Economic Development and Commerce Secretary Sebastián Negrón Reichard By THE STAR STAFF The Department of Economic Development and Commerce (DDEC by its acronym in Spanish) doubled the number of young entrepreneur tax decrees approved in 2025, processing 1,041 applications -- 463 more than the previous year. The surge comes after operational reforms that included full digitalization of the process and a significant reduction in documentation requirements, cutting average appr

Rep. Nydia Velázquez (D-N.Y.) (Victor J. Blue/The New York Times) By THE STAR STAFF The Financial Oversight and Management Board for Puerto Rico has addressed concerns raised by six members of Congress regarding the continuity of essential services provided by non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in light of recent federal funding reductions. In a detailed response to a Dec. 11 letter from U.S. Reps. Nydia Velázquez (D-N.Y.), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), and others, th

By THE STAR STAFF Popular Democratic Party (PDP) Secretary General Manuel Calderón Cerame charged Monday that the governing New Progressive Party’s “tax reform” bill seeks to eliminate the sales tax exemption for solar equipment. “It is irresponsible and poor policy to eliminate the sales tax exemption for solar equipment such as panels and storage batteries, at a time when Puerto Rico is facing an energy crisis and solar energy is becoming a viable alternative for families a

By THE STAR STAFF The island Department of Justice announced on Monday that it has recommended to the Office of the Special Independent Prosecutor Panel (OPFEI by its initials in Spanish) the appointment of a special independent prosecutor in connection with actions attributed to the then-alternate chairwoman of the State Elections Commission (SEC), Judge Jessika Padilla Rivera. According to the report, the recommendation was sent via official communication to the OPFEI after

The new initiative will allow students who are eligible under the federal Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program to receive evaluations, therapies and other essential health services within the school environment, with the purpose of ensuring continuity of treatment and early detection of conditions that affect academic performance. By THE STAR STAFF Gov. Jenniffer González Colón announced during a visit to Marta Vélez de Fajardo Elementary School in Bayamón on Mond

Gov. Jenniffer González Colón By THE STAR STAFF Gov. Jenniffer González Colón has submitted the second phase of her Tax Reform to the island Legislature, with the aim of providing real relief for Puerto Rico’s middle class during the upcoming tax filing cycle in April. “This is about giving people back the fruit of their effort, creating more competitive conditions for economic development, and moving forward responsibly,” the governor said. The second phase of the reform int

The DVOT Antigen Combo Test Kit (6-in-1) lacks FDA Emergency Use Authorization or formal approval for clinical use, retail sale or self-testing in the United States and its territories. (yohohongkong.com) By THE STAR STAFF The Puerto Rico Clinical Laboratories Association (ALCPR by its initials in Spanish) and the Puerto Rico Society of Medical Technologists (CTMPR) are urging the island Department of Health and its Office of Regulation and Accreditation of Health Facilities

“This plan is not improvised; it is the result of months of work, coordination between agencies, and a team of dedicated individuals committed to serving their city well and doing things correctly,” San Juan Mayor Miguel Romero Lugo said. By THE STAR STAFF San Juan Mayor Miguel Romero Lugo on Sunday presented the municipal plan that will be in place for the 56th edition of the San Sebastián Street Festival, which will be held starting this Thursday and running through Sunday