By THE STAR STAFF Puerto Rico now expects to release its audited financial statements for fiscal year (FY) 2023 -- covering both the commonwealth and the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA) -- by the third quarter of 2026, according to a notice filed with the Electronic Municipal Market Access (EMMA) system. The statements, originally scheduled for completion this month, were delayed after PREPA informed the Treasury Department that its FY23 audit will not be finaliz

Gov. Jenniffer González Colón By THE STAR STAFF Gov. Jenniffer González Colón has vetoed a measure that would have guaranteed the Climate Change Committee no less than $500,000 annually for its operations. The bill, authored by Senate President Thomas Rivera Schatz, passed the Legislature with minimal opposition -- one vote against in the Senate from Joanne Rodríguez Veve and two in the House from Reps. Ángel Morey Noble and Lisie Burgos Muñiz. In a statement explaining the v

By THE STAR STAFF A jury has issued a guilty verdict against Gregory Leon McCranery for mistreating an elderly person in events that occurred on March 31 of this year at the public car terminal, in front of the San Miguel Shelter in Mayagüez, Justice Secretary Lourdes Gómez Torres said Tuesday. “This verdict sends a clear and unequivocal message of zero tolerance for violence against our senior citizens,” the justice secretary said in a written statement. “Protecting their di

Cataño Mayor Julio Alicea Vasallo By THE STAR STAFF The Municipality of Cataño announced on Tuesday that as of the close of the fourth quarter of 2025, it maintained a 100% Recovery and Execution Index (REI) for the fifth consecutive quarter, along with a 100% Construction Index (CCI) for its reconstruction projects related to Hurricane Maria. The combination of indicators positions Cataño to become the first municipality in Puerto Rico to complete 100% of the projects awarde

Javier Rúa Jovet, director of public policy at the Puerto Rico Solar and Energy Storage Association By THE STAR STAFF The Puerto Rico Solar and Energy Storage Association (SESA), representing the island’s solar and storage industry and more than 96,000 affected households, reaffirmed its appeal on Tuesday for Gov. Jenniffer González Colón to endorse House Concurrent Resolution 193 (RCC 193 by its initials in Spanish). The measure, unanimously approved by both legislative cham

Central University of the Caribbean President Waleska Crespo (Facebook via Universidad Central del Caribe) By THE STAR STAFF Central University of the Caribbean (UCC by its initials in Spanish), the institution responsible for administering Puerto Rico’s medical licensing exam, has recommended that 132 candidates retake the Basic Sciences portion after serious problems occurred during the Spanish-language session on Dec. 15. UCC President Waleska Crespo said the university re

La Fortaleza Public Affairs Secretary Jean Peña Payano Insists gov’t will defend contract challenge in court By THE STAR STAFF La Fortaleza Public Affairs Secretary Jean Peña Payano on Tuesday rejected the Financial Oversight and Management Board’s statement in support of LUMA Energy before the federal court and affirmed that the island government will continue to defend in court the lawsuits aimed at challenging the contract of the private operator of the electrical system.

Gov. Jenniffer González Colón By THE STAR STAFF Gov. Jenniffer González Colón defended her administration’s record Tuesday, asserting that her government has been “proactive and focused on measurable results,” despite what she described as attempts to overshadow her work with political controversies. Looking ahead to 2026, González Colón said her priorities will center on executing her government agenda and advancing the fight for statehood. “This year, some tried to make my