The big payout isn't always money in the Kentucky Derby, it's glory

You can’t put an exact price on prestige, but it does allow for some discounting.

Though Churchill Downs guarantees a minimum purse of $2 million for the Kentucky Derby, it could surely pay less without the race losing its luster. Maybe a lot less.

“They could make it a million and we’d still show up,” trainer Bob Baffert said the other day. “We’re running for glory.”

Among the surest things in horse racing is the annual acknowledgement that the Derby is the one event that transcends the sport. From the richest occupants of Millionaire’s Row to the humblest groom, horsemen of every economic strata will tell you the first question they hear entails whether they have ever run in the Derby.

Question 2: “Have you ever won it?”

More:This is now the wettest Kentucky Derby ever – and more rain is coming

Thus while January’s Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream Park paid out a record $16 million – or eight times as much prize money as the Run for the Roses – Churchill Downs does not feel compelled to compete for the right to claim the world's richest race. For one thing, the Pegasus World Cup requires owners to put up $1 million apiece for a spot in the starting gate. For another thing, horsemen recognize that the real payoff in winning the Derby is residual and recurring, as reflected by a sharp spike in stud fees.

Furthermore, officials say, the track’s ability to raise purses is restricted by its handle, its schedule and its contractual agreements. Though Churchill Downs Inc. reported net income of $140.5 million in 2017, the $36.5 million in purses distributed by its home track in 2017 were paid out across 70 racing days and 702 races. To load up on the Derby could limit what could be paid for lesser races and/or corporate profit margins.

“It’s obviously a purse we’d like to see grow,” said John Asher, Churchill’s vice president of communications. “The event is one of the premier events in the country and we’d like to see that reflected.

“For the allure of the Kentucky Derby at this point, you could argue that you don’t need to do it. But in terms of whether it should be done, we’re more in that line. As important as this race is to everyone involved, not just on a North American domestic scale, we want to see that purse grow.”

The Derby’s minimum purse was raised to $2 million in 2005, and has remained there as U.S. racing purses have declined by $100 million during the last decade. Barely a month before the Stronach Group’s record-setting Pegasus payouts, the same company slashed stakes purses at Santa Anita by $600,000.

Churchill Downs President Kevin Flanery has predicted a double-digit percentage increase in purses after the company’s historical racing facility opens later this year on Poplar Level Road.

“We’re pretty confident that the historical racing facility is going to be successful,” Asher said Saturday. “We’re really hoping that if it’s as successful as we anticipate it could be, it will help us with the Derby purse maybe as soon as next year and at least be the next step.”

As a publicly traded company, Churchill Downs is bound by fiscal responsibilities that do not apply to all of its competitors. The Dubai World Cup, for example, carries a $10 million purse despite a ban on pari-mutuel betting in the United Arab Emirates.

“Dubai is a different model,” Asher said. “I remember there was a press conference and they were asking Sheikh Mohammed about the purse for the UAE Derby. He turned to someone and said, ‘What is the purse?’ They said ‘A million dollars.’ He said, ‘Make it two.’ ”

So what was the payout for Kentucky Derby 2018?

Justify, the favorite heading into the 2018 Kentucky Derby, won the 144th annual race Saturday at Churchill Downs. A $2 bet to win paid out $7.80. You get get the full payouts here.

Here follow the week’s Top 10 sports quotes. As usual, they are priceless.

10. Don Nelson, former NBA coach, on his weekly poker games with singer Willie Nelson: “He never saw a card he didn’t like. He raises every time, no matter what. Every time it goes by him, it’s $50, $50, $50. I’m conservative. But Willie, man, he’s wild.” (New York Post)

9. Jason Witten, Dallas Cowboys tight end, announcing his retirement: "There's an old saying in pro football: The circus doesn't stay in town forever. And when you're young, I think it takes on a meaning that, when your opportunity comes, grab it. And as you get older, I think you realize there's a deeper meaning. No man knows when his time has come to walk away. And I'm no different. It's been said, whether right or wrong, it's better three hours too soon than a minute too late.” (News conference)

8. Solomon Hill, New Orleans Pelicans reserve, on teammate Anthony Davis: "He's not just a franchise player. He's a once-in-a-lifetime player. But the difference between him being a competitive top-three player in the league, and people putting his name routinely in the MVP conversation, is him going out and doing work right here (in the playoffs). If we can go to the Finals, then next year people are taking him seriously." (ESPN.com)

7. Nigel Hayes, former University of Wisconsin basketball player, on his team’s near-boycott of an NCAA game: “With all the money that’s being made that the players are not receiving, there’s going to be a point where the players don’t play. It’s going to take the right player or it’s going to take the right team in the right big-game setting, when the timing is right...I think it’s something that if we did go through with it, we’d probably be having a very different conversation right now.” (Aspen Institute panel discussion)

6. Cheryl Reeve, coach/general manager of WNBA champion Minnesota Lynx, on her team not being invited to the White House: "Let's be real, there are countless other teams that have won a championship that have been invited and already visited the White House. That's the disappointment, is, what's going on here? Let's not perpetuate this antiquated narrative that women are less than men, because we're not. And that has to change." (Washington Post)

5. Charles Barkley, NBA analyst, on Golden State’s Draymond Green: “I want to punch him in the face so bad.” (TNT halftime report)

4. Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors center, on Barkley’s (empty) threat: "A lot of guys talk on TV, stand behind the microphone on the TV screen. Fact of the matter is, if you feel that strongly about something, he's even seen me a million times, then punch me in my face when you see me. If you're not going to punch me in my face when you see me, then shut up. It's no different than somebody sitting behind a computer screen, tweeting, 'I'll knock you out,' and you never see him in life.

"He's seen me a bunch of times. Punch me in the face when you see me, or if not, no one cares what you would have done. You're old and it is what it is. You ain't going to punch me when you see me, then stop talking about it, period." (Post-game news conference)

3. Nick Saban, University of Alabama football coach, on playing golf with Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram: “I remember one year we were in a playoff with Georgia Tech to win on about the fifth-extra hole. This was a couple of years ago. And I said, ‘Mark, this is my last hole. I have to go speak, and there’s a whole load of people at the plane and they’re all calling every five minutes, saying we’ve got 1,000 people you’ve got to speak to tonight. We’re going to be late.’ I said, ‘This might be the last hole. We’re going to have to win it on this hole or not.’

“And he looked at me and he said, ‘Coach, you didn’t bring me up that way, man. We’re going to play till the end.’ ” (News conference)

2. Mike Scioscia, Angels manager, on Albert Pujols' 3000th hit: "I think the guys know the living history that we're seeing every day with Albert. These aren't things that you're going to say 15 years down the road, 'Hey, that was really impressive.' These are things that 15 seconds later you're going, 'Man, this is really special.' It's fun to watch it." (MLB.com)

1. Johnny Damon, retired outfielder, on his first-night elimination from Dancing With The Stars: “It’s a gut check. It stinks, but everybody brought their A-game yesterday. You can’t be too disappointed. My kids got to watch it, and now they’re saying, ‘Yay, when’s Daddy going to get home?’ So I’ll be home soon, kids.” (Good Morning America)

Tim Sullivan: 502-582-4650, tsullivan@courier-journal.com; Twitter: @TimSullivan714. Support strong local journalism by subscribing today: www.courier-journal.com/tims


$20 million Mega Millions jackpot won in New York for Jan. 17 drawing

The Mega Millions jackpot has been won – again.

A lucky ticket in New York matched all six numbers to win the $20 million jackpot Tuesday night.

Tuesday's win follows the $1.348 billion Mega Millions jackpot that was won in Maine on Friday – which marked the second-highest prize in the lottery game's history.

After not having been hit for months, the Mega Millions jackpot has been won in back-to-back drawings.

One ticket sold in New York in Tuesday's drawing matched all six numbers to win the $20 million jackpot, according to the Mega Millions website. Tuesday's winner can also choice the cash option of $10.6 million.

It's a far cry from the $1.348 billion Mega Millions jackpot won in Maine on Friday.

In addition to the jackpot, a ticket sold in Massachusetts matched all five white balls and had the Megaplier to win $3 million.

