AGP Executive Report

Single-Use Plastics: Puerto Rico’s single-use plastics rules are still moving toward full enforcement as a working committee finalizes recommendations under Law 47-2025, with DACO Secretary Hiram Torres Montalvo saying the final report is being wrapped up after an extension. Local Business & Community: Juana Díaz’s GianMauro’s Burgers & Desserts is launching the free Ñaqui Fest on Aug. 2 to spotlight more than 20 Puerto Rican entrepreneurs, with food, music, and a limited-edition “Piggy Burger.” Culture & Entertainment: Venezuelan comedian Angelo Colina returns to Puerto Rico for a new stand-up show at Teatro Tapia on Aug. 7, with tickets going on sale July 29 at 10 a.m. Sports Spotlight: Puerto Rico’s presence at the Santo Domingo 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games continues, including a judo gold medal win by Venezuelan Jeshuath Pedraza in -68 kilos that featured Puerto Rican Luis De Jesús in the bout. Public Safety: A Queens man faces serious charges after a barricade incident left his mother and sister dead, following reports he was armed and mentally ill. Business Growth: FASTSIGNS says it set a record first half of 2026 for franchise development, adding new centers and international deals.

Media & Advertising: Nielsen says it will discontinue Puerto Rico radio and TV audience ratings by end of 2026, raising fears of a lost “common currency” for ad buying and pricing. Baseball Hall of Fame: Cooperstown welcomed Carlos Beltrán and Andruw Jones (plus Jeff Kent), with Puerto Rico and Curaçao fans packing the Clark Sports Center and the trio honoring family roots. Sports in Puerto Rico: Oklahoma State opened its Puerto Rico exhibition tour with a 94-88 win over Puerto Rico Fuerza at Guillermo Angulo Coliseum. Local Crime: Boston police arrested a 15-year-old after shots during a Puerto Rican Festival in Franklin Park/Roxbury, alleging he fired into the air and a gun was recovered. Politics & Rights: A new push in Congress targets birthright citizenship in U.S. territories like Puerto Rico, tying the effort to the Insular Cases. Culture & Entertainment: Menudo announced a 50th anniversary tour with stops including San Juan, and Chayanne confirmed Colombia concerts for his Bailemos Otra Vez Tour 2026. Lottery: Powerball jackpot climbed to an estimated $633M for Monday’s drawing (numbers: 6-26-46-58-65, Powerball 25).

Baseball Hall of Fame: Carlos Beltrán and Andruw Jones joined Jeff Kent in Cooperstown on Sunday, with Puerto Rico and Curaçao showing up in force as Beltrán waved a Puerto Rican flag and Jones called the islands “forever joined together.” Banking Leadership: Banco Popular says CEO Javier Ferrer will retire Aug. 31, triggering a top-to-bottom executive reshuffle: Jorge García to CEO, Lidio Soriano to CFO, and Luis Sousa to chief risk officer. Local Economy: A report says Puerto Rico’s economy has entered a recessionary phase. Government Procurement Tech: Glass announced an AI-powered procurement catalog built with Puerto Rico’s ASG to standardize how agencies classify what they buy. Cyber & Consumer Tech: Instagram went down for thousands of users Monday morning, while Chick-fil-A disclosed a data breach tied to credential-stuffing attacks. Military Education: Fort Buchanan highlighted how Soldiers in Puerto Rico can use Army education benefits, including Tuition Assistance via ArmyIgnitED. Community & Culture: Aurora’s Puerto Rican Heritage Festival drew thousands with music, food, vendors, and family activities.

