By THE STAR STAFF In a major move to fortify Puerto Rico’s capital against natural disasters, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Caribbean District has awarded a landmark $1.078 billion contract to Spanish infrastructure giant Ferrovial. The deal represents the largest contract ever granted by the USACE on the island. The massive engineering undertaking focuses on the Río Piedras channel, aiming to overhaul the region’s flood defenses through a series of significant str

The scope of work begun Thursday -- which is estimated to take five years to complete -- includes the development of a temporary staging area on grounds belonging to the Roberto Clemente Sports City, the preparation of aquatic disposal pits within the San José Lagoon, protective measures for the Moscoso and Barbosa bridges, and the dredging and channelization of portions of the Martín Peña Channel. By THE STAR STAFF Gov. Jenniffer González Colón announced on Thursday the comm

By THE STAR STAFF Gov. Jenniffer González Colón said Thursday that water supply issues in the San Juan metropolitan area cannot be resolved simply by changing directors at the Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (PRASA), but rather through investment in infrastructure. “I do not believe this is a problem of ‘who’ is in charge, because multiple directors have already come and gone in the metropolitan region,” the governor told reporters at a press conference in Bayamón. “

Senate President Thomas Rivera Schatz By THE STAR STAFF Senate President Thomas Rivera Schatz said Thursday that the reform of the permitting system must be evaluated without compromising municipal powers, following concerns raised by San Juan, Bayamón and Carolina regarding autonomy and territorial planning. “Senate Bill 1173 essentially addresses the operational framework of the permitting structure,” Rivera Schatz remarked during a public hearing. “Senate Bill 1183 is some

Navy Frontier Pier in Puerta de Tierra, San Juan (Facebook via Cruceros Puerto Rico) By THE STAR STAFF Rep. José Aponte Hernández on Wednesday asked the Convention Center District Authority and the Puerto Rico Ports Authority to keep the pier in Puerta de Tierra known as Navy Frontier Pier open and operational. “This isn’t new. Since 2019, I’ve been speaking out about the need to keep the Navy Frontier pier open and in optimal condition to receive both cruise ships and cargo

By THE STAR STAFF University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus (RUM by its acronym in Spanish) Interim Chancellor Miguel Muñoz Muñoz announced on Wednesday that the campus has initiated a gradual process to resume in-person operations following the reopening of campus access points. “The gradual resumption of operations is part of the institutional efforts aimed at guaranteeing the continuity of the Campus’ academic and administrative services,” Muñoz stated in written remarks.

María del Mar Mateu Meléndez heads Puerto Rico’s Child Support Administration. By THE STAR STAFF María del Mar Mateu Meléndez, who heads the island’s Child Support Administration, announced on Wednesday that the federal revocation of passports due to child support arrears could initially impact 435 non-custodial parents in Puerto Rico. “Until last week, this restriction applied primarily when an individual attempted to apply for or renew their passport,” said Mateu Meléndez i

From left, coach Edward J. Gonell Rodríguez, Efraín J. Ortiz Mulero, Faneshka Cartagena Maldonado and José F. Ortiz Mulero (Israel Morales) By THE STAR STAFF Cayey Mayor Rolando Ortiz Velázquez and District 29 (Cidra-Cayey) Rep. Gretchen Hau Irizarry on Wednesday congratulated Benjamin Harrison School in Cayey for another historic triumph, this time one accomplished by three of its students. “We congratulate the EatChiwi team, composed of José F. Ortiz Mulero, Efraín J. Ortiz

By THE STAR STAFF University of Puerto Rico (UPR) President Zayira Jordán Conde has submitted to the Financial Oversight and Management Board a review of the Amended Fiscal Plan 2021, approved by the UPR’s governing board, which extends fiscal projections through fiscal year 2027 without accounting for additional increases in enrollment, student fees, or positions, or modifications to the university retirement system. Jordán Conde asked the oversight board to recognize UPR as

People observe cats outside Save A Gato, a nonprofit organization that has trapped, neutered and spayed the cats of Old San Juan, March 4, 2024. (Erika P. Rodríguez/The New York Times) By THE STAR STAFF Resident Commissioner Pablo José Hernández Rivera sent a letter this week to the National Park Service (NPS) opposing the plan to remove feral “community” cats from Paseo del Morro in Old San Juan. “As someone born and raised in Old San Juan, I recognize the value of cats in t