Catch Me Up
What happened while you were away
Pick how long you've been gone. Each recap is built from the storylines our coverage tracked. Every thread links on to its timeline or its section. Updated November 14.
The past week
Water and power led the week. Pesquera said no new water rationing is expected until after Christmas, FEMA committed $27.3 million to 4 new recovery projects, and the drought now covers 34.7% of the island. Meanwhile the Senate voted on a measure demanding that Governor Jenniffer González remove Family Secretary Suzanne Roig.
Our reporting
Infrastructure
Nearly six inches of rain fell on the La Plata watershed in Comerío on November 9. A Vega Alta pipe job cut water to Dorado communities.
- González Lifts Drought-Emergency Price Freeze in Puerto Rico
- Drought Covers 34.7% of Puerto Rico, Down 7 Points in a Week, Federal Monitor Says
- AAA Pipe Work in Vega Alta Interrupts Water Service to Dorado Communities
- Pesquera: No New Puerto Rico Water Rationing Expected Until After Christmas
- La Plata Reservoir Watershed in Comerío Gets Nearly Six Inches of Rain, Easing Drought
Plus 9 daily reservoir readings, with today's levels on the water page.
Full timeline →Politics
Questions about Roig's whereabouts came first, then a Senate vote on a removal measure. A planned meeting with the governor was announced early in the week.
- Puerto Rico Senate Votes on Measure Demanding Governor Remove Family Secretary Suzanne Roig
- Dávila Colón Questions Whereabouts of Puerto Rico Families Secretary Suzanne Roig
- La Fortaleza Can’t Confirm Whether Family Department Secretary Suzanne Roig Is on Vacation
- Governor Jenniffer González to Meet Suzanne Roig This Week Amid Senate Testimony Discrepancies
Infrastructure
The governor said she would not cancel the New Fortress contract and expected deals that week. By Friday, suppliers were demanding PREPA payment guarantees.
Community
Carolina social workers first demanded the secretary's resignation, then cited scarce resources hampering child welfare cases, then stayed away from work again.
Politics
The Chief Justice defended judicial independence in the LUMA dispute. An analyst then repeated his claim that the governor pressed judges, which she denies.
Crime & Safety
The court had set a November 24 evidence hearing for Cabrera's retrial bid, but prosecutors now oppose that hearing and want a new trial denied.
Infrastructure
Earlier in the week, Rivera Schatz used sarcasm to ask who would negotiate LUMA's exit. He later proposed the electricity subsidy.
Police identified the woman shot dead in Yabucoa on November 9 and activated the femicide protocol. A man sought for days is now being questioned.
Also worth knowing
- Convicted Man Kills Partner and Friend in Ponce, Then Takes His Own Life
- Puerto Rico Governor Signs Law to Ease Hiring of Forensic Pathologists
- Puerto Rico Governor Signs Bill Naming PR-114 Highway After José "Piculín" Ortiz
- LUMA Denies Widespread Smart-Meter Problem, Blames Rate and Fuel Hikes for Higher Bills
- Energy Czar Questions LUMA’s Swift Reply to Allegations, Not Its Blackouts
- Governor Signs Laws on Electronic Court Documents and Dental Licenses
The past two weeks
Our own reporting led with Pesquera's statement that there will be no water rationing until after the Christmas holidays, as drought coverage fell to 34.7% of Puerto Rico. FEMA committed $27.3 million to 4 new recovery projects, and the governor's natural gas talks with three firms and the Senate fight over Family Secretary Suzanne Roig also drew heavy coverage.
Our reporting
Infrastructure
Suppliers are refusing to deal with New Fortress without PREPA payment guarantees, even as the company moves to open its San Juan terminal to others.
