AGP Executive Report

Aviation Safety & Environmental Risk: Investigators say an Amazon Air cargo jet returning from Puerto Rico tried a go-around seconds before a deadly Miami runway overrun, but thrust reversers and speed brakes weren’t used—raising fresh questions about landing procedures and airport safety systems after five workers were killed and five others injured. Local Waste & Circular Economy: Salinas opened a new recycling facility through Recicladora del Norte, which processes about 72 million pounds of recyclables annually and also runs e-waste disposal and certified hard-drive destruction. Climate & Weather Watch: Meteorologists warn 2026’s Atlantic season could break records as El Niño strengthens, with a quiet Atlantic but shifting risks for the Caribbean and beyond. Agriculture Resilience: A new U.S. survey finds cover crops are spreading, with farmers citing incentives, better weed control, and yield gains—useful for drought-stressed regions like Puerto Rico. Public Health & Mosquito Threats: Dengue continues to surge in parts of the U.S., with Florida reporting more cases and renewed concern about mosquito control. Policy & Climate Costs: Puerto Rico faces major economic exposure from warming—one estimate projects losses up to $379.27B by 2050 without mitigation.

Aviation & Safety: Investigators are still probing a deadly Amazon Air cargo crash at Miami International Airport after a Boeing 767 overran Runway 30 while arriving from San Juan, Puerto Rico—killing five people on the ground in a cleaning-crew van and injuring five others; the NTSB has recovered the flight data and cockpit voice recorders and says the cause is not yet known. Local Environment & Resilience: A new Puerto Rico recycling milestone is underway in Salinas, where Recicladora del Norte opened expanded processing facilities and says it handles about 72 million pounds of recyclables across its plants, employing around 230 people. Climate Risk & Economy: A new analysis warns climate change could hit Puerto Rico’s economy hard—estimating losses could reach $379.27 billion (18% of GDP from 2020–2050) without mitigation, with rising seas and drought already affecting infrastructure and agriculture. Agriculture Practice: A U.S. survey finds cover crops are spreading, with farmers citing incentives, yield gains, and better weed control; Puerto Rico is included in the 2026 report’s coverage. Policy & Water Services: Sen. Ada Álvarez Conde renewed calls to implement salary laws for public workers, including the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources’ Ranger Corps and the Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority, linking staffing to better essential services.

Aviation & Safety: Investigators say all five people killed in the Amazon Prime Air Boeing 767 crash at Miami International Airport were in two vehicles on the ground—a van carrying seven airport cleaning workers and an SUV hit outside airport property—after the plane overran Runway 30 and traveled about 1,300 feet past the pavement; NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy called the scene “utter devastation” and said flight and voice recorders have been recovered as the probe focuses on touchdown timing, speed/braking, weather and mechanical factors. Local Environment & Recycling: Salinas opened Recicladora del Norte, a Puerto Rican recycling and materials-processing company in the PR-701 Industrial Zone, processing about 72 million pounds of recyclables and employing around 230 people. Water & Governance: Sen. Ada Álvarez Conde urged immediate action on overdue public-sector salary implementation, spotlighting the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources Ranger Corps and the Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority—key roles for environmental protection and water service reliability.

Aviation & Safety: An Amazon Prime Air Boeing 767-300 operated by 21 Air overran a runway at Miami International Airport after departing from San Juan, killing five people and injuring five others; investigators are now focused on whether the plane touched down too late to stop safely, why a go-around wasn’t initiated, and how speed and braking played into the crash. Runway Infrastructure: Federal officials say MIA lacked an Engineered Materials Arresting System (EMAS) at the runway end—crushable material used to reduce fatalities in overrun scenarios—sparking renewed questions about airport safety upgrades. Local Impacts: The crash triggered major disruptions, with runways closed and hundreds of flights delayed or canceled as emergency crews battled flames and a fuel leak. Water & Drought Watch (Puerto Rico): A NASA Earth Observatory map shows drought affecting 75.2% of Puerto Rico, with 41% in extreme drought, raising alarms for water supply and agriculture. Climate Risk Context: Coverage also highlights how drought and heat can worsen groundwater quality, not just reduce water availability.

