Natural and Environmental Resources Secretary Waldemar Quiles Pérez, center, testified in support of several objectives in Senate Bill 1183 on permitting reform, including uniformity, administrative coordination and technological modernization. By THE STAR STAFF The Senate Committee on Innovation, Reform, and Appointments, chaired by Senate President Thomas Rivera Schatz, held its fifth public hearing Monday as lawmakers continued evaluating two competing proposals to overhau

Certified Public Accountants Association President David Rodríguez By THE STAR STAFF With the purpose of analyzing the current landscape, as well as the challenges and opportunities of the insurance industry in Puerto Rico, the Certified Public Accountants Association (CCPA by its initials in Spanish) will hold the XXVII Annual Insurance Industry Forum this Thursday from 8:45 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. at the Caribe Hilton. The event will bring together insurance professionals and lea

Since last February, the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources has been making preparations for the 2026 sargassum season. By THE STAR STAFF Natural and Environmental Resources (DNER) Secretary Waldemar Quiles Pérez announced Sunday that he has dispatched technical personnel from the Specialized Sargassum Unit -- attached to the Assistant Secretariat for Conservation and Research -- to the Las Croabas area in Fajardo following sightings of a significant sargassum

At least two horses suffered burns Saturday night after a fire broke out in two stables at Camarero Racetrack in Canóvanas. Authorities are investigating. By THE STAR STAFF The administration of Camarero Racetrack in Canóvanas confirmed on Sunday that at least two horses suffered burns Saturday night after a fire broke out in two of its stables. Two other horses showed symptoms consistent with dehydration, according to a statement shared in social media. “Camarero Racetrack i

Treasury Secretary Ángel Pantoja Rodríguez By THE STAR STAFF Treasury Secretary Ángel Pantoja Rodríguez announced Sunday that sales of certain items and equipment intended for hurricane season preparation, which begins on June 1, will be exempt from the sales and use tax (IVU by its initials in Spanish) from this Friday through the following Monday. “The sales exempt from the IVU payment for hurricane season preparation will begin at midnight on Friday, May 22, and will exten

Gov. Jenniffer González Colón By THE STAR STAFF Puerto Rico’s proposed consolidated budget for fiscal year (FY) 2027 totals $33.57 billion, including $13.18 billion from the General Fund, with the largest allocations concentrated in public safety, health and education, according to documents filed by the executive branch and House Joint Resolution A 117. The spending plan, developed jointly with the Financial Oversight and Management Board under the Puerto Rico Oversight, Man

Issel Masses Ferrer, executive director of Sembrando Sentido (Facebook via Piloto151) By THE STAR STAFF Public interest organization Sembrando Sentido expressed concern Sunday over new access requirements announced by the Puerto Rico Department of State for the Registry of Corporations and Other Legal Entities. According to an email notification sent to users, beginning this Thursday, individuals will be required to create personal accounts and complete authentication steps t

Officials from the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources and other agencies acknowledged that the process of implementing salary hikes for the Ranger Corps is still under evaluation by the Financial Oversight and Management Board. By THE STAR STAFF The implementation status of the salary increase and retroactive payment provided for by the “Special Base Salary Law for the Rangers Corps” was the subject of a public hearing in the island Senate earlier this week. “T

La Fortaleza Chief of Staff Francisco Domenech Fernández By THE STAR STAFF U.S. District Judge Laura Taylor Swain issued an order Thursday temporarily halting the transfer of lawsuits against grid operator LUMA Energy to the Puerto Rico court. The ruling responds to “Urgent Motions” filed by the private consortium, which requested a stay of the remand pending its appeals. The order affects an earlier ruling by Swain in lawsuits filed by the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authorit

By THE STAR STAFF Natural and Environmental Resources (DNER) Secretary Waldemar Quiles Pérez announced on Thursday that personnel from the Specialized Sargassum Unit have been dispatched to Pitahaya Beach in Cabo Rojo to assess the arrival of sargassum in that area. The specialized technical personnel will assess marine and wind conditions, collect samples of the material, and determine the necessary actions to address the latest seasonal accumulation of the seaweed. “We have