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The American League-leading Rays look like a contender built around a full-fledged superstar as they roll toward next week's All-Star break.

Why it matters: This season has been a huge — and unexpected —turnaround following two straight losing seasons.

That it comes as the team is jockeying for $1 billion in public funding is fortuitous timing for the team's new ownership group.

The latest: The Rays lost to the Yankees on Thursday afternoon, completing a 2-2 home series against their chief division rivals.

They host the AL West-leading Seattle Mariners for three games starting Friday, then cruise into the break.

What's working: First and foremost, Junior Caminero.

The somehow-just-23-year-old third baseman has 26 home runs (a top-five figure across MLB) and at one point hit 11 in 11 games.

Joining Caminero on the AL All-Star team are designated hitter Yandy Diaz, starter Drew Rasmussen and reliever Bryan Baker.

Causes for concern: The offense is very stars-and-scrubs, relying heavily on Caminero, Diaz and Jonathan Aranda for runs.

Slumps or injuries for any of that trio could leave the Rays vulnerable. 

The Rays also lack depth at starting pitcher, but...

The intrigue:  ... rumor has it they're among the teams that could trade for Detroit ace Tarik Skubal, who's widely expected to be dealt soon.

Skubal, the best pitcher on the market, would come at a high price but solidify the Rays as a World Series contender.

Other potential trade targets include Giants second baseman Luis Arráez and Astros shortstop Jeremy Peña.

What's next: After the Seattle series, watch Caminero and his teammates in the All-Star Game, 8pm Tuesday on Fox. 

jockeying for $1 billion in public funding

Rays near All-Star break looking like a contender

This season has been a huge — and unexpected —turnaround.

Junior Caminero #13 of the Tampa Bay Rays hits a home run in the first inning against the Houston Astros. He's shown here watching the ball leave his bat, and wearing gray pants and a dark blue shirt.

One of Junior Caminero's 26 homers so far this season. Photo: Tim Warner/Getty Images

The American League-leading Rays look like a contender built around a full-fledged superstar as they roll toward next week&#x27;s All-Star break.Why it matters: This season has been a huge — <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="and unexpected" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/03/24/rays-season-preview-mlb-opening-day" data-vars-content-id="3f0ec82b-9bb8-4d1d-84b0-86afb77a4a42" data-vars-headline="Rays near All-Star break looking like a contender" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/03/24/rays-season-preview-mlb-opening-day" target="_self">and unexpected</a> —turnaround following two straight losing seasons.<ul><li>That it comes as the team is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="jockeying for $1 billion in public funding" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/04/09/rays-want-1-billion-from-hillsborough-tampa-for-new-ballpark" data-vars-content-id="3f0ec82b-9bb8-4d1d-84b0-86afb77a4a42" data-vars-headline="Rays near All-Star break looking like a contender" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/04/09/rays-want-1-billion-from-hillsborough-tampa-for-new-ballpark" target="_self">jockeying for $1 billion in public funding</a> is fortuitous timing for the team&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new ownership group" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/10/07/rays-new-owners-stadium-search" data-vars-content-id="3f0ec82b-9bb8-4d1d-84b0-86afb77a4a42" data-vars-headline="Rays near All-Star break looking like a contender" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/10/07/rays-new-owners-stadium-search" target="_self">new ownership group</a>.</li></ul>The latest: The Rays lost to the Yankees on Thursday afternoon, completing a 2-2 home series against their chief division rivals.<ul><li>They host the AL West-leading Seattle Mariners for three games starting Friday, then cruise into the break.</li></ul>What&#x27;s working: First and foremost, Junior Caminero.<ul><li>The somehow-just-23-year-old third baseman has 26 home runs (a top-five figure across MLB) and at one point hit 11 in 11 games.</li><li>Joining Caminero on the AL All-Star team are designated hitter Yandy Diaz, starter Drew Rasmussen and reliever Bryan Baker.</li></ul>Causes for concern: The offense is very stars-and-scrubs, relying heavily on Caminero, Diaz and Jonathan Aranda for runs.<ul><li>Slumps or injuries for any of that trio could leave the Rays vulnerable. </li></ul><ul><li>The Rays also lack depth at starting pitcher, but...</li></ul>The intrigue: ... <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="rumor has it" data-vars-click-url="https://fansided.com/mlb/realistic-tarik-skubal-trade-packages-for-the-phillies-dodgers-and-rays-01kwyhty1z05" data-vars-content-id="3f0ec82b-9bb8-4d1d-84b0-86afb77a4a42" data-vars-headline="Rays near All-Star break looking like a contender" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://fansided.com/mlb/realistic-tarik-skubal-trade-packages-for-the-phillies-dodgers-and-rays-01kwyhty1z05" target="_blank">rumor has it</a> they&#x27;re among the teams that could trade for Detroit ace Tarik Skubal, who&#x27;s widely expected to be dealt soon.<ul><li>Skubal, the best pitcher on the market, would come at a high price but solidify the Rays as a World Series contender.</li><li>Other potential trade targets <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="include" data-vars-click-url="https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/49306462/2026-mlb-trade-deadline-addition-top-contender-moves-dodgers-brewers-braves-yankees-phillies" data-vars-content-id="3f0ec82b-9bb8-4d1d-84b0-86afb77a4a42" data-vars-headline="Rays near All-Star break looking like a contender" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/49306462/2026-mlb-trade-deadline-addition-top-contender-moves-dodgers-brewers-braves-yankees-phillies" target="_blank">include</a> Giants second baseman Luis Arráez and Astros shortstop Jeremy Peña.</li></ul>What&#x27;s next: After the Seattle series, watch Caminero and his teammates in the All-Star Game, 8pm Tuesday on Fox.

