Tampa Bay Rays and Rowdies Sold Together
With the fate of the Tampa Bay Rays in limbo since Hurricane Milton damaged Tropicana Field, the wait is nearly over. Jacksonville homebuilder Patrick Zalupski has agreed to a $1.7 billion deal to buy the Rays, along with the Tampa Bay Rowdies, also owned by Stu Sternberg. The sale is expected to close in September, but the long-debated decision on whether the Rays will play in St. Petersburg or Tampa remains unresolved.
TGH Makes History With Bloodless Dual-Organ Transplant
Surgeons at Tampa General Hospital performed the world’s first known bloodless heart and liver transplant. The nine-hour operation marks a medical milestone and aligns with Tampa General’s status as the nation’s largest transplant center, with a record 889 procedures last year. The 67-year-old patient had been turned away by doctors nationwide due to the surgery’s complexity and his refusal to receive blood transfusions, which are typically required for such transplants.
Pinellas Resorts Ranked Among Florida’s Best
Three Pinellas County hotels were named among Florida’s top resorts in Travel + Leisure’s 2025 World’s Best Awards. Each year, the magazine asks readers to vote on their favorite spas, cruise ships, airlines and more around the globe. Sandpearl Resort and Opal Sands Resort in Clearwater, along with The Vinoy Resort & Golf Club, Autograph Collection, in St. Petersburg, all earned spots on the top 15 list.
Tampa Ranks Among Best Cities for Recreation
A new WalletHub study ranked Tampa the fifth-best city in the U.S. for recreation, citing its walkable parks, waterfront amenities and affordable outdoor options. The report also looked at access to entertainment venues, indoor recreation and overall leisure affordability. Tampa placed in the top 35 for music venues and swimming pools per capita, and 31st for bike rentals.
The City of Tampa Expands Effort to Maintain Waterways
As part of its Keep It Clean, Tampa! initiative, the city has added a new tool to its litter-fighting fleet: the “Little Skimmer.” Funded by a $500,000 EPA Trash Free Waters grant awarded in 2022, the smaller vessel is better suited for navigating shallow areas and mangroves than its larger predecessor. The original 43-foot Litter Skimmer, launched three years ago, has already removed more than 94,000 pounds of debris from Tampa’s waterways.
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