By THE STAR STAFF District 4 (Mayagüez-Aguadilla) Sen. Karen Román Rodríguez introduced a measure this week to address, at its root, the problem of the rise in family conflicts, community disputes and emotional crises that escalate into violence. The bill proposes creating a pilot program for mediation and spiritual support in police stations, integrating mediators and chaplains to intervene in situations before they escalate. “The reality is that many cases don’t begin as cr

Loíza Mayor Julia Nazario Fuentes emphasized that funding for the rock revetment project has been available since November of last year, but state-level permitting remains a critical pending step in addressing coastal erosion in Parcelas Suárez. By THE STAR STAFF Loíza Mayor Julia Nazario Fuentes announced Wednesday that the municipality has received official authorization from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to carry out rock revetment projects -- commonly referred

The court emphasized that litigants cannot challenge an administrative process they never attempted to use. By THE STAR STAFF A Puerto Rico appellate court has overturned a February ruling that barred the government from requiring journalists to present a Department of State press credential to attend press conferences at La Fortaleza, concluding that the trial court acted prematurely and without following required procedures and that the dispute amounted to little more than

Cataño Mayor Julio Alicea Vasallo By THE STAR STAFF Cataño Mayor Julio Alicea Vasallo announced on Tuesday that the municipality has closed its 2024-2025 Single Audit for the Community Development Block Grant-State program with no pending findings, according to a communication from the island Housing Department. “This result is no coincidence; it is the product of an administration that has instilled order, discipline, and real execution in the management of federal funds,” A

Last month, House Vice Speaker Ángel Peña Ramírez and Education Secretary Eliezer Ramos Parés announced a recommended transfer of $100,000 to support the operations of the Christian School for Autism and Mentoring Children of Puerto Rico in Las Piedras. By THE STAR STAFF The island House of Representatives has implemented a series of historic initiatives aimed at improving the services received by children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), including unprecedented

Sen. Joanne Rodríguez Veve By THE STAR STAFF Independent Sen. Joanne Rodríguez Veve announced Monday night that she has formally requested that Gov. Jenniffer González Colón repeal an executive order banning so-called conversion therapies for minors. The executive order, OE-2019-016, was signed in 2019 by former Gov. Ricardo Rosselló Nevares and prohibits the practice of conversion therapies on individuals under the age of 18. In a statement posted on social media, Rodríguez

By THE STAR STAFF Agriculture Secretary Irving Rodríguez Torres announced on Tuesday a new agreement with the AmeriCounsel Foundation to provide free technical assistance and financing support to eligible farmers and agribusiness owners across Puerto Rico. “The development of our agricultural sector depends on giving producers access to real tools for growth,” Rodríguez Torres said in a written statement. “This partnership with the AmeriCounsel Foundation represents a concret

By THE STAR STAFF Police officers and firefighters in Puerto Rico could remain on active duty until the age of 66 under legislation currently under consideration in the island House of Representatives. The House has placed the measure, House Bill (HB) 600, on its Special Orders Calendar. The proposal was introduced by Rep. Pedro “Pellé” Santiago Guzmán and would allow uniformed public safety personnel to extend their careers without needing special waivers, provided they meet

Natural and Environmental Resources Secretary Waldemar Quiles Pérez By THE STAR STAFF Following the injury of two rescue workers during a recovery operation at Poza de las Mujeres beach in Manatí, Natural and Environmental Resources (DNER) Secretary Waldemar Quiles Pérez, announced a stricter enforcement approach against people who ignore official ocean safety warnings. The incident occurred last Saturday while rescue personnel were searching for the body of a young man in da

By THE STAR STAFF In response to a significant increase in reported cases of syphilis -- particularly among pregnant women -- Puerto Rico Health Secretary Víctor Ramos Otero announced on Tuesday the launch of a new multi-channel educational campaign titled “Get Tested and Show Your Love.” The initiative aims to promote prevention, early detection and timely treatment of the sexually transmitted infection. Preliminary data from the island Health Department’s Sexually Transmitt