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Brian Auld, Matt Silverman to step down from Rays leadership in anticipation of sale

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Tampa Bay Rays Co-Presidents Brian Auld and Matt Silverman are stepping down from their roles with the MLB team in anticipation of a pending sale.

The Rays sale is expected to close within the next two weeks, pending final approvals.

Auld will remain with the Rays as a Senior Advisor to the new ownership and leadership team during the transition and beyond, the team announcedy.

“This organization has never only been about the wins and losses, it’s been about heart, purpose, and community. I’m deeply proud of all we’ve built together, and that pride comes from sharing this journey with some of the most dedicated, talented, and creative people I’ve ever known,” Auld said.

“As I prepare to step down as President, I’m thankful to remain part of the Rays as a senior advisor, continuing to support the incredible team that makes this place so special.”

Silverman, meanwhile, will not maintain an official role with the ball club, but will represent Rays current principal owner Stuart Sternberg and his partners on an executive advisory board being established by the new ownership group.

“It has been one of the greatest joys of my life to serve the Rays and help make a lasting impact on the Tampa Bay region. What makes me proudest is seeing how the Rays have become woven into the region’s identity, with a true generational fan base taking shape,” Silverman said.

“Children who once came to games are now bringing their own families, and that sense of connection will continue to grow for decades to come. Under Stu’s leadership, we have fulfilled our mission to energize the community through the magic of Rays baseball. I leave with deep gratitude for our players, staff, and supporters, and with great excitement for all that lies ahead for the Rays and for Tampa Bay.”

Not mentioned in the Rays announcement are plans for Chief Development Officer Melanie Lenz.

The sale, led by Jacksonville home developer Patrick Zalupski, is a $1.7 billion transaction. New ownership is expected to keep the team in the Tampa Bay area, but prefers a location in Tampa. Among the partners in Zalupski’s group is Ken Babby, owner of the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, a Triple-A team and the Double-A Akron RubberDucks.

A stadium search for the Rays will begin after the sale is final, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said, according to the Tampa Bay Business Journal.

St. Pete Mayor Ken Welch has said he’s willing to negotiate with Zalupski’s ownership group on a new stadium deal using the one he had previously brokered with current Rays leadership, which fell through following damage to Tropicana Field from Hurricane Milton last year, as a jumping-off point for negotiations.


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Ashley Moody, Rick Scott diverge on rescheduling pot

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Florida’s U.S. Senators are split on President Donald Trump potentially rescheduling cannabis.

While Rick Scott signed a letter opposing the move with GOP colleagues, Ashley Moody did not.

“Rescheduling marijuana to a Schedule III drug will undermine your strong efforts to Make America Great Again and to usher in America’s next economic Golden Age. The only winners from rescheduling will be bad actors such as Communist China, while Americans will be left paying the bill,” the letter claims.

The Senators argue that changing cannabis’ classification would harm America’s attempts to reindustrialize, would have health consequences, and would give a “massive tax break” to companies in the space.

“While supporters of rescheduling argue that extending tax benefits to marijuana businesses will create economic growth, the costs of workplace and vehicular accidents caused by increased marijuana usage far exceeds any perceived benefits—not to mention the moral costs of marijuana advertising that could reach kids.”

Scott has called marijuana a “gateway drug” and says his own brother died after a lifetime struggle with drugs that began with it, so his opposition to relaxed laws continues.

While Attorney General, Moody opposed legalization initiatives in Florida. However, rumors are that the White House is considering rescheduling to Schedule III, which would permit medical research but wouldn’t immediately make it more commercially available.

12.17.2025-Letter-on-Marijuana-Rescheduling-



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Florida military installations to divvy up nearly $1B in federal funding act

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10 military installations in the Sunshine State will get a cut of the funding approved by Congress.

U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody is touting approval by Congress of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which will bring nearly a billion dollars in funding for several military installations in Florida.

The measure passed along bipartisan lines in the Senate and covers defense funding for the next fiscal year. It authorizes about $900 billion in total for defense spending across the U.S. The House signed off on the measure last week.

The act earmarks about $851 million for Florida installations. It will also fund expanded shipbuilding and prioritize development of the “Golden Dome” missile defense system.

“The passage of this year’s NDAA is a victory for the strengthening of our national security and Florida’s military bases. It is vital for the protection of our great nation that our military has the resources needed to deter evil and stay mission ready. Sadly, just this week we lost two National Guardsmen and an interpreter far too soon at the hands of an apparent ISIS attack in Syria. My heart breaks for their families’ unimaginable loss. It is a stark reminder that we must continue our efforts to secure peace through a robust national defense,” Moody said in a news release Wednesday.

“Florida is proud to be the home of three combatant commands, including SOUTHCOM, CENTCOM and SOCOM, as well as 21 military installations which all play a highly important role in the United States’ military strategy. I will always fight for their interests, because a strong military is essential for a strong nation.”

Ten different military installations in Florida will get a partial cut of the funding including, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Eglin Air Force Base, Homestead Air Reserve Base, Hurlburt Field, MacDill Air Force Base, Marine Corps Support Facility Blount Island, Naval Air Station Key West, Naval Air Station Pensacola, Naval Air Station Whiting Field and Tyndall Air Force Base.

Florida is home to more than 90,000 active military personnel in the state, and about 1.5 million military veterans reside here.



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New College Foundation announces $1M gift for ‘Socratic Stage’ program

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The New College Foundation has announced a $1 million donation from Dr. Michael C. and Ling Z. Markovitz to establish a new campus program centered on debate, classical learning and public discourse.

The donation, made directly to the New College Foundation, will help the college establish the Markovitz Socratic Stage, a signature forum dedicated to revitalizing civil discourse, classical learning and the free exchange of ideas on campus.

“We believe deeply in the power of ideas — and the courage it takes to explore them openly,” Michael said in a statement. “New College is leading a movement to bring back real dialogue, real debate, and real education. We are honored to support this mission and help build a program where students learn to think for themselves, speak with conviction, and engage with the world in meaningful ways.”

The donation will support a series of debates, lectures and discussion-based events meant to bring together students, faculty, visiting scholars and community members for debates, dialogues, books discussions, lecture series, public forums, intellectual events open to the community, and student-centered opportunities.

The program will be integrated into New College’s Logos/Techne curriculum and is expected to launch as a recurring campus initiative open to the public.

College President Richard Corcoran called the gift a “defining moment” for the institution, saying it aligns with New College’s emphasis on classical education and intellectual freedom.

“Michael and Ling Markovitz have made a profound and visionary commitment to New College,” he said. “Their gift strengthens our mission to revive rigorous classical education and restore the humanities as a force for intellectual freedom. The Markovitz Socratic Stage will impact generations of students by giving them a place to think deeply, debate boldly, and seek truth fearlessly.”



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