Chris McCrory

Fans who tuned into Howard Stern's return broadcast instead heard a seemingly flustered Andy Cohen saying he was taking over. But not was all as it seemed. WASHINGTON — Welcome to Andy Cohen's "Andy 100."  Or at least, that's what Howard Stern wanted people to think.  The infamous radio host used a staged bit Monday morning to poke fun at rumors that his daily radio broadcast, "The Stern Show," was going off the air at SiriusXM. In the roughly 15-minute segment, Andy Cohen came on the show, seemingly flustered, to say he was taking over for Stern.  “I know you’re expecting a big announcement from Howard, and this is not how things were meant to go,” Cohen said. “This was supposed to be a cleaner hand off — I’m kind of winging it,” he continued, saying that it has been a “surreal morning here.”  A few minutes later, Stern came on the air and thanked Cohen for agreeing to the bit, confirming that he was back after his summer break.  Before the ruse was revealed, a few media outlets fell for the prank and ran headlines like "Howard Stern walks away from SiriusXM after two decades."  Earlier this summer, there has been speculation about the future of the legendary radio personality's show, fueled in part by his own social media accounts.  British tabloid The Sun reported in August that Stern's show was set to end because there was no chance that SiriusXM and Stern would be able to come to terms on a new contract. The Stern Show's X account then leaned into the report and rampant speculation, posting memes about the possibility of him being canceled or renewed. Stern's scheduled return last Monday was abruptly delayed by a week because he was sick and had lost his voice, he explained. While he did return Monday, Stern did not announce that he had reached a new contract with SiriusXM. His current deal expires at the end of 2025. “Here’s the truth: SiriusXM and my team have been talking about how we go forward in the future. They’ve approached me, they’ve sat down with me like they normally do, and they’re fantastic,” Stern said. But it's not the first time he's pretended to suddenly be replaced. In the early 2000s, as Stern was preparing to leave traditional radio, it was announced that David Lee Roth would take over his time slot.  So, Stern had a David Lee Roth impersonator on, pretending to be the real singer, announcing he was taking over for Stern immediately.   Stern had been off the air since late July for his annual summer break, and the summer months have been filled with speculation about his future and contract negotiations.  Last year, according to Deadline, SiriusXM’s Scott Greenstein told investors on an earnings call that he saw no end for Stern's partnership in sight.  “As for Howard, he’s a singular talent," Greenstein said. "No one pretended when Johnny Carson or others retired that the new group would replace them. They were just simply filling in on those slots. So Howard, we hope he continues forever."

