“The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the availability of approximately $150 million to cover PAN expenses,” Gov. Jenniffer González Colón, left, stated in a video posted on her social media accounts. By THE STAR STAFF Gov. Jenniffer González Colón announced Monday that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has made some $150 million available to cover expenses for the Nutritional Assistance Program (PAN by its acronym in Spanish) on the island. “The U.S. Department of A

Designated Insurance Commissioner Suzette M. Del Valle Lecároz By THE STAR STAFF The Senate Committee on Innovation, Reform and Appointments, chaired by Senate President Thomas Rivera Schatz, held a public hearing Monday to evaluate the nomination of attorney Suzette M. Del Valle Lecároz as Puerto Rico’s insurance commissioner. During her testimony, Del Valle Lecároz presented her Strategic Plan for 2025–2028, aimed at reinforcing the solvency of the insurance sector, ensurin

By THE STAR STAFF The Financial Oversight and Management Board has formally rejected a proposed regulation from the island Treasury Department that sought to adjust the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) for inflation in taxable year 2025. The decision, issued under the oversight board’s Rules, Regulations and Orders Review Policy pursuant to the Puerto Rico Oversight, Management and Economic Stability Act, commonly known as PROMESA, cites significant fiscal inconsistencies with

By THE STAR STAFF LUMA Energy is appealing a recent ruling denying a request to halt a lawsuit filed by the island Department of Consumer Affairs (DACO) that would force the private grid operator to pay for damaged consumer appliances. Through its counsel, DLA Piper, the operator of the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority’s (PREPA) transmission and distribution system filed a notice of the appeal last week. Last month, U.S. District Judge Laura Taylor Swain denied LUMA’s req

Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration Executive Director Gabriella Boffelli, at lectern By THE STAR STAFF Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration (PRFAA) Executive Director Gabriella Boffelli warned over the weekend that federal reserve funds are insufficient to fully cover nutritional assistance programs in Puerto Rico, despite recent court rulings aimed at unlocking contingency resources. The concern centers on the Nutritional Assistance Program (known locally as PA

By THE STAR STAFF EcoEléctrica General Manager Carlos Reyes Berríos announced Sunday that, with authorization from LUMA Energy, they have limited the generating capacity of Unit 1 for maintenance work. “This maintenance work is essential to ensure the reliability, efficiency, and safety of our operations, complying with the highest technical and regulatory standards,” Reyes Berríos said in a written statement. The engineer said the work will last 30 days. During this period,

Rep. Gretchen Hau Irizarry By THE STAR STAFF Rep. Gretchen Hau Irizarry (Cidra and Cayey) proposed over the weekend that, given the federal government shutdown and the suspension of federal aid and salaries, the island government activate the mechanisms available under laws and regulations to establish an extension for water and electricity payments. “It is advisable that the state government respond to address the payment of basic obligations such as water and electricity,”

A street market in Caracas, the Venezuelan capital, on Oct. 10, 2025. Despite denials from President Donald Trump regarding potential military strikes against Venezuela, the U.S. Navy continues to expand its presence in the Caribbean, fueling speculation locally that Puerto Rico could play a key role in an imminent attack against the South American country. (Adriana Loureiro Fernández/The New York Times) By THE STAR STAFF Despite denials from President Donald Trump regarding