Baseball Hall of Fame: Carlos Beltrán, Andruw Jones, and Jeff Kent were inducted Sunday in Cooperstown, drawing about 12,000 fans and huge Puerto Rico pride as Beltrán—Puerto Rico’s sixth Hall of Famer—spoke of family, community, and representing the island; Jones, from Curaçao, called the day a bond between Cooperstown and his homeland. Puerto Rico Culture: Beltrán also quoted Bad Bunny during his speech, tying the moment to family and Puerto Rico’s music. Sports (Puerto Rico connection): In MLB action, Shawn Ross—who is from Puerto Rico—homered for the Pirates in a win over the Cubs as Pittsburgh eyes a playoff push. Caribbean Politics: Caribbean leaders met with Church of England clergy as the push for slavery reparations and decolonization of overseas territories intensifies. Travel/Leisure: Beach.com crowned Trunk Bay in the U.S. Virgin Islands the world’s best beach for 2026. Local Events (diaspora): A Puerto Rican pop-up and other community events are listed for Monday through Thursday in Jersey City, Hoboken, Bayonne, and Secaucus.

Puerto Rico Power Update: Luma Energy says power was restored to at least 1.25 million customers (85.6%) after a major New Year’s Eve blackout, with preliminary findings pointing to a fault in an underground cable; investigations continue and officials say key airports, water facilities, and 31 hospitals are back online. Baseball & Puerto Rican Pride: Carlos Beltrán, Andruw Jones, and Jeff Kent head into the Baseball Hall of Fame weekend in Cooperstown, with Beltrán recalling how George Brett once introduced him as “the next Hall of Famer from Puerto Rico.” Local Culture & Community: In Lorain, a Puerto Rican restaurant, El Pegao, is expanding into a bigger space after rapid growth, while families in Victoria celebrated the end of the library’s summer reading program with a foam party. Entertainment: Bad Bunny’s “Debí Tirar Más Fotos” tour hit $467.5M and 3.1M tickets sold, marking his biggest tour to date.

Baseball Hall of Fame: Carlos Beltrán, Puerto Rico’s own, says George Brett’s 1999 prediction came true as he’s inducted Sunday in Cooperstown alongside Andruw Jones and Jeff Kent. Sports & Puerto Rico ties: The induction weekend also highlights Puerto Rican pride and the long road to Cooperstown for the Class of 2026. Lottery: Powerball’s $600 million jackpot is up for grabs Saturday, with numbers 3-4-24-36-47 and Powerball 17; tickets cost $2 and the odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 292.2 million. Local energy push: Mayagüez is starting a $2.6 million solar-plus-battery project at the José Antonio Figueroa Freyre Central American Stadium to cut electricity costs and keep backup power during outages. Tech for caregivers: MK Care rolled out new digital home-care tools for Puerto Rico families, including shared access for relatives and real-time care monitoring.

Home Care Tech: MK Care rolled out new digital tools in Puerto Rico to help families monitor and coordinate home care in one place, including real-time updates, structured care reports, and shared access for multiple relatives. Local Energy Upgrade: Mayagüez started a $2.595 million solar project at the José Antonio Figueroa Freyre Central American Stadium, adding a photovoltaic system and battery backup to cut electricity costs and keep operations running during outages. Tourism Numbers: The Puerto Rico Tourism Company says hotel occupancy is projected above 88% for the July 24–27 weekend, with the Commonwealth anniversary (July 25) expected to be the busiest day at about 93%. Local Business Growth: La Pachanga launched its first franchise program as it marks five years, offering support to expand into markets like Caguas, Ponce, and Mayagüez. Sports Spotlight: Puerto Rican native Shawn Ross earned a major league call-up to the Pittsburgh Pirates after standout play at Faulkner University. Media Watch: Nielsen plans to stop measuring Puerto Rico radio and TV audiences in December 2026, raising concerns for local broadcasters and ad sales.

Media & Business: Nielsen will stop measuring Puerto Rico radio and TV audiences in December 2026, leaving the island without a key ratings currency for buying and selling broadcast ads. Local Food & Growth: La Pachanga launched its first franchise program as it marks five years, offering early franchise spots across places like Caguas, Ponce, and Mayagüez. Energy Resilience: A UMass Amherst project is connecting Puerto Rico and Holyoke to share lessons on building more resilient, equitable energy systems after Hurricane Maria. Sports (Puerto Rico in the mix): Puerto Rico’s men’s water polo team will face Colombia’s opponent in the CAC Games final after Colombia beat Mexico 16-11. History & Aviation: Pan Am’s 1952 DC-4 wreckage off Puerto Rico was located again, helping explain major safety changes after the crash. Tech & Payments: Puerto Rico-licensed Arival Bank is rolling out USDC stablecoin payment and treasury tools across multiple blockchains.