Sports

Lovebugs — the dive-bombing scourge of summer driving season, destroyers of paint jobs and windshields — are back in a big way.

Why it matters: Splat! Splat! Splatsplatsplatsplatsplat.

That's the sound of driving on a highway in Florida right now. 

Driving the news: After years of decline — and for reasons unknown —lovebugs have returned in hordes across the state in recent weeks. 

Attracted to car exhaust, they hover in mated pairs (hence the name) above roadways, waiting to nosedive onto passing vehicles. 

If not cleaned off quickly (which is easier said than done), their residue can damage paint jobs, leaving behind splat-shaped marks.

A black Nissan Versa parked in a driveway, covered in splatter marks from lovebugs.

Yours truly's car after a recent trip to Fort Myers. Photo: Jeff Weiner/Axios

Yes, but: At least they don't bite or sting. They're annoying, but not a threat.

What they're saying: Norman Leppla, a lovebug expert at the University of Florida's Institute for Food and Agricultural Sciences, told the Orlando Sentinel that the pests have "blossomed" in 2026.

"Their swarms have definitely been thicker than last year. I was surprised, because they've been declining," Leppla said.

The intrigue: That decline had led experts to speculate that lovebugs were on track to go extinct, per the Sentinel. So much for that!

Leppla and his peers can't explain the pests' rise and fall. 

What's next: Lovebugs typically peak twice a year, per UFIFAS, in April-May and August-September. Plan your car washes accordingly.

Lovebugs are back with a vengeance

After years of decline, lovebugs have returned in hordes across the state in recent weeks.

A swarm of lovebugs — black-winged insects with orange heads that mate in pairs while flying — swarm a tree.

Coming soon to a windshield near you. Photo: Anthony Wallace/AFP via Getty Images

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Lovebugs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2022/04/27/lovebug-season-florida-explained" data-vars-content-id="72407d36-38a3-409e-bbc9-0b5cec6e870c" data-vars-headline="Lovebugs are back with a vengeance" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2022/04/27/lovebug-season-florida-explained" target="_self">Lovebugs</a> — the dive-bombing scourge of summer driving season, destroyers of paint jobs and windshields — are back in a big way.Why it matters: Splat! Splat! Splatsplatsplatsplatsplat.<ul><li>That&#x27;s the sound of driving on a highway in Florida right now. </li></ul>

Travel

From Katrina to Milton, every few storm seasons, a new name or two takes on an infamous reputation.

Why it matters: For those in affected areas, a hurricane's name lingers as a one-word shorthand for the communal trauma of living through and recovering from a natural disaster.

Here are this year's names we hope won't live in infamy: 

The big picture: The World Meteorological Organization picks the names, which are based on "their familiarity to people" in the region.

