SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Not a single hurricane has hit Puerto Rico this year, but hundreds of thousands of people in the U.S. territory feel like they’re living in the aftermath of a major storm: Students do homework by the light of dying cellphones. People who depend on insulin or respiratory therapies struggle…
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — The woman who is supposed to replace Puerto Rico’s embattled governor announced Sunday that she doesn’t want the job as the U.S. territory reels from political crisis. Justice Secretary Wanda Vázquez said in a Twitter post that she hopes Gov. Ricardo Rosselló will appoint a secretary of state before…
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) _ Federal lawmakers are demanding that Puerto Rico quickly privatize its bankrupt power company in a bid to end its ongoing turmoil and allow others to provide stable electricity post-Hurricane Maria. Frustration grew as consultants and local and federal officials testified during Wednesday’s hearing on the management crisis at Puerto…
By DANICA COTO, Associated Press SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — The administrator of the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency said Friday it will take up to an estimated $50 billion to help rebuild Puerto Rico from Hurricane Maria and warned that the U.S. territory is not ready for another disaster. Brock Long said his agency…
By ANDREW TAYLOR, Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — A senior Senate Democrat said there’s no time to waste as the Senate pressed ahead Monday on a $36.5 billion hurricane relief package that would give Puerto Rico a much-needed infusion of cash. The measure also would replenish rapidly dwindling emergency disaster accounts and provide $16 billion to…
By JILL COLVIN, Associated Press BRANCHBURG, N.J. (AP) — President Donald Trump on Sunday scoffed at “politically motivated ingrates” who had questioned his administration’s commitment to revive Puerto Rico after a pulverizing hurricane and said the federal government had done “a great job with the almost impossible situation.” The tweets coming from a president ensconced in…
Puerto Rico (AP) For 21 years Hector Alejandro Santiago spread joy throughout Puerto Rico with the poinsettias, orchids and other ornamental plants he raised and sold to major retailers including Costco, Walmart and Home Depot. In a matter of hours Hurricane Maria wiped it away. The greenhouses and other buildings on the 40 acres where…
By CATHERINE LUCEY, Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — Under pressure to do more for hurricane-ravaged Puerto Rico, President Donald Trump is waiving federal restrictions on foreign ships’ transportation of cargo to the island. White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said on Twitter Thursday that Trump has authorized a waiver for the U.S. territory for a…
By JENNIFER PELTZ and DAVID KLEPPER, Associated Press NEW YORK (AP) — New York state, home to the U.S. mainland’s biggest Puerto Rican community, is sending a lot more than thoughts and prayers to the hurricane-ravaged island. Between them, New York state and city have committed hundreds of workers and organized aid ranging from rescue helicopters…
