AGP Executive Report

Puerto Rico in the Spotlight: Puerto Rico’s Suil Pagan is among the Miss World 2026 Top 40 fast-track qualifiers, while observers also flag Puerto Rico’s presence in the Miss World 2026 “hot picks” list. Global Entertainment: Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny won his first Primetime Emmy for his Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show, marking a major milestone for Spanish-language TV. Public Health Alert: Clorox Puerto Rico recalled about 6.3 million Mistolin and Lestoil scented cleaners sold in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands due to possible Pseudomonas aeruginosa contamination, with higher risk for immunocompromised travelers. Travel & Safety: A man suing Delta alleges a flight attendant spilled overheated coffee on him during a San Juan-to-JFK trip, leaving permanent scars. Sports: Team USA opened the FIBA Women’s World Cup with a 94-61 win over China, featuring Puerto Rico-linked players Paige Bueckers and others on the roster.

Miss World Spotlight: Puerto Rico’s Suil Pagan made the Miss World 2026 Top 40 after securing a spot through the pageant’s fast-track challenges, as the event revealed its early qualifiers ahead of the Sept. 7 finale in Nha Trang, Vietnam. FIBA Women’s World Cup: In Berlin, the U.S. opened with a 94-61 win over China behind Caitlin Clark’s 14 points and 11 assists, while Australia beat Puerto Rico 70-54 in the Opals’ opener—setting up tougher matches for Puerto Rico’s campaign. Tourism Boost: Visa Consulting & Analytics says Bad Bunny’s sold-out San Juan concerts drove nearly 11% more Visa transactions citywide versus last year, with international spending up sharply—especially in food and lodging. Local Governance & Finance: Gov. Jenniffer González-Colón announced legislation to enable “Trump Accounts” in Puerto Rico, aiming to expand tax-advantaged savings for children and young people. Energy & Climate: UT researchers are studying how hurricanes and extreme weather are reshaping Puerto Rico’s communities and ecosystems through CCAN, focusing on landslides, reservoirs, and agriculture impacts.

Puerto Rico Water & Climate: UT researchers are studying how hurricanes and other extreme weather are reshaping Puerto Rico’s environment and communities, with CCAN linking science to local needs on landslides, reservoirs, rivers, and agriculture. Energy & Power Governance: Puerto Rico’s PREPA saw leadership shakeups after the executive director resigned at the governor’s request; Fernando Osorio Caño was named interim head, while a separate lawsuit follows PREPA’s canceled temporary power contract. Drought Pressure: The island is facing worsening drought conditions, with reports noting extreme drought coverage across large parts of Puerto Rico. Youth Savings Policy: Gov. Jenniffer González-Colón announced legislation to enable the federal “Trump Accounts” program in Puerto Rico, aiming to expand tax-advantaged savings and investment options for minors. Workplace Mental Health: A regional study says Puerto Rico workers remain in a vulnerable mental-health zone, driven largely by financial stress and limited emergency savings. Public Safety Recall: Clorox Puerto Rico recalled 6.3 million bottles of certain Mistolin and Lestoil cleaners over possible bacteria contamination. Sports (Puerto Rico in focus): Australia opened the FIBA Women’s World Cup by beating Puerto Rico 70-54 in Berlin.

Drought Watch: Extreme drought is worsening across Puerto Rico, with coverage noting that by late August more than 40% of the island faces extreme conditions and that water rationing and emergency declarations remain in play. Energy & Governance: Zapata’s resignation and Osorio’s interim leadership at PREPA come amid ongoing scrutiny, including a lawsuit over a canceled 400 MW emergency power contract. Courtroom Rights: The First Circuit has reversed an order tied to Puerto Rico birth certificates, keeping the focus on the “X” gender marker issue. Public Health: Clorox is recalling about 6.3 million bottles of Mistolin and Lestoil cleaners sold in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands due to possible bacteria contamination. Sports (Puerto Rico on the world stage): In the FIBA Women’s World Cup opener, Australia beat Puerto Rico 70-54 in Berlin, while Team USA opened with a 94-61 win over China.