The lists are reused every six years. Names are retired if they are associated with a particularly deadly or costly storm. (Yes, that includes 2024's Milton and Helene.)

These are the storm names for the 2026 hurricane season

Here are this year's names we hope won't live in infamy.

Animated illustration of a phone cycling through name tags reading Hello, my name is WAYLON, MARGOT, SILAS, and DAPHNE.

From <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Katrina" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/08/21/new-data-new-orleans-displaced-hurricane-katrina" data-vars-content-id="a310c30a-b036-4430-9f9f-a2a3d496c1ab" data-vars-headline="These are the storm names for the 2026 hurricane season" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/08/21/new-data-new-orleans-displaced-hurricane-katrina" target="_self">Katrina</a> to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Milton" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2024/10/10/hurricane-milton-wind-damage-rainfall-flooding" data-vars-content-id="a310c30a-b036-4430-9f9f-a2a3d496c1ab" data-vars-headline="These are the storm names for the 2026 hurricane season" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2024/10/10/hurricane-milton-wind-damage-rainfall-flooding" target="_self">Milton</a>, every few storm seasons, a new name or two takes on an infamous reputation.Why it matters: For those in affected areas, a hurricane&#x27;s name lingers as a one-word shorthand for the communal trauma of living through and recovering from a natural disaster.

Climate

When USF kicks off its football season next month, there won't be many familiar faces on the field or the sideline.

Why it matters: Coming off a 9-3 season that saw the Bulls briefly enter the College Football Playoff rankings, USF has the makings of a program on the rise — but faces a ton of turnover.

That's become typical for mid-tier programs in this era of college football, when players who show out can freely transfer to more prominent programs, which also poach coaches from the lower ranks.

Here's a rundown of what's changed for the new-look Bulls:

Out: Head coach Alex Golesh, who led USF to three consecutive winning seasons, left in November to take the top job at Auburn University.

In: Brian Hartline, Golesh's replacement, made his name coaching wide receivers at Ohio State University, producing a bounty of NFL talent.

Hartline, who was also OSU's offensive coordinator last season, played six seasons at receiver for the Miami Dolphins.

Out: Quarterback Byrum Brown, USF's first-ever player to pass for 3,000 yards and rush for 1,000 in a season, followed Golesh to Auburn.

In: Two incoming transfers — Michael Van Buren Jr. and Luke Kromenhoek — are competing for the Bulls' starting QB job. 

Van Buren previously played for Mississippi State and Louisiana State. Like Brown, he's a dual threat as a passer and runner.

Kromenhoek started off at Florida State before transferring to Mississippi State. He has just two career starts and is less mobile than Van Buren.

Out: It wasn't just Brown — 14 players left USF to join Golesh at Auburn, including leading receiver KeShaun Singleton.

In: Running backs D.J. Crowther, a transfer from Dartmouth, and Jason Collins, Jr., from Morgan State, could make an impact on offense. 

Having lost Brown's rushing production at QB, the Bulls figure to lean more on running backs to keep things moving.

Mark your calendar: USF kicks off the season at home — the Bulls' last year playing at Raymond James Stadium before an on-campus stadium debuts next year — against the FIU Panthers. 7pm, Sept. 5.

Likely the Bulls' toughest test comes in the season's final week, against Tulane on Nov. 27. The Green Wave made the College Football Playoff last season and is a favorite to win the American Conference.

Bulls briefly enter the College Football Playoff

What to expect when the new-look USF Bulls kick off their season

There won't be many familiar faces on the field or the sideline.

Ohio State offensive coordinator Brian Hartline stands with his arms crossed in a black hooded shirt prior to the Big Ten Championship football game last season.

