Sen. Juan Oscar Morales Rodríguez 2nd hearing focuses on unpaid insurance claims & their effects By THE STAR STAFF The Puerto Rico Senate Health Committee, chaired by Sen. Juan Oscar Morales Rodríguez, convened its second public hearing earlier this week as part of the investigation mandated by Senate Resolution 431. Authored by Morales, the resolution calls for an in-depth evaluation of how federal funds are used, managed, and overseen within Puerto Rico’s healthcare system.

The Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority is pressing the island’s energy regulator to let customers cover as much as $36.9 million in restructuring and bankruptcy-related professional fees over the next three fiscal years. (Facebook via Autoridad de Energía Eléctrica) By THE STAR STAFF The Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA) is pressing the island’s energy regulator to let customers cover as much as $36.9 million in restructuring and bankruptcy-related professional f

The Puerto Rico Senate held a special recognition ceremony in Vega Alta earlier this week for young people belonging to the Police Athletic League chapters in several towns in the Arecibo District. By THE STAR STAFF The island Senate held a special recognition ceremony earlier this week for young people belonging to the Police Athletic League, as part of an initiative led by the District III (Arecibo) Sen. Brenda Pérez Soto aimed at highlighting the work, discipline and commi

By THE STAR STAFF A stalemate in negotiations between the Center for Molecular Sciences Research at the University of Puerto Rico (UPR) and UPR President Zayira Jordán Conde has jeopardized the center’s operations. An agreement guaranteeing the corporation $8.5 million in recurring funding for six years expired on June 30, 2025. The expiration of the agreement coincided with Jordán Conde assuming the presidency last July. Ten months later, a new agreement has not been reached

By THE STAR STAFF The Financial Oversight and Management Board for Puerto Rico has asked a federal judge to deny a renewed request by PREPA bondholders to lift a court-ordered litigation pause so they can pursue the appointment of a receiver for the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA) or seek dismissal of the utility’s Title III bankruptcy case. In its objection filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court for the District of Puerto Rico before Judge Laura Taylor Swain, the

By THE STAR STAFF The Department of Psychology at the University of Puerto Rico’s Mayagüez Campus (RUM by its acronym in Spanish) issued a statement Tuesday opposing the construction of the proposed Proyecto Esencia luxury tourism and residential megaproject in Cabo Rojo, citing concerns about poverty, inequality and access to essential services across the island’s southwest. In the statement, the department said its opposition is rooted in what it described as the project’s

Sen. Héctor González López By THE STAR STAFF Gov. Jenniffer González Colón on Wednesday signed Senate Bill 609 into law as Act 75-2026 to amend existing domestic violence legislation to limit access to diversion programs in cases of sexual assault within a relationship. The new law, authored by Sen. Héctor “Gaby” González López of the Arecibo District, amends Act 54 of Aug. 15, 1989, to establish that no person found guilty of the crime of sexual assault, as defined in said l

Speaker of the Puerto Rico House of Representatives Carlos “Johnny” Méndez Nuñez By THE STAR STAFF Speaker of the Puerto Rico House of Representatives Carlos “Johnny” Méndez Nuñez, along with House Government Committee Chairman Víctor Parés Otero and the rest of the majority New Progressive Party delegation, will be seeking a meeting with members of the Financial Oversight and Management Board to request a temporary suspension of the first ‘crudita’, the excise tax on gasolin

Last year the Municipality of Camuy filed a formal complaint challenging electricity charges associated with six municipal facilities, including the Camuy Urban Park -- also known as Parque de Pelota Juan “Cheo” López (pictured). According to the municipality, the facilities are used exclusively for public, community, recreational or athletic activities and do not operate for profit. (Facebook via Camuy Arenas AA (Oficial)/Lisandra Nieves) Regulator’s order reinforces protect

José “Piculín” Ortiz addresses an appreciative crowd. (All photos Facebook via Piculin Ortiz) By THE STAR STAFF Puerto Rico awoke Tuesday to the news that one of its most beloved sports figures, basketball great José Rafael “Piculín” Ortiz Rijos, had died at age 62 after complications related to colorectal cancer. Ortiz had been hospitalized at Ashford Hospital since last Friday, surrounded by family and close friends. His passing, confirmed shortly after midnight by the Puer