Afternoon Briefing: Puppies from flood-stricken Texas arrive at Chicago shelter
City Inspector General Deborah Witzburg, who has regularly butted heads with Mayor Brandon Johnson in recent months, will not seek appointment to a second term, her office announced last night.
Witzburg had previously said she was pursuing another four-year term, teeing up a tough choice for Johnson, who would have had to make a decision on her future by late October. But she backed off the push late Thursday after successfully supporting ethics reforms aimed at City Hall's mayor-controlled top attorney earlier this week.
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Nine puppies from parts of Texas submerged by catastrophic flooding that killed at least 132 people arrived Wednesday at the no-kill shelter PAWS Chicago, joining dozens of puppies that were already here. Read more here.
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The four stations — Argyle, Bryn Mawr, Lawrence and Berwyn — were renovated as part of a $2.1 billion Red and Purple line modernization project paid for by a combination of grants, federal money, transit tax increment financing dollars and CTA funds. Read more here.
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On the field, the Sox look to be in position to avoid repeating history following last year's record-setting 121-loss season. The Colorado Rockies (22-74) are on pace to shatter that mark. Read more here.
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The Griffin Museum of Science and Industry recently unveiled a new interactive 'Beyond the Surface: The Art of X-rays' exhibit by photographer Andrei Duman, allowing museum guests to examine the interior of everyday objects. Read more here.
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An explosion early today at a law enforcement training facility in Los Angeles that left three people dead was being investigated as a possible training accident, officials said. Read more here.
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Axios
41 minutes ago
- Axios
Likely Rays sale stirs stadium shuffle in Tampa Bay
The Tampa Bay Rays have not yet been sold, nor have they announced relocation — but the potential alone has kicked off a stadium shuffle, and local officials are bracing for a fight. Why it matters: If the team moves across the Bay, as speculated, Hillsborough County will face competing stadium demands, fragile political alliances, and a significant financial burden at a time when it is cutting back on spending. Catch up quick: The Athletic reported this month that Stuart Sternberg has agreed to sell the Rays to Jacksonville developer Patrick Zalupski for $1.7 billion. Zalupski appears interested in moving the team to Tampa or elsewhere in Hillsborough, per The Athletic and the Tampa Bay Times. The latest: Local officials are eyeing Ybor Harbor, a forthcoming mixed-use development by Ybor City developer Darryl Shaw, as the ideal site for a new ballpark. A spokesperson for Shaw declined to comment. Republican Commissioner Ken Hagan — a Tampa Sports Authority board member — is spearheading discussions with members of Zalupski's group and Shaw, the Times reported. (Hagan did not return Axios' request for comment.) Fellow Republican Commissioner Christine Miller voiced confidence in Hagan but emphasized to Axios that any stadium deal must be "fiscally responsible" and involve an "open process." Democratic Commissioner Harry Cohen welcomed the idea, calling it a "positive development" and saying he looks forward to hearing from the new owners. Friction point: Republican Commissioner Joshua Wostal, who once invited the state DOGE to audit Hillsborough County's spending, is "100% opposed." "I imagine the public will be standing with me, outraged if we subsidize the wealthy ahead of their immediate needs," Wostal told Axios. Between the lines: Republicans on the Hillsborough Board of County Commissioners have only recently begun operating as a cohesive bloc, a shift that commissioners attributed to DOGE in statements to Axios. Their shared goal of reining in spending has allowed them to pass once-fringe measures that had failed for years, including eliminating the county's affordable housing trust fund. But the potential sale of the Rays, along with Zalupski's reported interest in relocating the team to Hillsborough, threatens to divide that coalition. Zoom out: Even without the Rays, Hillsborough has its