Friday, September 18, 2026 — Morning Edition

Honduras's College of Journalists asked prosecutors to investigate Libre politician Rixi Moncada over recent remarks it says demean the press, recalling her tenure as defense minister during alleged military attacks on reporters.

Also reported by: El Heraldo, Radio América Honduras

The head of the National Roads and Transport Directorate said a draft rule capping speeds at 60 km/h on secondary streets has gone to the National Police for review, still awaiting approval and heavy investment to take effect.

The central bank sold $105.6 million at its September 17 currency auction, setting the weighted average exchange rate at L26.8817 per dollar for September 18.

Honduras is expected to receive $13 billion in remittances by the end of 2026, up 20% from 2025, but economists warn that the country's heavy reliance on the money leaves more than 300,000 families exposed if the flow slows.

Honduras's net foreign reserves have grown by $1.21 billion since January to $11.52 billion as of September 14, covering 6.6 months of imports, the central bank said.

Five Honduran banks—Atlántida, BAC, Ficohsa, Banco de Occidente, and Banpaís—control 84.7% of the 5.75 million debit cards in circulation as of July 2026, as debit cards become the country's leading payment method.

Dante Mossi, former BCIE president, urged Congress to examine how the government spent its 2026 funds and spell out its priorities before approving the 455-billion-lempira (about $18.2 billion) 2027 budget, citing concerns over electricity costs, health-sector management, and diesel inflation.

The national utility ENEE will cut daytime power Friday, September 18, to neighborhoods, villages, and residential areas in the Distrito Central/Francisco Morazán, Choluteca, and El Paraíso for routine line maintenance.

Water scarcity in the capital has pushed plastic barrel prices to 1,200–1,800 lempiras (roughly $48–$72) as residents scramble to store water during supply cutoffs lasting up to 12 days.

The Institute of Transportation (IHTT) has published the dates, times, and locations for mandatory vehicle safety inspections (FTM) during week 5 at its regional offices nationwide.

Honduras's health regulator, ARSA, says it has no power to license or supervise genetics laboratories inside the Próspera special economic zone, contradicting officials' earlier statements that the labs would coordinate with the agency.

Honduras's nurses—about 480 on temporary contracts and 90 not rehired—have given the Health Ministry until a September 18 meeting to address staffing and wage demands or face a national strike the following week.

The Health Ministry paid about L79.9 million (roughly $3 million) in cost-of-living adjustments and a five-year bonus to 4,258 employees across 31 health units, and Deputy Minister Ángel Eduardo Midence confirmed that contracts with decentralized hospitals will run through December 2026.

More than 2,500 students from ten departments are signing their National Scholarship contracts in San Pedro Sula on September 17–18, receiving a monthly stipend of 4,000 lempiras (about $160) for transportation, materials, and study costs.

Heavy rains sent the Río Helado over its banks in Los Naranjos, Santa Cruz de Yojoa, affecting 275 people, including 95 children; fallen trees blocked the water's flow, and authorities are providing cleanup and aid.

Also reported by: Radio Cadena Voces (RCV)

Honduras and Japan have agreed to build a new visitor center at the Copán archaeological park for about 17.5 million lempiras (roughly $700,000) over one year, to speed tourist entry and offer modern ticketing and orientation services.

Real España has appointed Juan Ignacio Martínez, a Spanish coach with LaLiga experience that includes a sixth-place finish with Levante in 2011–12, on a contract through June 2027.

Two separate shootings in Tegucigalpa on September 16 left one person dead and two others wounded; authorities are investigating the motive and the victims' identities.

Also reported by: HCH, TuNota (Canal 5 / TSI)

David Argueta, a TikTok creator known for videos about modified cars and mechanics, was shot and killed September 15 in the La Peña neighborhood of Tegucigalpa; police say he was visiting his grandmother and had no criminal ties.