AGP Executive Report

Water Crisis: Puerto Rico will start rotating water rationing Friday, with 48-hour cuts affecting tens of thousands as drought deepens; San Juan is among the hardest hit, and officials say the plan could run through the end of August. Relief Effort: A South Florida company is sending about 100 water-making systems to the island to help produce water from the air while infrastructure struggles continue. Local Politics: In Puerto Rico’s election race, the independent ticket of BJ Tenorio Attao and House Speaker Edmund Villagomez holds its first community conversation at a new campaign HQ after Super Typhoon Sinlaku damaged the previous site. San Juan Economy: Despite Puerto Rico’s past bond defaults, the city of San Juan successfully sold $121 million in bonds, drawing strong demand for its tax-exempt tranche. Sports & Culture: Puerto Rico’s U-17 women’s volleyball team opened a World Championship in Chile with a 3-1 loss to South Korea; meanwhile, Puerto Rican athletes and teams continue to collect medals across regional competitions. Travel & Mobility: Passenger traffic at Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport fell in July, with both domestic and international totals down year over year.

First Amendment in Puerto Rico: The U.S. First Circuit struck down a Puerto Rico law that criminalized knowingly false warnings or “false alarms” during governor-declared emergencies, ruling it was content-based and didn’t fit First Amendment exceptions. Water crisis: Puerto Rico has begun rationing water in San Juan and other major cities as drought deepens, with officials moving to 48-hour cuts in multiple municipalities. Energy and resilience: A new U.S. loan will support Puerto Rico’s grid with 220 MW of battery capacity, while the island also faces broader clean-energy policy fights tied to federal solar funding. Local church leadership: Pope Leo XIV appointed Bishop Eusebio Ramos Morales as the new archbishop of San Juan, accepting the retirement of Archbishop Roberto González Nieves. Sports & culture: Puerto Rico’s Paola Vázquez won bronze in the women’s 100m hurdles at the CAC Games, and Bad Bunny’s Puerto Rican influence is celebrated with a museum panel tied to his role in global reggaetón. Powerball: No jackpot winner pushed the prize to an estimated $856 million for Saturday’s drawing; Puerto Rico is among the jurisdictions where tickets are sold.

Water Crisis: Puerto Rico is set to begin 48-hour water rationing in San Juan and other major cities starting Friday, with more than 180,000 customers facing alternating cutoffs as a record drought deepens and officials warn conditions could worsen. Local Economy & Tourism: Ponce Mayor Marlese Sifre Rodríguez welcomed a $30 million renovation of the Hilton Ponce Golf & Casino Resort, saying the upgrades to rooms, public spaces, and facilities will boost tourism and jobs. Retail Expansion: Burlington Stores plans to open its 31st Puerto Rico location in San Germán on Aug. 14, rolling out its redesigned store format and weekly new merchandise. Grid & Preparedness: Fort Buchanan leaders launched Antiterrorism Awareness Month with a proclamation urging the military community to stay vigilant and help protect the Army’s Caribbean installation. Culture & Community: Ricky Martin’s twins, Valentino and Matteo, turned 18 while visiting San Juan, and a Buffalo Latino neighborhood introduced “Loweisa” to celebrate Puerto Rican and Latino heritage. Sports: Puerto Rico is set to face Cayman Islands, Guyana, and Dominica in Concacaf Nations League League B group play.

Water Crisis Watch: Puerto Rico is starting rotating water shutoffs this week, with more than 180,000 customers in parts of San Juan and nearby municipalities facing up to 48 hours without running water as drought worsens and officials warn there’s no quick fix. Medicare Advantage Push: Gov. Jenniffer González-Colón is getting fresh backing from members of Congress urging HHS/CMS to set a Medicare Advantage benchmark for Puerto Rico starting in 2028, aiming to improve payment fairness for seniors. Local Governance & Public Safety: Police in Boston say summertime street-closure tactics are helping curb late-night “takeovers” near Franklin Park by limiting vehicle access to problem areas. Health & Consumer Impact: T-Mobile is rolling out new phone financing options that eliminate down payments for qualified customers and adds student-focused perks. Sports & Community: Puerto Rico’s men’s basketball team beat the Dominican Republic for silver at the Central American and Caribbean Games, while Puerto Rico’s Andrea Rivera earned bronze in the 400m at Santo Domingo 2026. Culture & Tourism: Bacardí is opening expanded barrel warehouses to the public for the first time, adding new tours and jobs as part of a major Puerto Rico investment. Immigration Rights: A case involving ICE detention in Puerto Rico alleges the agency used shared driver’s license data to target people even while they’re in regularization processes.