The jackpot will reset again to the current starting value of $20 million for Friday's drawing.

Meanwhile, the Powerball jackpot is at $439 million with a cash option of $237.3 million, according to the Powerball website.

Are lottery prizes getting bigger? Here's why the jackpots have grown so large.

Friday:Winning ticket for almost $1.35 billion Mega Millions jackpot sold in Maine

Mega Millions winning numbers: 1/17/23

The winning numbers for Tuesday night's drawing were 2-12-18-24-39, Mega Ball: 18 and Megaplier was 3X.

When is next Mega Millions drawing?

Mega Millions drawings are held every Tuesday and Friday at 11 p.m.

How do I play Mega Millions?

The cost is $2 per ticket, but you can add the Megaplier for $1, which will increase the amount of your potential prize up to five times the original prize (except for the jackpot).

Each player selects five numbers from 1 to 70 for the white balls and one number from 1 to 25 for the Mega Ball. However, you can also have the lottery machine generate a random Quick Pick for you.

Prizes vary from $2 for the matching the Mega Ball to $1 million for matching all five white balls (except in California) to the jackpot for matching all six balls. You can check all the prize payouts on the Mega Millions site.

What do you do if you win the lottery? Here's what you need to know.

You don't need to be a U.S. citizen or a resident a particular state where you purchase your ticket.

Where can I play Mega Millions?

You can play the game in 45 states plus the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The states not offering Mega Millions are: Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Nevada and Utah.

Many grocery stores, gas stations and convenience stores sell lottery tickets. Some states allow Mega Millions tickets to be purchased online, but beware of scam websites. Check with your state lottery for more details.

What are my odds of winning?

Playing the Mega Millions can be exciting, but just don't go spending those millions before you win.

The odds of winning the jackpot are 302,575,350-to-1.

The odds to match all five white balls are 12,607,306-to-1.

What does a lottery's cash option mean?

The major lotteries in the United States offer two jackpot payout options: annuity and cash.

The annuity option is paid out over time. There is an immediate payment and then 29 annual payments after that, increasing by 5% each year.

How much will Mega Millions winner get after taxes? $1.35 billion jackpot shrinks quite a bit

The cash option is significantly lower than the advertised jackpot, but it is paid in a lump sum. You don't have to wait decades for all the money.

What was biggest Mega Millions jackpot?

Here are the Top 10 jackpots ever since the Mega Millions began in 1996:

$1.537 billion, Oct. 23, 2018: Won in South Carolina $1.348 billion, Jan. 13, 2023: Won in Maine $1.337 billion: July 29, 2022: Illinois $1.05 billion, Jan. 22, 2021: Won in Michigan $656 million, March 30, 2012: Three winners in Illinois, Kansas, Maryland $648 million, Dec. 17, 2013: Two winners in California, Georgia $543 million, July 24, 2018: Won in California $536 million, July 8, 20116: Won in Indiana $533 million: March 30, 2018: Won in New Jersey $522 million: June 7, 2019: Won in California

What's everyone talking about? Sign up for our trending newsletter to get the latest news of the day

What was largest U.S. lottery jackpot ever?

Here's a look at the top jackpots were won in the United States, between the Powerball and the Mega Millions lotteries:

Mega Millions: Here are the winning numbers for the $1.28 billion ...

CNN —

The winning numbers for Friday’s Mega Millions drawing for an estimated $1.28 billion were 13-36-45-57-67 with a Mega Ball of 14.

Friday’s jackpot was the lottery’s second-largest prize in its 20-year history, and it came with a cash value option of $742.2 million.

The next drawing is Tuesday at 11:00 p.m. ET, according to the lottery’s website.

The Mega Millions jackpot record is $1.537 billion, won by a single ticket sold in South Carolina in 2018. That’s the second-largest jackpot for any US lottery game, though it’s the world’s largest lottery prize won by just one ticket, according to Mega Millions.

The largest jackpot of any US lottery game was $1.586 billion – a Powerball prize from January 13, 2016, shared by winners in California, Florida and Tennessee.

Timothy Schultz, who won a $28 million Powerball jackpot in 1999 and now hosts a lottery podcast, told CNN winning can “really turn your life on its head.”

He said after he checked his numbers in the newspaper and realized he won, some of the first calls he made were to attorneys and financial advisers.

“It can change pretty much everything, relationships, your ability to live a life,” he said. “I think it can buy time, which can be invaluable. And, you know, it’s one of the most surreal life changing things that can possibly happen to somebody.”

He said working with a financial adviser will benefit people who have no experience with millions because an adviser will help the winners understand what they can realistically can do with the winnings.

Schultz said he didn’t consider himself to be materialistic before he won so his most extravagant purchases were some cars and real estate.

“I found that for myself and for a lot of people that I’ve met and interviewed that if you win the lottery jackpot it magnifies, or at least it can magnify, your personality. It doesn’t necessarily change who you are,” he said.

He said while he rarely plays the lottery these days, he did buy one ticket for Friday night’s drawing.

Mega Millions jackpots start at $20 million for the annuitized prize and grow based on game sales and interest rates for 30-year US treasuries. The odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 302,575,350.

There are seven other less valuable prizes that depend on how many and what type of balls a ticket matches. Odds of winning a $1 million runner-up prize – if a ticket matches the five white balls but not the Mega Millions ball – are 1 in 12,607,306.

Mega Millions tickets are sold in 45 states, Washington DC, and the US Virgin Islands, with drawings on Tuesday and Friday. Tickets are sold online in Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and DC, but the purchaser must be in that state.

Paul P. Murphy Steve Almasy
Paul P. Murphy
Steve Almasy

Keep quiet, hire a financial team: What to do if you win Mega Millions

What should you do with $1 billion?

The Mega Millions lottery jackpot ballooned to $1.1 billion after no one matched all six numbers Friday night and won the top prize. That's the fourth time in about as many years the top prize has- topped $1 billion. And if someone wins it tonight, it will be the third largest jackpot in the game’s history.

But be careful what you wish for. Claiming that much money likely also will draw taxes, grifters, and friends and family members, advisers say.

All that attention means the first and most important piece of financial advice likely is what you should not do if you hold the winning ticket.

“Don’t shout your win from the rooftop,” Rob Burnette, financial and investment adviser at Outlook Financial Center in Troy, Ohio, said. “If you’re lucky enough to win the lottery, keep it quiet. Get organized and make a plan. Consider staying anonymous, if it’s a possibility.”

Interest rates rising:Why does the Fed raise interest rates? And how do those hikes slow inflation?

Make an offer:As housing cools, some buyers get a second chance to grab their first choice

How much is the jackpot, what time is the Mega Millions drawing, and what are my odds of winning?

The $1.1 billion prize is for winners who choose the annuity option, paid annually over 30 years. Most winners opt for the cash option, which for the next drawing Tuesday at 11 p.m. ET is an estimated $576.8 million.

The single chance of matching all six numbers is roughly 1 in 303 million. Mega Millions tickets – which cost $2 each – are sold in 45 states plus the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

What's the Mega Millions cut off time to buy tickets?

In many states, eligible tickets are sold until 15 minutes before the drawing takes place. The drawing is at 11 P.M. ET on Tuesday.

However, there are exceptions, so it's best to check the rules in your own state. For example, in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, the cutoff is 9:50 p.m. ET on the day of the drawing.

Why shouldn’t you tell everyone?

Scammers.

“Some of those scammers have falsely identified themselves as being affiliated with Mega Millions,” Mega Millions said. “These scams all have one thing in common: They try to trick you into sending them money or personal information by claiming that you have won a large lottery prize.”

No representative of Mega Millions would ever call, text, or email anyone about winning a prize, Mega Millions said.

DON'T GET CONNED:Stay alert against financial scams

WINNING:‘We did it again’: Maryland mom wins $100K jackpot for third time in five years

Also remember, "no real lottery tells winners to put up their own money in order to collect a prize they have already won," it said.

Steve Azoury, owner of Azoury Financial in Troy, Michigan, said he has advised many lottery winners, including a $181 million winner "who said ‘If I didn’t know you before, I don’t want to know you now.’”

