Community organizations presented formal testimony to the San Juan City Assembly opposing a proposed 90‑year concession for a multi-story parking garage on public coastal land at the Third Millennium Park, arguing that the project would permanently alter one of San Juan’s most important recreational and environmental assets. (www.discoverpuertorico.com) By THE STAR STAFF Community organizations Escambrón Unido and Sierra Club Puerto Rico urged the San Juan City Assembly on We

An aerial view of Flamenco Beach, at right, in Culebra. A new satellite data-based study ranks the beach as the world’s fourth best. (Wikipedia/Breezy Baldwin) By THE STAR STAFF Puerto Rico has earned a major global distinction: Beach.com has named Flamenco Beach in the offshore island municipality of Culebra as the fourth best beach in the world in a pioneering, satellite- and data-driven ranking. Rather than relying solely on editors’ subjective selections or travelers’ pre

First row, starting from second from left: Dr. Lisa McBride, associate dean of the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth; Dr. Grisel Burgos, director of San Juan Bautista Community Program; Dr. Yocasta Brugal, president of San Juan Bautista School of Medicine. By THE STAR STAFF San Juan Bautista School of Medicine (SJBSM) in Caguas has been selected to participate in ASCEND, a national initiative led by the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire and

Orocovis Mayor Jesús Colón Berlingeri, who chairs the governing board of the Municipal Revenue Collections Center By THE STAR STAFF Jesús Colón Berlingeri, who chairs the governing board of the Municipal Revenue Collections Center (CRIM by its acronym in Spanish) announced Wednesday that the agency will hire two employees in every municipality to address untaxed properties, parcels listed without an identified owner -- known as “John Doe” properties -- and the so‑called “semi

By THE STAR STAFF United Retailers Association (CUD by its acronym in Spanish) President Ramón Barquín III called on the island government on Tuesday to eliminate the inventory tax and replace the permitting system with a digital, unified and predictable model. “For over a year, we have maintained the same stance on every possible front: the inventory tax can no longer withstand short-term patches or study commissions; its total elimination must be immediate,” Barquín III sai

Sen. Ada Álvarez Conde’s bill on the maritime terrestrial zone, SB 628, was recognized as a model for other states during last week’s National Forum 2026 of the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators in Chicago, one of the main gatherings in the United States on environmental policy. By THE STAR STAFF Sen. Ada Álvarez Conde on Tuesday publicly thanked geologist Dr. Pedro Gelabert Marqués, the former Natural and Environmental Resources (DNER) secretary during the adminis

Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority Executive President Luis González Delgado By THE STAR STAFF The Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (PRASA) is weighing the implementation of fines for improper water use as the island faces worsening drought conditions, the agency’s top official confirmed on Tuesday. PRASA Executive President Luis González Delgado said in a radio interview that penalties are “an alternative” under evaluation, similar to measures adopted during th

The solar battery distribution was carried out alongside municipal staff and Federal Affairs Program Director Iliana Aponte, following an evaluation process and verification that established requirements had been met. By THE STAR STAFF Aguas Buenas Mayor Karina Nieves Serrano on Tuesday distributed dozens of solar batteries to more than 60 residents with urgent health conditions and those who are bedridden, as part of a coordinated and continuous response to ongoing energy ne

Ranger Corps personnel assigned to the Salinas Maritime Unit have begun patrolling the area of Salinas Bay known as “Mar Negro” (Black Sea), a manatee habitat, to prevent the prohibited use of personal watercraft (jet skis). By THE STAR STAFF Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DNER) Ranger Corps members have begun patrolling the area known as “Mar Negro” (Black Sea) in Salinas Bay to ensure compliance with Administrative Order 2026-05, which prohibits the use

Public Affairs Secretary Jean Peña Payano Appointee to be announced ‘at the appropriate time’ By THE STAR STAFF Gov. Jenniffer González Colón has already chosen the next chief of staff at La Fortaleza and will announce the appointment once the administration completes its transition process, Public Affairs Secretary Jean Peña Payano said Tuesday. Speaking to reporters, Peña Payano confirmed that the governor has made her selection but intends to reveal the name at the approp