AGP Executive Report

Puerto Rico Water Crisis: Puerto Rico declared a water emergency as drought worsens, with the Puerto Rico National Guard stepping up support for PRASA, distributing hundreds of thousands of gallons. Sports—Baseball: Puerto Rico opened the Central American and Caribbean Games baseball tournament with a 4-3 extra-inning win over the Dominican Republic, scoring the walk-off run on José Rivera’s RBI single. Sports—Boxing: In San Juan, the WBO said Keyshawn Davis formally declined the ordered 25% purse split, ending (for now) the mandatory title fight against Devin Haney. Politics—Statehood Talk: Kamala Harris told the National Urban League she wants to “revisit” the Electoral College, expand the Supreme Court to 13, and pursue statehood for Puerto Rico and D.C. Environment: A new report warns seaweed (sargassum) is blanketing Caribbean and Gulf coastlines, suffocating marine life and disrupting tourism. Culture & Community: “Fiesta Borinqueña” brought Puerto Rico traditions to South Jersey, with a second day planned Sunday at the Cumberland County Fairgrounds.

Puerto Rico Statehood in the spotlight: Kamala Harris, speaking at the National Urban League conference in Nashville, floated major 2028-era ideas including revisiting the Electoral College, expanding the Supreme Court to 13, and backing statehood for Puerto Rico and D.C. Immigration controversy: The White House faced backlash after using Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny’s “La MuDANZA” in a deportation video, sparking debate online. Environment watch: A new report says seaweed (sargassum) is blanketing Caribbean and Gulf coastlines, smothering beaches and marine life and raising concerns for tourism. Local sports tie-in: Boxing fans in San Juan are watching fallout from a WBO welterweight fight—Keyshawn Davis has declined the purse split and will not face Devin Haney. Sports calendar: The Little League Softball World Series is set to run Aug. 2-9 in Greenville, North Carolina, with all 22 games airing on ESPN/ABC.

Puerto Rico Water Crisis: Connecticut lawmakers say they’re ready to help as Puerto Rico faces severe water shortages, including a possible National Guard support plan. Coastal Development Fight: Puerto Rico approved a $2 billion luxury development in Cabo Rojo, drawing backlash from environmentalists over wildlife and resource strain. Public Safety—Luquillo Murder Probe: Puerto Rico police identified a person of interest in the execution-style killing of Ohio camper Tyler Wilkin, after he texted about a mysterious “howler.” Sports—Beach Volleyball: Puerto Rico’s women’s beach volleyball team beat the Dominican Republic 2-0 to reach the final at the Central American and Caribbean Games in Santo Domingo. Environment—Sargassum Threat: A new report says massive seaweed blooms are smothering Caribbean and Gulf coastlines, threatening marine life and tourism. Politics—Statehood Talk: Kamala Harris floated revisiting Electoral College rules, Supreme Court expansion, and statehood for Puerto Rico and D.C.

Puerto Rico Crime: Puerto Rico police say they have a “person of interest” in the execution-style killing of Ohio native Tyler Wilkin, whose body was found July 10 on Playa La Selva in Luquillo; investigators are also working with the FBI after Wilkin’s girlfriend and friends described chilling “howling” texts from his solo camping trip. Sports—FIBA: FIBA World Cup 2027 Americas Qualifiers schedule updates move the Puerto Rico–Uruguay game to Montevideo and the Uruguay–Puerto Rico game to San Juan, with Window 4 and Window 5 reshuffled for logistical reasons. Sports—Baseball/Community: The American Legion state tournament in North Carolina sends Garner to the Southeast Regional, which includes a Puerto Rico champion team in the double-elimination field. Aviation History: Search teams located wreckage of Pan Am’s 1952 Clipper Endeavor off Puerto Rico using autonomous sonar, a discovery tied to later flight safety briefings. Local Economy/Policy: A new push in the U.S. includes a bill to end daylight saving time Nov. 1 unless Congress acts, while Puerto Rico-related citizenship and statehood debates continue in national coverage.

