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

Resident Commissioner Pablo José Hernández Rivera By THE STAR STAFF Resident Commissioner Pablo José Hernández Rivera has urged congressional leaders to investigate allegations of a “drugs for votes” scheme within the island’s prison system, following a report that federal prosecutors had gathered evidence of widespread voter coercion tied to the 2024 elections. In a statement Tuesday, Hernández said the findings described in a ProPublica news report raise serious concerns ab

Puerto Rico Agriculture Secretary Irving Rodríguez Torres By THE STAR STAFF The Department of Agriculture on Sunday announced the start of the 71st Puerto Rican Land Week, which is being observed all of this week under the theme: “Where the land flourishes, livestock thrives, and water offers us fish; harvest, raise livestock, and fish.” The celebration brings together a diverse agenda of educational, cultural and recognition activities aimed at highlighting the importance of

A Spirit Airlines commercial flight takes off from Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach, Fla., on Nov. 21, 2024. The island Labor and Human Resources Department is mobilizing its resources to guide laid‑off Spirit workers through available benefits and employment services. (Tom Brenner/The New York Times) By THE STAR STAFF The Puerto Rico Department of Labor and Human Resources (DTRH by its initials in Spanish) activated an emergency response on Monday to assis

By THE STAR STAFF District 17 (Aguadilla and Moca) Rep. Wilson Román López on Monday celebrated the culmination of his “Tutors of Excellence” initiative. With the distribution of $20,000 in incentives, the legislator recognized and rewarded the outstanding performance of dozens of students and tutors at a well-attended event. “With great satisfaction, we concluded the distribution of incentives and the presentation of workshops to the graduating classes of various public and

By THE STAR STAFF The communications office of the Financial Oversight and Management Board for Puerto Rico reported Monday that the island government failed to submit its required budget report on May 1 and instead requested an extension. Rep. Eddie Charbonier Chinea, chairman of the House Treasury Committee, responded in a radio interview, stating that the oversight oard must issue a public letter explaining why the executive branch failed to meet the established deadline.

The strike at the University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus was part of a day of protests by various sectors across the university system. (Facebook via Colectiva Feminista en Construcción) By THE STAR STAFF The University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus (RCM-UPR) announced on Monday that the clinics of the Intramural Medical Practice Plan would only see patients with scheduled appointments while students at the UPR Río Piedras campus marched as part of a syste