Podcast Summary: Noticias con Calle

Host: Jay Fonseca

Episode: Las Noticias con Calle de 12 de Noviembre 2025

Date: November 12, 2025

Overview

This episode of Noticias con Calle delivers Jay Fonseca’s signature rundown of the day’s most pressing news stories, both from Puerto Rico and abroad. Jay digs deep into energy costs and contracts, regional geopolitics, public policy controversies, and notable headlines. True to style, the discussion blends personal commentary, data-driven analysis, and critical takes on public officials—all with a tone that's direct, sometimes sardonic, and unapologetically focused on accountability.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Judicial Update: Regresa Antoniesca al Tribunal

• [00:10] Antoniesca returns to court, this time with high-profile attorney Mayra López Mulero representing her mother.
• Jay predicts this change “cambia el juego” (changes the game), signaling possible shifts in legal outcomes.

2. International Spotlight: USS Gerald Ford in the Caribbean & Maduro’s Response

• [00:48] The USS Gerald Ford, the world’s largest and most advanced US aircraft carrier, has arrived in Caribbean waters.
• "Maduro activa sus tropas, sube amenazas de Estados Unidos…" — Jay frames the escalation as significant for the region, highlighting fears of rising tensions between Venezuela and the US.

3. NBA All-Star Game Format Change

• [01:20] The NBA will finally reformat the All-Star Game to be “Estados Unidos contra el mundo” (USA vs. World).
• Jay nods to sports journalist Mike Wilbon, saying, “Por fin ocurre” (Finally, it’s happening).

4. The Rising Cost of Electricity in Puerto Rico

• Data Deep Dive:

  • [01:40] Jay tackles the belief that Puerto Rico has the highest electricity rates in the US.
  • “No es cierto…” he clarifies, citing comparative kilowatt-hour costs:
    • Hawaii: $0.39/kWh (residential), $0.35 (commercial)
    • Puerto Rico: $0.27/kWh
    • New York: $0.26/kWh
    • Other high-cost states: Massachusetts ($0.30), Maine ($0.28), Connecticut
  • “En casi todo el mundo la luz comercial es más barata... En Puerto Rico es al revés.” — he points out the anomaly that in PR, commercial power is more expensive than residential, unlike elsewhere.
  • He lists states with higher costs than PR (Hawaii, Massachusetts, Maine, Connecticut, California, Alaska) and reiterates: “no estoy defendiendo, solo doy los datos.”

• Why Rates Might Soar:

  • [03:30] Warns of a possible 78%-100% hike if PR pays off PREPA’s debt and modernizes the grid:
    • “Eso subiría el costo energético al doble de lo que actualmente está.”
  • Points out that if these increases are implemented, PR’s price per kWh could hit $0.54.

Notable Quote:

“No es mi opinión. Ahí están los hechos, los datos, la historia. Gobernadora, no se moleste conmigo…” — Jay Fonseca [04:23]

5. Electricity Rates Comparative and Socioeconomic Impact

• [06:58] Jay clarifies a critical issue:
  • When factoring in local incomes, Puerto Rico has the most expensive power in the nation relative to wages.
  • “En costo por ingreso, es la más cara por mucho.”

6. Blackout in Dominican Republic

• [07:15] Details a major blackout in DR, describing the resulting chaos.
• Minister Joel Santos restored about 15% of power that same night.
• Jay outlines the potential for energy exchange between PR and DR via submarine cable.

7. Colombia Suspends Intelligence Sharing with the US

• [09:25] Cites strained relations due to US operations against alleged drug shipping vessels.

8. Other Local & International Headlines

• [09:50] Quickfire coverage:
  • JFK’s grandson running for Congress.
  • Baby formula recall for causing botulism (more details on Jay’s social media).
  • Ongoing controversy over a nine-year-old who ran the Lola Challenge (a set of long-distance races), pitting professional opinions against parental rights and the value of youth exercise.