Nearly 10 million tickets won some kind of prize, according to Powerball officials, ranging from $4 up to the grand prize of nearly $2 billion. WASHINGTON — After more than three months, one of the biggest lottery prizes in history has been won, with a pair of tickets in Missouri and Texas splitting a $1.787 billion prize.  Although only two tickets won the jackpot, 20 additional tickets won at least $1 million. More than 300 tickets were sold that won prizes of $50,000 or more. In total, nearly 10 million tickets won some kind of prize, according to Powerball officials.  Two jackpot tickets Two tickets, one in Missouri and the other in Texas, have won the second-largest prize in Powerball history, and will split the $1.787 billion prize.  But we may never know who those tickets belong to.  They were bought in two of the states that grant anonymity to lottery winners, meaning it's likely the winners won't reveal their names.  Missouri allows any lottery winner to stay anonymous, while Texas allows winners to stay anonymous if they win over $1 million.  The winning ticket in Texas was sold at a gas station-convenience store in Fredericksburg, according to the Texas Lottery. It's unclear where the Missouri ticket was sold.  Million-dollar prizes Million-dollar tickets were sold in California (2), Colorado, Florida, Illinois (2), Kansas, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York (2), Ohio (2), Oregon, Texas (2) and West Virginia.  Additionally, a pair of tickets sold in Kansas and Texas each bought the more expensive Power Play option, doubling their earnings to $2 million.  Payouts for nearly 10 million people Powerball stats for Saturday's drawing show 232 tickets had four of the white ball numbers correct along with the red ball, earning their owners $50,000 each.  Additionally, 90 tickets had the same four numbers and the red ball, but selected the pricier Power Play option, doubling their winnings to $100,000. Statistics for the latest drawing show 9,982,264 tickets were winners in some way.  There have been 42 drawings without a big winner since May. This lottery streak has produced "101 winning tickets worth $1 million or more, and more than a thousand winning tickets worth $50,000 or more," Powerball said in a statement before Saturday's drawing. What are the odds of winning the Powerball? The odds of winning the Powerball jackpot are one in 292.2 million. The odds of matching all five white balls and winning the $1 million prize are 1 in 11,688,053. The overall odds of winning a prize are 1 in 24.87. When is the Powerball drawing? The Powerball drawing takes place live at 10:59 p.m. ET every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. Tickets, which cost $2 per play, are sold in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Missouri allows any lottery winner to stay anonymous, while Texas allows winners to stay anonymous if they win over $1 million. WASHINGTON — Two tickets, one in Missouri and the other in Texas, have won the second-largest prize in Powerball history, and will split the $1.787 billion prize.  But we may never know who those tickets belong to.  They were bought in two of the states that grant anonymity to lottery winners, meaning it's likely the winners won't reveal their names.  Missouri allows any lottery winner to stay anonymous, while Texas allows winners to stay anonymous if they win over $1 million.  The winners in Missouri and Texas could also choose to take part of the cash payout, valued at approximately $826.4 million.  Either way, their prize is the second-largest jackpot in U.S. lottery history. The only prize larger was the $2.04 billion jackpot won in November 2022. The jackpot for Saturday's drawing was initially set at $1.7 billion, but game leaders increased the estimate Friday morning due to an influx in ticket purchases.  There have been 42 drawings without a big winner since May. This lottery streak has produced "101 winning tickets worth $1 million or more, and more than a thousand winning tickets worth $50,000 or more," Powerball said. Where were the winning Powerball tickets sold?  The winning ticket in Texas was sold at a gas station-convenience store in Fredericksburg, according to the Texas Lottery. It's unclear where the Missouri ticket was sold.  Usually, state lotteries reward the store that sold the winning ticket with a cash prize, sometimes as high as $1 million.  Can the Powerball jackpot winners remain anonymous?  Texas law says that any lottery winner with a prize over $1 million may maintain their anonymity when coming forward to claim the prize.  In Missouri, the law is even stricter. If you win the lottery, state officials are prohibited from publishing your name.  States are fairly split on whether to allow lottery winners to remain anonymous. A count by USA Today shows 19 states where lottery winners may maintain their anonymity, at least partially.  The rest of the U.S. requires them to come forward publicly, usually sometime within a year after winning the jackpot.  Officials say public winners promote trust in lottery games like the Mega Millions contest because they put faces and names to the winners, allowing other players to know for sure that a real winner has been selected.  Do the Powerball jackpot winners have to pay taxes on their winnings? While the winner can remain anonymous to the public, they'll need to provide proper identification so the state can process the claim and report the winnings to the IRS.  A lottery win can catapult the ticketholder into a completely new tax bracket, and most financial professionals suggest holding off on claiming the ticket until securing at least one financial advisor to walk them through the process of claiming the money and making sure it doesn't disappear.  But if they're smart, the winners will likely take some time to plan before coming forward. Part of the reason lotteries give up to a year to claim large prizes is that the extra time gives people who have just come into an unfathomable amount of money a chance to meet with experts who can walk them through the process.  “So by far, the biggest misconception that we hear or read and see is, is that the money seems to be infinite when it certainly is not,” wealth advisor Shean Fletcher previously told the Associated Press, adding that winners should meet with financial advisers, lawyers and certified public accountants to make a plan. There are hefty taxes to deal with, regardless of whether the winner takes the lump sum payout or the month-to-month annuity option, so the winner will need a good accountant.  The initial tax bills aren't the only reason financial experts warn lottery winners to take it slow — you shouldn't buy a pricey home without a good idea of recurring taxes and upkeep, for example.  A good financial advisor will help a winner avoid spending outside their means (even if those means have increased exponentially overnight) and a lawyer can help stop possible lawsuits from those looking to take their own cut of the earnings. 