Statehood Push: The U.S. House passed the Puerto Rico Status Act (233-191), setting up a binding referendum on statehood or independence—though Senate approval looks unlikely without 60 votes. Public Safety: An Ohio man, Tyler Wilkin, was found dead on a Puerto Rico beach after being shot execution-style; his girlfriend says his final texts mentioned “the howler” and fireworks near his campsite, and a GoFundMe is raising money for a private investigator. Sports—Puerto Rico in the Spotlight: Puerto Rican swimmer Kristen Romano won gold in the 100m butterfly at the Santo Domingo 2026 CAC Games, smashing the previous mark and adding to her medal haul. Local Economy Watch: Puerto Rico’s 2026 economic indicators show mixed signals—slower activity and weaker retail sales, but continued growth in construction and cruise tourism. Infrastructure: A new FBO is planned for Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport, aimed at easing an aircraft shelter shortage when it opens in late 2028. Power & Finance: PREPA bondholders urged a U.S. appeals court to let them pursue Puerto Rico’s central government over actions they say hurt bond recoveries.

Puerto Rico Water Relief: The DDEC launched an “Economic Recovery” incentive program offering grants up to $5,000 for small and medium businesses hit by the ongoing potable water emergency in 15 municipalities, aiming to cover extraordinary costs since June 1. Local Finance: San Juan plans a standalone municipal bond debut, selling $122.2 million in bonds Tuesday—$112.6 million in triple tax-exempt debt plus $9.6 million federally taxable but Puerto Rico tax-exempt—backed by special additional property taxes. Public Safety: Police are investigating the execution-style killing of Ohio man Tyler Wilkin, 35, found dead near Playa la Selva after eerie texts about a man he nicknamed “the howler.” Retail & Jobs: Marshalls will open a new store at Plaza del Atlántico in Arecibo on Aug. 13, creating about 60 jobs and bringing discounted designer brands to the area. Sports & Culture: Cowboys’ Puerto Rico exhibition sweep continues, while Bad Bunny’s “Puerto Rico” residency buzz and a PUMA x LaMelo Ball sneaker drop keep the island in the spotlight.

Murder Investigation in Luquillo: Friends and family of Tyler Wilkin, 35, say they’re still seeking answers after he was found shot execution-style near his campsite at Playa La Selva in Puerto Rico on July 10; police have released few details and no arrests have been announced, prompting a GoFundMe to hire a private investigator. Community Support: Banesco USA awarded grants to five Puerto Rico nonprofits in the first half of 2026, backing programs in education, affordable housing, health, entrepreneurship, and services for vulnerable populations. Local Politics: Democratic Socialist-backed nominee Claire Valdez says she wants Puerto Rico’s public debt canceled and the federal oversight board abolished, calling the current setup “colonial status.” Sports & Culture: Oklahoma men’s basketball is set to play two exhibition games in San Juan against Puerto Rican all-star teams in early August, while Puerto Rico’s presence continues across regional events. Travel & Planning: Tradewind Aviation opened reservations for additional San Juan routes to Virgin Gorda, Tortola, and Anguilla through spring 2027. Solar Policy Watch: A new “50 States of Solar” Q2 report says Puerto Rico took distributed solar policy actions, with net metering and community solar among the most active areas.

Puerto Rico Economy & Trade: Puerto Rico imported about $3.254 billion in pharmaceutical products in 2025, and a new Trump trade plan could bring tariffs up to 200%, with generics and bioequivalents making up a big share of the island’s supply. Local Education Support: Fort Buchanan launched a survey to identify military families in Puerto Rico who homeschool, aiming to connect them with free help through the Army School Liaison Office. Aviation & Travel: JetBlue is expanding one-stop Caribbean and Latin America connections via Fort Lauderdale, using Spirit’s collapse to add more connecting seats in 2026. Sports & Culture: Puerto Rico is represented in World Lacrosse Women’s Championship quarterfinals after pool play, while Old San Juan’s Alma San Juan hotel has joined Marriott’s Autograph Collection. Politics & Rights: A New York candidate backed a decolonial push for Puerto Rico—calling for canceling the island’s debt and dissolving PROMESA’s oversight board.

