The Puerto Rico Energy Bureau acknowledged that municipalities are well‑positioned to support public lighting repair and modernization efforts in their communities, but stressed that any such involvement must occur within an established, regulated structure that does not interfere with system operations or the bureau’s regulatory authority. ( lumapr.com ) By THE STAR STAFF The Puerto Rico Energy Bureau (PREB) issued on Thursday the regulation that sets out the rules for munic

Public Affairs Secretary Jean Peña Payano By THE STAR STAFF The publication of a Municipal Revenue Collections Center (CRIM) tax return belonging to the lobbying firm Politank has sparked controversy in Puerto Rico after Public Affairs Secretary Jean Peña Payano warned that releasing such documents could constitute a crime. The document disclosed Politank’s 2023 CRIM filing, submitted in May 2024, showing assets of $1.8 million. Its appearance in the media raised immediate qu

Four new direct JetBlue routes connecting San Juan with Philadelphia, Richmond, Va., Norfolk, Va. and Buffalo, N.Y. will have an estimated economic impact of $99.5 million for Puerto Rico. By THE STAR STAFF Gov. Jenniffer González Colón announced on Thursday the launch of four new direct JetBlue routes connecting San Juan with Philadelphia, Richmond, Va., Norfolk, Va. and Buffalo, N.Y., with an estimated economic impact of $99.5 million for Puerto Rico. “Puerto Rico continues

Deborah Martorell By THE STAR STAFF Journalist, meteorologist, private astronaut and science communicator Deborah Martorell will be honored next Tuesday, March 31, in the United Nations General Assembly Hall in New York City. Martorell will be recognized as part of Women Breaking Barriers, a global summit organized by the Rise Now Organization and the United Nations Spotlight Initiative, which brings together women from multiple sectors to address one of the world’s most pers

Rep. José Aponte Hernández By THE STAR STAFF Rep. José Aponte Hernández warned on Thursday that increasing gambling offerings in Puerto Rico will have a catastrophic effect on the mental health of the population given the rising rates of gambling addiction on the island. “Currently, according to 2014 data, there are more than 55,000 citizens in Puerto Rico with gambling addictions,” the veteran lawmaker said in a written statement. “This represents 0.87 percent of the populat

Manuel Torres Nieves By THE STAR STAFF Manuel Torres Nieves affirmed on Thursday that he is the president of Politank and defended the firm’s corporate structure, maintaining that Francisco Domenech Fernández completely severed his ties with the company following a share repurchase. In the Department of State’s Corporate Registry, regarding the firm Politank, Torres Nieves is listed as chief executive officer (CEO), secretary, and resident agent. “In recent months, comments h

By THE STAR STAFF Monoliner National Public Finance Guarantee Corp. has filed an appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, challenging a federal court ruling that denied Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA) bondholders’ request for administrative expense status, one of the most important forms of priority claims in bankruptcy‑like proceedings. In bankruptcy and in Puerto Rico Oversight, Management and Economic Stability Act (PROMESA) Title III cases,