Central American & Caribbean Games: The “Queens of the Caribbean” kept their undefeated run in Santo Domingo, beating Puerto Rico 2-1 in women’s volleyball. Puerto Rico Sports & Travel: American Airlines is expanding Miami–San Juan service to as many as eight daily flights this winter, adding more options for travelers. Water Crisis Response: Puerto Rico’s National Guard says it has distributed more than 505,000 gallons of water as drought worsens, supporting PRASA under Mission Clear Source. Local Policy & Health Research: Gov. Jenniffer González-Colón signed an executive order to strengthen clinical research and position Puerto Rico for emerging therapies trials. Business Spotlight: Baby Bull, a family-owned restaurant serving Caribbean, Cuban and Puerto Rican flavors, earned a spot on America’s Best Restaurants road show. Legal/Politics: Democratic Socialists of America is pushing to abolish the U.S. Senate, but Senate Democrats and Bernie Sanders reject the idea.

Puerto Rico Sports & Community: The Yankees acquired Puerto Rican outfielder Heliot Ramos from the Giants for two prospects, with Ramos saying the trade is a point of pride for Puerto Ricans who “everybody knows” the Yankees. Little League Spotlight: Puerto Rico kept rolling in the Little League Softball World Series, beating Japan 7-2 as the tournament heads into high-stakes elimination games. Regional Games Update: In Santo Domingo, the Dominican Republic swept 3×3 basketball gold on home soil, beating Puerto Rico 18-16 in the men’s final. Local Culture & Heritage: Cleveland’s Puerto Rican residents are one step closer to a permanent presence in the Cleveland Cultural Gardens after approval for a Puerto Rican garden, with organizers estimating they’ll need about $680,000 to bring it to life. Business & Tech (PR mention): MyMedicareBroker.com says its new nationwide Medicare broker directory is live across all 50 states, D.C., and Puerto Rico.

MLB Trade Deadline: Puerto Rican outfielder Heliot Ramos is headed to the New York Yankees after the Giants dealt him for two prospects, giving the Bronx club a right-handed bat for the stretch run. Central American & Caribbean Games: In Santo Domingo, the Dominican Republic won gold in men’s 3×3 basketball by beating Puerto Rico 18-16, while the Dominican women also took gold over Venezuela. Puerto Rico Water Crisis: Cubadebate highlighted Puerto Rico’s drought-driven water emergency, with residents reporting more than 100 days without running water, drawing sharp comparisons and mockery from Cuban readers. Aviation Business: An investors group broke ground on the $54 million BlueSky San Juan fixed-base operator facility at Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport, aiming to expand services at the island’s main hub. Local Sports Spotlight: Oklahoma State went 3-0 in Puerto Rico during exhibition play, but coach Steve Lutz said defense still needs work. Consumer/Health Watch: A coalition of 43 states and territories announced a $400 million settlement in principle with Sandoz over alleged generic drug price-fixing.

Labor & Aviation: Teamsters say nearly 1,300 Allegiant pilots ratified a new two-year deal by an 80% margin, with 99% turnout—bringing an immediate ~40% hourly wage jump, retention bonuses of about $300 million, and upgrades to retirement, benefits, and work rules. Antitrust & Health Policy: AG William Tong leads a coalition of 43 states and territories announcing a $400 million settlement in principle with Sandoz over alleged generic-drug price-fixing and reduced competition, with total payments to state enforcers estimated at about $469 million if approved. Puerto Rico Water Crisis: Residents in San Juan’s Machuchal and along Loíza Street report dry pipes for more than half the days this year, with outages far outpacing power cuts and forcing costly storage solutions. Sports—Central American & Caribbean Games: Puerto Rico’s teams keep clashing with regional rivals in Santo Domingo, including basketball and track highlights where Puerto Rico athletes win medals and face tough matchups. Local Sports Calendar: Little League Softball World Series coverage notes weather delays and reshuffled games, with Puerto Rico listed among teams in the Monday slate. Culture & Music: Don Omar is set to headline London’s O2 for its 20th birthday next summer, with tickets on sale soon.