If you can’t tell everyone you won, what can, or should you do?

“Get a tax attorney and a tax accountant right off the bat and then a financial adviser,” said Azoury. “They’ll work hand in hand to figure out the plan.”

The plan will include which payout option to choose:

An annuity option makes an initial annual payment followed by 29 annual payments. Each payment is 5% larger than the previous one.

The cash option is a one-time, lump-sum payment equal to all the cash in the Mega Millions jackpot prize pool.

The plan also should include a “fall guy,” Azoury said. “That’s the person or adviser who keeps you from giving loans to anybody, who tells people all the money’s tied up in investments, not available. We have nothing available to help you out and we’re not interested in your project.”

REGULAR PAYOUTS:Are annuities safe in a recession? Sales are surging, here's what to know

SLIM ODDS:7 things more likely to happen than winning the Powerball or Mega Millions lottery

Should you take the lump sum or installment payments?

That decision depends on your goals, your age, and what lottery rules are for beneficiaries to continue receiving payments, or if you’d likely squander a lump sum.

Mark Steber, chief tax officer at Jackson Hewitt, recommends considering the following:

Size of the lottery winning: That can serve as a guide to determining taxes you may owe and the financial security you can derive from it. If the amount is on the smaller side, a lump sum may simply be easier.

Current and projected earnings: Consider your ability to earn money and tax rates over your lifetime.

EASY GAMBLING:Online lottery tickets put Texans’ most-played games a touch away

DIFFERENT GAMBLE:'He won the lottery': Ohio 13-year-old sells Mac Jones football card for $100,000

How much do you bring home?

That depends on how you decide to take your money and complex state laws.

If you win the Mega Millions lottery, you’ll likely be propelled into the highest federal tax bracket. Your state of residency and where you bought the winning ticket can greatly impact what you pay in state taxes.

For example, if you’re a California resident and purchase your ticket there, then you pay the 37% federal tax rate but are in luck because California doesn't tax lottery winnings, Steber said.

New York, though, has the highest tax rate on lottery winnings.

But, if you’re a California resident on vacation in Rhode Island and decide to buy a ticket there, you’ll have to include your lottery winnings on your federal and California tax returns and file a nonresident Rhode Island tax return for your jackpot. You should claim a tax credit for the Rhode Island taxes on your California return so you won't be double-taxed on the same income in two states, he said.

“This is where a tax professional really comes in handy,” Steber said. “State taxes can be very tricky.”

TAXING:Senate Dems say boosting taxes on higher income earners will extend Medicare solvency

A MILLION MISTAKE:Man claims $1 million Mega Millions prize from ticket he says was a 'mistake'

"How long does it take to get your money if you win the Mega Millions?"

Once you claim the prize, it shouldn’t take too long, Azoury said. “Maybe a couple of weeks,” he said.

Remember, most people won’t claim their winnings right away because they'll take time to set their plan. Claim periods vary by jurisdiction so people should check with the lottery in the state where the ticket was purchased to get the applicable claim period for that ticket.

Mega Millions claim periods range from 90 days to one year from the draw date, the lottery said.

Medora Lee is a money, markets, and personal finance reporter at USA TODAY. You can reach her at mjlee@usatoday.com and subscribe to our free Daily Money newsletter for personal finance tips and business news every Monday through Friday morning.

Associated Press contributing

Top 10 lottery jackpots for Powerball, Mega Millions: Who won and ...

If you win: Sign the back of the ticket, keep it safe, speak with trusted advisor, call the lottery

In eight states, winners can elect to remain anonymous. Florida is not one of those states

A single Mega Millions ticket from South Carolina won the second-largest jackpot in U.S. history

2016 record-setting Powerball win generated more than $114 million for schools in Florida

We know – whenever lotto fever happens, we Google “Top 10 lottery jackpots.”

What we usually get is a list, but we went a step further and compiled a roundup of winners, where the winning tickets were sold and what we know about these grand prize winners.

As the Oct. 24, 2022, Powerball jackpot climbs to $625 million – with a cash value of $299.8 million – we look back at notable lottery jackpot records (including Mega Millions) in the United States. While the $625 million jackpot is a lot of money, it’s not in the Top 10 biggest lottery jackpots ever. It will be in the Top 10 Powerball jackpots of all time.

As of Oct. 24, 2022, here are the Top 10 lottery jackpots in U.S. history and some details about the biggest Powerball and Mega Millions winners in the history of the games. In at least one case, one winner’s name became the target of a scam.

Jackpot: Winning ticket for $494M lottery jackpot sold in Fort Myers, Florida, weeks after Hurricane Ian

Missing Mega Millions mania?:Try prize-linked savings to party on. Here's how they work

10. $656 million, March 30, 2012

Three tickets sold in Illinois, Kansas and Maryland clinched the $656 million Mega Millions jackpot on March 30, 2012.

One ticket was purchased by a retired couple in their 60s, Merle and Patricia Butler of Red Bud, Illinois.

The other winning tickets were sold in Baltimore County in Maryland and Kansas, where winners can remain anonymous.

9. $687.8 million, Oct. 27, 2018

Two winners from Iowa and New York split the $687.8 million Powerball jackpot, which had a cash option of $396.2 million, in the Oct. 27, 2018, drawing.

According to a story in the Delaware News Journal, part of the USA TODAY Network, "15 tickets matched all five white balls but missed matching the red Powerball ... Thirteen of those tickets won $1 million. The tickets were sold in California (2), Colorado, Florida, Kentucky, North Carolina, New Jersey (2), New York (2), Ohio and Texas (2). Two other tickets sold in Florida and Texas won a $2 million prize because the tickets included the Power Play option for an extra $1."

In addition, the story states, "there were three $50,000 winners in Delaware, according to the Delaware Lottery's website. In total, there were more than 3.5 million winning tickets across all prize tiers."

Iowa Lottery officials confirmed Lerynne West of Dexter, Iowa, was one of the two winners who split the nearly $700 million Powerball prize. According to a 2018 story on CNBC, the 51-year-old grandmother of six said she almost lost her lottery ticket — she bought it on a day she was moving to a new home.

8. $699.8 million, Oct. 4, 2021

One ticket matched all numbers in the Oct. 4, 2021, Powerball drawing to win $699.8 million. It was purchased at Albertsons supermarket in Morro Bay, California, and the retailer received $1 million for selling the ticket, according to The Record in Bergen, N.J., part of the USA TODAY Network. The winner had a cash option of $495,980,160.52.

Five players matched all five numbers without the Powerball. Two of the $1 million tickets were sold in Maryland and the other were sold in Arizona, Florida and Virginia.

What's everyone talking about?:Sign up for our trending newsletter to get the latest news of the day

7. $731.1 million, Jan. 20, 2021

An anonymous group from Maryland won the $731.1 million Powerball jackpot – the largest lottery win in Maryland Lottery history. The winners called themselves “The Power Pack” and bought a single ticket Jan. 20, 2021, at Coney Market in Lonaconing, Maryland.

The Daily American, part of the USA TODAY Network, reported in January 2021: "The latest jackpot-winning Powerball ticket, worth $731.1 million, was sold in a struggling coal mining town whose biggest previous claim to fame was being the hometown of baseball legend Lefty Grove... The store will get a $100,000 bonus for selling the ticket."

6. $758.7 million, Aug. 23, 2017

This massive Powerball jackpot smashed a previous record for the biggest win for a single ticket when Mavis Wanczyk of Massachusetts won it on Aug. 23, 2017.

However, soon after Wanczyk's $758.7 million win, a stroke of bad luck befell the lottery winner's name via social media.

According to a July 2021 story on ABC27.com, after Wanczyk won, "several fake social media accounts popped up using her name claiming she was giving away money in exchange for personal information. Four years later, new text messages are now circulating claiming Wanczyk is donating $5,000 to 200 random individuals who were selected after a 'spin ball.' The message instructs the recipient to text a number to receive their money."

This was a scam, and experts say people should never give out their personal information via text message or email to strangers. And if the text message or email looks fishy, it probably is.

