Puerto Rico

a man in Virgin Islands looking up at his home without a roof after Hurricane Irma
Ayana Byrd  Nov 27, 2019 11:46AM EST

FEMA Hurricane Recovery Funds Not Spent in Puerto Rico or U.S. Virgin Islands

“You can kill people with a gun or you can kill them with neglect.”
Two people standng in the muddy rode in Puerto Rico, shovels in hand, colorful buildings and blue sky behind them
Ayana Byrd  Sep 5, 2019 2:38PM EDT

Trump Administration Takes $400 Million From Puerto Rico Recovery to Fund Border Wall

It’s part of a $3.6 billion package pulled out of the Department of Defense’s budget to pay for 175 miles of barrier.
Damaged electrical poles against a blue sky in Luquillo, Puerto Rico
Ayana Byrd  Aug 14, 2019 2:15PM EDT

ICYMI: Puerto Rico's New Governor Suspends Contract to Repair Power Grid

“I hope this isn’t a smoke screen and that there’s a real audit. That’s what all these people who have lost trust in the government expect.”
Pedro Pierluisi stands behind a podium
Ayana Byrd  Aug 5, 2019 2:20PM EDT

Puerto Rico's New Governor Challenged as 'Unconstitutional'

The Puerto Rican Senate filed a lawsuit questioning the validity of the swearing in of the territory’s new governor, Pedro Pierluisi.
Protestors in Puerto Rico.
N. Jamiyla Chisholm  Jul 25, 2019 4:39PM EDT

Puerto Rico's Governor Ricardo Rosselló Resigns

Thousands celebrate, but some say his replacement, Wanda Vázquez, is also unfit to serve.
a masked man holding a Puerto Rican flag against a blue sky
Ayana Byrd  Jul 23, 2019 3:06PM EDT

#RickyRenuncia Protestors Demand Resignation of Puerto Rico's Governor

Half a million Puerto Rico residents are mobilizing to oust their elected leader in the aftermath of a text message scandal.
Puerto Rico capitol building in San Juan and Puerto Rican flag
Ayana Byrd  Jul 15, 2019 3:17PM EDT

Puerto Rico Finalizing Plan To Restructure Its Debt

Three years in the making, the effort prioritizes pensioners over bondholders—and will likely be challenged on grounds of constitutionality.
pride flag and person in a beauty pageant sash at San Juan pride parade in 2018
Ayana Byrd  Jul 8, 2019 2:52PM EDT

READ: A Push to Rebuild Safe Spaces For LGBTQ+ Puerto Ricans

In the aftermath of Hurricane Maria and recent legislative challenges to their rights, members of Puerto Rico’s queer community are working to restore life-saving spaces.
Colorful covers of six books.
catherine lizette gonzalez  Jul 5, 2019 8:02AM EDT

#ColorlinesReads: 6 Books That Complicate the Idea of 'Independence'

In lieu of celebrating “Independence Day,” we present a selection of titles that explore the idea of liberation via the lives, poetry, history and art of people of color.
Ayana Byrd  Jul 3, 2019 2:15PM EDT

LISTEN: How Puerto Ricans Are Preparing For The Next Hurricane

NPR spoke to politicians and residents of the island about what they are doing in the face of government inaction.  
Children in brightly colorled clothes in shelter in Puerto Rico, child in front wears red and white and carries blue bag
Ayana Byrd  Apr 29, 2019 1:39PM EDT

STUDY: How Hurricane Maria Affected Mental Health of Children in Puerto Rico

A new study from the  Puerto Rico Department of Education and Medical University of South Carolina found that nearly one-third of the children surveyed reported strong predictors of PTSD following the storm.
The city of Flint Water Plant is illuminated by moonlight on Jan. 23, 2016, in Flint, Michigan. The state approved new funds for the city yesterday.
Wei Jia, Azadeh Shahshahani  Apr 26, 2019 4:54PM EDT

From Notre Dame to Flint, Our Giving Exposes Who We Are [Op-Ed]

Writer Wei Jia and Project South’s Azadeh Shahshahani explore why the cathedral is being rebuilt by billionaires, but—five years after the water crisis began—Flint still doesn’t have safe water.
Puerto Rican flag
Ayana Byrd  Apr 8, 2019 12:06PM EDT

READ: Puerto Ricans Face Food Shortages, Crumbling Infrastructure As Relief Aid Stalls

These are the real life consequences of Capitol Hill in-fighting.
A Puerto Rican flag hangs from a black-shuttered window set in a bright blue exterior wall
Ayana Byrd  Apr 2, 2019 2:01PM EDT

Senate Rejects Bill That Would Send Relief Money to Puerto Rico

Democrats say the bill’s aid package is another sign of Republican disregard for the island.
Puerto Rico Marks Holiday Season Amidst Slow Hurricane Recovery
Ayana Byrd  Feb 21, 2019 12:07PM EST

Scientists Hope Hurricane Maria Can Reveal How The Earth Recovers From Increasingly Intense Storms

Caribbean ecosystems devastated by climate-related extreme weather have global implications.
Puerto Rico Faces Extensive Damage After Hurricane Maria
Ayana Byrd  Jan 29, 2019 12:28PM EST

Puerto Rican Activists Fear Residents Will See Little of $20 Billion Recovery Grant

Human rights attorney Ariadna Godreau-Aubert: “What we’ve seen so far is that this is a plan for developers, and not for the people.”
Lin-Manuel Miranda. Latinx man with black hair and beard in dark suit with blue tie and shirt in front of blue wall with light blue text spelling "MARY POPPINS RETURNS" and white text spelling "Entertainment"
Sameer Rao  Jan 15, 2019 3:39PM EST

Lin-Manuel Miranda Uses Puerto Rican 'Hamilton' Run to Support Recovery

Ticket sales will aid the Flamboyan Arts Fund’s mission to uplift the island’s arts institutions.
Puerto Rico Marks Holiday Season Amidst Slow Hurricane Recovery
Ayana Byrd  Nov 27, 2018 12:30PM EST

Puerto Rican Homeowners Suffer As FEMA Pays Exorbitant Prices for Home Repairs

An investigation from The New York Times reveals extreme markups and disappointed residents.
Monica Puig. Brown woman with blonde hair in white warm-up outfit with red accents wears gold medal on green lanyard in front of green and brown wall
Sameer Rao  Sep 27, 2018 3:28PM EDT

How Monica Puig Reps Puerto Rico On and Off the Tennis Court

The tennis star, who turns 25 today, made history when she won Puerto Rico’s first Olympic gold medal in 2016. Now she uses her fame to support the commonwealth.
A man wearing sunglasses poses with boxing gloves decorated with the Puerto Rican flag
Joaquin Cotler and Angely Mercado  Sep 21, 2018 11:59AM EDT

Ruin—and Resilience—in Post-Maria Puerto Rico

Hurricane Maria began devastating Puerto Rico on September 20, 2017. A look at the pain—and the survival—of the island’s rural areas.