Puerto Rico

National

FEMA Offers To Transport Displaced Puerto Ricans To Mainland Hotels

8:14pm November 09, 2017

by Colin Dwyer

Relatively few residents have taken FEMA up on the offer, even though nearly two months since Hurricane Maria ravaged the island, some 3,000 people are living in shelters.

Puerto Ricans who could find a TV screen connected to a generator and a satellite link took advantage of the final game of the World Series to get a much needed diversion. Six weeks after Hurricane Maria, only about a third of the territory has power.

In Puerto Rico, A Couple Of Hours Of 'Normal' During The World Series

5:17pm November 02, 2017

by Quil Lawrence

Dozens of Puerto Ricans from all walks of life pulled up lawn chairs and stools in the middle of the street in San Juan to watch the final game between the Houston Astros and the L.A. Dodgers.

Dr. Eduardo Ibarra checks the blood pressure of Carmen Garcia Lavoy in the Toa Baja area of Puerto Rico. He's been making house calls in the area with nurse Erika Rodriguez.

Lingering Power Outage In Puerto Rico Strains Health Care System

7:35pm October 30, 2017

by Jason Beaubien

The Puerto Rican government has prioritized getting power back to hospitals. Many clinics and doctors' offices, like other small businesses on the island, still don't have electricity.

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Daniel Braithwaite from Florida, a volunteer who is traveling with troops, gathers materials to repair Ruben Caraballos' leaking roof in Utuado.

National

A Sergeant's Mission To Return Home To Puerto Rico

7:18am October 30, 2017

by Elissa Nadworny

Six days after the storm, Sgt. 1st Class Antonio Santini caught a Boeing C-17 headed for San Juan. Bringing food, water and information to desperate residents was "deeply personal" for him.

Puerto Rico's governor demanded the cancellation of a controversial $300 million contract with Montana-based Whitefish Energy. More than a month after Hurricane Maria hit, a majority of customers remain without power on the island.

National

Puerto Rico's Power Authority Cancels Controversial Whitefish Contract

5:03pm October 29, 2017

by Amy Held

The move came after Governor Ricardo Rosselló called to revoke the $300-million contract awarded to the tiny Montana-based company.

Whitefish Energy workers restore damaged lines in Barceloneta, Puerto Rico, on Oct. 15. A $300 million contract between the tiny company and Puerto Rico's electric authority has come under intense scrutiny.

Here's What's In That $300 Million Whitefish Contract

5:26pm October 27, 2017

by Laurel Wamsley

The contract with Puerto Rico's power authority says it was approved by FEMA. But FEMA says it did not approve the contract and has not paid any money on it yet.

Brian Gonzalez has been selling Puerto Rican fritters at his dad's food stand at Old San Juan for the past year. Since Hurricane Maria, business has been slow.

A Weekend With 7 Vendors Of San Juan, Illustrated

8:55am October 27, 2017

by Malaka Gharib

After Hurricane Maria, a skeleton crew of artisans and sellers keep showing up in the city. They're driven by force of habit, tradition and a sliver of hope that things will return to normal.

Whitefish Energy Holdings workers restore power lines damaged by Hurricane Maria in Barceloneta, Puerto Rico, on Wednesday.

Ex-Air Force Officer To Oversee Puerto Rico's Power Restoration

1:36am October 26, 2017

by Scott Neuman

The appointment of retired Col. Noel Zamot comes after a controversial $300 million contract to rebuild the island's power grid was awarded to a tiny company with little experience.

Weeks after Tesla founder Elon Musk and Gov. Ricardo Rossello spoke about the tech company aiding Puerto Rico, Tesla says it has restored electricity to a children's hospital, using solar energy and batteries.

National

Tesla Turns Power Back On At Children's Hospital In Puerto Rico

5:11pm October 25, 2017

by Bill Chappell

The hospital offers services to some 3,000 young patients. Tesla's solar system is reportedly providing the hospital with all the electricity it needs.

Whitefish Energy workers restore power lines damaged in Barceloneta, Puerto Rico, on October 15. Gov. Ricardo RossellÃ³ has ordered an audit of the $300 million deal the island's power authority made with Whitefish.

Tiny Montana Firm Gets $300 Million Contract To Help Restore Power In Puerto Rico

6:06pm October 24, 2017

The decision by Puerto Rico's electric authority to give such a big contract – and such an enormous challenge – to Whitefish Energy has been met with surprise. The governor has now ordered an audit.