Andrew Weil

With $1.8 billion on the line, you might be able to try your luck without standing in line — depending on where you live. WASHINGTON — With the Powerball jackpot now offering the second-largest prize in the game's history, many people who don't often play the lottery may consider throwing in a few bucks for their chance at some big cash.  Saturday's $1.80 billion Powerball jackpot is also the second-largest in U.S. lottery history, trailing only a $2.04 billion Powerball prize won in 2022.  The cash option, which most people pick, currently stands at $826.4 million.  How to play Powerball Powerball costs $2 per ticket and players select five numbers between 1 and 69 for the white balls, along with one number between 1 and 26 for the red Powerball. You can either select your numbers on a play slip or let the lottery terminal randomly pick for you.  The jackpot is won by matching all five white balls, in any order, along with the red Powerball. But the odds of winning that grand prize are pretty terrible: 1 in 292.2 million. Your best shot at winning a prize is the 1 in 38.32 odds of matching only the Powerball number. That'll net you $4.  Can you buy Powerball tickets online? While Powerball tickets are sold in all but five states, buying tickets online is much more restrictive.  Whether or not you're able to buy a Powerball ticket online depends on your location. Currently, the lotteries in 12 states and the District of Columbia offer ways to purchase Powerball tickets online or through their lottery's mobile app. Those states include: Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. If you don't live in one of those states, you may not be out of luck completely.  Another option that's popped up in recent years is courier services, like Lotto.com and Jackpocket, which allow players to order lottery tickets via a mobile app or website. Those companies go and buy the ticket on the player's behalf from a licensed retailer in their state, then upload an image of it on the app and securely store the physical ticket. But location is again key, because these courier services are not available everywhere.  Jackpocket is currently available in Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, District of Columbia, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, and West Virginia.  Lotto.com currently operates in Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Ohio and Oregon. What time is the Powerball drawing?  The next drawing will take place on Saturday at 10:59 p.m. Eastern (9:59 p.m. Central Time, 8:59 p.m. Mountain Time, 7:59 p.m. Pacific Time) What days are the Powerball drawing? Back in Aug. 2021, Powerball shifted to three drawings a week in an effort to build larger prizes and boost sales. The drawings currently happen every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.  How late can you buy Powerball tickets?  The cut-off times for buying Powerball tickets vary by state. Usually, it's within one or two hours of the scheduled drawing. However, you should check with your local lottery. Tickets cost $2 per play.  What are the largest US lottery jackpots ever won? 1. $2.04 billion, Powerball, Nov. 7, 2022. The winning ticket was sold at a Los Angeles-area gas station. 2. $1.765 billion, Powerball, Oct. 11, 2023. The winning ticket was sold at a liquor store in a tiny California mountain town. 3. $1.602 billion, Mega Millions, Aug. 8, 2023. The winning ticket was sold at a supermarket in Neptune Beach, Florida. 4. $1.586 billion, Powerball, Jan. 13, 2016. The winning tickets were sold at a Los Angeles-area convenience store, a Florida supermarket and a Tennessee grocery store. 5. $1.537 billion, Mega Millions, Oct. 23, 2018. The winning ticket was sold at a South Carolina convenience store. 6. $1.348 billion, Mega Millions, Jan. 13, 2023. The winning ticket was sold at a Maine gas station. 7. $1.337 billion, Mega Millions, July 29, 2022. The winning ticket was sold at a Chicago-area gas station. 8. $1.326 billion, Powerball, April 7, 2024. The winning ticket was sold at an Oregon convenience store. 9. $1.269 billion, Mega Millions, Dec. 27, 2024. The winning ticket was sold at a gas station in Northern California. 10. $1.13 billion, Mega Millions, March 26, 2024. The winning ticket was sold at a liquor store in New Jersey The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

The news comes less than a week after the discount carrier known for its bright yellow planes and no-frills service announced it was filing for bankruptcy again. WASHINGTON — Spirit Airlines has confirmed it will be ending service in 12 cities less than a week after the discount carrier announced it was filing for bankruptcy for the second time this year. The budget airline confirmed on Thursday it would be discontinuing service the week of Oct. 2 in the following cities: Albuquerque, New Mexico (ABQ); Birmingham, Alabama (BHM); Boise, Idaho (BOI); Chattanooga, Tennessee (CHA); Columbia, South Carolina (CAE); Oakland, California (OAK); Portland, Oregon (PDX); Sacramento, California (SMF); Salt Lake City, Utah (SLC); San Diego, California (SAN); and San Jose, California (SJC). The airline said it was also scrapping plans to launch service in Macon, Georgia (MCN), which was scheduled to begin Oct. 16. “As part of our efforts to transform our business and position Spirit for long-term success, we are adjusting our network to focus on our strongest performing markets,” a Spirit spokesperson said in an emailed statement. “We are grateful to the airports, business partners and community members in these markets who welcomed and supported us. We remain committed to offering high-value travel options and will continue to serve dozens of destinations throughout the U.S., Latin America and the Caribbean.” The airline said it will be reaching out to affected guests to notify them of their options, including a refund. Spirit, known for its bright yellow planes and no-frills service, has had a rough ride since the COVID-19 pandemic, struggling to rebound amid rising operation costs and its mounting debt. By the time of its first Chapter 11 filing in November, Spirit had lost more than $2.5 billion since the start of 2020. The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

