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

Twenty-six students from 15 public schools will represent Puerto Rico at the 2026 Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair in Phoenix, Arizona. By THE STAR STAFF Education Secretary Eliezer Ramos Parés announced on Tuesday the awarding of $3,000 scholarships to 26 students from 15 public schools who will represent Puerto Rico at the 2026 Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) in Phoenix, Arizona. “Today, we recognize 26 students who exemplify

Caguas libero Okiana Valle de Jesús was named Most Valuable Player of the LVSF regular season after receiving the most votes by a wide margin. By THE STAR STAFF Libero Okiana Valle de Jesús of the Criollas of Caguas has won the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award for the 2026 season of the Women’s Superior Volleyball League (LVSF by its initials in Spanish). Her exceptional performance throughout the season established her as the league’s most impactful player, earning the Cagu

Tamara Otene led Santurce with 19 points. (Heriberto Rosario Rosa / FPV) By THE STAR STAFF The Cangrejeras of Santurce defeated the Valencianas of Juncos in three sets on Sunday night to kick off Semifinal Series A of the Women’s Superior Volleyball League (LVSF by its initials in Spanish) in a match held at Roberto Clemente Coliseum in Hato Rey. The set scores were 25-14, 25-21 and 25-22. Tamara Otene led the Santurce offense with 19 points (17 on attacks and 2 on blocks), f

Years of testing, emergency systems and sensors have gone into protecting the Artemis II astronauts heading to the moon. (NASA via The New York Times) By KATRINA MILLER Rocket failures, oxygen leaks, space debris and scorching heat: These are just a few of the risks that NASA’s Artemis II astronauts face as the first humans to return to the moon in more than half a century. Since NASA first attempted to send people beyond the safety of Earth, spaceflight has been a death-defy

A mechanic at work at a garage in Rockville, Md. on Nov. 6, 2025. Employers added 178,000 jobs in March 2026, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported on April 3, more than economists had expected. The unemployment rate sank to 4.3 percent. (Caroline Gutman/The New York Times) By LYDIA DePILLIS The labor market put in a strong showing in March as wintry weather receded, strikes concluded and businesses started looking beyond the huge changes of President Donald Trump’s first y