hands full. Raymond James Stadium needs repairs. The Tampa Bay Sun, fresh off a championship season, is looking for a permanent home, with Ybor Harbor also that team's top choice. An indoor sports arena on land surrounding the Museum of Science and Industry is already in the works, partially funded by $2 million in BP Oil Spill settlement money. The University of South Florida is also building an on-campus football stadium, which will increase demand on county and city services, though public funds will not be directly used for construction. Another piece of the puzzle is the Tampa Bay Rowdies, the Rays-owned soccer team that plays at St. Pete's Al Lang Stadium. City leaders want to upgrade the stadium to make it more usable year-round. Citing "a source close to the deal," the Tampa Bay Business Journal reported that the soccer team will be sold with the baseball team. Tampa City Council Member Alan Clendenin told Axios that should that happen, he anticipates the Rowdies will also move across the Bay. A spokesperson for the Rowdies declined to comment. What they're saying: "Any politician that says they're not willing to do anything for the Rays doesn't deserve to be in office," said Clendenin, who is also a Tampa Sports Authority board member.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Daniel Pierce headlines Rays' class of five Day 1 MLB Draft picks
By the time the Rays were on the clock in the first round of the MLB Draft, an early trend already had emerged. The first eight position players taken Sunday night all had been shortstops. Six of them were high school players who will almost certainly never play for their college program of choice. With the 14th overall pick, the Rays added a number to each tally. Daniel Pierce, an 18-year-old shortstop from the Atlanta metro area, became the Rays' highest draft pick since 2017. 'It's exactly what I wanted,' Pierce said on a conference call. 'I think it still (hasn't) hit me yet ... I'm just in a really good place right now and excited.' A University of Georgia commit, Pierce was 13th-ranked prospect and seventh-best prep prospect entering the draft. Baseball America had him as the No. 10 high school player and the 24th overall prospect. Chuck Ricci, director of amateur scouting for the Rays, said Pierce impressed at a pre-draft workout despite his luggage, including his bat and cleats, getting lost after flight delays. 'You know he's a good infielder when he traveled on the plane and didn't check his glove,' Ricci said. 'The way he handled that for me was a big plus.' Pierce was prolific in his senior season at Mill Creek High School under the tutelage of his father, Paul. The right-handed hitter batted .451 with a .605 on-base percentage and .939 slugging percentage with 10 doubles, three triples and eight home runs in 82 plate appearances. He drew 33 walks and struck out only nine times. Amidst a crowded class of high school infielders, Pierce said he thinks he stood out to the Rays because he projects as capable of playing shortstop long term. grades Pierce as a well-rounded infielder with above-average speed and average fielding, arm and hit tools. His power is graded as just below average but is noted to have the potential to develop into a 15-homer threat in the big leagues. Pierce, 6 feet, 184 pounds, models his game after Royals All-Star shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., who was picked second in the 2019 draft and won a Gold Glove in 2024. 'I think I (have) a chance to be a true five-tool player,' Pierce said. With the 42nd overall pick, the Rays took Brendan Summerhill, an outfielder from the University of Arizona. Summerhill, a Chicago native, played three seasons with the Wildcats. Over the course of a 124-game career, he hit .323 with a .424 on-base percentage and a .535 slugging percentage while primarily playing in centerfield. While he was frequently on base, Summerhill rarely rounded them all, hitting only 14 home runs in 465 career at-bats. MLB Network's Harold Reynolds said Summerhill must hit for power more frequently to play as an MLB outfielder, adding that his 6-3, 195-pound frame should serve him well. He entered the draft ranked 16th by 'He looks like the guys (you see) when you turn on the TV and watch Major League Baseball,' said University of Tennessee coach Tony Vitello on the broadcast. 'I think they might have got a steal here.' 'He's far from the finished project,' Ricci said. 