Ponce Mayor Marlese Sifre Rodríguez (Facebook via Marlese Sifre) By THE STAR STAFF Ponce Mayor Marlese Sifre Rodríguez acknowledged earlier this week that military aircraft have been seen at Mercedita International Airport, even though she has not received official confirmation about their operations. The mayor’s comments came as the United States increases its military presence in the Caribbean amid heightened tensions with Venezuela. “I don’t have any direct information,” S

By THE STAR STAFF As part of the celebration of Thanksgiving, District 14 (Arecibo and Hatillo) Rep Edgar Robles Rivera held a “Turkey Marathon” this week where all children and young people won. The event was designed so that all the children, adolescents and other participants returned home with their prize, which in this case was a turkey and a purchase as a complement, ensuring that each family could sit at the table to have dinner and thank God for his blessings. Likewis

Rep. Víctor Parés Otero delivered dozens of turkeys in the communities of Camino Villegas, Vista Alegre, Canejas and Minao, among others, in the Municipality of San Juan. By THE STAR STAFF As part of his commitment to providing assistance to the neediest families in the lead-up to Thanksgiving Day, Rep. Víctor Parés Otero delivered dozens of turkeys in the communities of Camino Villegas, Vista Alegre, Canejas and Minao, among others, all located in the Municipality of San Jua

Rep. José Aponte Hernández (Facebook via José Aponte Hernández) By THE STAR STAFF Rep. José Aponte Hernández announced earlier this week the start of an investigation into the actions of shipping company Tote Puerto Rico to increase the rate per container from $425 to $485, which go into effect on Dec. 8. “As part of the work of the Committee on Federal and Veterans Affairs, we will begin an investigation into the increase in container handling fees at the Puerto Nuevo dock,”

By THE STAR STAFF The island economy is projected to remain in positive territory during fiscal years (FY) 2026 and 2027, even as growth moderates, according to the latest economic outlook released earlier this week by the Puerto Rico Planning Board (JP by its initials in Spanish). The forecast builds on an estimated 0.4% growth for FY 2025, supported by visitor spending, construction activity and ongoing efforts to diversify the island’s economy. The JP’s econometric model o

The project restores vehicular and pedestrian traffic after the collapse of three 48-inch diameter pipes that had hindered residents’ mobility. By THE STAR STAFF San Juan Mayor Miguel Romero Lugo announced Tuesday the opening of the bridge on Camino Pedro Viera, a project completed under a municipal emergency plan that represented an investment of $739,411.28 from the emergency fund. The project restores vehicular and pedestrian traffic after the collapse of three 48-inch dia

Resident Commissioner Pablo José Hernández Rivera By THE STAR STAFF Resident Commissioner Pablo José Hernández Rivera introduced the Violence Impact and Vulnerabilities Assessment Study Act (VIVAS Act) in the U.S. Congress on Tuesday, a bill aimed at investigating gender violence in Puerto Rico and producing accessible and contextualized data to address the crisis. “In Puerto Rico, gender violence is a national emergency that our communities have been denouncing for years, ev

The Fearless Caravan, which traveled through the communities of Vega Alta on Tuesday, marks the beginning of Hogar Ruth’s 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, an annual United Nations campaign held from Nov. 25 to Dec. 10, Human Rights Day. By THE STAR STAFF With a Fearless Caravan (Caravana Sin Miedo) to raise its voice against violence, Hogar Ruth commemorated the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls on Tuesday. “At Hogar R