Top stories of the week: St. Pete mayor prepared to move forward if Rays walk away; BayCare makes $145 million property purchase in Tampa and more

Mayor Ken Welch: If Rays walk away, 'we are prepared to move forward'

St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch has conceded that the deal he struck with the Tampa Bay Rays to build a new stadium may no longer come to fruition.

Welch, during his State of the City remarks on Tuesday, said he is ready to move on should the Rays back out of the agreement that was signed in July 2024.

Henry Queen has the news.

BayCare makes $145 million property purchase in Tampa

One of Tampa Bay’s biggest corporate landlords has sold a 36-acre office campus to BayCare Health System Inc.

The acquisition will increase the footprint of St. Joseph’s West Tampa campus by 75%, the Clearwater-based health system said.

Ashley Gurbal Kritzer has the story.

On the front

Here’s this week’s cover story

This week's cover story focuses on Florida's insurance market undergoing changes as fast-growing startups reshape the landscape and introduce new risks to a fragile system.

Read more about it in this week's digital edition.

Frontier Airlines to launch new nonstop route from Tampa

Frontier Airlines will launch a new route out of Tampa International Airport (TPA) ahead of the summer travel season.

The carrier announced it will offer a nonstop service from TPA to Charlotte Douglas International Airport in North Carolina.

Breanne Williams has the details.

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Business Journal names 2025 BusinessWoman of the Year honorees

Thirty-two women have been chosen as this year's Tampa Bay Business Journal BusinessWoman of the Year honorees.

Over 200 businesswomen in Tampa Bay were nominated for the recognition. A judging panel made up of Business Journal newsroom staff and the publisher made the final decisions.

See the full list of honorees here.

Exclusive: Bank of America names next top Tampa Bay exec

Bank of America has chosen a new local leader from within its ranks to replace longtime Tampa Bay President Bill Goede , who retired in December after nearly two decades in the role.

Christina Georgacopoulos has more.

More Trending Headlines this week:

• MarineMax has quietly moved its headquarters out of Clearwater
• Law firm sues the owner of crane-damaged office building in St. Pete
• Waterfront South Tampa mansion sells for $8 million
• Japanese brand Daiso opens first Florida location in Tampa Bay