s certified Fiscal Plan. The governor’s office said the approved measures “adapt l

The administration of Gov. Jenniffer González Colón on Tuesday signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) among state and federal government health components, along with private entities, “to promote fiscally responsible and sustainable healthcare solutions for the 3.2 million American citizens residing in Puerto Rico,” the governor posted on her social media accounts. According to the posted, the MOU “outlines priority areas for ongoing collaboration with the U.S. Departmen

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded $11.4 million in new drinking water funding for Puerto Rico under the Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities program. (Facebook via AcueductosPR) By THE STAR STAFF Gov. Jenniffer González Colón, joined by Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration (PRFAA) Executive Director Gabriella Boffelli, announced on Tuesday that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded $11.4 million in new fundi

By THE STAR STAFF The Financial Oversight and Management Board for Puerto Rico has approved the island Treasury Department’s proposal for establishing eligibility and other requirements for the one-time economic incentive. In a letter sent Tuesday to Treasury Secretary Ángel Pantoja Rodríguez, the oversight board’s executive director, Robert Mujica Jr., confirmed that the board completed its review of proposed Internal Revenue Circular 26‑0X and designated it as “approved.” T

By THE STAR STAFF Several environmental, scientific and community organizations expressed their opposition on Tuesday to House Bill 25, a measure seeking to update the definition of the Maritime-Terrestrial Zone (ZMT by its initials in Spanish) in Puerto Rico. “The definition proposed in the bill does not adequately protect the coastlines, infrastructure, natural resources, or safety of coastal communities in the face of climate change and coastal erosion,” said Dr. Maritza B

Puerto Rico Teachers Association President Víctor M. Bonilla Sánchez By THE STAR STAFF Puerto Rico Teachers Association (AMPR by its initials in Spanish) President Víctor M. Bonilla Sánchez confirmed this week that the organization will support two bills aimed at eliminating the Teacher Career Law and establishing new salary scales for educators in the Department of Education. The measures, House Bills (HB) 616 and 619, seek to overhaul how teacher compensation is determined.

By THE STAR STAFF Gov. Jenniffer González Colón announced on Monday that she will deliver her State of the State Address this Thursday, May 21, at 5 p.m., from the chamber of the House of Representatives at the Capitol in San Juan. The governor announced the date in a communication sent to the leaders of the House and the Senate. González Colón indicated that the address will cover the state of affairs and the initiatives underway for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. She noted that