Aviation Safety & Environmental Risk: An Amazon Prime Air Boeing 767 cargo jet overran a runway at Miami International Airport after arriving from San Juan, Puerto Rico, killing at least five people and injuring five others; thick black smoke rose as the aircraft struck vehicles outside the airfield, with crews battling a complex engine-compartment fire and an active fuel leak while the airport imposed a ground stop. Local Puerto Rico Connection: The flight route ties directly back to Puerto Rico, underscoring how disruptions and hazards in regional air links can quickly ripple into island communities and travel planning. Municipal Recycling Collaboration: Isabela Mayor Miguel “Ricky” Méndez Pérez signed an MOU with Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson to strengthen ties, including recycling projects, as part of broader tourism and security cooperation.

Extreme Weather & Climate Risk: A new report warns the “supersized” El Niño is raising global weather risks into 2027, with ocean heat adding pressure on already stressed systems. Water & Drought in Puerto Rico: Puerto Rico is facing worsening drought conditions, including extreme drought coverage and ongoing water rationing as infrastructure strains meet climate impacts. Local Research & Adaptation: UT researchers are studying how hurricanes and other extreme events are reshaping Puerto Rico’s environment and communities through CCAN, aiming to connect climate science to local needs in rivers, landslides, and agriculture. Public Health & Cleaners Recall: Clorox Puerto Rico recalled 6.3 million Mistolin and Lestoil bottles over possible bacterial contamination, a bigger concern for immunocompromised travelers using vacation rentals. Environmental Enforcement: A Puerto Rico meat processing facility was charged with alleged Clean Water Act violations, spotlighting ongoing pollution risks tied to industrial operations. Aviation Incident (Regional Impact): An Amazon cargo plane crash near Miami International Airport involved a runway overrun and major emergency response; the flight departed from San Juan, underscoring how transport disruptions can ripple across the region.

El Niño & Heat Stress: The World Meteorological Organization is warning that this “super El Niño” could keep driving extreme weather risks into 2027, with ocean heat adding to global warming and raising the odds of record-hot conditions. Puerto Rico Drought & Water Crisis: Coverage highlights how Puerto Rico’s unusually dry start to the wet season has fueled worsening drought and water rationing, with satellite-based monitoring showing expanding dry conditions. Local Water Pollution Enforcement: The U.S. Justice Department (Puerto Rico) charged a Naguabo meat processing operation under the Clean Water Act, alleging illegal wastewater discharges into waters flowing to a public beach. Public Health Recall: Clorox Puerto Rico recalled about 6.3 million bottles of Mistolin and Lestoil cleaners sold in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands due to possible bacterial contamination, with heightened risk flagged for people with weakened immune systems. Climate Research in Puerto Rico: UT researchers are studying how hurricanes and other extreme events are reshaping Puerto Rico’s communities and landscapes, aiming to connect climate science to local adaptation needs.

Clean Water Act Enforcement: U.S. prosecutors charged Ganaderos Borges Inc. and four people in Naguabo, alleging Clean Water Act violations at a slaughterhouse/meat processing plant, including an alleged scheme to pump animal flesh, blood and feces from a waste retention lagoon into a creek leading to a public beach without a permit. Climate Adaptation Research: UT researchers are studying how hurricanes and other extreme weather are reshaping Puerto Rico’s environment and communities through CCAN, linking work on landslides, reservoir sediment and agriculture to local preparedness. Drought & Water Stress: Puerto Rico’s unusually dry 2026 wet season has pushed drought to cover about 44% of the island, worsening water shortages and rationing. Public Health & Household Safety: Clorox recalled 6.3 million bottles of Mistolin and Lestoil cleaners sold in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands over possible bacterial contamination, warning higher-risk households to take extra precautions. Agriculture Education: Johnson Bayou High School FFA received a $4,650 Tractor Supply “Grants for Growing” award to build a small hydroponic lab for hands-on learning in water and nutrient management.

Clean Water Act Enforcement: U.S. prosecutors charged Ganaderos Borges Inc. and four people in Naguabo, alleging illegal wastewater discharges from a meat processing plant into waters that reach a creek, ocean, and public beach—claims include pumping animal flesh, blood, and feces without a permit and allegedly hiding the setup with a concealed pump and hose. Drought & Climate Risk: Puerto Rico’s dry season has arrived late and weak, with extreme drought now covering 44% of the island and worsening water shortages and rationing, while researchers and agencies track impacts using satellite and ground data. Hurricane Resilience Research: UT researchers are studying how hurricanes and extreme weather are reshaping Puerto Rico’s environment and communities through CCAN, linking climate risk science to local adaptation needs in rivers, landslides, and agriculture. Public Health & Mosquito Risk: Dengue virus was detected in wastewater in Hawaiʻi, with officials noting no active cases there—an early warning that tropical disease risks can spread via mosquitoes as conditions warm. Energy Grid Stress: A global look at heat, drought, and supply disruptions highlights why extreme weather is straining electricity systems and reviving interest in more resilient, less centralized energy planning.

