Katrina Morgan

The prize carries a cash value of $826.4 million, trailing only the record $2.04 billion jackpot hit in California in 2022. WASHINGTON — The Powerball jackpot has climbed to an estimated $1.8 billion, offering a cash value of approximately $826.4 million, making it 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.  “Excitement is building as players look forward to tomorrow night’s drawing for this historic jackpot,” Matt Strawn, Powerball Product Group Chair and Iowa Lottery CEO said. “We encourage everyone to play responsibly and take pride in knowing that every $2 ticket also helps support good causes in their community.” Since May 31, there have been 42 straight drawings without a big winner. 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. Here is a look at the largest U.S. jackpots won and the places where the winning tickets were sold: 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 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 next Powerball drawing? The next drawing is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 6, at 10:59 p.m. ET. Drawings are held three times a week, on 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.

Alongside episodes, Sesame Workshop will lead seminars teaching YouTube creators how to make entertaining, research-based educational content. WASHINGTON — “Sesame Street” is about to have its biggest digital home yet.  YouTube announced Thursday that it has signed an expanded partnership with Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit behind the iconic children’s show, to host the largest digital library of “Sesame Street” episodes beginning in January 2026.  Hundreds of classic episodes will be available on the platform, alongside new content created specifically for YouTube.  “In the past year, Sesame Street’s YouTube channels garnered more than 5B views, a 130% increase year over year,” YouTube said. More than half of watch time already comes from connected TVs. Sesame Workshop said in a statement that the move will help “children everywhere grow smarter, stronger and kinder, one episode at a time.” The partnership also includes a unique educational component. Sesame Workshop will lead seminars with YouTube creators, sharing best practices for making content that is entertaining while also promoting learning, drawing on its 50-plus years of research-driven children’s media. The expansion comes after a difficult year for “Sesame Street’s” distribution. The show lost its HBO output deal last December, with Netflix stepping in to acquire rights to new episodes and PBS continuing to air them. Netflix also has access to around 90 hours of episodes for its library. Season 56 is set to debut on both platforms in November.  “This partnership is another example of how we’re bringing everything families want to watch together in one place,” YouTube added, citing other children’s creators and programming on the platform like Ms. Rachel, Doggyland and Gabby’s Dollhouse.

The 9,023-piece Death Star set towers 28 inches tall, features 15 rooms and comes with 38 minifigures. WASHINGTON — Lego is blasting into a new galaxy with its most expensive set yet. The toy maker has announced it will release a $1,000 Ultimate Collectors Series "Star Wars" Death Star this fall, making it the most expensive Lego kit ever as it surpasses the $850 price tag on the Ultimate Collectors Series’ Millennium Falcon and AT-AT kits.  While Lego has produced larger sets by piece count, the new Death Star is its most elaborate display model to date. It's also the largest "Star Wars" themed set from Lego. At 28 inches tall and 32 inches wide, the model allows fans to own their own version of the iconic battle station from “Star Wars: A New Hope” and “Return of the Jedi.” The massive set features more than 15 rooms, including “the crushing trash compactor where the Rebel heroes were trapped, Princess Leia’s holding cell” and “the hangar control room that Luke Skywalker and Han Solo infiltrated disguised as Stormtroopers.” It also contains hidden easter eggs from “Rogue One” and the Lego Star Wars video games. The set also includes 38 minifigures, the most in any Lego release to date, including everyone from Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia to more niche characters like Galen Erso and a Hot Tub Stormtrooper. The expensive price reflects Lego’s strategy of catering to adult fans willing to pay premium prices for collectibles.  “Whether you're re-enacting the lightsaber duel between Darth Vader and Obi-Wan Kenobi, swinging across the retractable bridge with Luke and Leia, or simply admiring the architectural power of the Death Star, this set is a must-have for Star Wars collectors,” Lego said. The 9,023-piece set will release on Oct. 4, with early access for Lego Insiders beginning Oct. 1.

