Blanca Medina Díaz, former head of the Socioeconomic Development Administration for the Family (Facebook via ADSEF) By THE STAR STAFF The former administrator of the Socioeconomic Development Administration for the Family (ADSEF by its acronym in Spanish), Blanca Medina Díaz, testified under oath on Wednesday that Gov. Jenniffer González Colón insisted she accept the role of leading the agency, that the governor later learned of the problems Medina faced and even called her t

By THE STAR STAFF Gov. Jenniffer González Colón on Wednesday established a new interagency body dedicated to strengthening Puerto Rico’s readiness for major earthquakes, signing Executive Order 2026‑053 to create the Puerto Rico Earthquake Preparedness Committee. The committee, attached to the Department of Public Safety (DSP by its initials in Spanish) and chaired by DSP Secretary Arthur Garffer, will coordinate scientific, technical and operational planning across governmen

Rep. José “Cheito” Hernández Concepción (Facebook via Jose Cheito Hernandez Concepcion) By THE STAR STAFF Rep. José “Cheito” Hernández Concepción urged the government on Wednesday to take New Fortress Energy (NFE) to court, warning that the ongoing dispute over the company’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) deliveries could drive up electricity bills in the next quarterly adjustment. Hernández, who chairs the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, said the contract

Puerto Rico Supreme Court Associate Justice Erick V. Kolthoff Caraballo By THE STAR STAFF A divided Puerto Rico Supreme Court has ruled that, under specific circumstances, a child may retain a legal bond with a biological parent even after being adopted by a single adoptive parent. The decision, issued in 2026 TSPR 100 and authored by Associate Justice Erick V. Kolthoff Caraballo, marks a significant shift in how adoption law is interpreted and has already prompted strong con

Sen. Joanne M. Rodríguez Veve (Facebook Joanne Rodriguez Veve) By THE STAR STAFF Independent Sen. Joanne M. Rodríguez Veve introduced new legislation this week aimed at restoring criminal liability for public officials who intentionally fail to comply with legal mandates, even when their actions do not result in the loss of public funds or damage to government property. The measure, Senate Bill 1504, seeks to amend Articles 262 and 263 of Puerto Rico’s Penal Code and Article

The territorial land-use plans for Aguas Buenas, Guayama and Morovis had remained unchanged since 2011, 2008 and 2010, respectively. (Facebook via Jenniffer González Colón) By THE STAR STAFF Gov. Jenniffer González Colón on Monday approved the first comprehensive revisions of the territorial land‑use plans for Aguas Buenas, Guayama and Morovis, giving the three municipalities updated planning tools to guide development, strengthen urban centers and protect environmentally sen

Energy Czar Josué Colón Ortiz (Facebook via Zar de Energia) By THE STAR STAFF The Puerto Rico government on Tuesday rejected the $1.3 billion figure presented by LUMA Energy to the Supreme Court regarding the potential annulment of its contract extension, maintaining that nearly 70% of that amount consists of operational balances, accounts payable, and other obligations that would not be triggered by a change in operator. “This administration is defending the people of Puerto

By THE STAR STAFF The Panel on the Independent Special Prosecutor (PFEI by its initials in Spanish) dismissed a complaint against the Women’s Advocate, Astrid Piñeiro Vázquez, concluding there was insufficient evidence to attribute to her the disclosure of confidential information regarding an alleged domestic violence incident involving Sen. Joanne Rodríguez Veve. “We acknowledge and understand the Senator’s concern regarding the circulation of personal information and the i

Puerto Rico’s agriculture secretary said the government’s decision to raise the minimum price paid to local coffee growers was simply a matter of “doing justice for the farmer after 15 years.” (Facebook via Departamento de Agricultura) Leading ‘caficultor’ rips gov’t for ‘indifference and neglect’ toward sector By THE STAR STAFF Agriculture Secretary Irving Rodríguez Torres on Tuesday defended the island government’s decision to raise the minimum price paid to local coffee gr

By THE STAR STAFF Gov. Jenniffer González Colón released the Final Report of the Multisector Advisory Board on Puerto Rico’s Medicaid Program on Sunday, outlining the island’s most pressing health‑system needs and warning of severe fiscal consequences if Congress fails to address longstanding disparities in federal Medicaid financing before fiscal year (FY) 2028. The report, mandated under Executive Order 2026‑006, was produced with input from government agencies, health‑care