Clean Water Act Case: The U.S. Justice Department charged Ganaderos Borges Inc. and four people in Naguabo, alleging they discharged meat-processing wastewater into a creek that flows to the ocean and a public beach without a permit, including claims they used a concealed pump and hose and submitted false documents. Drought Watch (Puerto Rico): The U.S. Drought Monitor says extreme drought now covers 44% of Puerto Rico, as an unusually dry 2026 wet season has driven water shortages and emergency actions. El Niño Intensifies: The World Meteorological Organization warns this “supersized” El Niño has a nearly 100% chance of lasting through February, raising odds of disruptive weather across the Americas and the Caribbean. Dengue Surveillance: Hawaiʻi health officials reported dengue virus detected in Hilo wastewater, with no active cases currently tracked—another reminder that mosquito-borne risks can rise even before outbreaks show up. Recall Alert (Puerto Rico/USVI): Clorox recalled 6.3 million bottles of Mistolin and Lestoil cleaners sold in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands due to possible Pseudomonas aeruginosa contamination, targeting people with weakened immune systems or medical devices.

Water Crisis Response: Puerto Rico is moving to restore drought-hit water production by evaluating and potentially reactivating five inactive public wells, with Gov. Jenniffer González Colón seeking Emergency Reserve funds for rapid rehab work while emergency distribution continues. Coastal Erosion & Infrastructure: The Puerto Rico House ordered an investigation into the instability of the PR‑1 corridor in Salinas, where accelerated coastal erosion and repeated flooding have made the road increasingly unreliable for residents’ access to services. Public Health & Mosquito Risk: Hawaiʻi health officials reported dengue virus detected in a wastewater sample from Hilo, with no active cases currently tracked—another reminder that mosquito-borne risks can rise even without confirmed illness. Dengue Spread Beyond Borders: A separate report notes dengue is surging in parts of Florida amid hot weather and travel links, urging standing-water removal and repellent use. Food/Water Safety Recall: The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced a Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands recall of millions of specific Mistolin and Lestoil cleaner bottles due to possible bacterial contamination. Local Health Education: UAGM and Hospital Español Auxilio Mutuo announced plans to collaborate on a new medical school in Puerto Rico, aiming to expand training and address workforce needs.

Water Crisis Response: Puerto Rico is moving to restore drought-hit water production by evaluating and potentially reactivating five inactive public wells, with Gov. Jenniffer González Colón seeking $9.7 million from the Emergency Reserve while emergency funding is extended for 21 more days. Coastal Erosion & Roads: The Puerto Rico House ordered an investigation into the instability of the PR‑1 corridor in Salinas, where accelerated coastal erosion and flooding have repeatedly cut off Las Ochenta residents. Public Health & Mosquito Risk: Hawaiʻi health officials detected dengue virus in Hilo wastewater but reported no active cases, underscoring how travel and mosquito-borne spread can quickly raise risk across the Caribbean region, including Puerto Rico. Environmental Safety Recall: The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recalled 6.3 million bottles of certain Mistolin and Lestoil cleaners sold in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands due to possible bacterial contamination. Agroecology: A new USDA survey finds cover crop use is expanding, with responses from 657 farmers across 46 states and Puerto Rico. Local Education-Health Link: UAGM and Auxilio Mutuo announced plans for a new medical school in Puerto Rico, aiming to strengthen clinical training and workforce needs.

Water Crisis & Policy Response: Connecticut lawmakers plan an October visit to Puerto Rico to help tackle the island’s ongoing water crisis, meeting with local officials in San Juan, Salinas, and Comerío as aging infrastructure and drought keep triggering rationing. Water Supply Debate: In Cabo Rojo, environmentalists and officials are clashing over the Esencia luxury development, with the project arguing it can rely on private wells, reverse osmosis, reuse, and rainwater harvesting instead of PRASA—while critics warn it could strain limited aquifers and threaten food sovereignty. Tropical Weather Watch: Forecasters are still tracking Tropical Storm Dolly’s remnants and the risk of renewed development, with potential rain and flooding concerns for the Caribbean and nearby areas. Public Health Monitoring: Hawaiʻi health officials detected dengue virus in a wastewater sample, underscoring how mosquito-borne risks can spread across the region, including places like Puerto Rico. Climate Signal: The World Meteorological Organization says this year’s El Niño is “supersized,” with nearly 100% odds it lasts through February—an outlook that can intensify heat and weather extremes.