Puerto Rico Connectivity: Claro says it will invest $35 million to extend the AMX-1 submarine cable to Ponce, aiming to add a redundant international internet connection point outside the San Juan metro. Online Shopping Habits: A new Consumer Radiography 2026 study finds Puerto Ricans are leaning more on supermarket delivery and pickup apps, with online channel use rising from 16% (2025) to 19% (2026). Local Sports & Talent: Newberry College assistant coach Will Betancourt will represent Puerto Rico as part of the national wrestling team at the 2026 Grand Prix of Spain in Madrid. Culture & Community: Miss Universe 2026’s “Diamond Edition” is set for Nov. 24 at the José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Health Watch: The CDC officially closed a multistate salmonella outbreak tied to moringa leaf powder imported from India, with cases reported across the U.S., including Puerto Rico.

Puerto Rico Coastal Planning Boost: The University of Puerto Rico’s Coastal Research and Planning Institute (CoRePI-PR) got a $1.39M grant extension to expand its coastal erosion education and planning program, bringing total project investment to more than $3.81M. Local Culture Calendar: Rochester’s 56th annual Puerto Rican Festival returns next week (July 30–Aug. 1) with live music, food, performances, and vendors at Parcel 5 on East Main Street. Sports & Community: Puerto Rico is mentioned in international sports coverage, including a note that a Puerto Rico-based stop is part of a World Robot Olympiad pathway, and that Puerto Rico will host major pageant activity tied to Miss Universe’s Nov. 24 coronation in San Juan. Public Service/Work Zones: A separate U.S. traffic alert notes a planned overnight ramp closure near Ponce de Leon Ave (I-285 eastbound to exit 40) for concrete rehab on July 24.

Miss Universe in Puerto Rico: The Miss Universe Organization says the 75th-edition coronation show will be held at Coliseo de Puerto Rico José Miguel Agrelot on Nov. 24, with the Philippines already in the next day when the final airs there. Endangered species fight: The Trump administration is rolling back Endangered Species Act habitat protections, and experts warn states may not be able to replace federal safeguards. Puerto Rico in the courts: Legal groups including ACLU affiliates in Puerto Rico urged the First Circuit to uphold a block on the Trump administration’s actions against Harvard over “ideological diversity” demands. Local infrastructure: The U.S. House approved Puerto Rico’s Fort Buchanan emergency water treatment funding—$33.5 million—to keep the base running during outages and disasters. Immigration enforcement: CBP and Border Patrol, with local partners, apprehended 37 migrants in two maritime smuggling operations on Puerto Rico’s coasts. Culture & entertainment: Telemundo’s Juan Ponce was named VP of original content for Disney+ in Mexico. Sports: American Airlines reported record Q2 revenue; and a Puerto Rico–linked plea deal hit headlines as a man from the island pleaded guilty in a Canada-U.S. human smuggling case.

Pan Am Mystery Solved in Puerto Rico: The Air/Sea Heritage Foundation says it found the wreck of Pan Am Flight 526A (the Clipper Endeavor), a Douglas DC-4 that crashed off San Juan in 1952, resting about 2,000 feet underwater in two sections; the discovery used sonar and a photographic survey, and the tragedy later helped drive mandatory pre-flight safety briefings. Affordable Housing Demand: Hialeah opened Section 8 (Housing Choice Voucher) applications, drawing huge interest—about 1,000 applications per hour at the start—while officials and residents described the program as a lifeline amid rising costs. Local Housing/Water Watch: Puerto Rico’s drought monitoring continues as reservoir levels decline, with officials stepping up tracking as conditions worsen. Public Safety & Accountability: A Puerto Rico-related federal case highlights alien-smuggling charges tied to a Home Depot van operation, with a guilty plea in Vermont for conspiracy and illegal transport for profit. Cybersecurity Alert: Brinks Home disclosed unauthorized access to part of its IT systems and said it’s investigating and will notify affected customers if personal data was involved.

