Wednesday’s Afternoon Update

A Florida lottery investigation: Are winners winning too often?

Every day in stores across Florida, thousands of people pull out their wallets and purses to scratch a lottery ticket, hoping for a life-altering prize. Most lose. But some players won so frequently in recent years that luck alone can’t explain their good fortune, lottery watchdogs and statisticians said. It’s likely some of these people are cheating, experts said, perhaps at the expense of other players, the government or family members in need. More from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune and WUFT.

Lonestar ramps up with new satellite and mission

Lonestar Data Holdings, Inc., a startup based in St. Petersburg’s Innovation District, is continuing its push to store data beyond Earth. This time, the company is moving forward with a new partner, a new satellite, and a mission that signals a shift from experimentation to sustained operations. Sidus Space is the new contractor for Lonestar Lunar Holdings. The Cape Canaveral-based company is building “Lissie Sat,” a 3D-printed satellite that will carry Lonestar’s next payload into orbit. More from the St. Pete Catalyst.

Record ridership isn't helping Brightline's future. Here's why

While Brightline faces a new round of financial doubts about whether it can keep its trains running in Florida, the company is sounding its horn about record ridership, and South Florida passengers are paying lower fares this year compared to 2025. The rail line lost more than $233 million in 2025 despite higher revenues than 2024, according to its annual financial statement. More from Florida Today.

Real REMAX, with 180,000 agents, plans Miami headquarters

Miami is to become headquarters of a new technology-enabled global real estate platform named Real REMAX Group that formed last week in the uniting of RE/MAX and the Real Brokerage. The combined company has nearly 8,500 franchisees and more than 180,000 agents. In unveiling the acquisition of RE/MAX by Real Brokerage, the announcement said “Real REMAX group will be headquartered in Miami with significant operations remaining in the Denver area.” More from Miami Today.

JTA delays public meetings on Skyway future

One week before the start of a second round of public meetings about the future of Jacksonville’s Skyway elevated tram system, the Jacksonville Transportation Authority postponed the meetings. In a May 4 news release, the authority said the decision came as it “continues to evaluate feedback” regarding transportation alternatives for the Skyway. JTA says the second round of meetings, which were scheduled for May 11-14, will now be held in the fall. Dates are to be determined. More from the Jacksonville Daily Record.

Fleeing to Florida

Snowbirds hoping to trade life in high-tax northern states for a home in the low-tax sunshine state beware: A recent ruling from the New York Tax Appeals Tribunal regarding that state's rigorous residency audits should put those claiming Florida domicile on notice about when and how they make such claims. In the 2025 matter of John J. Hoff & Kathleen Ocorr-Hoff, the tribunal affirmed an administrative court's determination that a couple failed to establish a change of domicile from New York to Florida for the 2018 and 2019 tax years. At issue was $60,000 in New York state personal income taxes due from those years. [Sponsored report]

Florida Trend Mention

2026 ACEC Florida Transportation Conference Join ACEC Florida and FDOT at the 2026 Transportation Conference, May 28-29, 2026, at the Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista. This event offers valuable continuing education opportunities and a chance to network with FDOT policymakers and transportation consultants. Designed for technical professionals both inside and outside of government, attendees include professional engineers, planners, and consultants from the public and private sectors, all focused on transportation. Learn more and register here.