*By Christian Smith*
A year after Hurricane Maria devastated the island territory, Puerto Rico's children are suffering from more than displacement, said Save the Children's Puerto Rico director Luis Soto.
"One year later, Puerto Rico still struggles to recover from the enormous hit to the children and to the families," Soto said Thursday in an interview on Cheddar. "Not only in the physical infrastructure, but also in the emotional, and the huge number of educational hours lost by the children."
Hurricane Maria was the deadliest storm to hit Puerto Rico in almost a century, killing nearly 3,000 people ー President Trump's disputes notwithstanding ー and displacing tens of thousands from their homes. The storm, devastating in its own right, also uncovered and exacerbated infrastructure issues that existed long before it hit, Soto said.
To get Puerto Rico back on track, Save the Children has partnered with the American Red Cross to support summer programs and to install solar microgrids at schools across the island.
Save the Children is planning to remain on the island for at least another year, according to Soto.
Gail McGovern, president and CEO of the American Red Cross, told Cheddar the organization is focused on storm-proofing schools, since the structures serve many purposes for local communities.
"Part of the reasons we're focusing on schools and putting up solar paneling on the schools is not only to get the kids back into school, but to have them serve as hurricane shelters," McGovern said.
"Having those schools serve as shelters and getting the word out that people need to find shelter during a storm is a big reason why we're aiming our recovery in that direction."
For full interview [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/one-year-after-hurricane-maria-heres-what-still-needs-to-be-done).
Ahead of National Dog Day on Saturday, Alina Hauptman from Best Friends Animal Society joined Cheddar News to discuss adopting a dog from a shelter and what the organization is doing to help pets that have survived the Maui fires.
Jack Dunn, bartender at Great Jones Distilling Co. in Manhattan, spoke with Cheddar News about the history of the whiskey sour and the process involved in making it.
Today is National Whiskey Sour Day and Cheddar News is celebrating! Michelle Castillo spoke with Celina Perez, head distiller at Great Jones Distilling Co. in Manhattan, to discuss how the business got started with a state-of-the-art operation and the process involved in making their fine whiskey drinks.
After decades in the ring, a Connecticut man is celebrating after obtaining his first boxing title, thanks to his wife who had a personal battle of her own and guided him.
A Jersey Shore man has painted sea shells -- nearly 500 of them -- to raise awareness around epilepsy that have traveled as far as Asia and Australia.
Joe Biden and Donald Trump are the most likely nominees for the 2024 presidential election, but you won't see many new books about either this fall. A Barnes & Noble official says there's “an exhaustion of interest" in political titles right now, even in books about Trump, Biden's immediate predecessor in the White House.
Starbucks’ Pumpkin Spice Latte goes on sale Thursday in the U.S. and Canada, as it does each year when the nights start getting longer and the fall winds gather.
Wondering what to watch this weekend? This week we have a wacky combo of a bat mitzvah battle, Jake Paul, and a weird medieval podcast.
A man in Georgia set a Guinness World Record for having the most Batman memorabilia.
Cheddar News explores how you can enjoy a more affordable getaway while staying local. The TWA Hotel at JFK Airport in New York City offers a day getaway with convenience and nostalgia as added ingredients.
