Bon dìa! There’s a lot of news this week! Here are the highlights for Thursday, 22 May.

Politics in Valencia

Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez will meet with flood victims on Thursday. His last visit – together with the royal family and Generalitat President Carlos Mazon – ended with angry insults and thrown mud.
Sanchez meets with DANA victims, compounding Mazon’s weakness – Valencia Plaza

Valencian leaders accuse Madrid of withholding information about EU flood aid.
The Government hides from the Generalitat that it has already received 100 million euros from Europe for the DANA – Las Provincias

President Mazón is pressuring Sánchez for more emergency funds while warning of growing payment problems in the region.
Mazón calls Generalitat creditors to pressure Sánchez over Extra FLA funds – Valencia Plaza

A university graffiti exhibit showing Mazón behind bars over flood mismanagement has sparked political backlash.
Valencia Polytechnic exhibits graffiti calling for Mazón’s imprisonment – Las Provincias

The regional government has rejected Vox’s demand for funding to deport unaccompanied minors.
Consell rejects Vox funding request to deport migrant minors – Levante

The care of minors is now being scrutinized after a young migrant in a state program drowned in a popular swimming hole
Swimming hole where teen drowned had no warning signs or barriers – Las Provincias

Flood Recovery

A key bridge between Alaquàs and Torrent has reopened following extensive flood damage.
Bridge over the Poyo ravine reopens after flood damage – El Pais

Metrovalencia is on track to restore full service by this summer, including flood-hit areas.
Metrovalencia to recover 100% of service by June 21 – Valencia Extra

Valencia Economy

Poverty is increasing in Valencia, with more families struggling despite being employed.
Working families in Valencia are increasingly living in poverty – Levante

Valencia Football Club is finalizing a multi-million loan to fund stadium construction.
Valencia CF finalizing €237M loan with Goldman Sachs – Las Provincias

Housing Crisis

Demand for student housing has skyrocketed, far outstripping supply.
Student housing demand surpasses 73,000 beds vs 5,000 available in Valencia – Valencia Plaza

Tensions are boiling over in Cabbanyal’s ongoing gentrification.
Cabanyal neighbors report threats from tourist apartment landlords – Valencia Extra

For Spanish listening practice: Podcast on a Valencian village trying to lure buyers with cheap prices.
Podcast: The village selling chalets for €40,000 – Las Provincias

Crime and Policing

A Ukrainian lawyer was assassinated in front of the American School of Madrid as he was dropping his children off at school.  Man shot at the doors of the American school in Pozuelo – El País

A viral video shows police violently detaining a man in Valencia in front of two Colombian women and a child; the Colombian government is demanding answers.
Controversy over violent police arrest in Valencia goes viral – El País
Petro demands answers over police abuse of Colombians in Valencia – El País

A large criminal ring was busted for cocaine trafficking and illegal cockfighting.
57 roosters and 13 kilos of cocaine: 40 arrested in Valencia drug bust – El Pais

One of Valencia’s most gripping murder cases will be available as a Netflix series.
Netflix dramatizes the Patraix murder in “The Black Widow” – Levante-EMV

Valencia’s crime rate has dropped by twice as much as Barcelona’s or Madrid’s.          Valencia leads decline in crime – Ayuntamiento

Police Chief announces plans to restore neighborhood patrols later this year.
Valencia to bring back neighborhood policing by late 2025 – Valencia Plaza

Changing City

The Post office building reform to house Sorolla’s masterpieces comes at a high cost.
The reform of Correos into a museum will exceed 15 million – Las Provincias

The city declares its historic women’s prison a local heritage site. Valencia designates women’s prison a local landmark – Ayuntamiento

Spain’s Chinese community appears to be packing up their business to return to China, explains a local Chinese-Spanish influencer.
“They’re anticipating something”: Reasons why the Chinese community is abandoning Spain – Las Provincias

Summer Vibes

The city may reopen the popular La Hípica pool this summer if enough families register for summer camps.
Valencia considers reopening La Hípica pool for summer use – Las Provincias       La Hipica Summer Camps – AquaVal

The City Council is offering free youth activities this summer, including sailing, skate, dance, and language classes.
How to sign up for Valencia’s free Summer Youth 2025 activities – Las Provincias

The coming school year will begin on September 8 with changes in Fallas days off.
2025-2026 school year in Valencia begins Sept 8, with flexible Fallas holiday – Las Provincias