Puerto Rico Travel & Business: Alma San Juan, a 56-room Old San Juan boutique hotel, has joined Marriott’s Autograph Collection, giving visitors more ways to earn and redeem Marriott Bonvoy points in the historic district. Inter-Island Connectivity: Fly the Whale is launching daily San Juan–St. Thomas service starting Aug. 3, with a 35-minute trip between Isla Grande Airport and Cyril E. King Airport. Local Policy & Environment: Puerto Rico’s single-use plastics rules are moving toward final implementation as a working committee under Law 47-2025 finalizes recommendations, with fines delayed to keep an education phase running. Sports in Puerto Rico: Oklahoma State beat Puerto Rico Fuerza 120-92 in an exhibition opener, exploding for 41 points in the fourth quarter. Public Safety Funding: A police union is opposing a proposed constitutional amendment that would cut local property-tax revenue without a permanent replacement for public safety services. Crime: Family members are demanding answers after a Tri-State man was murdered in Puerto Rico. Economy & Media: Nielsen says it will discontinue Puerto Rico media ratings, raising concerns about measurement and industry impact.

Puerto Rico Energy Update: The Puerto Rico Energy Bureau approved a 100 MW/400 MWh battery storage project for Yabucoa Energy LLC, but ordered contract changes—like fixing the site description and removing clauses that could reduce capacity over time—so the full 400 MWh discharge must be maintained for 20 years. Local Sports & Community: Oklahoma State beat Puerto Rico Fuerza 120-92 in San Juan, exploding in the fourth quarter and out-rebounding the visitors 51-25. Media & Advertising: Nielsen says it will discontinue Puerto Rico radio and TV audience measurement starting in December, raising concerns for broadcasters that rely on independent ratings. Culture & Entertainment: Reggaeton star Wisin praised Cuban duo Dany Ome and Kevincito El 13, while Venezuelan comedian Angelo Colina returns to Teatro Tapia Aug. 7 for a show recorded as a comedy special. Business & Tourism: Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic are pushing a multi-destination tourism push in Spain, aiming to boost air connectivity and joint marketing. Sports Spotlight: Baseball Hall of Fame weekend brought major Puerto Rico and Curaçao pride as Carlos Beltrán and Andruw Jones were inducted.

Media & Advertising: Nielsen says it will stop measuring Puerto Rico radio and TV audiences by the end of 2026, a move that could leave broadcasters without a common “audience currency” for ad pricing and comparisons. Sports & Culture: Puerto Rico’s Carlos Beltrán and Andruw Jones (from Curaçao) were inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, with fans from both islands packing the ceremony. Politics & Citizenship: A new push targets birthright citizenship in U.S. territories like Puerto Rico, arguing it’s meant to curb “birth tourism” tied to the Insular Cases. Legal Watch: A federal judge warned that sealed records in an Epstein-related sex-trafficking case involving FirstBank Puerto Rico may be unsealed, potentially exposing court materials tied to alleged co-conspirators. Energy Policy: The Washington Post urges permanent relaxation of the Jones Act for Puerto Rico, saying it forces costly propane purchases when compliant ships don’t exist. Business & Travel: JetBlue plans a new domestic first-class cabin, BlueFirst, across more aircraft—potentially affecting premium service on Caribbean routes. Local Sports: Oklahoma State opened its Puerto Rico exhibition tour with a 94-88 win over Puerto Rico Fuerza.

Baseball Hall of Fame: Carlos Beltrán, Andruw Jones and Jeff Kent were officially inducted in Cooperstown, with Beltrán spotlighting his Puerto Rico roots and Mets pride as chants of “Puerto Rico” filled the crowd. Puerto Rico Economy: A new Economic Cycle Indices report says Puerto Rico has contracted for six straight months, pointing to a recessionary phase and warning that without reforms the island could slide into structural stagnation. Local Business/Healthcare: Provider Network Solutions named Gustavo Leon Jr. as President and Chief Strategy Officer, with plans to expand across Florida, Texas and Puerto Rico. Sports Spotlight: Puerto Rico’s Edgar Berlanga returned to the ring with a win over Canada’s Steven Butler at Madison Square Garden. Community & Culture: A church hunger drive in the U.S. is sending aid and meals to communities including Puerto Rico as part of its 24th annual effort. Tech & Youth: Six Ghanaian teams qualified for the World Robot Olympiad finals in Puerto Rico this December.