Pan Am Mystery Solved: The wreck of the 1952 Pan Am Clipper Endeavor was found off Puerto Rico, about 2,000 feet underwater near the island’s north coast—an accident that killed 52 and helped spark the safety briefings travelers see today. Water Crisis: Puerto Rico’s drought and rationing are hitting small and medium businesses hard, with daily losses estimated at $18–$20 million as outages force costly water purchases and trucking. Citizenship Fight: Puerto Rico’s government is weighing in on the push to end birthright citizenship in U.S. territories, joining other local leaders warning it could create legal uncertainty for families. Tourism Buzz: Expedia’s 2026 Island Hot List puts Culebra, Puerto Rico on the map for water adventures, as searches for island getaways keep climbing. Local Business/Tech: eXp Realty says its first Spanish-language eXpcon in Latin America will be held in Medellín in 2027, with Puerto Rico listed among its CALA markets. Travel Disruptions: Twelve flights into and out of San Juan were canceled due to weather conditions affecting the U.S. East Coast, impacting more than 1,500 passengers.

Aviation Mystery Solved: The wreck of Pan Am’s Clipper Endeavor, which crashed off Puerto Rico in 1952 and killed 52 people, has finally been found on the Atlantic seabed—an effort that also helped drive today’s preflight passenger safety briefings. Local Government & Corruption Watch: Puerto Rico’s governor says two top officials—chief of staff Francisco Domenech and deputy chief of staff Itza García—will step down next month as corruption allegations continue over permit-management irregularities. Energy Costs Relief: The Weatherization Assistance Program wrapped up improvements in 103 Puerto Rico homes, aiming to cut electricity costs and boost resilience for low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities. Sports & Community: Oklahoma State is heading to Puerto Rico for exhibition games next week, with coach Steve Lutz calling the trip a chemistry-builder through real competition. Public Safety: A Bronx case has prosecutors alleging an unlicensed NAD+ IV infusion led to a woman’s death, with charges filed against the provider. Culture & Music: Catch The Young announced its first Latin America tour, including a Puerto Rico stop on Sept. 13.

Aviation Mystery Solved: A Discovery Channel team found the wreckage of Pan Am Flight “Clipper Endeavor” off Puerto Rico, 74 years after the 1952 crash that killed 52 people, locating the plane about 2,000 feet underwater and identifying it with Pan Am markings. Public Health & Safety: A Chubb study says Puerto Rico workers fear job loss most for fixed bills—31% worry about mortgage or rent and another 31% about electricity, water or gas—highlighting how quickly essentials can become unaffordable. Sports: Puerto Rico’s women’s softball team booked a spot in next year’s WBSC World Cup Finals after beating Venezuela 8-1 in Lima, with Aleshia Ocasio striking out eight. Local Economy Watch: Puerto Rico cement dispatches in June edged up 1% year over year, while first-half dispatches fell 2.4% as output rose slightly. Policy Debate: A Puerto Rico delegate strongly opposed a bill to end birthright citizenship in U.S. territories, calling it a dangerous precedent.

Baseball & Puerto Rico Pride: Puerto Rico’s Day at the Ballpark keeps rolling in Arlington on July 21 at Globe Life Field, with Puerto Rico-themed in-stadium tributes and activations tied to the Texas Rangers game. Sports Spotlight: Sebastian Walcott returned to Double-A Frisco after UCL surgery and made an immediate impact, while Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show racked up nine Emmy nominations, including major creative categories. Housing Accountability: The U.S. suspended funding for the U.S. Virgin Islands’ housing authority after a probe found widespread corruption and mismanagement, with officials saying disaster-recovery money was largely left unspent. Citizenship Fight: A new bill would end automatic U.S. citizenship for people born in Puerto Rico and other territories starting in 2027, drawing sharp criticism from territorial rights advocates. Student Loan Pressure: Across the U.S., student loan defaults hit record levels—about 1 in 5 federal borrowers now in default after pandemic-era protections ended. Lottery: Powerball climbed to an estimated $544M for Monday’s drawing.