Water Crisis Response: Connecticut lawmakers plan an October visit to Puerto Rico to help tackle the island’s ongoing water crisis, focusing on on-the-ground infrastructure problems in places like San Juan, Salinas, and Comerío. Local Water Policy Fight: In Cabo Rojo, the Esencia luxury development faces scrutiny over its proposed “independent” water plan—private wells, reverse osmosis, reuse, and rain harvesting—without connecting to PRASA, as environmentalists warn it could strain aquifers and threaten food sovereignty. Agroecology Funding: Puerto Rico’s agroecological research community launched the Science for (and with) the People Fund to support studies that strengthen biodiversity and resilient food systems, honoring scientist Ivette Perfecto. Climate & Water Risk Context: A report marking 10 years of “La Junta” oversight links Puerto Rico’s worsening drought and rationing to long-running infrastructure neglect and governance choices. Disaster Mitigation: FEMA approved more than $100 million for Puerto Rico recovery and mitigation, as severe weather threats continue across the region. Biodiversity & Food Systems: A new fund backs young researchers studying agricultural ecology in Puerto Rico, aiming to protect ecosystems while improving production.

Water Crisis & Governance: Puerto Rico’s drought-fueled shortages are still driving rationing, with officials saying schedules won’t expand beyond current reservoirs and that La Plata and Sergio Cuevas operational adjustments will continue while they evaluate options like activating offline wells. Local Water & Development Fight: At a Senate hearing, Esencia’s representatives argued the Cabo Rojo luxury project would rely on private wells, reverse osmosis, reuse, and rainwater harvesting—without connecting to PRASA—while critics warn it could strain limited aquifers and threaten local farmers’ water access. Agroecology & Biodiversity: Puerto Rico’s agroecological research group IALA-PR launched a “Science for (and with) the People Fund” to back research that strengthens agroecological practices, protects biodiversity, and builds more resilient food systems. Climate-Linked Drought: A new study using World Weather Attribution says human-caused climate change reduced early wet-season rainfall—by about 9% in Puerto Rico—making extreme dry spells more likely. Waste & Circular Economy: Planet Fitness and GotSneakers are running a sneaker recycling drive (Sept. 1–Oct. 31) to cut landfill waste and support Boys & Girls Clubs. Wildlife & Community: The Peace River Wildlife Center held a farewell celebration in Ponce de Leon Park ahead of its move to a new facility. Logistics & Environment: Ports America and Trailer Bridge signed a 10-year partnership for the Jacksonville–San Juan Jones Act route, including terminal tech aimed at improving supply-chain visibility.

Puerto Rico Water Crisis: After weekend rain, Puerto Rico’s drought response stays put: officials say Carraízo rationing schedules won’t expand, and La Plata and Sergio Cuevas operational adjustments remain unchanged while they weigh options like activating offline wells. Climate-Linked Drought: A World Weather Attribution study links the Caribbean’s early wet-season dryness to human-caused climate change, estimating rainfall reductions of ~6% in Jamaica and ~9% in Puerto Rico—making extreme dry spells far more likely. Agroecology Research Push: Puerto Rico’s agroecology institute launched the Science for (and with) the People Fund to back young researchers studying agricultural ecology, biodiversity protection, and more resilient food systems. Disaster Recovery Funding: FEMA approved over $100M for Puerto Rico recovery and hazard mitigation, including backup power at Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport and upgrades at a Toa Alta water treatment facility. Tropical Storm Dolly Aftermath: Forecasters continue tracking Dolly’s remnants and the risk of heavy rain for the region, even as the system’s classification has shifted. Supply Chain Pressure: Panama Canal slot reductions tied to low water could raise shipping costs and delay goods reaching Puerto Rico, especially imports from Asia. FEMA Mitigation + Water Infrastructure: The funding also includes flood reduction and stream stabilization projects aimed at reducing future hurricane and flooding impacts.