By THE STAR STAFF The Puerto Rico House of Representatives is scheduled to hold public hearings Thursday on legislation that would require all public school students to use clear, transparent backpacks as a measure to deter violence. House Bill 1144 would create the “Transparent Backpacks for Safe Schools Act,” which lawmakers say is intended to enhance safety across public school campuses. One of the bill’s sponsors, New Progressive Party representative Ensol Rodríguez, ackn

Varela noted declining voter support, with no governor surpassing 50% since 2000 and the last three under 40%. By THE STAR STAFF Representative José “Conny” Varela of Caguas denounced today the actions of the PNP majority in the House of Representatives for passing House Concurrent Resolution 36 without committee review and by voice vote.  This measure sought to strengthen democratic legitimacy in the election of the Governor of Puerto Rico.  Varela stated that this action is

Executive Director of the Puerto Rico Ports Authority, Norberto Negrón Díaz. By THE STAR STAFF The Puerto Rico Ports Authority (PRPA) has launched a major infrastructure initiative at Rafael Hernández International Airport, inviting qualified Architecture and Engineering (A&E) firms to submit Statements of Qualifications (SOQs) for comprehensive design and construction support services. The project centers on the conversion of an existing runway into a taxiway, along with add

Popular senator Ada Álvarez Conde By THE STAR STAFF Popular senator Ada Álvarez Conde today denounced the negative report issued by the Senate Finance, Budget and PROMESA Committee on Senate Joint Resolution 11 (SJR 11), a measure she authored aimed at allocating funds to shelters that serve survivors of gender violence in Puerto Rico. The legislator pointed out that it is particularly worrying that the negative report was issued right during Women’s Week, given that the meas

The Cathedral’s restoration benefited from a new $7.4 million obligation.  By THE STAR STAFF As part of efforts to recover and preserve Puerto Rico’s historical heritage, Eduardo Soria Rivera, the executive director of the Central Office for Recovery, Reconstruction and Resilience (COR3), visited the restoration work at the Metropolitan Cathedral and Minor Basilica of San Juan Bautista in Old San Juan. The restoration project is funded with $18.1 million from the Federal Emer

By THE STAR STAFF Aerostar Airport Holdings, the operator of Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in Carolina, recommended on Monday that passengers arrive at the airport at least four hours early due to delays at security checkpoints. “We recommend arriving at the airport at least 4 hours before your scheduled flight time to complete the security screening process with ample time,” Aerostar said in a written statement. The operator indicated that some passengers have exper

Given reports of significant delays at airport security lines, the operator of Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in Carolina recommended on Monday that passengers arrive at the airport at least four hours early. By THE STAR STAFF The Puerto Rico Gaming Commission seized nearly 30 illegal slot machines and more than $8,300 in cash during raids conducted at businesses in San Juan and Cataño. “This second operation demonstrates that the oversight process remains active,” Ga

Hogar Ruth Executive Director Lisdel Flores Barger said the organization’s integrated services center project is “a strategic, visionary, and profoundly humane investment that will set a new standard of care and support for women who experience domestic and sexual violence in Puerto Rico.” By THE STAR STAFF Community service organization Hogar Ruth will begin work this month to build a new integrated services center at a cost of $3.5 million, which will transform the way vict