- Gas Suppliers Refuse to Deal with New Fortress, Demand PREPA Payment Guarantees
- Puerto Rico Governor Negotiates with Three Firms for Natural Gas as New Fortress Supply Falters
- Puerto Rico Governor Expects Natural Gas Supplier Deals This Week, Won’t Cancel New Fortress Contract
- Oversight Board Warns New Fortress Gas Default Threatens Puerto Rico Economy, Seeks to Join PREPA Suit
Infrastructure
Drought coverage fell 7 points in a week, Pesquera expects no new rationing until after Christmas, and Dorado communities lost water over Vega Alta pipe work.
- González Lifts Drought-Emergency Price Freeze in Puerto Rico
- Drought Covers 34.7% of Puerto Rico, Down 7 Points in a Week, Federal Monitor Says
- AAA Pipe Work in Vega Alta Interrupts Water Service to Dorado Communities
- Pesquera: No New Puerto Rico Water Rationing Expected Until After Christmas
- La Plata Reservoir Watershed in Comerío Gets Nearly Six Inches of Rain, Easing Drought
Plus 17 daily reservoir readings, with today's levels on the water page.
Full timeline →Politics
The Senate voted on a measure demanding the governor remove Roig, and Senator Morales filed new referrals over her Spain trip.
- Puerto Rico Senate Votes on Measure Demanding Governor Remove Family Secretary Suzanne Roig
- Dávila Colón Questions Whereabouts of Puerto Rico Families Secretary Suzanne Roig
- La Fortaleza Can’t Confirm Whether Family Department Secretary Suzanne Roig Is on Vacation
- Governor Jenniffer González to Meet Suzanne Roig This Week Amid Senate Testimony Discrepancies
Business
Encanto Restaurants filed for bankruptcy after the abrupt closures, while Burger King and McDonald's recruited and the Labor Department offered help to laid-off workers.
- Barceloneta Hit by KFC, Taco Bell Closures as IHOP Cuts Hours
- Burger King, McDonald’s Recruit in Puerto Rico After KFC, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut Closures
- Former Taco Bell Manager Calls for Empathy After Chain’s Closure in Puerto Rico
- Puerto Rico Labor Department Offers Help to Workers Laid Off by KFC and Taco Bell Closures
Politics
- Puerto Rico Senate President Rivera Schatz Says Arrogance and Elitism Are Always Rejected After Democratic Win
- González Hits Back at Rivera Schatz: 'He even fights with his own shadow'
- Senate President Rivera Schatz Blames Gov. González for Family Department Secretary Crisis in Wide-Ranging Interview
Politics
Politics
Domenech rejected the ethics complaint over hiring Janet Parra as his lawyer, and later asked the Ethics Office to dismiss it.
Also worth knowing
- Convicted Man Kills Partner and Friend in Ponce, Then Takes His Own Life
- Puerto Rico Governor Signs Law to Ease Hiring of Forensic Pathologists
- Puerto Rico Governor Signs Bill Naming PR-114 Highway After José "Piculín" Ortiz
- LUMA Denies Widespread Smart-Meter Problem, Blames Rate and Fuel Hikes for Higher Bills
- Energy Czar Questions LUMA’s Swift Reply to Allegations, Not Its Blackouts
- Governor Signs Laws on Electronic Court Documents and Dental Licenses
The past month
The month's biggest stories were water and money. Pesquera said no new water rationing is expected until after Christmas, and the governor lifted the drought price freeze. FEMA also kept approving funds, including nearly $82 million on October 22. Politically, the Senate voted on a measure demanding Family Secretary Suzanne Roig's removal, and the government rejected LUMA's claim of $1.3 billion in cancellation costs.
Our reporting
Infrastructure
Rationing was ruled out on October 26 despite a falling La Plata level, and nearly six inches of rain on November 9 eased the drought.
- González Lifts Drought-Emergency Price Freeze in Puerto Rico
- Pesquera: No New Puerto Rico Water Rationing Expected Until After Christmas
- La Plata Reservoir Watershed in Comerío Gets Nearly Six Inches of Rain, Easing Drought
- Puerto Rico Government Rules Out Water Rationing for La Plata Reservoir Despite Falling Level
- AAA to Halt Fajardo Filter Plant for Pipe Inspection, Risking Water Cuts in Three Towns
Plus 36 daily reservoir readings, with today's levels on the water page.