If you beat the Powerball jackpot's astronomical odds, the amount you actually get will depend on where you live. WASHINGTON — The Powerball jackpot is inching closer to record territory with an estimated $1.7 billion grand prize up for grabs in Saturday night's drawing. But if you somehow beat the lottery's astronomical odds, you'll have a hefty tax bill waiting for you.  That's because lottery winnings are treated as income by the federal government and most states, so the jackpots are subject to state and federal income taxes.  However, there are a handful of states that do not collect additional taxes on residents' lottery winnings. If you were to win Saturday's $1.7 billion Powerball jackpot, how much would you actually get? When a lottery winner comes forward, they must first decide whether they want to receive their winnings in a 30-year annuity, or receive their grand prize in a lump sum of cash. If they pick the annuity, they will eventually receive the entire advertised jackpot over the span of three decades.  Most jackpot winners go with the lump sum, which means they get the “cash value” of that jackpot. For Saturday's Powerball jackpot, the cash value was announced as about $770.3 million. Right away, 24% of that cash value is withheld for federal taxes and goes to the IRS, TurboTax explains.  So in the scenario where just one person wins the Powerball and selects that cash option, around $184.87 million of Saturday's estimated prize would be withheld, dropping it to $585.428 million.  But even then, you're not off the hook quite yet for taxes.  Because the federal government counts lottery winnings as income, getting such a large jackpot would likely move the winner into a higher tax bracket, in which their income is taxed at 37%. So when the winner next files their taxes, they’ll likely have to give the IRS another 13% of that prize. In most states, the tax is taken from the prize money before it’s ever given to the winner. Details on when and how much the winner pays differ by state.  There are only eight states and Puerto Rico, where Powerball is played, that don't take more state taxes for a person’s lottery winnings, according to the Tax Foundation and USA Mega, an online multi-state lottery resource unaffiliated with the lotteries themselves. Those states are California, Florida, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Wyoming. According to estimates from USA Mega, the winner of a publicized $1.7 billion jackpot would earn $485,331,980 if they’re from one of the states that doesn't tax winnings and take the lump sum option.  But for example, if you're from New York which has the highest state tax withholding, the net payout would drop to $401,369,280, according to USA Mega estimates.  What you would get paid in each state if you won the $1.7 billion Powerball jackpot: The following list shows the Powerball lump-sum cash amount after taxes for all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, according to an analysis from usamega.com. Alabama Does not offer Powerball  Alaska Does not offer Powerball  Arizona $466,074,480 cash payout  Arkansas $455,290,280 cash payout California $485,331,980 cash payout Colorado $451,438,780 cash payout Connecticut $431,488,010 cash payout Delaware $434,492,180 cash payout Florida $485,331,980 cash payout Georgia $445,353,410 cash payout Hawaii Does not offer Powerball Idaho $441,463,395 cash payout Illinois $447,202,130 cash payout Indiana $462,222,980 cash payout Iowa $456,060,580 cash payout Kansas $441,424,880 cash payout Kentucky $454,519,980 cash payout Louisiana $462,222,980 cash payout Maine $430,255,530 cash payout Maryland $412,153,480 cash payout (in-state resident)  Massachusetts $416,004,980 cash payout Michigan $452,594,230 cash payout Minnesota $409,457,430 cash payout Mississippi $451,438,780 cash payout Missouri $449,127,880 cash payout Montana $439,884,280 cash payout Nebraska $445,276,380 cash payout Nevada Does not offer Powerball New Hampshire $485,331,980 cash payout New Jersey $402,524,730 cash payout New Mexico $439,884,280 cash payout New York $401,369,280 cash payout North Carolina $452,594,230 cash payout North Dakota $462,993,280 cash payout Ohio $461,260,105 cash payout Oklahoma $448,742,730 cash payout Oregon $409,072,280 cash payout Pennsylvania $461,683,770 cash payout Puerto Rico $485,331,980 cash payout Rhode Island $439,191,010 cash payout South Carolina $437,573,380 cash payout South Dakota $485,331,980 cash payout Tennessee $485,331,980 cash payout Texas $485,331,980 cash payout U.S. Virgin Islands $485,331,980 cash payout Utah Does not offer Powerball Vermont $417,930,730 cash payout Virginia $441,039,730 cash payout Washington $485,331,980 cash payout Washington, DC $402,524,730 cash payout West Virginia $448,203,520 cash payout Wisconsin $426,404,030 cash payout Wyoming $485,331,980 cash payout