Puerto Rico Economy: The Puerto Rico Treasury says Fiscal Year 2026 General Fund net revenues hit $13.9129 billion, up $279.1 million (2%) year over year, and above oversight-board projections—driven by income taxes, the Sales and Use Tax, and nonresident withholding. FIBA Women’s World Cup (Puerto Rico on the schedule): The tournament tips off Sept. 4 in Berlin, with Puerto Rico set to open against Australia and later face Belgium and Türkiye in group play; Team USA’s opener is vs. China and the U.S. roster includes stars like Paige Bueckers, Caitlin Clark, and Angel Reese. Local Sports Milestone: Puerto Rican Julirys Guzmán Laureano becomes the first Puerto Rican woman to referee at the Senior Women’s Basketball World Cup. Governance & Accountability: Congress is seeking answers after a Puerto Rico energy contract was canceled over alleged forgery, with lawmakers pressing officials on how the deal was approved and signed. Culture & Music: Singer-songwriter Maricelis Nogueras releases new single “Besos d’esos,” filmed in Old San Juan and centered on sapphic love and Puerto Rican cultural details.

Public Health Recall: The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission says 6.3 million bottles of Clorox Scented Mistolin Dilutable Cleaners and Lestoil Heavy Duty Multi-Purpose Cleaners were recalled in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands due to possible bacterial contamination, with specific “PR01” date codes and product scents listed; consumers are told not to use the items and to contact the company. Water Crisis Response: Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont says his state is ready to help Puerto Rico with the ongoing water emergency, with water companies and the Connecticut National Guard standing by if needed. Drought Aid for Farmers: The U.S. Department of Agriculture expanded Puerto Rico’s drought disaster declaration, adding Barranquitas, Caguas and Guayama as primary areas and 16 more municipalities as contiguous areas, bringing coverage to 38 municipalities. Infrastructure Under Pressure: Puerto Rico’s House ordered an investigation into instability along the PR-1 corridor in Salinas as coastal erosion accelerates, with possible relocation farther inland on the table. Energy Update: AES Puerto Rico says two solar projects—120 MW in Salinas and 80 MW in Guayama—are expected to come online soon, alongside large battery storage systems. Legal Rights Watch: The Puerto Rico Bar Association warns of limits on civic participation and press freedom, citing concerns about police force used during water and electricity protests.

Puerto Rico Water Crisis Response: Connecticut lawmakers will travel to Puerto Rico in October to help pinpoint fixes for the island’s ongoing water crisis, including meetings in San Juan, Salinas and Comerío as aging infrastructure and drought keep rationing in place. Labor Support for Jobless Claims: Puerto Rico’s Department of Labor and Human Resources is expanding help for its new Digital Unemployment platform, adding daily 4 p.m. Facebook Live Q&As and in-person assistance across multiple regional offices. Health Watch: Hawaiʻi health officials reported dengue virus detected in a wastewater sample from Hawaiʻi County, with no active local cases tracked so far—an alert for a region that includes Puerto Rico among places affected by dengue. Local Business: TJ Maxx is set to open a new discounted fashion store in Carolina on Sept. 10, expanding its Puerto Rico footprint. Courts & Rights: A federal court ruling on Puerto Rico birth certificate policy highlights ongoing legal fights over how gender markers are handled for nonbinary people. Maritime Safety: The U.S. Coast Guard is warning passengers in Puerto Rico and the region about risks tied to illegal passenger-for-hire charter operations ahead of Labor Day.