Housing & Rights: Rio de Janeiro’s City Council rejected a Community Land Trust bill by three votes, a setback for a model that helps communities stay put, curb speculation, and protect local decision-making. Puerto Rico Sports: Puerto Rico rallied in the sixth inning to beat Curaçao 8-4 at the Santo Domingo 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games, keeping it in the Group A race. Puerto Rico Water Crisis: Puerto Rico declared a water emergency as drought worsens, with the National Guard stepping up support for PRASA. Public Safety: First responders rescued 13 stranded visitors from rapidly rising floodwaters near the Toccoa River; boil-water advisories remain in effect in McCaysville and Copperhill. Health Watch: Walgreens began offering flu shots for ages 3+ as the U.S. braces for another tough season after a severe outbreak. Local Crime Alert: Jersey City police asked the public to help find a missing endangered 15-year-old, noting he may be triggered by the phrase “Puerto Rico.”

Powerball: No one matched all six numbers in Saturday’s $707M Powerball drawing, and the jackpot keeps climbing to an estimated $748 million for Monday’s Aug. 3 drawing (cash value about $325.1M). Local sports spotlight: The 2026 Little League Softball World Series runs Aug. 2–8 in Greenville, North Carolina, with 12 teams (including Guayama Softball Little League of Puerto Rico) and games across ESPN networks. Health watch: Florida health officials confirmed a locally acquired dengue fever case in Miami-Dade, prompting mosquito-control and surveillance efforts. Puerto Rico ties in entertainment/sports: Strong Group added Puerto Rican Isaiah Piñeiro and Remy Martin to its William Jones Cup bid, and Dodgers closer Edwin Díaz returned after missing 85 games, with family sending bobbleheads “back to Puerto Rico.”

Puerto Rico Politics & Statehood: At the National Urban League conference in Nashville, Kamala Harris renewed support for revisiting the Electoral College, expanding the Supreme Court to 13, and backing statehood for Puerto Rico and D.C., framing the ideas as “controversial” but part of a broader push for Democrats to be “uncompromising.” Central American Games Baseball: Puerto Rico opened the XXV Central American and Caribbean Games baseball tournament with a 4-3 extra-inning win over the Dominican Republic, scoring the winning run on an RBI single by José Rivera after a late Dominican rally. Local Sports Spotlight: Ohio State’s men’s basketball team is in Puerto Rico for exhibition games Aug. 2-3 at Coliseo Ruben Rodriguez, with a practice disrupted by a power outage but players still eager to face local competition. Community Culture: “Fiesta Borinqueña” brought Puerto Rican heritage to South Jersey over the weekend, with organizers emphasizing keeping younger generations connected to tradition. Environment Watch: A new report says seaweed (sargassum) is blanketing Caribbean and Gulf coastlines, suffocating marine life and disrupting tourism—an issue that hits Puerto Rico’s region hard. Puerto Rico in Sports Business: Strong Group Athletics added Puerto Rican swingman Isaiah Piñeiro to its roster for the William Jones Cup in Taiwan.

Puerto Rico Statehood in the spotlight: Kamala Harris, speaking at the National Urban League in Nashville, floated a 2028-style agenda that includes revisiting Electoral College rules, expanding the Supreme Court to 13, and backing statehood for Puerto Rico and D.C., while also saying she hasn’t decided on a run yet. Local sports with international reach: Puerto Rican swingman Isaiah Piñeiro and Remy Martin were added to Strong Group Athletics’ roster for the William Jones Cup in Taiwan (Aug. 8–23), as the team targets a third straight title. Health and culture: A new LatAm dementia-prevention trial, LatAm-FINGERS, reported improved thinking skills for participants using culturally adapted lifestyle changes like exercise and brain training. Environment: A major sargassum surge is blanketing Caribbean and Gulf beaches, smothering marine life and hurting tourism, with scientists warning it’s “not normal.” Community events: Rochester’s Puerto Rican Festival continues this weekend with music, vendors, and a Puerto Rican Parade.

