The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded $11.4 million in new drinking water funding for Puerto Rico under the Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities program. (Facebook via AcueductosPR) By THE STAR STAFF Gov. Jenniffer González Colón, joined by Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration (PRFAA) Executive Director Gabriella Boffelli, announced on Tuesday that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded $11.4 million in new fundi

By THE STAR STAFF The Financial Oversight and Management Board for Puerto Rico has approved the island Treasury Department’s proposal for establishing eligibility and other requirements for the one-time economic incentive. In a letter sent Tuesday to Treasury Secretary Ángel Pantoja Rodríguez, the oversight board’s executive director, Robert Mujica Jr., confirmed that the board completed its review of proposed Internal Revenue Circular 26‑0X and designated it as “approved.” T

By THE STAR STAFF Several environmental, scientific and community organizations expressed their opposition on Tuesday to House Bill 25, a measure seeking to update the definition of the Maritime-Terrestrial Zone (ZMT by its initials in Spanish) in Puerto Rico. “The definition proposed in the bill does not adequately protect the coastlines, infrastructure, natural resources, or safety of coastal communities in the face of climate change and coastal erosion,” said Dr. Maritza B

Puerto Rico Teachers Association President Víctor M. Bonilla Sánchez By THE STAR STAFF Puerto Rico Teachers Association (AMPR by its initials in Spanish) President Víctor M. Bonilla Sánchez confirmed this week that the organization will support two bills aimed at eliminating the Teacher Career Law and establishing new salary scales for educators in the Department of Education. The measures, House Bills (HB) 616 and 619, seek to overhaul how teacher compensation is determined.

By THE STAR STAFF Gov. Jenniffer González Colón announced on Monday that she will deliver her State of the State Address this Thursday, May 21, at 5 p.m., from the chamber of the House of Representatives at the Capitol in San Juan. The governor announced the date in a communication sent to the leaders of the House and the Senate. González Colón indicated that the address will cover the state of affairs and the initiatives underway for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. She noted that

Family Secretary Suzanne Roig Fuertes By THE STAR STAFF Family Secretary Suzanne Roig Fuertes denied on Monday that the proposed budget for fiscal year (FY) 2026-2027 includes an increase in trust positions or in the payroll for those positions. “The Proposed Budget for FY2027 for the Secretariat of the Department of the Family does not include an increase in the number of trust positions, nor a net increase in their payroll,” Roig Fuertes stated in written remarks. The offi

Norberto Almodóvar Vélez, former deputy director of the Office of Permits Management By THE STAR STAFF The former deputy director of Puerto Rico’s Office of Permits Management (OGPe by its acronym in Spanish), Norberto Almodóvar Vélez, has been referred to the Department of Justice, the Office of the Comptroller, the Government Ethics Office (OEG) and the Human Resources Office of the Department of Economic Development and Commerce (DDEC) after an internal investigation found

By THE STAR STAFF The Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration (PRFAA) announced a bipartisan agreement on Monday related to infrastructure funding. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Sam Graves (R-Mo.) and ranking minority member Rick Larsen (D-Wash.) agreed to advance legislation to fund various infrastructure programs nationwide for five years. The programs include roads, bridges, public transportation, rail, and road safety. The Building Unrivale

The Natural and Environmental Resources secretary said the agency is working to improve the recreational fishing ramps “under its jurisdiction ... in the Cerrillos [pictured], Lucchetti, La Plata and Guajataca reservoirs,” among others. (Wikipedia) By THE STAR STAFF Natural and Environmental Resources (DNER) Secretary Waldemar Quiles Pérez said Monday that the agency is working to improve the infrastructure of recreational fishing ramps under its jurisdiction. “At this time,

The Barcelona gate at the University of Puerto Rico Mayagüez Campus on April 15 By THE STAR STAFF University of Puerto Rico (UPR) Mayagüez Campus Interim Chancellor Miguel Muñoz Muñoz said Monday that protesters once again blocked access to the campus, following efforts to keep the gates open in accordance with court orders. “During the efforts at the Physics gate, students confronted members of the University Police while they were attempting to comply with the court orders