Baseball Hall of Fame: Carlos Beltrán, Andruw Jones and Jeff Kent were inducted in Cooperstown, drawing about 12,000 fans and a huge Puerto Rico and Curaçao presence; Beltrán, a Puerto Rico native, highlighted his Mets pride and his Puerto Rico roots, while Jones called the islands “forever joined” to Cooperstown. Puerto Rico sports spotlight: Beltrán also tied his family tribute to Puerto Rican music, quoting Bad Bunny during his speech. Basketball (Opals): Australia named its final 12-player roster for the FIBA Women’s World Cup in Germany, with Isabelle Bourne stepping in after Cayla George announced her pregnancy; the Opals open against Puerto Rico in Group C. Travel note: Trunk Bay in the U.S. Virgin Islands was ranked the world’s best beach in 2026, with Greece’s Elafonissi Beach taking second. Politics (U.S. territories): A New York Times report says the DNC is in financial turmoil, with spending plans affecting places including Guam, Puerto Rico, the Northern Marianas and the Virgin Islands.

Puerto Rico Power Crisis: Luma Energy says electricity has been restored to at least 1.25 million customers (85.6%) after a major New Year’s Eve blackout, with a suspected fault in an underground cable; Governor Pedro Pierluisi says he’s pressed for continued FEMA help and that temporary generators will keep running through 2027. Baseball Hall of Fame: Puerto Rico’s Carlos Beltrán heads to Cooperstown’s spotlight Sunday alongside Andruw Jones and Jeff Kent, with Beltrán tying his induction to a 1999 moment involving fellow Puerto Rican Orlando Cepeda. Puerto Rico in Sports & Events: Concacaf Nations League Group Stage draw places Puerto Rico in League B Group A with Guyana, Dominica and the Cayman Islands. Culture & Entertainment: Bad Bunny’s “Debí Tirar Más Fotos” tour hit a new high, grossing $467.5M and selling 3.1M tickets—his biggest tour to date. Tech & IDs: Apple Wallet digital IDs are signaling possible rollouts in Utah and Virginia, with Puerto Rico already included.

Baseball Hall of Fame: Puerto Rico’s Carlos Beltrán is set to be inducted Sunday in Cooperstown, sharing the stage with fellow Puerto Rican Andruw Jones and Jeff Kent, with Beltrán recalling how George Brett once told him he could be “the next Hall of Famer from Puerto Rico.” Puerto Rico & U.S. citizenship fight: Guam and CNMI leaders urged U.S. Rep. Morgan Griffith to withdraw a bill targeting birthright citizenship in U.S. territories, warning it could create stateless children and arguing the Covenant can’t be changed unilaterally. Local infrastructure & energy: Mayagüez has started a $2.595 million solar-plus-battery project at the José Antonio Figueroa Freyre Central American Stadium to cut electricity costs and provide backup during outages. Home care tech: MK Care rolled out new digital tools in Puerto Rico to help families coordinate and monitor home care, including shared access for multiple relatives. Sports business: Claro is investing $35 million in a southern Puerto Rico cable link, aiming to boost connectivity. Powerball: A $600M Powerball jackpot is up for grabs Saturday, with the drawing also marking the game’s expansion into the U.K.

Baseball & Hall of Fame: Andruw Jones (Curacao), Carlos Beltrán (Mets) and Jeff Kent (Dodgers) are set for Cooperstown Sunday, with 60 Hall of Famers expected at the ceremony. Tourism Pulse: Puerto Rico’s Tourism Company projects hotel occupancy above 88% for the July 24–27 holiday stretch, with Saturday (Commonwealth anniversary) topping out around 93% on average. Media Business: Nielsen says it will stop measuring Puerto Rico radio and TV audiences in December 2026, raising alarms for broadcasters that rely on ratings to sell ads. Local Economy & Growth: La Pachanga launched a franchise program for its fifth anniversary, aiming to open new locations across Puerto Rico with franchise fees and support for operators. History & Memory: A new PBS documentary episode spotlights “Farmers of the Sea,” tracing how Vieques fishermen are coping with contamination and climate impacts after decades of Navy bombing. Aviation Mystery: Pan Am’s 1952 Clipper Endeavor wreck was identified on the Atlantic seabed off Puerto Rico, helping explain major safety changes after the crash.