Puerto Rico Economy & Housing: Puerto Rico’s real estate market saw fewer sales in the first half of 2026, down about 7% year-over-year, while average prices jumped roughly 12.6%, according to OCIF/COSSEC data and analysis—most transactions still cluster at $300,000 or less. Sports (Puerto Rico on the world stage): Puerto Rico is in Group C for the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup in Berlin, with the tournament running Sept. 4-13; the U.S. opens vs. China and Puerto Rico’s campaign is part of the same group play. Culture & Entertainment: Menudo, formed in Puerto Rico, is reuniting for a six-day 50th anniversary tour that ends with a stop in San Juan. Community & Health: A new virtual healthcare platform, My Adult Doctor™, is launching nationwide with coverage that includes Puerto Rico. Local Sports Development: Puerto Rico’s NORCECA success is tied to the rise of 16-year-old Decelise Champion, who is set to join Wisconsin after earning all-tournament recognition. Business & Logistics: Ports America and Trailer Bridge kicked off a 10-year Jacksonville partnership tied to the Jacksonville–San Juan trade, including terminal tech rollout expected in 2027.

Space Policy & Local Impact: The FAA is asking for public input on new U.S. launch sites as it projects up to 10,000 launches and reentries a year by 2035, with possible sites in Florida, Georgia, Puerto Rico, and offshore areas—raising pressure for infrastructure and airspace planning. Puerto Rico Water & Environment: A documentary screened in Hartford spotlights “Esencia,” a proposed $2 billion luxury coastal development in Cabo Rojo, with critics warning it could strain already scarce water and threaten local farmers’ access to aquifers. Tourism & Hospitality: Marriott has unveiled its transformed Marriott Isla Verde Beach Resort in Puerto Rico after a $38 million makeover, expanding to a full-service Marriott experience with 260 renovated rooms. Culture: The “Gipsy Legacy Tour” will bring flamenco and Catalan rumba to Old San Juan’s Cuartel de Ballajá on Oct. 17. Sports (Puerto Rico ties): USA Basketball named Mystics players Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen to Team USA for the FIBA Women’s World Cup, replacing A’ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum. Business & Legal (Puerto Rico link): Investor-law firms are pushing Flotek Industries class actions tied to a Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority project.

Water Crisis & “La Junta” Oversight: Puerto Rico marks 10 years of PROMESA’s unelected fiscal board as drought and severe water rationing expose long-running infrastructure failures, with critics saying “La Junta” has crowded out repairs instead of fixing the system. FEMA Recovery Funding: FEMA approved more than $100 million for Puerto Rico recovery and mitigation, including $81.9 million for 59 reconstruction projects, as the island continues rebuilding. Local Governance & Utilities: Gov’t keeps water rationing unchanged while residents push for maintenance and accountability rather than deeper privatization. Labor & Digital Services: The Department of Labor and Human Resources launches “Desempleo Digital” to modernize unemployment insurance and the Employer Portal, letting claimants and employers handle more transactions online starting Sept. 1. Energy Sector: New Fortress Energy says its restructuring won’t disrupt Puerto Rico operations, contracts, or natural gas supply supporting the island’s power system. Agroecology Research: A Puerto Rico agroecology fund backs young researchers to strengthen biodiversity-friendly farming and more resilient food systems. Sports (Puerto Rico ties): Puerto Rico is referenced in U.S. women’s World Cup coverage as Iriafen—who played in Puerto Rico’s World Cup qualifier—gets called up after A’ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum withdraw for health reasons.

FEMA Funding for Reconstruction: Gov. Jenniffer González-Colón says FEMA obligated $81.9 million for 59 Puerto Rico recovery and reconstruction projects, including work at the Prudencio Rivera Martínez building and the Héctor Solá Besares Coliseum in Caguas, plus road, grid, and emergency-protective measures across multiple municipalities. Youth Social Media Addiction: Rep. José Aponte proposes using Puerto Rico’s $124.7 million Meta settlement to create an AMSSCA-led program aimed at preventing problematic social media use among minors, with support for parents. Meta Child-Safety Settlement Ripple: Kentucky announced a $358 million share of a $17.1 billion multistate Meta deal over Instagram/Facebook addiction claims, with Puerto Rico included among the settling jurisdictions. Puerto Rico in Sports Spotlight: USA Basketball confirms A’ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum will miss the FIBA Women’s World Cup for health reasons, replaced by Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen—while Puerto Rico’s presence in the broader basketball pipeline remains in focus. Puerto Rico Culture & Entertainment: ROA announces his first-ever U.S. tour, with Puerto Rican star dates starting Oct. 8 in Miami.