Full timeline →Approvals ranged from nearly $82 million on October 22 to $2.65 million for nine reconstruction projects on November 9.
- FEMA Allocates $2.65 Million for Nine Reconstruction Projects in Puerto Rico
- FEMA Approves Over $45 Million in Post-Disaster Funds for Puerto Rico Projects
- Recovery Watch: FEMA Commits $14.1 Million to 12 New Puerto Rico Projects
- FEMA Approves Nearly $82 Million for Puerto Rico Recovery and Mitigation Projects
Infrastructure
- Gas Suppliers Refuse to Deal with New Fortress, Demand PREPA Payment Guarantees
- Puerto Rico Governor Negotiates with Three Firms for Natural Gas as New Fortress Supply Falters
- Puerto Rico Governor Expects Natural Gas Supplier Deals This Week, Won’t Cancel New Fortress Contract
- Oversight Board Warns New Fortress Gas Default Threatens Puerto Rico Economy, Seeks to Join PREPA Suit
Politics
A Justice Department preliminary inquiry opened on October 20, and La Fortaleza could not confirm whether Roig was on vacation before the Senate vote.
- Puerto Rico Senate Votes on Measure Demanding Governor Remove Family Secretary Suzanne Roig
- Dávila Colón Questions Whereabouts of Puerto Rico Families Secretary Suzanne Roig
- La Fortaleza Can’t Confirm Whether Family Department Secretary Suzanne Roig Is on Vacation
- Justice Department Opens Preliminary Inquiry into Allegations Against Family Secretary Suzanne Roig
Politics
The ACLU also demanded the DTOP secretary resign over immigrants' data, and Aguada's mayor refuted its claim about municipal police joining ICE raids.
- ICE Patrols Barrio Obrero in Santurce as ACLU de Puerto Rico Denounces Federal Agents’ Tactics
- ACLU of Puerto Rico Denounces Bill That Would Criminalize Aiding Minors’ Abortions
- Puerto Rico Courts Side with ACLU in Public Records Fight Over Federal Subpoenas to Transportation Department
- ACLU Puerto Rico Demands DTOP Secretary Resign Over Handing Immigrants’ Data to ICE
Business
The Labor Department offered help to laid-off workers, Burger King and McDonald's began recruiting, and Encanto Restaurants filed for bankruptcy on November 6.
- Barceloneta Hit by KFC, Taco Bell Closures as IHOP Cuts Hours
- Burger King, McDonald’s Recruit in Puerto Rico After KFC, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut Closures
- Former Taco Bell Manager Calls for Empathy After Chain’s Closure in Puerto Rico
- Puerto Rico Labor Department Offers Help to Workers Laid Off by KFC and Taco Bell Closures
Rivera Schatz blamed the governor for the Family Department crisis on November 2, and González answered that he fights with his own shadow.
- Puerto Rico Senate President Rivera Schatz Says Arrogance and Elitism Are Always Rejected After Democratic Win
- González Hits Back at Rivera Schatz: 'He even fights with his own shadow'
- Senate President Rivera Schatz Blames Gov. González for Family Department Secretary Crisis in Wide-Ranging Interview
- Rivera Schatz Says Legislature Did Its Part as Fiscal Board Questions IVU Exemption
Also worth knowing
- Puerto Rico Governor Calls LUMA’s New Rate Increase Request a 'Barbaridad'
- Governor Signs Measure Demanding Statehood for Puerto Rico
- Convicted Man Kills Partner and Friend in Ponce, Then Takes His Own Life
- Police Probe Killings of PNP Youth Leader Félix Plaud and Lawyer Luis Quiñones González; Suspect Found Dead
- Bail Bondsman’s Video Confession Preceded Two Killings and His Own Death in Puerto Rico
- Government Rejects LUMA Energy’s Claim of $1.3 Billion Cancellation Cost
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