The U.S.-flagged liquefied natural gas carrier America Energy docks at the EcoEléctrica power generation facility in Peñuelas. (Facebook via Jenniffer González Colón) By THE STAR STAFF Crowley has marked the first anniversary of operations of American Energy, the first U.S.-flagged liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier dedicated exclusively to Puerto Rico, underscoring the company’s role in strengthening the island’s energy resilience and long‑term supply reliability. The miles

Speaker of the Puerto Rico House of Representatives Carlos “Johnny” Méndez Nuñez By THE STAR STAFF In an effort to ease costs for consumers, Speaker of the Puerto Rico House of Representatives Carlos “Johnny” Méndez Nuñez announced on Thursday the filing of House Bill 1216, which would prohibit electronic payment processing fees from being calculated on the portion of a transaction corresponding to federal, state or municipal taxes within Puerto Rico’s territorial jurisdictio

Sen. Jeison Rosa Ramos (Facebook via Jeison Rosa Senador Mayagüez-Aguadilla) By THE STAR STAFF As part of Early Childhood Week, Sen. Jeison Rosa Ramos filed a measure on Thursday proposing the creation of a pilot program to integrate pre-kindergarten into the public education system in Puerto Rico as part of a strategy to strengthen early childhood education. Senate Bill 1178 establishes a model of gradual implementation in public schools, with the aim of ensuring a structure

Rep. Swanny Enit Vargas Laureano By THE STAR STAFF Popular Democratic Party at-large Rep. Swanny Enit Vargas Laureano announced that the Office of Legislative Budget and Analysis (OPAL by its acronym in Spanish) has determined that exempting Christmas bonuses for public and private-sector employees from income tax withholdings would not negatively impact government revenues. Vargas Laureano said OPAL completed a technical and fiscal evaluation of her proposed legislation, whi

Flooding in Las Piedras on Thursday. Variable to unstable weather conditions are forecast to persist in Puerto Rico through Friday, bringing periods of showers and some thunderstorms -- particularly in the afternoon -- along with a localized risk of flooding. (Facebook via Oficina Municipal para el Manejo de Emergencias de Las Piedras) By THE STAR STAFF Variable to unstable weather conditions will persist through Friday, bringing periods of showers and some thunderstorms -- p

Energy Czar Josué Colón Ortiz By THE STAR STAFF Josué Colón Ortiz, the island’s energy czar, is rejecting claims that a decision this week by the Puerto Rico Energy Bureau (PREB) amounts to a hidden electricity rate increase, insisting instead that the measure represents a redistribution of costs intended to ensure fairness across the system. Responding to questions from the press about whether the PREB’s Resolution and Order was effectively a rate hike, the energy czar said

Hunter Tyson (5), a second-round pick by Oklahoma City out of Clemson in the 2023 NBA Draft, finished with 26 points and nine rebounds in Carolina’s win. By THE STAR STAFF The Gigantes of Carolina defeated the Piratas of Quebradillas 104-99 in a Superior National Basketball (BSN by its initials in Spanish) league game at Carlos Miguel Mangual Coliseum in Canóvanas on Tuesday night. The Gigantes (3-3), who dominated from the opening tip-off, put together a 10-2 run in the fina

Temi Thomas-Ailara led the Criollas’ attack with 15 points. (Heriberto Rosario Rosa / FPV) By THE STAR STAFF The Criollas of Caguas regained the lead in the Women’s Superior Volleyball League (LVSF by its initials in Spanish) Semifinal Series B on Tuesday night at Roger Mendoza Vidal Coliseum in Caguas, downing the Leonas of Ponce in straight sets in the third match of the series. Match 4 of the best-of-seven will continue tonight at 8 at Juan “Pachín” Vicéns Auditorium in Po

Shipping containers at Port Manatee in Palmetto, Fla., April 1, 2025. War in the Middle East has upended the world economy, the International Monetary Fund said, warning in an April 14, 2026 report that disruptions to oil markets could slow growth, fuel inflation and raise the possibility of a global recession. (Scott McIntyre/The New York Times) By ALAN RAPPEPORT War in the Middle East has upended the world economy, the International Monetary Fund said earlier this week, war