Puerto Rico

At the Casa Histórica de la Música Cayeyana — a non-profit house of music in Cayey — people come together on the weekends to sing, dance, and recite poetry.

National

'Necesitamos La Música': Puerto Ricans Recovering From Maria Embrace The Arts

5:00am December 15, 2017

by Jeff Cohen

Many Puerto Ricans are still without electricity and basic services three months after Hurricane Maria. Some are prioritizing song, dance and celebration to feel more at home again.

Philip Alston, the U.N. Special Rapporteur on Extreme Poverty and Human Rights, is leading a mission to investigate poverty in the U.S.

The U.N. Looks At Extreme Poverty In The U.S., From Alabama To California

3:59pm December 12, 2017

One sign of the poverty they're investigating — the recent (and surprising) reemergence of hookworm in Lowndes County, Ala.

Children in the mountain town of Orocovis returned to school two weeks ago after a two-month pause following Hurricane Maria. The school doesn't have electricity, so it lets out at 12:30 p.m.

'Their Minds Were Full Of Maria': After-School Group Brings Normal Back

7:50am December 07, 2017

by Jeff Cohen

The stress of living in Puerto Rico without running water, electricity or Internet is especially affecting children. But they are slowly finding a new normal.

Irma Rivera Aviles and her husband Ivan Martínez stand in front of their home last month. Rivera Aviles was ecstatic about the restoration of power to her neighborhood last Friday.

National

With Power Finally Restored 'Christmas Has Arrived!' For Puerto Rican Couple

3:26pm December 04, 2017

Irma Rivera Aviles and Ivan Martínez evacuated to a shelter during Hurricane Maria. Their Cataño home was damaged, and without power they struggled to keep Ivan's insulin chilled.

The hurricane knocked out power to millions and destroyed water infrastructure. It also tore up plants across the island, washed soil off fields and knocked down fences.

Puerto Rico's Hurricane Recovery Hinders Farm Businesses' Seed Research

4:32pm November 29, 2017

by Amy Mayer

Many agriculture companies rely on the island's climate for the research and development of commercial corn, soybean and other seeds grown in the U.S. But the storm wiped out needed infrastructure.

Jared Haley, general manager of the C-Axis plant in Caguas, Puerto Rico, says computer-operated milling machines, like this one can cost more than a half million dollars. Heat and humidity in the plant after Hurricane Maria left many of the machines inope

Puerto Rico's Medical Manufacturers Worry Federal Tax Plan Could Kill Storm Recovery

5:25pm November 27, 2017

by Greg Allen

Drug companies and medical device makers in Puerto Rico are still struggling with power and staffing shortages. One device manufacturer says the future of his industry on the island is uncertain.

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These solar panels were set up by Tesla at the San Juan Children's Hospital after the island was hit by Hurricane Maria.

If The Developing World Can Go Solar, Maybe Puerto Rico Can Too

12:58pm November 22, 2017

by Jason Beaubien

With most of the island still without electricity, some Puerto Ricans are hoping to follow the example of developing world countries — and turn to the sun for power.

A lineman from the Electric Power Authority repairs distribution lines damaged by Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico.

National

Chief Of Puerto Rico's Power Authority Resigns Under Fire

6:46pm November 17, 2017

by Richard Gonzales

A continuing controversy over a $300 million contract with a small Montana electrical firm to restore power in Puerto Rico was one of many "distractions," says the island's governor.

The FAA approved a Pulse Vapor drone like this one — but outfitted with LTE radios and antennas — to provide temporary voice, data, and internet service in Puerto Rico.

National

FAA Approves Drone As 'Cell Phone Tower In The Sky' For Puerto Rico

5:11pm November 17, 2017

by Laurel Wamsley

The aircraft is called the Flying COW, for Cell on Wings. Developed by AT&T, it can provide voice, data and Internet service for 40 square miles and up to 8,000 people at a time.

MedStar Health clinic in Washington, D.C. An affiliated MedStar hospital is just one of many facilities throughout the U.S. that have been hit with shortages of certain medications because of recent hurricane damage to manufacturers in Puerto Rico.

Hurricane Damage To Manufacturers In Puerto Rico Affects Mainland Hospitals, Too

2:00pm November 15, 2017

by Alison Kodjak

The island is a major center for drug and medical device manufacturing. After Hurricane Maria, those products, including small IV bags, are running short throughout the U.S.

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