Ric Grenell plans to transition out of his role as president of Washington, D.C.'s Kennedy Center on Monday, as the nation's premier performing arts venue finalizes plans to shut down for renovations, Axios' Alex Isenstadt has learned.

• Grenell will be succeeded by Matt Floca, the vice president of facilities operations at the national cultural center — which was renamed the Trump Kennedy Center after a December board vote.

Grenell, who also serves as President Trump's envoy for special missions, will still be active in the organization as an unpaid consultant.

• The change is set to be announced at a board meeting at the White House on Monday. Trump is expected to attend.

Trump has taken a liking to Floca, who previously worked for the D.C. government as associate director for sustainability and energy.

• 📱 Trump has been calling Floca to hash out possible changes to the center — including paint color, seating and new marble.

Grenell took the helm in February 2025 as part of a Trump-driven shake-up.

• The president, promising a "golden age" of American arts and culture, wrote on Truth Social: "RIC, WELCOME TO SHOW BUSINESS!"

Under Grenell's tenure, the organization has undergone a significant overhaul — including the installation of a Trump-aligned board.

• Trump has taken a special interest in the center, hosting its annual honors awards and presiding over FIFA's World Cup draw.

🏗️ Grenell's move comes ahead of a major overhaul.

• Trump announced last month that the venue will close in July for two years for "Construction, Revitalization, and Complete Rebuilding."
• He promised a "new and spectacular Entertainment Complex," with a "Grand Reopening that will rival and surpass anything that has taken place with respect to such a Facility before."

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Some states are setting rounding guidance for cash purchases involving increasingly hard-to-find pennies, AP reports.

• The U.S. Mint stopped making pennies last year, with President Trump citing wasteful spending. Each 1-cent coin cost 3.7 cents to make.
• That led to a big shortage.

🛒 One solution: Rounding purchases to the nearest nickel.

• For example: $1.91 or $1.92 becomes $1.90, while $1.98 or $1.99 becomes $2.

🏛️ A bill introduced last year in Congress would apply that "symmetrical rounding" practice nationwide.

• In the meantime, penny-rounding bills await the governor's signature in Arizona, Florida, Oregon, Tennessee, Virginia and Washington.

💰 Yes, but: If prices are rounded up more often than down, consumers could lose millions of dollars.

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1. 🇮🇷 Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said today that Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is "wounded and likely disfigured." It's the Trump administration's first official statement about Khamenei's health after he was named Iran's new leader. Go deeper.
2. 🇺🇸 All six crew members aboard a U.S. Air Force refueling aircraft lost over western Iraq yesterday are confirmed dead, U.S. Central Command said today. The KC-135 jet was taking part in Operation Epic Fury, and the incident involved another aircraft that landed safely. Get the latest.
3. 🚜 The Treasury Department made it easier today for U.S. businesses and farmers to buy Venezuelan fertilizer and oil, aiming to offset rising prices driven by the war with Iran, Axios' Marc Caputo reports. Go deeper.
4. ⛈️ Nearly every part of the U.S. is getting walloped by wild weather now or soon. A heat wave is forecast for the Southwest. The Midwest and East are facing snowstorms and a blast of Arctic air, while a "Kona storm" is bringing heavy rains and winds to Hawai'i. Go deeper.

The Seattle Mariners are serving ballpark food in a miniature ferry this season, Axios Seattle's Melissa Santos reports.

• The souvenir vessel celebrates the 75th anniversary of Washington State Ferries, plus the Mariners' 50th season.

🍟 Snack options include fries, chicken tenders, fish and chips, crab nachos, or wonton chips.

• There are built-in dip holders at the bow and stern.

🌊 And yes, the boat is seaworthy — or at least it won't sink in the tub.

• Dig in ... Get Axios Local.