San Germán Mayor Virgilio Olivera Olivera By THE STAR STAFF San Germán Mayor Virgilio Olivera Olivera announced Sunday that “wildfires are relentless” in various areas of the municipality. While it is true that high temperatures are commonplace in the area, the possibility of arson contributing to the problem cannot be ruled out, the mayor said, noting that parts of the Guamá and El Retiro neighborhoods are at least two of the areas experiencing wildfires. “We thank the vario

Rep. Gretchen Hau Irizarry, seen here meeting with an official from the Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority, is pressing PRASA to address long-standing water service deficiencies in Cayey. By THE STAR STAFF District 29 (Cidra-Cayey) Rep. Gretchen Hau Irizarry noted on Sunday that for many years, several communities in Cayey have experienced unstable drinking water service, regardless of whether there is a drought. “In this instance, the management of the Aqueduct and Sew

La Fortaleza Chief of Staff Francisco Domenech Fernández and former Economic Development and Commerce Secretary Sebastián Negrón Reichard By THE STAR STAFF The most recent sworn statements released by former Economic Development and Commerce (DDEC by its acronym in Spanish) Secretary Sebastián Negrón Reichard and former DDEC Incentives Office Director Ernesto Zayas García have again intensified scrutiny over La Fortaleza Chief of Staff Francisco Domenech Fernández and deepene

Public Affairs Secretary Jean Peña Payano By THE STAR STAFF La Fortaleza said Thursday in response to public remarks made by Senate President Thomas Rivera Schatz that it has no indication of any investigation by the FBI of La Fortaleza Chief of Staff Francisco Domenech Fernández. Public Affairs Secretary Jean Peña Payano said the administration has not received any notice, request or communication from federal authorities regarding Domenech. “At the moment, we have no knowle

Agriculture Secretary Irving Rodríguez Torres By THE STAR STAFF Gov. Jenniffer González Colón announced on Thursday that Puerto Rico will maintain the historic increases in agricultural incentives approved last fiscal year, keeping the full $63.1 million investment intact for 2026-2027. The announcement, made alongside Agriculture Secretary Irving Rodríguez Torres in Cidra, ensures that farmers, ranchers, fishers and other agricultural producers will continue to receive expan

Economic Development and Commerce Secretary Carlos J. Ríos Pierluisi By THE STAR STAFF The Department of Economic Development and Commerce (DDEC by its acronym in Spanish) has imposed an $80,000 administrative fine on Politank Corp. following a new review by the Office of Incentives for Business (OIN) in Puerto Rico that found multiple compliance failures tied to the company’s tax-exemption decree under former Law 20-2012. The findings appear in a supplemental memorandum date

By THE STAR STAFF The U.S. Drought Monitor showed a deterioration in moisture conditions in Puerto Rico on Thursday; 61.4% of the island is experiencing some level of drought, while another 21.3% remains abnormally dry. Data valid as of July 7 show that 50.9% of Puerto Rico is in moderate drought (D1) and another 10.5% is in severe drought (D2). The report lists no areas under extreme (D3) or exceptional (D4) drought. The Drought Monitor -- produced by the National Drought Mi

By THE STAR STAFF Puerto Rico’s Special Independent Prosecutor Panel (PFEI by its initials in Spanish) has appointed attorney Ana Paulina Cruz Vélez to examine materials filed by La Fortaleza Chief of Staff Francisco Domenech Fernández involving former Economic Development and Commerce (DDEC by its acronym in Spanish) Secretary Sebastián Negrón Reichard. Ygrí Rivera Sánchez, who chairs the panel, confirmed the appointment. Cruz Vélez brings experience from several areas of Pu

The new “sargassum harvester” tractor, a 2026 Workmaster 120 model, was to begin seaweed collection operations Thursday and will be used mainly in the Sun Bay beach area of Vieques. (allmachines.com) By THE STAR STAFF A new specialized tractor for collecting sargassum, or brown macroalgae (seaweed), was delivered Thursday to the offshore island municipality of Vieques. With an investment of $155,480 allocated by Speaker of the Puerto Rico House of Representatives Carlos “John

The “Puerto Rico Song” project marks a rare evolution of a viral, fan-driven song into an official music video, turning an organic social media moment into a celebration of Puerto Rico’s culture, communities and regional identity. (Spotify) By THE STAR STAFF After capturing audiences across social media, the viral Puerto Rico song that became an unofficial anthem for travelers dreaming of spending time on the island now has an official music video and sing-along experience, b