Bon dia! Here is your news roundup for Thursday, 15 May. Weekend highlights coming tomorrow!

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Politics in Valencia

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen visited Valencia and met with victims of the devastating October floods. She said the tragedy should guide future EU preparedness policies.
Valencia Plaza: “This tragedy must guide our preparations”
Las Provincias: Von der Leyen shows support for flood victims in Valencia

The regional government has appointed Colonel Vicente León as the new Director General of Emergencies.
Valencia Plaza: Consell appoints Colonel Vicente León to lead emergency response

The judge investigating the October floods has rejected testimony from a journalist who dined with Generalitat President Carlos Mazón on the day of the disaster. Meanwhile, Valencia’s Minister of Interior, Elisa Núñez Pradas, has filed a formal complaint against the judge for her “categorical rulings” and alleged outside interference.
El País: Judge rejects testimony from journalist who dined with Mazón during flood
Valencia Plaza: Pradas calls for judge’s suspension

Four unions have called for a general strike across Valencia to protest the government’s flood response.
El Pais: Unions call general strike over flood response for 29 May

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Flood Recovery

Nearly half of teenagers in flood-affected zones are still experiencing psychological trauma six months after the disaster.
Levante: Half of teens in flood zone suffer ongoing trauma
Valencia Plaza: 40% of young people in flood zone still have emotional scars

The government has split up a series of large infrastructure contracts to speed up rebuilding in flood-hit areas.
Levante: Government splits €6M flood rebuilding contracts

More than 22,000 irregular migrants affected by the floods have now been registered with authorities, allowing them to receive services.
El Pais: 22,000 migrants affected by flood now officially registered

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Business and Economy

Valencia will not adopt Spain’s new law allowing bars and pubs to stay open until 4 am.
Valencia Plaza: Valencia rejects 4am pub closing law

Valencia is now the top choice for digital nomads in Spain, with one in five choosing to live here.
Las Provincias: One in five digital nomads in Spain choose Valencia

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Changing City

Authorities have cleared over 55 homeless encampments from the Turia River Park.
Las Provincias: City removes 55 tents from Turia Park

The empty lot near the Botanical Garden will soon become the new Trini Simó Garden.
Las Provinicas: Valencia to create new 8,000m² urban garden

Plaza del Ayuntamiento’s pedestrian space will undergo a major redesign in phases.
Valencia Plaza: Valencia simplifies redesign of central plaza

One of Valencia’s busiest intersections, Plaza San Agustín, will undergo a major transformation with widened sidewalks, more trees, reduced traffic, and a new bike lane to create a more pedestrian-friendly city center.
Valencia Extra: Wider sidewalks, bike lanes, less traffic: the future of Valencia’s core

Plans are underway to bring Sorolla’s masterworks to Valencia in a blockbuster exhibition modeled after the Guggenheim effect in Bilbao or the Pompidou in Málaga, aiming to boost the city’s global art presence.
Levante-EMV: Sorolla project aims to transform Valencia into an international art hub

Valencia is calling for public input on how to use a large empty lot between Ruzafa and Monteolivete. A €500 prize will go to the winning idea.
Ayuntamiento: City offers €500 prize for ideas on empty Ruzafa-Monteolivete lot

A group of Ukrainian hoteliers who fled the war have opened a café in Plaza de la Reina.
Valencia Plaza: Ukrainian entrepreneurs start over in Valencia with new café

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Crime and Corruption

Police have arrested two suspects—a contract killer and a known drug trafficker—believed to be involved in the triple homicide discovered last week in El Saler.
Las Provincias: Arrests in El Saler triple murder tied to drug trafficking

Residents near Parque Central have reported ongoing drug sales and violent altercations, raising alarm about safety in the recently developed park.
Las Provincias: Neighbors report fights, drug deals in Parque Central

Three people were stabbed in a knife fight in the Turia River Park.
Las Provincias: Three injured in Turia knife fight

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Climate and Environment

Generalitat President Carlos Mazón visited the Cofrentes nuclear plant to support extending its life until alternatives are available.
Valencia Plaza: Mazón backs nuclear power extension at Cofrentes
El Pais: Mazón avoids nuclear replacement debate, joins business push for extension

Heavy rainfall in La Safor triggered flash flood alerts in Piles, while a dangerous sea spout was spotted off the coast of Oliva on Wednesday.
Las Provincias: Piles on alert after rain-swollen ravine threatens flooding
Las Provincias: Sea tornado looms near Oliva during storm

Valencia is launching a new school for shepherds to promote sustainable livestock farming.
El Pais: Valencia launches school for future shepherds

Good morning! Here’s your news roundup for Monday, 12 May:

Festival of Mare de Déu
Thousands turned out for the procession of Valencia’s patron saint, showered in flower petals. The celebration brought comfort to many still recovering from the October floods.
Las Provincias – Mare de Déu, the only certainty for a people tired of crying

Generalitat President Carlos Mazón attended the festivities, though he was briefly heckled over his flood response.
Las Provincias – A quiet mass for Mazón

Politics in Valencia
Talk of a political comeback by former Generalitat President Francisco Camps has stirred debate within the Partido Popular. Mazón’s leadership is under pressure amid ongoing criticism of his flood management.
El Español – Camps threatens a return to politics

Meanwhile, internal unrest is growing in the far-right Vox party. A string of resignations in the Valencia region has raised doubts about the party’s local leadership and its alliance with the PP.
El Español – Whats going on with Vox?

Flood Recovery
Researchers are revisiting the 1957 flood response to draw lessons for today’s disaster preparedness. In 1957, flood alerts were issued five hours in advance — far more than during last October’s DANA.
À Punt – Lessons of the 1957 flood

Transport
More disruptions on Spain’s high-speed rail network: technical failures on the AVE line between Madrid and Seville caused major delays, following last week’s cable theft that stranded thousands.
El País – A new incident causes major AVE delays

Changing City
Police and social workers have begun clearing homeless encampments in the Turia gardens, where more than 100 tents had appeared. Authorities say the goal is to relocate people to shelters.
Levante – València removes camps in Turia

The historic Telefónica building in Plaza del Ayuntamiento has reopened as a luxury Marriott hotel after years of refurbishment.
Las Provincias –The luxury hotel in the center of Valencia

Meanwhile, the Alquería de Falcó in Torrefiel remains illegally occupied. Locals are urging the city to begin restoration work before the damage becomes irreversible.
Valencia Extra – The illegal occupation of Alquería de Falcó

Justice and Crime
A judge has rejected an appeal to investigate the manufacturer of the Campanar building facade that caught fire last year, killing 10 people.
El País –  Judge rejects Campanar investigation

Climate and Energy
Valencia is weighing the use of nuclear energy as a stable alternative amid frustrations over the slow rollout of renewables, especially after the recent blackout.
Valencia Plaza – Nuclear energy gains ground