5. $768.4 million, March 27, 2019

A 24-year-old Wisconsin man, Manuel Franco, won the $768.4 million Powerball on March 27, 2019. Franco bought the winning ticket at a Speedway in New Berlin, Wisconsin. The jackpot was then the third largest in U.S. history, and Franco told reporters in 2019 that winning "feels like a dream." According to news reports, before winning the $768 million Powerball drawing, Franco was just trying to save $1,000 in the bank.

4. $1.05 billion, Jan. 22, 2021

An Oakland County lottery club claimed the largest prize in Michigan Lottery history, a $1.05 billion Mega Millions jackpot on Jan. 22, 2021. Four people split the prize and chose the lump sum. According to the Associated Press, officials said the winners shared $557 million after taxes and claimed their prize nearly two months after the Jan. 22 drawing.

The names of the four Oakland County club members were not released. The Wolverine FLL Club had the only jackpot-winning ticket.

“This kind of money will impact the families of our club members for generations to come. We plan to stay humble and pay it forward through charitable giving in southeast Michigan,” attorney Kurt Panouses said on behalf of the winners to AP. “A club member saw a sign that the jackpot was up to $1 billion and remembered that they hadn’t bought their tickets yet so they pulled into the Kroger.”

The winning ticket was purchased almost as an afterthought at a Kroger grocery store in the Detroit suburb of Novi.

More: A Virginia man thought he won $600 in a lottery scratch-off. He actually won $1 million.

3. $1.337 billion, July 29, 2022

A single Mega Millions ticket purchased in a Chicago suburb won the record-setting jackpot of $1.337 billion on July 29, 2022.

On July 29, the Illinois Lottery revealed a gas station in Des Plaines, Illinois, sold the winning ticket.

Two people who wish to remain anonymous claimed the Mega Millions jackpot, lottery officials reported in September.

The winners of the July drawing opted to take a lump sum payment of $780.5 million, lottery officials said.

2. $1.537 billion, Oct. 23, 2018

A single Mega Millions ticket from South Carolina won the second-largest lottery jackpot in U.S. history, $1.537 billion, on Oct. 23, 2018.

But we may never know who bought it. South Carolina is one of eight states where winners can elect to remain anonymous.

The jackpot fell short of the nation's biggest prize, but the Mega Millions prize is the largest for a single ticket.

"Our message to the $1.5 BILLION #Mega Millions jackpot winner: Sign the back of the ticket, place the ticket in a safe location, speak with a trusted advisor and CALL THE LOTTERY," the South Carolina Education Lottery said on Twitter. "Take a deep breath and enjoy the moment!"

The ticket was sold at a KC Mart in Simpsonville, South Carolina. KC Mart owner C.J. Patel told USA TODAY in a 2018 story that he would receive about $30,000 for his role and had planned to split the proceeds with his four employees.

Almost three years after the record-setting lottery drawing, the Greenville News reported the man who reportedly sold the winning lottery ticket was arrested and charged with five counts of tax evasion, according to the state's Department of Revenue.

In the March 2021 story, Patel of Greenville County, was accused of failing to report more than $2 million in sales from 2013 through 2017, warrants show. In doing so, he evaded $123,044 in sales tax, investigators said.

The winner, described as a South Carolina woman who was visiting Greenville County, opted to get a lump-sum payment of $877,784,124, officials announced in March 2019.

1. $1.59 billion, Jan. 13, 2016

Three winners claimed the Powerball prize that would be the biggest jackpot in history — $1.586 billion split three ways. Maureen Smith and David Kaltschmidt of Melbourne Beach, Florida; Marvin and Mae Acosta of California; and John and Lisa Robinson of Tennessee claimed the three tickets with a cash value of $327.8 million each.

According to Florida Today, part of the USA TODAY Network, Kaltschmidt worked as a manufacturing engineer at Northrop Grumman and, in 2016 said he would retire. Smith had referred to herself as a homemaker.

Smith said she played the winning numbers of 4-8-19-27-34 with a Powerball of 10 for many years but she did not play the lottery itself that often. Those numbers, she said, did not have a special significance.

"I've been playing them for so many years I really don't remember," she said.

Kaltschmidt said he woke up on the morning of Jan. 14 and found the lottery sheet with the combination without any circles on it, which in their parlance would indicate missed numbers.

"Oddly enough, I checked the ticket and everything matched up so I said ‘she's messing with me,’” he joked.

The Powerball generated more than $114 million for schools in the state of Florida. And the Publix at 3830 SR A1A in Melbourne Beach received $100,000 for selling the winning ticket.

Contributing: Tamia Boyd, Greenville News; Chris Bonanno, Florida TodayLORIDA TODAY; Associated Press; USA TODAY

What if no one claims Mega Millions' $1.34 billion lottery jackpot?

CINCINNATI – It has been weeks since a ticket in Illinois won the $1.34 billion Mega Millions jackpot.

But no one has come forward to claim the second-largest jackpot in the 20-year history of the game, topped only by the $1.537 billion ticket won in South Carolina in 2018.

Rules for claiming a prize, as well as the length of time one has to claim it, vary by state, according to the Mega Millions website. The window for claiming prizes typically ranges from 90 days to one year from the draw date.

Illinois Lottery states that winners may have up to a year to come forward. But winners of more than $250,000 may choose to remain anonymous, so we may never know the identity of the soon-to-be billionaire.

Though the winner still has time to claim the prize, they have only 60 days from the draw date to choose between the cash or annuity options. Because the winning numbers were drawn July 29, they now have 32 days left to decide.

Missing Mega Millions mania? Try prize-linked savings to party on. Here's how they work

'Goose bumps':After historic $1.3B Mega Millions lotto win, dozens flock to lucky Illinois gas station

What happens if no one claims the Mega Millions jackpot?

If a jackpot prize goes unclaimed, each participating state in the Mega Millions game will get back all the money it contributed.

The states use their unclaimed lottery prizes for different purposes, but unclaimed prize money typically remains in a state's lottery fund.

In Illinois, roughly a quarter of every dollar played on the lottery goes to public school funding, the state lottery says. Last year, lottery purchases raised $731 million for education in the state.

How do I get my student loans forgiven? Qualifying for Biden's debt relief, explained

What happens if the winning lottery ticket is lost?

Mega Millions is not responsible for lost or stolen tickets. Winners are advised to sign the back of the tickets. Unless a ticket is signed, anyone who has the ticket can file a claim. If the ticket is lost before it was signed and someone else finds it, the finder can collect the prize.

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How many unclaimed jackpot prizes have there been?

To date, there have only been three unclaimed jackpot prizes. Here's a running list of the unclaimed jackpots in recorded Mega Millions history:

Powerball jackpot jumps to $630 million for January 5

Strong sales keep pushing the Powerball higher and higher for Wednesday night's drawing.

Originally projected to be $575 million and then $610 million on Tuesday, the jackpot keeps climbing and is now an estimated $630 million – the seventh largest Powerball jackpot ever.

“We’re thrilled to offer players a jackpot that has hit the $600 million mark,” May Scheve Reardon, Powerball Product Group Chair, said in a statement.

The cash option will be $448.4 million, according to the lottery website.

Lucky month:Of Top 10 largest lottery jackpots ever, 3 were claimed in January

In Monday's drawing, three tickets matched all five white balls to win million-dollar prizes. Two tickets sold in Connecticut and Texas won $1 million, while a ticket in Montana had the Powerplay to win $2 million.

The Powerball numbers drawn on Monday, Jan. 3, 2022 were: 2 - 13 - 32 - 33 - 48 and Powerball 22. The Powerplay was 2x.

Recent winner:$699.8 million Powerball winning ticket sold in California

The Powerball has not been won since a lottery player in California won the $699.8 million jackpot back in October. There have been 39 straight drawings without the jackpot being won.

Tickets to play the Powerball cost $2 and are available in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

There are now three chances to win the Powerball each week. The drawing is held at 10:59 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at the Florida Lottery draw studio in Tallahassee.

Mega winner:$108 million Mega Millions winning ticket sold in Arizona

Meanwhile, he Mega Millions jackpot is at $278 million with a cash option of $193 million for Friday night's drawing, according to the Mega Millions website.

