By THE STAR STAFF Natural and Environmental Resources (DNER) Secretary Waldemar Quiles Pérez announced Tuesday that starting today, members of the Ranger Corps will be conducting preventive patrols in all nature reserves, beaches and other facilities managed by the agency in anticipation of the long Thanksgiving Day weekend. “At the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources, we want to ensure the proper use of our reserves, as well as other facilities, which receive a

The significant risk of liquefaction involves projected settling of between 5.3 and 18.12 inches, making the repair of the existing structures unfeasible. By THE STAR STAFF Education Secretary Eliezer Ramos Parés announced Tuesday that partial demolition work has begun at Dr. Pedro Albizu School in Toa Baja to provide students, staff and the school community with safe, accessible and modern spaces. The school is part of the Innova Project led by the Office of Infrastructure a

Puerto Rico’s Resident Commissioner, Pablo José Hernández By THE STAR STAFF Puerto Rico’s Resident Commissioner, Pablo José Hernández, has called on the U.S. Department of Defense for an immediate briefing and full transparency following a sudden surge in military-related activity affecting the island. The concerns include unexplained airspace restrictions, reports of training exercises, and new authorizations for munitions disposal on the island municipality of Vieques. Loca

On September 8, Secretary of the Army Pete Hegseth and General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, visited the island, highlighting Puerto Rico’s strategic importance for U.S. national security, as well as its role in combating drug cartels and the narco dictator Nicolás Maduro through the America First policy, which strengthens border security and fights illicit activities in the region. By THE STAR STAFF Gen. Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, i

Popular Democratic Party Senator José A. Santiago Rivera By THE STAR STAFF Popular Democratic Party Senator José A. Santiago Rivera, who chairs the Senate Committee on Municipal Affairs, has unveiled a proposal to fully exempt 94% of businesses on the island from paying the inventory tax. The measure, he said, would not disrupt funding for essential municipal services. The announcement comes amid ongoing tensions between merchants and mayors over the scope of eliminating the

By THE STAR STAFF On Monday, during the Puerto Rico Energy Bureau’s (PREB) ongoing rate case hearings, LUMA’s Chief Financial Officer, Andrew Smith, began his testimony, addressing critical issues that continue to affect Puerto Rico’s electric system recovery. His remarks focus on how PREPA’s prolonged bankruptcy and chronic underfunding have weakened the grid and severely limited efforts to improve reliability and resiliency for customers. Smith explained that PREPA’s financ

By THE STAR STAFF The administrative director of the court system, Sigfrido Steidel Figueroa, reported on Monday that the Judicial Branch will implement a special operational plan starting this Thursday due to the Thanksgiving period. “The Judicial Branch will operate under a special plan to guarantee essential services during the Thanksgiving period,” Steidel Figueroa said in written statements. He explained that all courts and administrative offices will operate under regul

The Women’s Advocate emphasized that these efforts align with the public policy of Governor Jenniffer Aidyn González Colón, who has reiterated that eradicating violence is a priority of her administration. By THE STAR STAFF The Women’s Advocate, Astrid Piñeiro Vázquez, announced Monday the start of the international 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign, which will take place from November 25 to December 10 as part of ongoing efforts to prevent and eradic