Category: Archive

Valencia News: Corruption Concerns, AI Policing, Pest Surge, and a Burger Showdown

Bon dia! Here’s your news update for Thursday, 5 June. Weekend highlights out tomorrow!

Politics in Valencia

President Carlos Mazón will finally meet with flood victims, more than seven months after the disaster, in what many see as an attempt to salvage his political standing.
Mazón will meet with DANA victims 7 months later — El País
Mazón risks meeting victims in DANA Ground Zero to change the narrative — Valencia Plaza

Meanwhile, polls show voter support shifting toward the political margins, increasing pressure on centrist parties to replace unpopular figures like Mazón.
Polls reinforce idea of replacing Mazón — Valencia Plaza

Transparency watchdogs are raising concerns about weakening anti-corruption safeguards in the region.
Transparency International denounces changes made by PP and Vox to Anti-Fraud Agency — El País

Flood Recovery

Flood-hit areas continue to struggle with school closures, though officials aim to reopen facilities by the next school year.
Raised structures and ‘recycled’ projects: rebuilding schools razed by the DANA — Valencia Plaza

Residents of Catarroja say sewage repairs remain incomplete and have worsened with recent rainfall.
“We need help”: Catarroja residents protest about sewage repairs after DANA — El País

The Valencian Government has filed a formal complaint against the City Council, accusing it of dumping flood-damaged vehicles and debris in the Poyo ravine—an area vulnerable to future floods. The City denies wrongdoing.
Consell files a complaint for dumping waste and vehicles around Poyo ravine — El País

Crime and Policing

The Guardia Civil has dismantled a drug smuggling ring at Valencia Port, arresting four suspects—including two dockworkers—linked to a 700-kilo cocaine shipment.
Four jailed in a 700-kilo cocaine shipment — Las Provincias
lasprovincias.esGuardia Civil infiltrates Valencia Port ring: luxury trips with narcos and a death from alcohol poisoning — Las Provincias

Valencia’s Local Police will become one of Spain’s first forces to use predictive AI for patrol planning—a controversial move as most agencies remain cautious.
Valencia Local Police begin using predictive AI — Valencia Plaza

In beach news, portable volleyball nets have been banned due to summer overcrowding. A similar restriction for beach football goals is under consideration.
Portable volleyball nets prohibited on the beach by Local Police — Las Provincias

Changing City

The City Council has launched restoration work on the long-neglected underground chambers near Santos Juanes Church, known as the Covetes de Sant Joan, which will become commercial spaces.
The Covetes of Sant Joan in Valencia to be commercial spaces — Valencia Extra

Alameda restaurants and bars are frustrated by canal construction works launched at the height of the summer terrace season.
Frustration on the Alameda due to irrigation canal works in the middle of summer — Las Provincias

Valencia Airport has launched a new direct flight to Bordeaux, operated by Volotea.
Volotea offers a new route to Bordeaux — Valencia Extra

Climate and Weather

Unseasonal storms are disrupting public events in Valencia. A downpour forced the cancellation of Myke Towers’ much-anticipated concert.
Storms cancel Myke Towers — Las Provincias

Extreme heat and humidity have triggered a boom in pests—moths, cockroaches, rats, and more.
The boom in pests due to rain and heat — Las Provincias

Culture Corner

Valencia’s cult sneaker brand Hoff is gaining international fame—Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg was spotted wearing them.
Impressive growth of Valencia-based sneaker brand worn by Mark Zuckerberg — Las Provincias

Mestalla Stadium is currently hosting The Champions Burger — a national showdown of 25 food trucks vying for the title of Spain’s best burger. Open until 23 June.
The Champions Burger 2025 arrives in Valencia — Valencia Extra

Valencia News: Political shifts, a liquidity crunch, and best pizza awards

Bon dia! Here is your news update for Monday, 2 June.

Politics in Valencia

Public anger over the Generalitat’s flood response is shifting political attitudes to the left, according to a new Levante survey.
Survey: The handling of DANA triggers a political shift – Levante

Protests continue against President Carlos Mazón’s flood response, with a general strike and mass demonstration held last Thursday.
Seventh demonstration against Mazón’s DANA handling – Valencia Plaza

The ruling coalition of the conservative Partido Popular and far-right Vox has approved cuts to Valencian language programs while granting €600,000 to a controversial bullfighting foundation in Madrid.
€600,000 for bullfighting with cuts to Valencian language – El País

Meanwhile, publishers warn that Valenciano is declining among the region’s youth.
Bromera editors: “Castilian is eating away at Valencian-language youth literature.” – El País

Economics and Finance

President Mazón says Valencia is facing a “liquidity collapse” due to delays in central government payments and plans to join a protest against Prime Minister Sánchez on June 8.
Mazón plans to attend the demonstration against Sánchez in Madrid – El País

The socialist opposition claims the Sánchez government has already advanced nearly €1 billion this year to help Valencia pay its bills.
Morant accuses Mazón of “lying and hiding” a billion in funds – El País

Despite financial tension at the top, a new survey shows residents are feeling relatively good about the local economy.
Valencians rate the local economy 14 points higher than the rest of Spain – Valencia Plaza

Yet salaries in Valencia remain lower than the national average—by about €200 a month.
Valencians’ salaries are €200 less per month than the national average – Valencia Plaza

Crime and Policing

The court has closed the investigation into the Campanar fire that killed 10 people, ruling it an accident caused by a kitchen electrical fault. The building’s flammable cladding, while controversial, met legal standards.
Campanar fire investigation dismissed – El País

A 16-year-old boy died after falling from a 4-meter-high wall near the Veles e Vents building in the Marina. Police are investigating.
Minor dies in Marina fall – Las Provincias

The Guardia Civil, in cooperation with Romanian authorities, dismantled a “Copper Mafia” responsible for stealing €2.5 million worth of metal from solar farms and water plants.
Police bust €2.5 million copper theft ring – El País

A drug ring operating between La Malvarrosa and Vilamarxant was shut down, with 112 bags of cocaine, 80 bags of heroin, weapons, and €10,000 in cash seized.
Anti-drug operation in La Malvarrosa and Vilamarxant – Las Provincias

Housing Shortage

A housing expert at the Polytechnic University of Valencia (UPV) warns that the city’s housing crisis could lead to the growth of informal settlements.
Head of UPV warns of increase in slums – Valencia Plaza

Changing City

Valencia City Council has approved plans for a new public garden in Montolivet, following a community call for ideas to transform an empty lot.
New garden project approved – Ayuntamiento de Valencia

Luxury eco-homes with self-sufficient energy systems are in high demand from foreign buyers following last month’s national blackout.
Foreigners buying luxury eco homes – Las Provincias

Climate and Environment

A new zoning plan will expand protected areas in and around the Albufera lagoon, a vital wetland ecosystem south of Valencia.
New Albufera plan will extend protected area – Las Provincias

Culture Corner

Winners of Valencia’s Pizza Fest have been crowned:

Meet Babacar Tandine, founder of Moova Club and a fixture at Jagger Club. Born in Spain to Senegalese parents, Baba brings Afro-diasporic rhythms and community energy to Valencia nightlife.
Baba’s “Moovamiento” is demonstrated through dancing – Valencia Plaza

Artists are using murals to heal and inspire in neighborhoods devastated by last year’s floods.
The emotional urban art that’s rebuilding after the DANA – Valencia Plaza