New head coach Brian Hartline leads a USF Bulls team without many familiar faces. Photo: James Black/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

When <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="USF" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/12/02/whats-next-for-usf-after-historic-season-golesh-departure" data-vars-content-id="a9bad977-84ba-43e7-ab84-7944a90d65df" data-vars-headline="What to expect when the new-look USF Bulls kick off their season" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/12/02/whats-next-for-usf-after-historic-season-golesh-departure" target="_self">USF</a> kicks off its football season next month, there won&#x27;t be many familiar faces on the field or the sideline.Why it matters: Coming off a 9-3 season that saw the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Bulls briefly enter the College Football Playoff" data-vars-click-url="https://www.wusf.org/sports/2025-11-11/usf-moves-into-cfp-rankings-with-a-projected-first-round-matchup-at-georgia" data-vars-content-id="a9bad977-84ba-43e7-ab84-7944a90d65df" data-vars-headline="What to expect when the new-look USF Bulls kick off their season" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.wusf.org/sports/2025-11-11/usf-moves-into-cfp-rankings-with-a-projected-first-round-matchup-at-georgia" target="_blank">Bulls briefly enter the College Football Playoff</a> rankings, USF has the makings of a program on the rise — but faces a ton of turnover.<ul><li>That&#x27;s become typical for mid-tier programs in this era of college football, when players who show out can freely transfer to more prominent programs, which also poach coaches from the lower ranks.</li></ul>

The ballot measure that would drastically reduce property taxes in Florida has gotten its court-ordered rewrite.

Why it matters: If approved by voters, Amendment 3 would bring relief to homeowners' tax bills — but would cost local governments billions.

State of play: Leon County Circuit Judge David Frank on Aug. 3 ruled that the amendment's language was too political and potentially misleading.

He gave Attorney General James Uthmeier until last week to write a more neutral version for November's ballots.

Zoom in: Uthmeier's rewrite, obtained by the Tampa Bay Times, is more evenhanded in tone than the initial version, which Frank wrote was "more akin to a political slogan."

Out: The original title, "Save Our Homes From Excessive Property Taxes."

The new title is "Increased Homestead Exemption; Lower Cap on Increases in Non-Homesteaded Property Assessments."

Also gone: The assertion that the amendment "benefits Florida taxpayers" — Frank ruled that's for voters to decide.

Uthmeier also nixed several subheadings, including "Protecting small businesses" and "Ensuring fairness for Florida residents."

How it works: The amendment would increase the homestead exemption from $50,000 to $150,000 by 2027, and then to $250,000 by 2028.

It would also limit how local governments spend tax revenue to areas such as public safety, education, infrastructure and debt obligations.

What we're watching: Whether the new language will get Frank's approval.

The plaintiffs in the lawsuit that led to Frank's ruling, including former state Sen. Jeff Brandes (R-St. Petersburg), also have 10 days to challenge the new wording.

Inside the Florida property tax amendment's court-ordered rewrite

Amendment 3 would bring relief to homeowners' tax bills but would cost local governments billions.

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier speaks during a news conference announcing the indictment of former Cuban president Raul Castro, at the Freedom Tower in Miami, Florida, on May 20, 2026. 

Attorney General James Uthmeier's new version of Amendment 3 has more evenhanded wording. Photo: Chandan Khanna/AFP via Getty Images

The ballot measure that would drastically reduce property taxes in Florida has gotten its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="court-ordered rewrite" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2026/08/04/florida-property-tax-referendum-ballot-language-rewrite-homestead-exemption" data-vars-content-id="eb34768d-ab10-4b09-9d76-1d5ea3f950c2" data-vars-headline="Inside the Florida property tax amendment&#x27;s court-ordered rewrite" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2026/08/04/florida-property-tax-referendum-ballot-language-rewrite-homestead-exemption" target="_self">court-ordered rewrite</a>.Why it matters: If approved by voters, Amendment 3 would bring relief to homeowners&#x27; tax bills — but would <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="cost local governments billions" data-vars-click-url="https://www.floridapolicy.org/posts/voter-guide-what-floridians-should-know-about-amendment-3" data-vars-content-id="eb34768d-ab10-4b09-9d76-1d5ea3f950c2" data-vars-headline="Inside the Florida property tax amendment&#x27;s court-ordered rewrite" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.floridapolicy.org/posts/voter-guide-what-floridians-should-know-about-amendment-3" target="_blank">cost local governments billions</a>.

Jeff Weiner

Featured stories

Inside the Florida property tax amendment's court-ordered rewrite

What to expect when the new-look USF Bulls kick off their season

Rays near All-Star break looking like a contender

Celtics' relationship with Jaylen Brown just got more awkward

These are the storm names for the 2026 hurricane season