Unlucky? Here are 13 crazy things more likely to happen than winning the Powerball jackpot

Top 10 Powerball Jackpots

Powerball, Mega Millions:These are the luckiest states for jackpot winners

John Connolly is a breaking news editor for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to all the major news happening in North Jersey, subscribe here. To get breaking news directly to your inbox, sign up for our newsletter.

Email: connolly@northjersey.com

Twitter: @JohnConnolly_22

Mega Millions jackpot soars to $421M, two winning tickets get millions

No one won the Mega Millions jackpot Tuesday night so the jackpot will climb to $421 million for Friday night's drawing, according to the Mega Millions website.

The cash option will be $290.9 million.

While no lottery player hit the $396 million grand prize, two tickets won million-dollar prizes by matching all five white balls. A ticket sold in Texas won $1 million, while a Rhode Islander had the Megaplier to win $3 million.

The winning numbers drawn on Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022 were: 3 - 12 - 38 - 53 - 58 and Megaball 13. The Megaplier was 3x.

Recent Winner:$108 million Mega Millions winning ticket sold in Arizona

The Mega Millions has not been hit since someone in Lake Havasu City, Arizona won a $108 million jackpot back in October.

While life-changing, Friday's jackpot is not in the Top 10 Mega Millions jackpots of all-time (see chart below).

The Mega Millions costs $2 per ticket and is drawn twice weekly on Tuesdays and Fridays at 11 p.m.

Powerball winner:$632.6 million Powerball jackpot winning tickets sold in California and Wisconsin

Meanwhile, the Powerball jackpot is at $91 million with a cash option of $63.5 million for Wednesday's drawing, according to the Powerball website.

Unlucky? Here are 13 crazy things more likely to happen than winning the lottery

Powerball, Mega Millions:These are the luckiest states for jackpot winners

Top Mega Millions jackpots

John Connolly is a breaking news editor for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to all the major news happening in North Jersey, subscribe here. To get breaking news directly to your inbox, sign up for our newsletter.

Email: connolly@northjersey.com

Twitter: @JohnConnolly_22

Mega Millions drawing July 26, 2022: One Ohio ticket matched five ...

Update, 5:45 a.m.: No one picked all five numbers and the Megaball, so the Mega Millions jackpot of $830 million will continue to grow, but one ticket was sold in Ohio with all five numbers and the Megaplier, making that ticket worth $3 million, according to the Mega Millions website. Information on where that $3 million ticket was sold was not made available early Wednesday.

Update, 11:00 p.m.: Winning numbers for the Tuesday, July 26, drawing for a Mega Millions jackpot of $830 million are 7, 29, 60, 63, 66 and the gold Megaball is 15. The Megaplier is 3X. The cash option is $487.9 million.

Update:8 p.m. Lottery officials said in a statement that strong sales have pushed the estimated jackpot for tonight’s drawing to $830 million, with a cash value of $487.9 million.

Update, 6:30 p.m.: There is still time to buy a ticket for a chance to win the Mega Millions estimated jackpot of $810 million tonight.

The Mega Millions drawing Tuesday night is at 11 p.m. Ticket sales end at 10:45 p.m. in Kentucky and Indiana. Check back here for winning numbers after the drawing

In Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana, you can buy a Mega Millions ticket at gas stations, convenience stores and supermarkets until 10:45 p.m. on drawing night.

More:The first things to do if you win the lottery

In Kentucky, residents can also purchase tickets online at www.KYLottery.com.

In Ohio, residents can use Lottery Card available in Kroger, Buehler’s Fresh Foods and Giant Eagle stores. It allows Ohio consumers to enter draw games on their phones and get notified and paid electronically if they win. You can also buy tickets online at www.OhioLottery.com.

Got a Mega Millions prize notification?:Here's how to tell if it's a scam

Previous reporting: On Tuesday night, the current estimated $810 million jackpot will be up for grabs.

No one has won the Mega Millions grand prize since April 15, when a ticket in Tennessee won $20 million. The current $810 million jackpot is among the top three largest Mega Millions jackpots ever, according to the lottery's records.

The cash option is $470.1 million.

The most recent numbers from the Friday, July 22 drawing were 14, 40, 60, 64 and 66. The Mega Ball was 16, and the Megaplier was 3X.

There was a Match 5 $1 million winner in Virginia and Match 5 + Megaplier $3 million winners in Delaware, New Jersey and New York.

Whether you've played before, or if this is your first time trying your luck at the lottery, here's what you need to know ahead of the next drawing on Tuesday, July 26.

When are the Mega Millions drawings?

Mega Millions drawings are Tuesday and Friday at 11 p.m. Ticket sales end at 10:45 p.m. in Kentucky and Indiana.

How to play the Mega Millions

Tickets to Mega Millions cost $2 per play.

There are nine total ways to win a prize, from the jackpot to $2.

Pick five numbers from 1 to 70 and one Mega Ball number from 1 to 25.

Choose Easy Pick or Quick Pick to have the terminal randomly pick numbers for you. You win the jackpot by matching all six winning numbers in the drawing.

What's the Megaplier?

Most states offer the Megaplier feature, which increases non-jackpot prizes by two, three, four and five times.

It costs an additional $1 per play. Before each regular Mega Millions drawing, the Megaplier is drawn. From a pool of 15 balls, five are marked with "2X," three with "4X" and one with "5X."

Where to buy Mega Millions tickets

You can play Mega Millions in 47 localities: 45 states, plus the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands. To find locations, search the Mega Millions website.

In Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana, you can buy a Mega Millions ticket at gas stations, convenience stores and supermarkets until 10:45 p.m. on drawing night.

In Kentucky, residents can also purchase tickets online at www.KYLottery.com.

In Ohio, residents can use Lottery Card available in Kroger, Buehler’s Fresh Foods and Giant Eagle stores. It allows Ohio consumers to enter draw games on their phones and get notified and paid electronically if they win. You can also buy tickets online at www.OhioLottery.com.

What was the largest Mega Millions jackpot ever?

In 2018, one winning ticket in South Carolina sold for a $1.537 billion grand prize, which was the world's largest lottery prize ever won on a single ticket.

In January 2021, a winning ticket sold in Michigan for $1.05 billion.

What happens if I win Mega Millions?

Mega Millions offers two options.

You can take annuity, in which you're paid out as one immediate payment followed by 29 annual payments. Each payment is 5% bigger than the previous.

There's also the cash option, a one-time, lump-sum payment equal to all the cash in the Mega Millions jackpot prize pool.

Mega Millions: $1.28 billion lottery jackpot. Did anyone win Friday ...

Did someone hit the jackpot?

Well, yes!

Since April 19, 2022, no one's won the Mega Millions jackpot — and just over three months later, the grand prize was $1.28 billion, the second-largest jackpot in the history of the game. Cash option for those who want the lump sum would be $747.2 million. But on to the question that everyone who's bought a ticket or heard about the jackpot: Who will win?

The drawing happened at 11 p.m. Friday, and shortly after the Mega Millions lottery website was down with an "Error 524." Several users on Twitter made that quite known. However, by 11:30 p.m. ET, the Mega Millions site was up and running.

Did anyone win the $1.28 billion jackpot? By 8:30 a.m. Saturday, the lottery website said a jackpot winner was in Illinois.

But it wasn’t all bad news …

Here’s a list of ”Match 5” winners and where the tickets were bought:

• California, 1

• Florida, 2

• Georgia, 2

• Illinois

• Kentucky

• Louisiana

• Michigan

• Minnesota, 2

• North Carolina, 2

• New Hampshire

• New York

• Oklahoma

• Pennsylvania

• Texas, 2

• Wisconsin

Here’s a list of “Match 5 + Megaplier” winners and where tickets were bought:

• Arkansas

• Florida, 3

• Iowa

• Pennsylvania

Top 10 Powerball jackpots and what we know: Who won and where winning tickets were bought

Mega Millions winning numbers

The winning numbers for Tuesday night's (July 26) drawing were 7, 29, 60, 63, 66 and the Mega Ball was 15. The Megaplier was 3X.

