By THE STAR STAFF University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus (RUM by its acronym in Spanish) Interim Chancellor Miguel Muñoz Muñoz announced on Wednesday that the campus has initiated a gradual process to resume in-person operations following the reopening of campus access points. “The gradual resumption of operations is part of the institutional efforts aimed at guaranteeing the continuity of the Campus’ academic and administrative services,” Muñoz stated in written remarks.

María del Mar Mateu Meléndez heads Puerto Rico’s Child Support Administration. By THE STAR STAFF María del Mar Mateu Meléndez, who heads the island’s Child Support Administration, announced on Wednesday that the federal revocation of passports due to child support arrears could initially impact 435 non-custodial parents in Puerto Rico. “Until last week, this restriction applied primarily when an individual attempted to apply for or renew their passport,” said Mateu Meléndez i

From left, coach Edward J. Gonell Rodríguez, Efraín J. Ortiz Mulero, Faneshka Cartagena Maldonado and José F. Ortiz Mulero (Israel Morales) By THE STAR STAFF Cayey Mayor Rolando Ortiz Velázquez and District 29 (Cidra-Cayey) Rep. Gretchen Hau Irizarry on Wednesday congratulated Benjamin Harrison School in Cayey for another historic triumph, this time one accomplished by three of its students. “We congratulate the EatChiwi team, composed of José F. Ortiz Mulero, Efraín J. Ortiz

By THE STAR STAFF University of Puerto Rico (UPR) President Zayira Jordán Conde has submitted to the Financial Oversight and Management Board a review of the Amended Fiscal Plan 2021, approved by the UPR’s governing board, which extends fiscal projections through fiscal year 2027 without accounting for additional increases in enrollment, student fees, or positions, or modifications to the university retirement system. Jordán Conde asked the oversight board to recognize UPR as

People observe cats outside Save A Gato, a nonprofit organization that has trapped, neutered and spayed the cats of Old San Juan, March 4, 2024. (Erika P. Rodríguez/The New York Times) By THE STAR STAFF Resident Commissioner Pablo José Hernández Rivera sent a letter this week to the National Park Service (NPS) opposing the plan to remove feral “community” cats from Paseo del Morro in Old San Juan. “As someone born and raised in Old San Juan, I recognize the value of cats in t

By THE STAR STAFF Puerto Rico Innovation and Technology Service (PRITS) Executive Director Poincaré Díaz and Treasury Secretary Ángel Pantoja Rodríguez provided guidance Wednesday regarding the secure use of the Unified Internal Revenue System (SURI by its acronym in Spanish) portal to register banking information and receive tax relief funds. “We are providing guidance to every citizen so that they may complete this process with total confidence,” Díaz said in written remark

Housing Secretary Luis Augusto Martínez By THE STAR STAFF The island’s housing secretary said this week that proposed federal rules requiring residents of public housing to work 40 hours a week will not put public housing benefits in Puerto Rico at risk. In a radio interview, the new housing secretary, Luis Augusto Martínez, said the proposed federal housing rules are currently optional for Puerto Rico. He also said he does not expect any further changes that would affect Sec

Felipe Cintrón Zayas, president of the Puerto Rico Clinical Laboratories Association (Instagram via asoclaboratoriosclinicos) Ruling comes as Medicare Advantage funding set to rise By THE STAR STAFF Puerto Rico’s clinical laboratory association is calling for tighter oversight of Medicare Advantage spending after federal officials projected a significant funding increase for the island’s plans in 2027, even as the group continues a legal fight over what it says were steep, un

W. Stephen Muldrow, U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico, announced that Manuel Antonio “Nano El Viejo” Valentín Vega has been charged by federal authorities, along with five other individuals, with 23 counts related to organized crime, murder, drug trafficking, money laundering and firearms violations. By THE STAR STAFF Manuel Antonio “Nano El Viejo” Valentín Vega -- son of former Añasco Mayor Antonio Valentín Vega and owner of the business Centro Agrícola El Rancho

By THE STAR STAFF Last year the FBI registered more than 22,000 complaints nationwide related to fraudulent schemes using artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms. The use of AI technology to create “deepfakes” cost U.S. consumers, including those in Puerto Rico, over $893 million in losses, an increase of $362 million compared to 2024. Similarly, citizens receive 2.6 deepfake videos every day, a 400% increase compared to 2024. The preceding data was presented in a press rele