Over a dozen Americans won at least $1 million in Wednesday night's Powerball drawing, but the jackpot continues to grow. WASHINGTON — The Powerball jackpot is nearing record territory, soaring to $1.7 billion after nobody won the grand prize on Wednesday night.  Wednesday's drawing was for an estimated $1.4 billion, or a $654.3 million cash payout. Although nobody won the grand prize, there were over a dozen million-dollar prizes for those who matched all five white balls. The drawing also produced 117 winners of $50,000 by matching four numbers and the Powerball, plus another 36 won $100,000 by doing the same and adding the Power Play option.  There were 11 tickets that hit five numbers without the Powerball to claim $1 million each, plus four tickets matched all five white balls and increased their winnings to $2 million, by including the Power Play option. Many Americans won at least some sort of prize. Over 3.2 million players matched only the Powerball, each winning $4, while another 1.3 million tickets matched the Powerball and one other number, also earning $4. At least 221,000 players matched three numbers for $7, while nearly 181,000 tickets matched two numbers plus the Powerball for the same prize. More than 12,000 players matched either three numbers and the Powerball, or four numbers, scoring $100 each. Here are the some of the states with the biggest winners: CaliforniaTwo lucky winners in California became millionaires after matching all five numbers. According to California Lottery, the winning tickets were sold in Bakersfield and Riverside. ColoradoOne person in Colorado won two million dollars after matching five numbers and playing in the “Power Play.” FloridaOne lucky person in Florida was able to match five white balls to win a $1 million prize. GeorgiaTwo people in the Peach State matched five white-ball numbers to claim a $1 million prize. IllinoisA $1 million Powerball ticket was sold in Illinois, with the winner matching the five white ball numbers. MarylandOne winner in Maryland received the $1 million prize after matching five white ball numbers.  MichiganA Powerball ticket winning $1 million was bought at the Sunkiss Market in Detroit, with all five white balls matched, and a Power Play multiplier that brought the prize to $2 million. Minnesota  One lucky winner won $1 million after matching five white ball numbers. OhioA $1 million ticket was sold at a Sheetz gas station in Canfield, located southwest of Youngstown. OregonTwo players in Oregon each won $1 million after matching five white ball numbers. PennsylvaniaA $1 million Powerball ticket was sold in Pennsylvania, with the winner matching the five white ball numbers. TexasOne lucky Houston player won a $2 million prize from a ticket purchased at Barri 140088, located at 601 North Cesar Chavez Blvd. in Houston. The ticket matched all five white balls, but not the Powerball number. Because the player added the Power Play multiplier option, their prize doubled from $1 million to $2 million. One winner in Wyoming won two million dollars after matching five numbers and playing in the “Power Play.” Here is the full list of nationwide winners and their prizes from Wednesday's drawing: $2 million prize: 4 winners$1 million prize: 11 winners$100,000 prize: 36 winners$50,000 prize: 117 winners$200 prize: 3,207 winners$100 prize: 12,373 winners$14 prize: 103,341 winners$8 prize: 1,173,994 winners$7 prize: 402,432 winners$4 prize: 4,633,418 winners Winning Powerball Numbers for Wednesday, September 3, 2025 Wednesday's winning numbers were 3-16-29-61-69 and Powerball 22. The Power Play multiplier was 2x. If a winner matches all five numbers and the Powerball, they have the option to take the full jackpot paid out over 30 years, or a smaller cash payout. Winners almost always take the cash option. Even with the smaller lump sum payout, federal taxes will eat into those winnings, and some states also tax big lottery prizes.  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.