The winning numbers for Friday night's drawing were 13, 36, 45, 57, 67 and the Mega Ball was 14. The Megaplier was 2X.

Did anyone win Mega Millions Friday night?

According to the Mega Millions website, the next estimated drawing is valued at $20 million with a cash option of $11.6 million, as of Saturday morning. There was a winner in the July 29 $1.28 billion jackpot.

Hmmm:Can Florida Lottery winners remain anonymous? What you need to know about winning the lottery

Single Powerball jackpot winning ticket worth $473.1 million sold in Arizona

When is the next Mega Millions drawing?

The next Mega Millions drawing after this is Tuesday, Aug. 2.

Drawings are held twice a week at 11 p.m. ET every Tuesday and Friday.

When was the last big Mega Millions jackpot in 2022?

After months of no winners, one lucky ticket purchased in South Carolina matched all numbers to win $426 million in the Jan. 28 drawing.

How to play Mega Millions

Here's how to play Mega Millions, according to its website:

"Players may pick six numbers from two separate pools of numbers — five different numbers from 1 to 70 (the white balls) and one number from 1 to 25 (the gold Mega Ball) — or select Easy Pick/Quick Pick. You win the jackpot by matching all six winning numbers in a drawing.

What can you win if you play Mega Millions?

The mega millions numbers are drawn with five white balls, each with the possibility of a number between 1 and 70. The final gold "Mega Ball" is drawn from a set of balls numbered between 1 and 25.

There are nine ways to win a prize (from $2 to the jackpot) in this drawing:

5 matching numbers + Mega Ball : Jackpot

5 matching numbers: $1 million

4 matching numbers + Mega Ball: $10,000

4 matching numbers: $500

3 matching numbers + Mega Ball: $200

3 matching numbers: $10

2 matching numbers + Mega Ball: $10

1 matching number + Mega Ball: $4

Mega Ball matching $2

Money, money, money:Mega Millions drawing, day, time and jackpot amount explained

Top 10 Mega Millions lottery jackpots

As of July 29, 2022, here are the Top 10 Mega Millions jackpots:

$1.537 billion — Oct. 23, 2018; South Carolina

$1.28 billion — July 29, 2022; Illinois

$1.05 billion — Jan. 22, 2021; Michigan

$656 million — Mar. 30, 2012; Kansas, Illinois, Maryland

$648 million — Dec. 17, 2013; California, Georgia

$543 million — July 24, 2018; California

$536 million — July 8, 2016; Indiana

$533 million — Mar. 30, 2018; New Jersey

$522 million — June 7, 2019; California

$516 million — May 21, 2021; Pennsylvania

Top 10 Powerball lottery jackpots

As of July 29, 2022, here are the Top 10 Powerball jackpots, according to powerball.com:

$1.586 billion — Jan. 13, 2016; California, Florida, Tennessee

$768.4 million — Mar. 27, 2019; Wisconsin

$758.7 million — Aug. 23, 2017; Massachusetts

$731.1 million — Jan. 20, 2021; Maryland

$699.8 million — Oct. 4, 2021; California

$687.8 million — Oct. 27, 2018; Iowa, New York

$632.6 million — Jan. 5, 2022; California, Wisconsin

$590.5 million — May 18, 2013; Florida

$587.5 million — Nov. 28, 2012; Arizona, Missouri

$564.1 million — Feb. 11, 2015; North Carolina, Puerto Rico, Texas

Top 10 U.S. lottery jackpots

As of July 29, here are the Top 10 Powerball and Mega Millions jackpots:

$1.586 billion, Powerball — Jan. 13, 2016; California, Florida, Tennessee

$1.537 billion, Mega Millions — Oct. 23, 2018; South Carolina

$1.28 billion, Mega Millions — July 29, 2022; Illinois

$1.05 billion, Mega Millions — Jan. 22, 2021; Michigan

$768.4 million, Powerball — Mar. 27, 2019; Wisconsin

$758.7 million, Powerball — Aug. 23, 2017; Massachusetts

$731.1 million, Powerball — Jan. 20, 2021; Maryland

$699.8 million, Powerball — Oct. 4, 2021; California

$687.8 million, Powerball — Oct. 27, 2018; Iowa, New York

$656 million, Mega Millions — Mar. 30, 2012; Kansas, Illinois, Maryland

Contributing: Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY

Please consider subscribing to a USA TODAY Network-Florida newspaper at offers.usatodaynetwork.com/network-regional-florida.

Mega Millions: One ticket in Illinois wins the second-largest Mega ...

CNN —

The chase for the second-largest Mega Millions jackpot has ended – with a single ticket sold in the Chicago area for the whole $1.337 billion.

One ticket bought in Des Plaines hit the top prize in Friday night’s drawing, according to the Illinois Lottery, securing the third-largest jackpot of any US lottery game and ending a buildup that began when Mega Millions last drew a jackpot winner in mid-April.

The winning ticket was purchased at a Speedway gas station in Des Plaines, roughly a 20-mile drive northwest of downtown Chicago, the Illinois Lottery said Saturday.

“We have not heard from the winner yet. We don’t know whether … they even know that they won a prize. So I encourage everybody to check your ticket,” Illinois Lottery Director Harold Mays told reporters Saturday morning in Chicago.

The jackpot rose to $1.337 billion late Friday, up from an earlier estimate of $1.28 billion, lottery operators said.

If the holder chooses a lump-sum cash option, the ticket will yield a one-time payment of about $780 million. Otherwise, the nearly $1.34 billion prize will be spread over an initial payment and 29 annual payments.

Friday night’s winning numbers were 13, 36, 45, 57, 67 and a Mega Ball of 14.

The Speedway convenience store in Des Plaines will receive $500,000 for selling the winning ticket, Mays said.

The ticket holder has a year from the drawing to claim the prize, and can choose to withhold his or her name from the public, Mays said. In Illinois, winners of more than $250,000 can ask the lottery to keep their name and hometown confidential.

The largest ever Mega Millions jackpot of $1.537 billion was won by a single ticket sold in South Carolina in 2018. That’s the second-largest jackpot for any US lottery game, and it’s the world’s largest lottery prize won by just one ticket, according to Mega Millions.

The largest jackpot of any US lottery game was $1.586 billion – a Powerball prize from January 13, 2016, shared by winners in California, Florida and Tennessee.

Video Ad Feedback History of the lottery 01:23 - Source: CNN

Other tickets win big prizes

Some other ticket holders also won some sizable prizes Friday.

Twenty-six tickets won a secondary prize of at least $1 million because they matched the first five numbers.

Six of the 26 tickets won $2 million because the buyers matched not only the first five numbers, but also paid an additional $1 to activate the game’s “multiplier,” which elevates non-jackpot prizes.

One of the 26 tickets, sold in California, did not have the multiplier but still won more than $4.2 million, according to the state’s lottery officials. That’s because all prizes in California must be based on sales and number of winners instead of being a fixed amount.

The 20 “Match 5” winners without the multiplier were sold in California; Florida (two); Georgia (two); Illinois; Kentucky; Louisiana; Michigan; Minnesota (two); North Carolina (two); New Hampshire (two); New York; Oklahoma; Pennsylvania; Texas (two); and Wisconsin.

The six $2 million tickets were sold in Arizona; Florida (three); Iowa and Pennsylvania, according to Mega Millions.

First MegaMillions jackpot win since April 15

The jackpot had been rising since mid-April, when the jackpot was hit on consecutive drawings on April 12 and April 15. Since then, no ticket in twice-weekly drawings matched all six numbers – which is tough. The odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 302,575,350.

The Mega Millions website on Friday night became inaccessible for several minutes after the drawing. The lottery’s jackpots start at $20 million and grow based on game sales and interest rates, according to its website.

The next drawing will be Tuesday at 11 p.m. ET, at the $20 million starting point.

Mega Millions tickets are sold in 45 states, Washington, DC, and the US Virgin Islands, where drawings are on Tuesdays and Fridays at 11 p.m. ET. Tickets are sold online in Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and DC, but the purchaser must be in that state.

Jason Hanna Keith Allen
Jason Hanna
Keith Allen


The world's oldest person is a French nun who enjoys chocolate and ...