This season's 'Dancing with the Stars' cast includes an Olympic gold medalist, multiple actors and two stars of the reality show 'The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.' WASHINGTON — The cast of celebrities who will be competing for the mirror ball trophy on season 34 of "Dancing with the Stars" has been revealed.  They include Olympic gold medalist Jordan Chiles, actors Corey Feldman and Danielle Fishel, social media star Alix Earle, Fifth Harmony singer Lauren Jauregui and wildlife conservationist Robert Irwin. Also in the cast are "Parent Trap" star Elaine Hendrix, Pentatonix star Scott Hoying, comedian Andy Richter, NBA All-Star Baron Davis, author Hilaria Baldwin, Dylan Efron, and Whitney Leavitt and Jen Affleck, two stars of the reality TV series "The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives." The upcoming 34th season premieres on Tuesday, Sept. 16 at 8 p.m. ET and PT on ABC and Disney+, while also streaming the next day on Hulu on Disney+ and Hulu.  Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough are returning as co-hosts for the show's milestone 20th anniversary. The judges panel is comprised of Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli and Derek Hough. Last season, "The Bachelor" star Joey Graziadei and his dance partner Jenna Johnson won the competition and the Len Goodman Mirrorball trophy, named in memory of longtime judge Len Goodman.  Full list of celebrities competing on “Dancing With the Stars” Season 34 Olympic gold medalist Jordan ChilesActor Corey Feldman"Boy Meets World" star Danielle FishelSocial media star Alix EarleFifth Harmony singer Lauren JaureguiWildlife conservationist Robert Irwin"Parent Trap" star Elaine HendrixPentatonix star Scott HoyingComedian Andy RichterNBA All-Star Baron DavisAuthor Hilaria BaldwinReality TV star Dylan Efron"The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives" stars Whitney Leavitt and Jen Affleck [embedded content]

An actor from the 'Harry Potter' movie franchise is celebrating his return to the wizarding world after being cast in the TV series remake. WASHINGTON — HBO's upcoming "Harry Potter" television show will include at least one familiar face from the movie franchise.  It was announced on Monday that actor Warwick Davis will return as Hogwarts Professor Filius Flitwick for the HBO series. Davis originated the role for the film franchise. He also starred as Griphook, a goblin who works at Gringotts bank, in several of the films.  Davis is the first, and so far only, actor from the beloved movies confirmed to be appearing in the TV remake.  The HBO show, set to debut in 2027, officially began production in mid-July and shared a first look at newcomer Dominic McLaughlin in his Harry Potter attire. Arabella Stanton and Alastair Stout have been cast as Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley, respectively. The newcomers were cast as part of an open call led by HBO last year. Warner Bros. Discovery also announced Monday it has cast Elijah Oshin as Dean Thomas, Finn Stephens as Vincent Crabbe, William Nash as Gregory Goyle, Sirine Saba as Professor Pomona Sprout, Richard Durden as Professor Cuthbert Binns, Bríd Brennan as Madam Poppy Pomfrey, and Leigh Gill as Griphook. Davis wrote in an Instagram post that his return feels like "a real homecoming."  "Hogwarts has always held a very special place in my heart. When I first stepped into Professor Flitwick’s robes all those years ago, I could never have imagined the journey this character — and the wizarding world — would take me on," he captioned his post. "Thank you to all the fans who have kept the magic alive — I can’t wait to see you back in the classroom. Here’s to further adventures at Hogwarts." The cast members join John Lithgow, Janet McTeer, Nick Frost, and Paapa Essiedu, who are set to play Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall, Rubeus Hagrid and Severus Snape. Luke Thallon and Paul Whitehouse also round out the cast in recurring roles as Quirinus Quirrell and Argus Filch. In other "Harry Potter" news, Chris Columbus, who directed the first two "Harry Potter" movies recently told The Times U.K. a reunion with the original cast is "never going to happen" due to book author J.K. Rowling's anti-trans stances. Columbus previously revealed he wanted to make a film adaptation of the play "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child" with the original movie cast, but has since scrapped those plans.  Melissa Hernandez De La Cruz contributed to this report. 

Sheinelle Jones has been absent from the morning show since December 2024. WASHINGTON — 'Today' co-host Sheinelle Jones will be returning to the morning show on Friday for the first time since her husband Uche Ojeh's death.  "We've got some other great news that we are so excited to share with you this morning and it involves a member of our own 'Today' family," Craig Melvin began the announcement on Tuesday, Sept. 2. "Yes, that's right, this Friday our beloved Sheinelle will be returning to the show," Savannah Guthrie shared. "She and her family have been through so much after the devastating loss of her husband, Uche." Guthrie explained that she recently sat down with Jones and learned how she has carried on and found the strength in such a trying time.  "She calls this experience a beautiful nightmare and she has thoughts on grief that are so touching, she's got a special message of hope too for anybody facing their own struggles," Guthrie said. "We can not wait to welcome Sheinelle home to right where she belongs."  Jones has been absent from 'Today' since December, with her co-hosts giving periodic updates. In May, the morning show announced her husband, Ojeh, had died at the age of 45 after being diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer called Glioblastoma. [embedded content] Glioblastoma is the most common form of brain cancer in adults, and is typically one of the most aggressive types. It is known for its rapid growth and invasion of surrounding brain tissue.  Jones and Ojeh had been married for 17 years. According to 'Today,' the couple met at Northwestern University in the late 90s when she offered to show him around campus on a tour. Eight years later, Ojeh proposed on the campus of their alma mater.  The couple have three children: Kayin and twins Uche and Clara.