Cataño Mayor Julio Alicea Vasallo By THE STAR STAFF Cataño Mayor Julio Alicea Vasallo announced on Tuesday that the municipality has closed its 2024-2025 Single Audit for the Community Development Block Grant-State program with no pending findings, according to a communication from the island Housing Department. “This result is no coincidence; it is the product of an administration that has instilled order, discipline, and real execution in the management of federal funds,” A

Last month, House Vice Speaker Ángel Peña Ramírez and Education Secretary Eliezer Ramos Parés announced a recommended transfer of $100,000 to support the operations of the Christian School for Autism and Mentoring Children of Puerto Rico in Las Piedras. By THE STAR STAFF The island House of Representatives has implemented a series of historic initiatives aimed at improving the services received by children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), including unprecedented

Sen. Joanne Rodríguez Veve By THE STAR STAFF Independent Sen. Joanne Rodríguez Veve announced Monday night that she has formally requested that Gov. Jenniffer González Colón repeal an executive order banning so-called conversion therapies for minors. The executive order, OE-2019-016, was signed in 2019 by former Gov. Ricardo Rosselló Nevares and prohibits the practice of conversion therapies on individuals under the age of 18. In a statement posted on social media, Rodríguez

By THE STAR STAFF Agriculture Secretary Irving Rodríguez Torres announced on Tuesday a new agreement with the AmeriCounsel Foundation to provide free technical assistance and financing support to eligible farmers and agribusiness owners across Puerto Rico. “The development of our agricultural sector depends on giving producers access to real tools for growth,” Rodríguez Torres said in a written statement. “This partnership with the AmeriCounsel Foundation represents a concret

By THE STAR STAFF Police officers and firefighters in Puerto Rico could remain on active duty until the age of 66 under legislation currently under consideration in the island House of Representatives. The House has placed the measure, House Bill (HB) 600, on its Special Orders Calendar. The proposal was introduced by Rep. Pedro “Pellé” Santiago Guzmán and would allow uniformed public safety personnel to extend their careers without needing special waivers, provided they meet

Natural and Environmental Resources Secretary Waldemar Quiles Pérez By THE STAR STAFF Following the injury of two rescue workers during a recovery operation at Poza de las Mujeres beach in Manatí, Natural and Environmental Resources (DNER) Secretary Waldemar Quiles Pérez, announced a stricter enforcement approach against people who ignore official ocean safety warnings. The incident occurred last Saturday while rescue personnel were searching for the body of a young man in da

By THE STAR STAFF In response to a significant increase in reported cases of syphilis -- particularly among pregnant women -- Puerto Rico Health Secretary Víctor Ramos Otero announced on Tuesday the launch of a new multi-channel educational campaign titled “Get Tested and Show Your Love.” The initiative aims to promote prevention, early detection and timely treatment of the sexually transmitted infection. Preliminary data from the island Health Department’s Sexually Transmitt

Twenty-six students from 15 public schools will represent Puerto Rico at the 2026 Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair in Phoenix, Arizona. By THE STAR STAFF Education Secretary Eliezer Ramos Parés announced on Tuesday the awarding of $3,000 scholarships to 26 students from 15 public schools who will represent Puerto Rico at the 2026 Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) in Phoenix, Arizona. “Today, we recognize 26 students who exemplify

By THE STAR STAFF The Popular Democratic Party (PDP) announced the polling locations for upcoming primaries to elect the presidents of the party’s municipal committees in Añasco and San Germán, as part of its internal reorganization process. The announcement was made by PDP Secretary General Manuel Calderón Cerame and the party’s electoral commissioner, Ernesto González Rodríguez, following the certification of more than one eligible candidate in each municipality. “After the

Rep. José Hernández Concepción By THE STAR STAFF Rep. José “Cheito” Hernández Concepción has announced that Treasury Secretary Ángel L. Pantojas Rodríguez will be summoned on April 14, along with the director of investigations and inspections in the Department of Transportation and Public Works (DTOP by its acronym in Spanish), Arturo Deliz Vélez, Driver Services Executive Director Mary Fuster Romero and former DTOP Secretary Eileen Vélez Vega, to two separate legislative pan