Paris CNN —

A 118-year-old nun living in a nursing home in southern France has become the world’s oldest living person, according to the Guinness World Records.

Sister André is also the oldest nun ever, according to a statement released by Guinness on Monday.

Born as Lucile Randon on February 11, 1904, Sister André has dedicated most of her life to religious service, the statement said. Before becoming a Catholic nun, she looked after children during World War II and then spent 28 years caring for orphans and elderly people at a hospital.

Sister André, who lives near the French city of Toulon, is also the world’s oldest Covid-19 survivor. The Guinness World Records statement said she tested positive for the virus at the beginning of 2021, but recovered fully within three weeks, just in time for her 117th birthday.

In an interview with the French TV channel RMC Story on Tuesday, Sister André appeared to have mixed feelings about becoming the new oldest living person.

“I feel I would be better off in heaven, but the good Lord doesn’t want me yet,” she said, calling the title a “sad honor.”

However, she also expressed her joy at being “pampered” by her family.

Sister André enjoys chocolate and wine – and drinks a glass every day – her nursing home, Résidence Catherine Labouré, confirmed to CNN on Tuesday.

When she turned 118 earlier this year, the elderly nun received a handwritten birthday note from French President Emmanuel Macron – the 18th French president of her lifetime – according to a tweet from the nursing home. There have also been 10 different Popes presiding over the Catholic Church since she was born.

Sister André became the world’s eldest following the death of Kane Tanaka, a Japanese woman previously certified as the world’s oldest person, who died at the age of 119 on April 19.

The title of oldest person ever recorded also belongs to a French woman. Born on February 21, 1875, Jeanne Louise Calment’s life spanned 122 years and 164 days, according to the Guinness World Records statement.

Simon Bouvier Xiaofei Xu Camille Knight Elias Lemercier

Bessie Hendricks, oldest living person in US, turns 115 | CNN

CNN —

Bring out the candles – 115 of them.

Bessie Hendricks, the oldest living person in the United States, has celebrated yet another turn around the sun. The Iowa supercentenarian turned 115 on November 7, according to CNN affiliate KCCI.

Hendricks was born in 1907. Her lifetime has seen 21 presidents, two world wars, and the sinking of the Titanic.

In addition to being the oldest living person in the United States, she is also the fourth-oldest living person in the world, according to the Gerontology Research Group, which records and certifies supercentenarians (people who have lived to be older than 110).

Hendricks celebrated her 115th birthday alongside her three children at Shady Oaks Care Center, according to KCCI.

“I don’t know how you put it into words,” said her daughter, Joan Schaffer, according to KCCI. Schaffer turned 90 the day before her mother’s 115th birthday. “It’s marvelous that we still have her.”

Hendricks’ children described her as a hard-working, caring mother. Hendricks’ own mother died when she was just 13 years old, according to KCCI.

Currently, the title for oldest living person belongs to Lucile Randon, a 118-year old French nun, says the Gerontology Research Group. The oldest person ever recorded was another Frenchwoman, Jeanne Louise Calment, who lived to be over 122 years old, according to the Guinness World Records. Calment died in 1997.

Nun believed to be world's second-oldest person survives COVID ...

Associated Press

PARIS — A 116-year-old French nun who is believed to be the world's second-oldest person has survived COVID-19 and is looking forward to celebrating her 117th birthday on Thursday.

The Gerontology Research Group, which validates details of people thought to be 110 or older, lists Frenchwoman Lucile Randon — Sister André's birth name — as the second-oldest known living person in the world.

French media report that Sister André tested positive for the virus in mid-January in the southern French city of Toulon. But just three weeks later, the nun is considered recovered.

"I didn't even realize I had it," she told French newspaper Var-Matin.

Sister André, who is blind and uses a wheelchair, did not even worry when she received her diagnosis.

"She didn't ask me about her health, but about her habits," David Tavella, the communications manager for the care home where the nun, told the newspaper. "For example, she wanted to know if meal or bedtime schedules would change. She showed no fear of the disease. On the other hand, she was very concerned about the other residents."

Not all of the home's residents shared Sister André's luck. In January, 81 of the 88 residents tested positive for the virus, and about 10 of them died, according to Var-Matin.

Once doctors declared the nun no longer infected, she was allowed to attend Mass.

Allendale woman who survived COVID at age 108 dies on her 110th ...

Sylvia Goldsholl lived through the Spanish flu, two world wars and the Great Depression, then beat the coronavirus at age 108 to become one of the world's oldest COVID survivors.

Early Wednesday, just hours after turning 110, the resident of Allendale Senior Living succumbed to old age, dying peacefully before she could be properly feted by the mayor and the nursing facility staff, said David Gillies, director of activities.

"She was an in-house celebrity, a 'big sister' to many and a vocal advocate for others," Gillies said. "An independent spirit who loved music, dancing and celebrating life with others."

Goldsholl grabbed nationwide attention when she beat COVID-19 in April 2020 at age 108. Gov. Phil Murphy at the time hailed "a tremendous life, a tremendous spirit, a tremendous show of strength."

"I know some readers may recall when she gained great press attention as the world’s second-oldest COVID survivor," Gillies said Wednesday.

But to those who knew Goldsholl best, she was a devoted friend, a loving and involved aunt.

'I didn't miss a thing'

Goldsholl moved to the Allendale home in 2010 after spending most of her life in the Bronx, living in the apartment where she had grown up. She moved to New Jersey when she needed more care.

"I didn't miss a thing," she told NorthJersey.com after her bout with COVID. "I've done a very good job."

Goldsholl in 2020 was a few months older than the 108-year-old New Mexico man who also beat the virus, but several years younger than a 113-year-old Spanish woman who survived it. In the time since, Lucile Randon, a French nun, survived the coronavirus at the remarkable age of 116.

Goldsholl was 6 when the Spanish flu tore through the United States and the world, killing an estimated 50 million people.

According to the Gerontology Research Group, which keeps a World Supercentenarian Rankings List that was last updated on Dec. 24, Goldsholl was briefly among the few validated supercentenarians alive. The term usually refers to people age 110 and older.

She supplanted Hilda Brown, who died in June and previously was the Garden State's sole representative of the supercentenarian club.

Goldsholl embraced her status as a survivor in 2020, telling NorthJersey.com that her family "knew that I was a wonder. I met their expectations. I represented them in a very well way.”

All about family and education

Although she never married or had children of her own, Goldsholl cherished her family, her niece Nancy Chazen said in 2020.

“She always wanted to have family parties,” Chazen said. “She thought it was important to stay in touch with the family.”

Chazen remembers Goldsholl as “a very loving aunt” to nieces and nephews, and said she taught her to play cards.

At the Allendale center, Goldsholl enjoyed spending time with other residents and almost to her last day retained her zest for life.

“She has a reputation of being an advocate,” Chazen said, adding that Goldsholl used to write letters to government officials about the issues on her mind.

She was known to emphasize the importance of education, crediting her mother and father with encouraging her to learn.

"My mom was educated in Russia," Goldsholl said. "She wanted very much to be knowledgeable. My father came from a very high-class background. I made the best of both [backgrounds]."

Gillies said that Goldsholl's death on her birthday represents a good sign in Jewish tradition.

"A person who passes on their birthday is truly righteous," Gillies said.

Matt Fagan is a local reporter for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

Email: fagan@northjersey.com

Twitter: @fagan_nj

COVID news: Pregnant women; vaccinations; CDC; masks; French ...

Wearing a tight-fitting mask or a double mask can dramatically decrease exposure to and spread of COVID-19, a crucial defense against emerging new variations of the virus, the CDC reported Wednesday.

In lab tests with dummies, exposure to potentially infectious aerosols decreased by more than 90% when tight or double masks were used, the CDC said.

“Cases hospitalizations and deaths are still very high," said Dr. Rochelle Walensky, head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, at a White House coronavirus briefing. "Now is not the time to roll back mask requirements."