Lady Gaga's new single coincides with her appearance in episode seven of the show's second season. WASHINGTON — Lady Gaga is in Netflix's "Wednesday."  And to celebrate her debut in the Addams Family-reboot show, Gaga dropped her new song, "the Dead Dance," with a Tim Burton-directed music video.  The music video hit Youtube and streaming platforms, fittingly, on Wednesday morning.  Lady Gaga's new single coincides with her appearance in episode seven of the show's second season. And it's a surprise new drop, considering it's only been a few months since she released her seventh studio album, "Mayhem," in March.  The music video is mostly in black and white, invoking the memory of old-school horror movies. It opens with Gaga posed next to a bunch of creepy dolls, before she begins dancing in a jerking way like a zombie freshly risen from the grave.  [embedded content] Despite the song's catchiness, it's unlikely her dance moves will replace the now-iconic dance Jenna Ortega's Wednesday performs during the first season of the show.  [embedded content] Lady Gaga's seventh album, Mayhem, dropped on March 7. The mainly synth-pop inspired record blends a blur of genres. And fans who have listened already might notice a new track when they open the album in Spotify. The new song, the Dead Dance, was added to the album in a digital reissue, becoming the album's third single.  Wednesday stars the titular Wednesday Addams, played by Jenna Ortega, as she solves mysteries and uncovers the secrets of Nevermore Academy. Lady Gaga's character is Rosaline Rotwood, the ghost of a former teacher at the school.  Gaga is no stranger to acting, performing a starring role in 2018's "A Star Is Born" and "Joker: Folie à Deux."

The Powerball jackpot has continued to climb after 40 straight drawings without a jackpot winner and ticket sales are pushing the grand prize even higher. WASHINGTON — Wednesday could make somebody incredibly rich, if luck is on their side.  The Powerball jackpot for Wednesday's drawing has grown to an estimated $1.4 billion, making it the fourth-largest jackpot prize in the game's history.  It was initially estimated to be a $1.3 billion prize, but game leaders increased the jackpot estimate Wednesday morning after reviewing national ticket sales. Monday's drawing was the 40th straight pull without a grand prize winner.  As jackpots rise, so does the hype around them. And as more people see the life-changing number for a win, more people tend to buy tickets. This increase in buying causes a snowball effect until inevitably some player gets lucky and picks the winning numbers.  And they've often come close. Lottery officials noted 12 people in Monday's drawing got all five white ball numbers correct, but missed the Powerball number that would've won them the jackpot.  “Tonight could be the night this billion-dollar Powerball jackpot is won!” Matt Strawn, Powerball Product Group Chair and Iowa Lottery CEO, said in a statement. “Players are excited to take another shot at this growing jackpot, but we encourage everyone to play responsibly." If somebody does win on Wednesday, they'll walk away with either annual payments over 30 years, totaling the $1.4 billion before tax, or a lump sum of $634.3 million. The lump sum is what most people take.  What are the odds of winning the Powerball? The odds of winning the Powerball jackpot are one in 292.2 million. The odds of matching all five white balls and winning the $1 million prize are 1 in 11,688,053. The overall odds of winning a prize are 1 in 24.87. What time is the Powerball drawing? The Powerball drawing takes place live at 10:59 p.m. ET every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. The drawing is broadcast live from the Florida Lottery draw studio in Tallahassee, Fla.  How much is a Powerball ticket?  Tickets, which cost $2 per play, are sold in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. What are the largest Powerball jackpots?  The eye-popping $1.4 billion jackpot is quickly climbing the ladder of Powerball wins, approaching the highest payout in the game's history. Powerball lottery games have potentially huge jackpots because they are played in multiple states.  Here's where Wednesday's jackpot compares to the largest jackpot prizes in Powerball history: $2.04 Billion – Nov. 7, 2022 – CA$1.765 Billion – Oct. 11, 2023 - CA$1.586 Billion – Jan. 13, 2016 – CA, FL, TN$1.4 Billion (estimated) – Sept. 3, 2025$1.326 Billion – April 6, 2024 – OR$1.08 Billion – July 19, 2023 – CA$842.4 Million – January 1, 2024 – MI$768.4 Million – March 27, 2019 – WI$758.7 Million – Aug. 23, 2017 – MA$754.6 Million – Feb. 6, 2023 - WA

