Gov. Wanda Vázquez Promises to Fight Corruption
Issue #51: Millions of dollars in contracts under review, Arecibo Observatory gets funds for repairs and more...
→ Puerto Rico Governor Plans to Stay in Office, Fight Corruption
Puerto Rico is on its third governor in as many weeks. Wanda Vázquez, who previously said she was not interested in taking the position, said she plans to stay in office. Her priorities are to fight corruption, secure hurricane recovery funds and pull the commonwealth out of its recession, she said. (Danica Coto / Associated Press)
→ New Puerto Rico Gov Suspends Contract to Rebuild Power Grid
Gov. Wanda Vázquez announced that she is suspending a $450,000 contract that is part of the island’s efforts to rebuild its power grid. Though she didn’t provide specific details, she said the decision was made in the name of transparency. (Danica Coto / Associated Press)
→ Fiscal Board Wants to Review $80 Million Worth of Contracts Rosselló Awarded Before Resigning
The executive director of the oversight board said she has requested information about the more than 200 contracts approved by Gov. Ricardo Rosselló before he resigned. (Caribbean Business)
→ Puerto Rico's Coffee Farmers Work to Rebuild What Hurricane Maria Destroyed
“A lot of help has arrived, but it has gone to studies, plans, administration, and the help doesn’t get to those who really need it. The money and support goes to those who don’t really need it. We’ve realized that we, as coffee farmers, have to do the work ourselves.” – Coffee farmer Iris Jeannette (Jessica Flores / NBC News)
→ Arecibo Observatory to Get $12.3 Million for Post-Maria Reconstruction
The funds, earmarked from the National Science Foundation’s supplementary disaster allowances, will go toward reparing the Areceibo Observatory, one of the most famous in the world. (The Weekly Journal)
→ Puerto Rican Singer-Songwriter iLe Says the Country's Historic Protests Were Something the People 'Needed to Feel'
"I know that it made a difference in the protests here, and it was unexpected to see artists that you're not used to being vocal in political situations. This broke some barriers." – iLe (Angélica Acevedo / Insider)
→ Hurricane Maria Memorial Competition: Calling All Architects
New York’s Governor Andrew Cuomo is soliciting submissions from architects and artists to design and build a memorial that will honor the victims and survivors of Hurricane Maria. Submissions will be accepted until September 9. (NY.gov)