Coastal erosion in Arecibo. By THE STAR STAFF Three‑quarters of the beaches evaluated along Puerto Rico’s northern coast are experiencing erosion, highlighting growing concerns about climate‑driven shoreline loss and the vulnerability of coastal communities, according to a University of Puerto Rico study. Researchers found that 75% of the beach transects studied showed erosion, with reductions in subaerial beach width ranging from fractions of a meter to as much as 92 meters.

Col. Brandon L. Bowman, Jacksonville District commander, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Facebook via Everglades news and information) By THE STAR STAFF The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has issued a “cease and desist” order to the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DNER) and its secretary, Waldemar Quiles Pérez, for depositing fill and dredging at the mouth of the Río Grande de Loíza without federal authorization. A July 8 letter from USACE states that t

Puerto Rico Industrial Development Company Executive Director Roberto Lefranc Fortuño By THE STAR STAFF Carmen Julia Vallés, president of the Independent Union of Employees of the Puerto Rico Industrial Development Company (PRIDCO), accused PRIDCO Executive Director Roberto Lefranc Fortuño on Tuesday of refusing to address a series of labor concerns that she says are adversely affecting operations at the public corporation. Vallés said the union has repeatedly requested a mee

Rep. José Hernández Concepción By THE STAR STAFF As a measure to help quickly resolve interruptions in drinking water service, Rep. José “Cheito” Hernández Concepción has filed House Bill 1334, which obliges the Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (PRASA) to inspect, within a maximum term of 24 hours, any breakdown that interrupts the service. The legislation also states that repair work must begin within 48 hours of the reported failure, and enables the creation of coll

The Financial Oversight and Management Board says the idea of significantly lengthening the island’s back‑to‑school tax‑free periods may be popular with parents but comes with a price the government has not budgeted for. By THE STAR STAFF The Financial Oversight and Management Board is asking Gov. Jenniffer González Colón to halt a bill that would significantly lengthen the island’s back‑to‑school tax‑free periods, warning that the proposal would strain government finances an

Puerto Rican Independence Party Sen. Adrián González Costa By THE STAR STAFF Members of the island Legislature signaled Tuesday that Gov. Jenniffer González Colón could be summoned before the Senate if a minority‑requested investigation into alleged corruption at La Fortaleza is formally activated. The discussion follows sworn statements from three public officials that lawmakers say merit immediate scrutiny related to contract interference at the Economic Development and Com

Action aims to minimize manatee deaths By THE STAR STAFF Gov. Jenniffer González Colón and Natural and Environmental Resources (DNER) Secretary Waldemar Quíles Pérez announced on Tuesday a DNER administrative order banning the use of personal watercraft (jet skis) in the area known as Mar Negro, in Jobos Bay, Salinas. The move aims to minimize manatee deaths, the leading cause of which is collisions with watercraft. The area serves as habitat for the Antillean manatee. The or

Gov. Jenniffer González Colón, fourth from the left, said Tuesday that drinking water service subscribers in six island towns could soon receive notices regarding rationing due to drought conditions. (Facebook via Jenniffer González Colón) By THE STAR STAFF Gov. Jenniffer González Colón said Tuesday that customers in six island municipalities could soon receive notices regarding drinking water rationing due to drought conditions. “The most vulnerable areas are the Jagual ward

Loíza Mayor Julia Nazario Fuentes By THE STAR STAFF The environmental organization Amigxs del Mar issued a warning Monday about the potential environmental and community impact of three luxury mega‑hotel projects proposed for development in Loíza, arguing that the large‑scale construction threatens fragile coastal ecosystems and could displace long‑standing residents. The projects -- Loíza Ocean, Loíza Piñones and Loíza River City -- are part of the Puerto Rico 230 initiative

By THE STAR STAFF The Department of Public Safety (DSP by its initials in Spanish) is moving to strengthen emergency communications with a new multimillion‑dollar investment in mobile satellite technology designed to keep first responders connected when traditional networks fail. DSP Secretary Arthur Garffer announced the purchase of 74 FirstNet miniCRD portable systems, a $3,019,805 initiative that will expand the agency’s operational capacity during hurricanes, earthquakes,