Gov. Jenniffer González Colón By THE STAR STAFF Gov. Jenniffer González Colón confirmed on Monday that La Fortaleza Chief of Staff Francisco Domenech Fernández will appear today before the Senate’s Committee of the Whole, a hearing convened by Senate President Thomas Rivera Schatz. González Colón also suggested that Domenech’s summons may be tied to government contracts her administration recently canceled -- contracts she implied were linked to Rivera Schatz’s allies. “Cont

La Fortaleza Chief of Staff Francisco J. Domenech Fernández By THE STAR STAFF The true ownership of the Puerto Rico-based lobbying firm Politank remains unclear as conflicting statements continue to emerge from current and former company officials, as well as political leaders. Kenneth McClintock, Politank’s director of public policy, told The STAR last Wednesday that former Electoral Comptroller Manuel Torres Nieves had purchased the firm. He added that “there were others wh

“An alternate transportation system utilizing buses will be established to connect the Bayamón, Deportivo and Jardines stations,” the Integrated Transportation Authority said regarding an operational continuity plan for Urban Train passengers. By THE STAR STAFF The Integrated Transportation Authority (ATI by its initials in Spanish) will implement an operational plan featuring bus transportation between the Bayamón, Deportivo and Jardines stations of the Urban Train system du

By THE STAR STAFF The recent restructuring of New Fortress Energy could be used by the island government to cancel its contract with Genera PR, the private operator of the legacy plants of the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA). According to analysis by the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA), New Fortress Energy (NFE) has disclosed that it cannot meet its debt obligations and has entered into a restructuring arrangement with certain lender

By THE STAR STAFF Private airport operator Aerostar has activated the first phase of a contingency plan at Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport to address the impact on passengers resulting from a reduction in Transportation Security Administration (TSA) staffing. The situation arises as only seven of the 16 security screening lanes are currently operational, a factor that has led to long lines within the terminals, the operator said Monday. According to reports, the airpor

Popular Democratic Party President Pablo José Hernández Rivera, at lectern By THE STAR STAFF Popular Democratic Party (PDP) President Pablo José Hernández Rivera charged on Monday that the island Senate’s upcoming Committee of the Whole hearing -- where La Fortaleza Chief of Staff Francisco Domenech Fernández must appear -- is the result of an internal struggle over government contracts within the New Progressive Party (NPP), rather than a genuine effort to address corruption

By THE STAR STAFF The Front for the Defense of Pensions urgently called on Gov. Jenniffer González Colón on Sunday to immediately direct fiscal agencies to participate in public hearings regarding House Bill 45, which seeks to protect the purchasing power of pensions for retired public employees. The groups stressed that it is vital that the Puerto Rico Fiscal Agency and Financial Advisory Authority, the Treasury Department, the Office of Management and Budget, and the Retire

Pro-statehood lawyer Gregorio Igartúa (Instagram via julioroldanpr) By THE STAR STAFF A new pro‑statehood group spearheaded by lawyer Gregorio Igartúa has issued a new petition urging Congress to formally certify Puerto Rico as an incorporated territory. The organization, American Union, is asserting that incorporation reflects Puerto Rico’s existing reality and should be explicitly recognized as the next step in the island’s political evolution. It is not the first time Igar

Rep. Ángel Fourquet Cordero By THE STAR STAFF Reps. Ángel Fourquet Cordero and Estrella Martínez Soto have formally requested detailed information from the Automobile Accident Compensation Administration and the Compulsory Liability Insurance provider, citing concerns over potential irregularities in inspection payments and the issuance of vehicle inspection stickers (“marbetes” in Spanish) at the Yabucoa Auto Service inspection center, identified as HM 0101. The lawmakers as

Puerto Rico Tourism Company Executive Director Willianette Robles Cancel By THE STAR STAFF Puerto Rico Tourism Company Executive Director Willianette Robles Cancel announced on Sunday the strengthening of public awareness and prevention efforts through the “Swim Safe PR” campaign, in response to a recent rash of tragic incidents reported at beaches due to marine conditions. “We are addressing this matter with the seriousness and urgency it warrants,” Robles Cancel said in a w