Local Politics & Environment: Puerto Rico authorized a $2 billion luxury development, Esencia, in Cabo Rojo—drawing sharp backlash from environmentalists who warn it could strain resources and threaten wildlife. Public Safety: Puerto Rico police identified a person of interest in the execution-style beach killing of Ohio native Tyler Wilkin, after he texted friends about a mysterious “howler” near his tent. Water Crisis: Connecticut lawmakers plan talks with Gov. Ned Lamont on how the state can help Puerto Rico’s severe water shortages, including a possible National Guard role. Sports (Puerto Rico on the rise): Puerto Rico’s women’s beach volleyball duo advanced to the final at the Central American and Caribbean Games in Santo Domingo, beating the Dominican Republic 2-0. Culture & Identity: The White House used Bad Bunny’s “La Mudanza” in deportation hype videos, sparking backlash over the Puerto Rican artist’s anti-Trump stance. Business & Infrastructure: Puerto Rico National Guard surpassed half a million gallons of water distributed in support of PRASA.

Puerto Rico Crime: Police say they have a person of interest in the execution-style killing of Ohio native Tyler Wilkin, found shot on a remote Luquillo beach after he texted friends about a “howling” near his tent; investigators are also working with the FBI. Public Safety & Community: In Rochester, city leaders plan to shut down North Clinton Avenue Saturday night on the final night of the Puerto Rican Festival after overnight gunfire and large crowds raised safety concerns. Sports (Puerto Rico): Ohio State opens its 2026-27 season with exhibition games in San Juan, with matchups set for Aug. 2-3. International Sports (Puerto Rico): FIBA World Cup 2027 Americas Qualifiers schedule changes move one Puerto Rico vs. Uruguay game to Montevideo and the return matchup to San Juan. Politics & Citizenship: Students and Puerto Rico advocates urged Congress to advance the Dream and Promise Act as Temporary Protected Status protections face rollback. Culture & Business: Bacardí returns to Lollapalooza with a Casa Bacardí activation and livestream segments. Aviation History: Searchers located wreckage of a 1952 Pan Am crash off Puerto Rico that helped shape modern preflight safety briefings.

Puerto Rico Economy Watch: The Planning Board’s Monthly Economic Summary for July shows mixed momentum in early 2026: the Coincident Economic Activity Index fell 0.7% in May year over year, while inflation stayed elevated (CPI up 4.6%), and retail sales slipped 2.2% in April. Still, construction is holding up, with cement production up 2.2% in June and year-to-date growth at 5.7%. Public Safety: A case involving an Ohio man found shot execution-style on a Puerto Rico beach is drawing renewed attention after reports of ominous final texts about “the howler,” as police investigate the July killing near Playa la Selva. Energy & Finance: PREPA bondholders are pressing an appeals court to let them pursue claims against Puerto Rico’s central government, arguing actions reduced bond recoveries. Local Culture & Community: A new Head Start center opened in Dorado with a $6.3 million investment, expanding early childhood services. Sports & Entertainment: Top Chef VIP is moving up its premiere to Aug. 11 on Telemundo, and Ricky Martin says he’s ending his European run and teasing a major return to Puerto Rico.

Puerto Rico Water Relief: The DDEC launched an “Economic Recovery” incentive program offering grants up to $5,000 for small and medium-sized businesses hit by the ongoing potable water emergency in 15 municipalities, aiming to cover extraordinary costs since June 1 and help keep operations running. San Juan Municipal Finance: San Juan is set to make a standalone muni market debut with $122.2 million in bonds, including $112.6 million in triple tax-exempt notes, secured by a special additional property tax. Public Safety: Police are investigating the execution-style killing of Ohio man Tyler Wilkin, found dead near Playa la Selva in Luquillo after friends say he sent unsettling messages about a man he nicknamed “the howler.” Business & Jobs: Marshalls will open a new store in Arecibo at Plaza del Atlántico on Aug. 13, creating about 60 jobs and bringing discounted designer brands to the area. Travel & Connectivity: Tradewind Aviation added more San Juan-to-Caribbean routes for winter and spring 2027, including daily service to Virgin Gorda, Tortola, and Anguilla. Sports Spotlight: Oklahoma State swept its Puerto Rico exhibition tour, beating Puerto Rico Fuerza and the LBP All-Stars in San Juan. Culture & Community: A Puerto Rican Festival in Rochester returns with organizers focused on reaching younger Latinos and bridging generational gaps.