Bon dia! Here’s your news update for Monday, 28 April. Reminder: Today is the Festival Day of San Vicente Ferrer. Most supermarkets and stores are closed, and traffic disruptions are expected this evening due to a religious procession and a political demonstration.

San Vicente Ferrer

This weekend, fireworks and children’s theater celebrated the miracles of San Vicente Ferrer. El Carmen won the theater contest for best performance.
Las Provincias: Valencia returns to its Golden Age with performances of San Vicente’s miracles

Among the events today to celebrate Valencia’s patron saint:

• 12p Flower offering from Plaza Ayuntamiento
• 2p Mascletà at Plaza Tetuan
• 7p Religious Procession from Valencia Cathedral

Politics in Valencia

A mass demonstration is scheduled today at 6 PM from Plaza Ayuntamiento to protest the government’s handling of the October flood disaster.
Valencia Plaza: Seventh demonstration against Mazón to mark six months since the floods

One novelist has quipped that even Agatha Christie couldn’t solve this mystery: Where was Generalitat President Carlos Mazon on the day of the October 29 Flood?
Levante: Where was Mazon? 6 unknowns, 6 months after October 29

Residents are invited to propose ideas for the city budget in a new campaign called VLC Participa.
Valencia Extra: Participatory budgets launched for Valencia 2025

Unions have called for a general strike on May 29 over flood recovery grievances.
El País: Organizers of anti-Mazón marches call general strike across the Valencian Community

Flood victims requested a meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen during this week’s PPE Congress, but she has scheduled a later meeting in Brussels instead.
El País: Von der Leyen will meet flood victims in Brussels after the PPE Congress in Valencia

Flood Recovery

A new report from Valencia’s Chamber of Commerce shows the flood recovery has been uneven across affected areas.
Valencia Plaza: Report shows economic recovery gaps in flood-hit areas

Avenida Gómez Ferrer has made a strong comeback, revitalizing the business community between the flood-hit areas of Alfafar and Sedaví.
Las Provincias: The rebirth of a street that once broke hearts

Some tower residents are still trapped without working elevators, half a year after the floods.
Levante-EMV: Three tower residents without elevators since the floods

The town of Chiva continues to struggle to rebuild vital roads and bridges.
Las Provincias: Urbanization trapped by the floods still awaits recovery

Farmers may be billed for emergency flood repairs by the Júcar Water Authority (CHJ).
El Español: CHJ will charge irrigation users for reconstruction works if the government does not step in

Residents in Aldaia are resisting a plan to divert the Saleta Ravine underground, fearing that it will not have the capacity to drain floodwaters.
Valencia Plaza: Confrontation over the Saleta diversion

Housing Shortage

The Prime Minister has announced a new technology and research project in Valencia’s port area (ZAL) to promote new housing innovation.
El País: Government to create ‘City of Construction’ for modular homes in Valencia

Valencia will allow more tourist apartments, only in areas where they remain under 2% of the housing stock.
Levante-EMV: Valencia will authorize 5,500 new tourist apartments

A resident in El Carmen describes how an investment firm is pushing tenants out of buildings under dispute.
Levante-EMV: A neighbor’s battle with a property fund in Ciutat Vella

Changing City

Urban renewal is planned for Tendetes, Marxalenes, and Saïdia, adding new green and leisure spaces.
Levante-EMV: New urban plan for Tendetes, Marxalenes, and Saïdia

Renovation of the historic Palace of Justice is 70% complete and will be ready for next year.
Valencia Plaza: Restoration of the Palace of Justice to conclude in first half of 2026

Benimàmet has been named the city’s poorest neighborhood by new income data.
El Español: Benimàmet: Valencia’s poorest neighborhood and a forgotten tourist draw

Crime and Corruption

Valencia names a new police chief after months of political disputes.
Las Provincias: Valencia City Council appoints Ángel Albendín as new chief of police

Police arrested an inmate for starting a fire inside Valencia’s immigration detention center. Two officers were treated for smoke inhalation.
Las Provincias: Inmate arrested for arson inside Zapadores detention center

Food and Culture

Recently recovered amateur film reels from the 1940s offer a rare glimpse into Valencia’s past.
Las Provincias: Filmoteca recovers a collection of amateur films about Valencia

A Madrid chef sparks outrage with his controversial “Thai Tom Yum Paella.”
Valencia Secreta: Dabiz Muñoz shocks paella purists with Thai twist