The atmospheric light show could be visible in 18 states, and skywatchers in dark areas should be able to spot it. WASHINGTON — Skywatchers in 18 states may be treated to a colorful light show Tuesday evening as the northern lights could appear across North America, according to forecasts.  The aurora borealis phenomenon began late Monday, and is expected to last through Tuesday night.  The ethereal lights that make up the celestial show may be visible further south than is typical, according to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Space Weather Prediction Center. What causes Aurora Borealis? The light show is caused by "a long-duration M2.7 flare that peaked at approximately 30/2002 UTC," according to the agency. "An associated full-halo coronal mass ejection (CME) was observed in coronagraph imagery."  In layman's terms: the sun is constantly shooting out charged particles. But sometimes, it emits a particularly violent stream of energy known as solar wind, during solar flares or "coronal mass ejections."  When these energetic solar winds hit the earth's atmosphere, they collide with the gasses in the upper atmosphere and charge them. As that energy dissipates, it lets out light that we can see.  The different gasses produce different colors, which is why an aurora borealis can shift from green and blue to red and purple.  What states will see the northern lights tonight?  Millions of people across much of the northern United States are in the possible path of Tuesday night's northern lights display, according to NOAA's latest prediction.  Viewers in 18 states may be able to see the lights if they're in a sufficiently dark environment: AlaskaMontanaNorth DakotaMinnesotaWisconsinMichiganMaineSouth DakotaVermontNew HampshireIdahoWashingtonOregonNew YorkWyomingIowaNebraskaIllinois How to see auroras Northern lights forecasts can be found on NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center website or an aurora forecasting app. Consider aurora-watching in a quiet, dark area away from city lights. NASA's Kelly Korreck recommended skygazing from a local or national park. And check the weather forecast because clouds can cover up the spectacle entirely. Taking a picture with a smartphone camera may also reveal hints of the aurora that aren’t visible to the naked eye.

Stern has been off the air since late July for his annual summer break, and the summer months have been filled with speculation about his future. WASHINGTON — Howard Stern has delayed his return to his SiriusXM show, originally slated for Tuesday, after weeks of promotion and speculation that the show would be canceled.  For weeks, there has been speculation about the legendary radio personality's show, fueled in part by his own social media accounts.  British tabloid The Sun reported in August that Stern's show was set to end because there was no chance that SiriusXM and Stern would be able to come to terms on a new contract. The Stern Show's X account then leaned into the report and rampant speculation, posting a video in August featuring a number of possibilities: "Fired? Retiring? Canceled? Bye-Bye Booey?" the ad said. "Howard Stern will speak." The ad said Stern's statement would come on "The Stern Show" on Tuesday, Sept. 2.  And in the weeks after the post, Stern's social media team has kept the speculation afloat, posting memes about the possibility of him being canceled or renewed. But early Tuesday morning, the X account for Stern's show posted a new message, saying he would instead reveal all on Sept. 8, next Monday.  Stern has been off the air since late July for his annual summer break, and the summer months have been filled with speculation about his future and contract negotiations.  It's still unclear what Stern's announcement will be, but industry speculation has hinted at him possibly going off the air.  Last year, according to Deadline, SiriusXM’s Scott Greenstein told investors on an earnings call that he saw no end for Stern's partnership in sight.  “As for Howard, he’s a singular talent," Greenstein said. "No one pretended when Johnny Carson or others retired that the new group would replace them. They were just simply filling in on those slots. So Howard, we hope he continues forever." Neither SiriusXM nor Stern have commented recently about the contract between the shock jock radio personality and his network. 

​West Point praised Larry Pickett Jr. on social media for his bravery, saying he embodied the Army's values. WASHINGTON — Army football player Larry Pickett Jr. is being praised after he helped rescue a man from a burning car after a crash Sunday.  Pickett is a second-year cadet at the service academy and was returning to West Point Saturday night after dining with his family in New York.  Photos of the crash scene from the Fort Montgomery Fire Department show a fiery single-car crash off the side of the road, surrounded by downed power lines.  When Pickett and his father, Larry Pickett Sr., saw the crash about five miles from the Army's West Point campus, they rushed into action. Video taken by Pickett's sister shows the father-son pair pulling a person from the burning wreck and carrying them away from the danger.  "Just after midnight, I watched in awe as my son, Larry Pickett Jr., ran toward a burning vehicle, ignoring the downed power lines crackling around it," Larry Pickett Sr. wrote on the Facebook post showing the rescue. "With immense courage, he pulled a man to safety, saving him from a fiery fate." West Point praised Pickett on social media for his bravery, saying he embodied the Army's values.  "We're proud of the heroic actions taken Saturday night by Cadet Larry Pickett Jr, a second-year cadet & @ArmyWP_Football player, & his father who are seen pulling a driver to safety in a video online taken by the family," the post reads. "Their actions are the embodiment of the @USArmy Values." Tom Theodorakis, West Point's athletics director, said the rescue showed "leadership, courage, and selfless service." "Cadet Larry Pickett Jr. and his father exemplify the values we hold dear, stepping up in a moment of crisis to save a life," he wrote on X. "Proud to see these traits in action, on and off the fields of friendly strife." According to ESPN, the rescue came just after Pickett made his college football debut Friday night. He recorded a tackle during Friday's Black Knights game against Tarleton State.