9. Political and Policy Commentary

• [12:05] Discussion of Francisco Doménez’s column defending the governor, but Jay suggests the real credit should go to previous administration (Pierreluisi).
• [13:00] Highlights Puerto Rican company “W” as a global leader in Tesla batteries installed per household, calling it a “motivo de orgullo”.

10. Financial & Corporate Updates

• [14:10] “Marketplace 24” files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy—previous owner arrested for involvement in municipal ticket-fixing scheme.
• [15:00] Alarming increase in teen hospitalizations and suicide attempts reported.

11. Legislative Moves: Public Information

• [15:50] Bill changes would reduce privacy for public records requests; could “carpeteo” (surveillance/targeting) become easier?
  • “...si usted va mañana y pide a una agencia del gobierno...todo el mundo va a saber que es usted quien la está pidiendo.”

Notable Quote:

“Es una forma indirecta de carpeteo a la gente.”
— Jay Fonseca [16:20]

• Jay highlights the dangers, especially for government employees and grassroots activists.

12. Privatization of Public Housing Administration

• [18:10] Growing number of private operators (from 10 to 17) now manage public housing projects. Jay criticizes effectiveness, implying true control lies elsewhere ("el verdadero gobierno...no es público, es del punto").

13. Contracting Irregularities: Genera y LUMA

• [19:10] Scrutiny on multimillion-dollar contracts within Puerto Rico’s energy sector:
  • LUMA awards a $75M contract to its own owners for system upgrades. “Luma le dio un contrato a sus dueños...”
  • Jay insists responsibility lies with the local government: "No le eche la culpa a la Junta... son los datos."
  • Reminds listeners that both Tomás Rivera Schatz and Johnny Méndez approved the LUMA contract in the last administration.

Notable Quote:

“Quien lo firmó fue el gobierno de Puerto Rico... Quien puso las cláusulas de supervisión y de cancelación fue el gobierno de Puerto Rico.”
— Jay Fonseca [20:35]

14. Miscellaneous News Briefs

• [22:15] Gerald Ford and Venezuelan mobilization updates.
• [22:40] Cold snap (“ola de frío”) in the United States.
• [22:47] Saturday marks the return of traditional Puerto Rican milk to the market; Jay references pending interview with a researcher working on local dairy science in Colombia.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the cost of electricity:
  “Puerto Rico no es más caro que todos los Estados Unidos. Hawai, Massachusetts, California, Maine y Connecticut es más caro que Puerto Rico, empatando con Alaska.” [04:13]
• On the privatization loop:
  “El verdadero gobierno en muchos de estos lugares no es público, es del punto y todo el mundo lo sabe.” [18:50]
• On government responsibility:
  “Así que usted tiene que echar la culpa a alguien... échele la culpa al gobierno de Puerto Rico, o sea, a su gobierno, el gobierno que el pueblo volvió a elegir.” [21:10]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:10: Antoniesca returns to court, legal game changes
• 00:48: USS Gerald Ford arrives, Venezuela’s military response
• 01:20: NBA All-Star Game format changes
• 01:40 – 05:45: In-depth on PR electricity costs vs. US states
• 06:58: Income-adjusted cost of power in PR
• 07:15: Blackout in the Dominican Republic
• 09:25: Colombia-US intelligence freeze
• 09:50 – 15:00: Rapid news, local and international
• 15:50: Legislative changes: transparency, privacy, and risks
• 18:10: More privatization in public housing
• 19:10: Energy sector contracts: Genera and LUMA
• 22:15 – 22:47: Misc. briefs: geopolitics, weather, dairy comeback

Tone and Closing Thoughts

Direct, data-driven, and critical, Jay Fonseca’s tone remains as incisive as ever. He closes with a reminder to check his YouTube channel for a deeper dive into political analysis—specifically, why Trump consistently outperforms the left—and teases upcoming appearances with Chenti Drach.

For Listeners: Why It Matters

This episode is a fast-moving, potent survey of PR’s energy dilemmas, government accountability, and policy controversies, laced with real data and a determination to hold public officials to the facts. By emphasizing both numbers and their context, Jay challenges listeners to understand—and question—the daily headlines shaping the island’s future.