FIBA Women’s World Cup Shake-Up: Team USA confirmed A’ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum will miss the tournament in Germany for health reasons, with Washington Mystics Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen called up as replacements. Puerto Rico in the Weather Mix: The National Hurricane Center says the remnants of Tropical Storm Dolly are still sparking showers and storms across Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Gulf Storm Watch: A Gulf disturbance has been upgraded to Potential Tropical Cyclone Five (Invest 97L), with a 70% chance of development and possible tropical-storm impacts for parts of Louisiana and Texas. Local Policy: Gov. Jenniffer González signed an executive order adopting Puerto Rico’s Workforce Pell Grant Program to expand access to federal education and workforce training funds. Port Costs Update: Puerto Rico’s Ports Authority revoked the regulation tied to the “scanning charge” at San Juan dock operations, a move the shipping industry says could cut extra costs in the cargo chain. Sports (Volleyball): Cuba beat Puerto Rico 3-0 to finish third in the NORCECA Olympic qualifier.

Tropical Watch for Puerto Rico: The remnants of Tropical Storm Dolly are still pushing heavy rain and gusty winds across Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and the northern Leeward Islands, with forecasters saying redevelopment is unlikely in the next couple of days but conditions could become more favorable midweek as the moisture heads toward the Gulf. Local Infrastructure & Energy: A Native-led joint venture won a $45 million U.S. Army Corps of Engineers contract to build a mission-critical microgrid at Fort Buchanan in Puerto Rico, designed to keep operations running for up to 14 days during grid outages. Sports (Puerto Rico in the spotlight): Cuba swept Puerto Rico in straight sets to finish third in the Norceca Olympic Qualifier, while Puerto Rico’s volleyball bid continues to be closely watched. Public Safety (Puerto Rico ties): U.S. Coast Guard interdicted a suspected drug smuggling vessel in the Caribbean south of Puerto Rico, seizing about 7,250 pounds of cocaine and detaining five suspects. Health Policy: ASCO issued its first living guideline for systemic treatment of recurrent ovarian cancer, outlining updated options for platinum-sensitive and platinum-resistant cases.

Tropical Weather Watch: Tropical Storm Dolly has weakened into an open tropical wave, but its remnants are still expected to bring showers and gusty winds to the Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico over the next couple of days, with redevelopment considered unlikely; Local Forecast: Puerto Rico is also being flagged for heavy rain potential as tropical moisture increases, so residents should stay alert for downpours and possible localized flooding; Hurricane Season Context: Forecasters say El Niño is fueling strong wind shear that has kept the Atlantic from producing a hurricane so far, even as multiple low-pressure areas are monitored; Public Safety/Planning: With storm chances rising and lightning risk increasing in the region, authorities are urging people to check the latest updates before heading out.

Tropical Weather: Tropical Storm Dolly has dissipated into an open tropical wave, but its remnants are still expected to bring rain to the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and Haiti over the next couple of days, with flash flooding possible in higher terrain. Local Water Crisis: Puerto Rico’s drought context is echoed by Dominican officials, who say reduced river-basin output is cutting water production to roughly a third of normal—an example of how El Niño-driven dry spells are tightening supplies across the region. Puerto Rico in Sports: Puerto Rican NBA guard Jose Alvarado is back with the national team for the FIBA Americas Qualifiers, aiming to help Puerto Rico secure a World Cup spot. Community & Culture: A Puerto Rico photo from Humacao (Palmas Del Mar) was featured as a Caribbean Photo of the Week submission. Business & Travel: Ponce City Market welcomes new Japanese concepts, including NoriFish and Okiboru, adding fresh dining options for visitors and locals.