'But I think on both sides, offensively and defensively, he's really heading in the right direction.' The Rays took another high school shortstop with their next pick, 18-year-old Cooper Flemming of Aliso Niguel High School in Southern California at 53rd overall. Flemming, a bit larger than Pierce at 6-3, 190, was ranked as the 82nd prospect on and is committed to Vanderbilt. One of his best attributes is his arm which, if he adds muscle, might lead him to play third base, said MLB Network's Jim Callis. Ricci said Flemming is an excellent shortstop and there are no plans to play him elsewhere but added he 'has a chance to be a really good defender all around the infield.' 'Cooper really impressed, not just with his bat-to-ball, but his maturity,' Ricci said. 'There was no doubt he was ready to take on the challenge out of high school.' With the 67th pick, the Rays selected Dean Moss, their first-ever pick from IMG Academy in Manatee County. The 19-year-old primarily played centerfield in high school and is a strong left-handed batter. In 2025, he hit .471 with a .615 on-base percentage. He is committed to LSU. 'He's been on our radar for quite some time,' Ricci said. The Rays drafted Taitn Gray, a 17-year-old, switch-hitting catcher and corner outfielder with above-average power, at No. 86. 'Most guys with this kind of raw power don't have the contact skills that Taitn does,' Ricci said. MLB Draft Monday, Atlanta Streaming: 11:30 a.m. Rounds 4-20, Rays Day 1 picks Player, position, school, round (pick) Daniel Pierce, SS, Mill Creek HS (Ga.), first (14th) Brendan Summerhill, CF, Arizona, competitive balance A (42nd) Cooper Flemming, SS, Aliso Niguel HS (Calif.), second (53rd) Dean Moss, OF, IMG Academy, supplemental second (67th) Taitn Gray, C, Dallas Center-Grimes HS (Iowa), third (86th) • • • Sign up for our Sports Today newsletter to get daily updates on the Bucs, Rays, Lightning and college football across Florida. Every weekday, tune into our Sports Day Tampa Bay podcast to hear reporter Rick Stroud break down the biggest stories in Tampa Bay sports. Never miss out on the latest with your favorite Tampa Bay sports teams. Follow our coverage on X and Facebook.
Fox Sports
3 hours ago
- Fox Sports
Rays and White Sox meet to decide series winner
Associated Press Chicago White Sox (36-66, fifth in the AL Central) vs. Tampa Bay Rays (53-49, fourth in the AL East) Tampa, Florida; Wednesday, 7:35 p.m. EDT PITCHING PROBABLES: White Sox: Jonathan Cannon (4-7, 4.18 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, 63 strikeouts); Rays: Taj Bradley (6-6, 4.35 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 95 strikeouts) BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Rays -209, White Sox +173; over/under is 9 runs BOTTOM LINE: The Tampa Bay Rays and Chicago White Sox meet on Wednesday with the winner claiming the three-game series. Tampa Bay is 53-49 overall and 31-27 in home games. The Rays are 24-8 in games when they did not give up a home run. Chicago is 15-37 on the road and 36-66 overall. The White Sox are 14-7 in games when they hit at least two home runs. The teams play Wednesday for the third time this season. TOP PERFORMERS: Junior Caminero leads the Rays with 25 home runs while slugging .512. Yandy Diaz is 12 for 39 with a double, two home runs and six RBIs over the past 10 games. Luis Robert has nine doubles and 10 home runs for the White Sox. Lenyn Sosa is 8 for 39 with a double and two home runs over the last 10 games. LAST 10 GAMES: Rays: 4-6, .233 batting average, 3.76 ERA, outscored opponents by three runs White Sox: 6-4, .234 batting average, 2.84 ERA, outscored opponents by 19 runs INJURIES: Rays: Brandon Lowe: 10-Day IL (foot), Manuel Rodriguez: 60-Day IL (forearm), Ha-Seong Kim: day-to-day (back), Hunter Bigge: 60-Day IL (lat), Richie Palacios: 60-Day IL (knee), Jonny Deluca: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Shane McClanahan: 60-Day IL (tricep), Alex Faedo: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Nathan Lavender: 60-Day IL (elbow) White Sox: Prelander Berroa: 60-Day IL (elbow), Shane Smith: 15-Day IL (ankle), Tim Elko: 10-Day IL (knee), Ryan Noda: 10-Day IL (quadricep), Jared Shuster: 15-Day IL (hand), Ky Bush: 60-Day IL (elbow), Miguel Castro: 60-Day IL (knee), Martin Perez: 60-Day IL (forearm), Drew Thorpe: 60-Day IL (elbow), Jesse Scholtens: 60-Day IL (elbow) ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar. recommended Item 1 of 2