The White House also announced three new mass vaccination sites at sports stadiums in Texas that could deliver a total of 10,000 shots per day. The sites in Dallas, Arlington and Houston will be operated by local health officials supported by federal troops starting Feb. 22. The action comes days after the National Football League said it was working with public health officials to allow use of its stadiums for mass vaccinations.

White House coronavirus coordinator Jeff Zients said the administration plans to open similar sites in more states in the coming weeks.

USA TODAY is tracking COVID-19 news. Keep refreshing this page for the latest updates. Sign up for our Coronavirus Watch newsletter for updates to your inbox and join our Facebook group.

In the headlines:

►Federal authorities are investigating a massive counterfeit N95 mask operation in which fake 3M masks were sold in at least five states to hospitals, medical facilities and government agencies. The foreign-made knockoffs are becoming increasingly difficult to spot and could put health care workers at grave risk for the coronavirus. These masks are giving first responders “a false sense of security,” said Steve Francis, who works for the Homeland Security Department’s principal investigative arm.

►About 1 in 3 Americans say they definitely or probably won’t get the COVID-19 vaccine, according to a new poll that some experts say is discouraging news if the U.S. hopes to achieve herd immunity and vanquish the outbreak. The poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that while 67% of Americans plan to get vaccinated or have already done so, 15% are certain they won’t and 17% say probably not. Many expressed doubts about the vaccine’s safety and effectiveness.

►The Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrated their victory Wednesday with a boat parade amid continued concern over the coronavirus pandemic. Mayor Jane Castor emphasized that people attending the parade must wear masks outdoors and observe social distancing rules. It appeared many were abiding by the mask order but many others were not. This follows the controversy that ensued following the game on Sunday, when revelers in Tampa, many maskless and ignoring social distancing guidance, celebrated in the streets.

►About 20,000 pregnant women have been vaccinated for COVID-19 with no "red flags" so far, Dr. Anthony Fauci said Wednesday. Fauci, chief medical adviser to President Joe Biden, said pregnant women and children were not included in initial clinical trials. But he said studies involving them are underway with the focus on ensuring the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine for these groups.

►Two-thirds of Americans still believe that returning to a pre-COVID life represents a moderate or large risk, according to the Axios-Ipsos poll. That's the lowest percentage since October. One in three Americans, 34%, now know someone who has died from COVID-19, according to the survey.

►A French nun who is Europe's oldest person has survived COVID-19, just days before her 117th birthday. Lucile Randon, or Sister Andre, tested positive for the coronavirus Jan. 16 in Toulon but didn't develop symptoms, telling local media she "didn't even realize I had it." She isolated separately from other residents in her retirement home in Toulon, southern France but is now considered fully recovered.

►After weeks of vaccine distribution being largely limited to hospitals, health systems and local health departments, COVID-19 vaccines will roll out Friday at major pharmacies, including the nation's two largest chains, CVS and Walgreens.

📈 Today's numbers: The U.S. has more than 27.2 million confirmed coronavirus cases and 471,400 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University data. The global totals: More than 107.3 million cases and 2.35 million deaths. More than 65.9 million vaccine doses have been distributed in the U.S. and about 44.7 million have been administered, according to the CDC.

📘 What we're reading: How much rent relief will you get? You're more likely to get help if you're white and live in rural America.

California town OKs controversial 'hero pay' for essential workers

A small town in the Southern California desert approved a so-called "hero pay" for certain essential workers Wednesday night.

The emergency ordinance out of Coachella requires certain agricultural operations, grocery stores, retail pharmacy stores and restaurants — to provide a premium pay of an additional $4 per hour to their employees in Coachella for at least 120 days. The regulation applies to those who employ 300 or more workers nationally and more than five employees in the city.

Coachella follows cities like Long Beach, Oakland and Montebello, which have mandated temporary pay increases for essential workers who have risked their health to work during the pandemic and have been sickened with COVID-19 at high rates. Those cities have faced immediate blowback for their actions.

– Rebecca Plevin, The Desert Sun (Palm Springs, Calif.)

Ohio to add up to 4K previously unreported COVID-19 deaths to tally

Ohio will add as many as 4,000 previously unreported COVID-19 deaths to the state's tally during the next week after the Ohio Department of Health discovered errors in how coronavirus deaths are confirmed. Most of these deaths occurred in November and December, the agency said in a news release.

State officials were still determining the cause of the problem but released some information Wednesday evening to be transparent, Gov. Mike DeWine's spokesman Dan Tierney said.

"When there’s been issues, whether it's spoilage with the vaccine or reporting issues like this, we’ve disclosed it to the public," Tierney said.

As of Wednesday, Ohio has reported 11,856 deaths due to COVID-19. But the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention counts 17,222 deaths in Ohio involving COVID-19.

– Jackie Borchardt and Randy Ludlow, The Cincinnati Enquirer

South Africa to use J&J vaccine while it's still being tested

South Africa’s health minister says the country will begin administering the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine to its front-line health workers next week. The workers will be monitored to see what protection the J&J shot provides from COVID-19, particularly against the variant dominant in the country. Health Minister Zweli Mkhize said Wednesday that South Africa scrapped its plans to use the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine because it “does not prevent mild to moderate disease” of the variant dominant in South Africa. In the U.S., Johnson & Johnson has applied to the Food and Drug Administration for emergency use authorization for its vaccine.

Chicago teachers vote to return to classrooms

The Chicago teachers union grudgingly approved a deal Wednesday that will let the nation’s third-largest school district return to classrooms amid the pandemic. The major issues included widespread vaccinations for the district's 25,000 educators, metrics to gauge school infections and accommodations for teachers who have a person in their household who’s more susceptible to the coronavirus.

"We did not get what we wanted or what we deserved," union President Jesse Sharkey said. "The fact that CPS could not delay reopening a few short weeks to ramp up vaccinations and preparations in schools is a disgrace."

Pre-K and special education programs could return as soon as Thursday under the plan. Students in kindergarten through fifth grade would go back to school March 1 and middle schoolers a week later. No return date has been set for high schoolers. The union and district have been arguing for months over a plan to gradually reopen the roughly 340,000-student district.

British transport secretary issues ominous travel warning

Britons may not be allowed to vacation abroad until “everybody” in the country has been vaccinated, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said Wednesday. Shapps said about 13 million of the U.K's 67 million people have been vaccinated so far. Shapps also told BBC Radio 4’s Today show that “people shouldn’t be booking holidays right now – not domestically or internationally." That drew sharp responses from the travel industry.

"Airlines are drowning, but rather than throwing us a life raft, @grantshapps has just thrown a bucket of cold water at us," the British Airline Pilots' Association tweeted. "The UK aviation sector cannot survive another summer with hardly any flying."

Variant cases in US spike by 73%; Florida leads the way

The number of known coronavirus variant cases in the U.S. has surged 73% in the last week alone, according to figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The country now reports 944 cases of variants that spread more easily, bypass treatments and immunities, or both. Nowhere has the increase been more noticeable than in Florida, which now has 343 cases of a fast-spreading variant – up from 201 cases reported during Sunday's Super Bowl, which was hosted in Tampa. Florida now has more than twice as many known variant cases as any other state; California is a distant second.

The vast majority of the country's known variant cases, and all of Florida's, are of the B.1.1.7 variant, which was first detected in the U.K. and has run rampant there. The CDC has said it may become the dominant strain in the U.S. by March. Last month, U.K. researchers said there's evidence the variant may be more deadly than others, and it's also considered at least 50% more transmissible than the original strain.

– Mike Stucka

Biden administration pledges 1M doses for community health centers

The Biden administration will begin sending coronavirus vaccines directly to community health centers as it boosts distribution and reaches out to underserved communities, the White House announced. At least one center in every state and territory will get vaccines as the program ramps up to include 250 of the more than 1,300 such facilities in the country. The participating centers will receive a combined 1 million doses, starting as soon as next week. In later phases, vaccines will become available to all community health centers. The majority of the patients served by the centers are living at or below the federal poverty line. Most are also minorities, according to the administration.

“This effort … really is about connecting with those hard-to-reach populations across the country,” said Marcella Nunez-Smith, who heads the COVID-19 health equity task force.

– Maureen Groppe

Contributing: The Associated Press