A $28 million endorsement deal linked to Kawhi Leonard and a company backed by Steve Ballmer is at the center of the probe. WASHINGTON — The Los Angeles Clippers and team owner Steve Ballmer are under investigation by the NBA after being accused of using a $28 million endorsement deal with Kawhi Leonard to get around following the NBA’s salary cap. On his podcast “Pablo Torre Finds Out,” journalist Pablo Torre reported that documents show Leonard was paid through Aspiration, a now-bankrupt company Ballmer had invested in, in what a former employee described as an effort “to circumvent the salary cap.” Ballmer invested $50 million into Aspiration in September 2021, the same month the Clippers announced a $300 million sponsorship deal with the company. In April 2022, Leonard signed a four-year, $28 million endorsement agreement through his LLC, KL2 Aspire. The deal allegedly included a clause that would void payments if Leonard left the Clippers. A month before Ballmer’s investment into Aspiration, Leonard had signed a four-year, $176.3 million contract with the Clippers, which was the maximum allowed under the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement.  Torre said the endorsement allowed Leonard to decline work for Aspiration while still being paid. “We are aware of this morning’s media report regarding the LA Clippers and are commencing an investigation,” NBA spokesman Mike Bass said Wednesday.  The Clippers are denying any wrongdoing.  “Neither Mr. Ballmer nor the Clippers circumvented the salary cap or engaged in any misconduct related to Aspiration,” the Clippers said in a statement. “Any contrary assertion is provably false: The team ended its relationship with Aspiration years ago, during the 2022-23 season, when Aspiration defaulted on its obligations.” There is no evidence that Leonard did anything to publicly endorse Aspiration. Aspiration, which filed for bankruptcy in March 2025, is currently under federal investigation for fraud, after its co-founder, Joe Sanberg, pleaded guilty last month to wire fraud tied to a $248 million scheme defrauding investors and lenders. Under the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement, teams can be fined up to $7.5 million, lose draft picks or have contracts voided if it is found they have intentionally avoided the league’s salary cap.  The Associated Press contributed to the report. Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.     

The U.S. Geological Survey captured footage of a whirlwind forming over lava fountains in the Halemaumau Crater during the volcano’s latest eruption. WASHINGTON — Something unusual was spotted swirling inside the summit crater of Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano during its latest eruption this week, leading scientists to declare a “volnado.” It all started when lava emerged from the north vent in Halemaumau Crater after midnight. The vent began shooting fountains of lava at 6:35 a.m. HST, the U.S. Geological Survey said. By mid-morning, it was also erupting from the crater’s south vent and a third vent in between. The USGS shared footage Tuesday of a whirlwind forming inside Halemaumaucrater as the lava fountains shot hundreds of feet into the air. The vortex, which resembled a dust devil or tornado, kicked up loose ash deposits and smoke as it spun across the crater floor before dissipating in the lava fountain. “We know you've heard of a volcano... but how about a volnado?” the USGS joked in a post on X.  We know you've heard of a volcano...but how about a volnado?This afternoon, during episode 32 fountaining at Kīlauea the V3 live camera (https://t.co/tCc5xGmMcO) caught this whirlwind kicking up loose ash deposits along the active fountain and flow within Halemaʻumaʻu crater. pic.twitter.com/wCwhZgoFV8— USGS Volcanoes🌋 (@USGSVolcanoes) September 3, 2025 While “volnado” is not an actual scientific term, the USGS noted that similar whirlwinds have been observed during other eruptive episodes at Kilauea, both inside the crater and along its rim.  The events are caused by the turbulent mixing of hot and cold air. Kilauea is one of the world’s most active volcanoes. It’s located on Hawaii Island, the largest of the Hawaiian archipelago. It’s about 200 miles (320 kilometers) south of the state’s largest city, Honolulu, which is on Oahu. Tuesday’s activity marked the 32nd time the volcano released molten rock since December, when its current eruption began. So far, all the lava from this eruption has been contained within the summit crater inside Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.     

The coffee giant says the protein drinks, which debuted in test markets, mark its latest push to modernize the menu and reignite customer excitement. WASHINGTON — Starbucks customers will soon be able to get in their protein fix along with coffee orders. The coffee chain has announced Protein Cold Foam and a new line of Protein Lattes made with protein-boosted milk will be added to menus nationwide and in Canada beginning Monday, Sept. 29. The additions deliver about 15 to 36 grams of protein per grande-sized (16-ounce) beverage, depending on the drink. Protein Cold Foam can be added to any iced beverage, bringing around 15 grams of protein in a grande drink. Flavors will include banana, vanilla, sugar-free vanilla, chocolate, matcha, salted caramel and brown sugar, as well as seasonal offerings like pumpkin and pecan, according to the company. Iced beverages with Protein Cold Foam will also join the permanent menu. The banana-flavored protein foam was initially released on a test run as part of the company’s new "Starting Five" innovation program, which allows select locations to test food and drink items before they launch nationally. That program is part of Starbucks' broader "Back to Starbucks" initiative to reignite sales as customer interest in specialty coffee drinks wanes and tariffs from the Trump administration cast an uncertain shadow over the U.S. economy. “As we continue to get back to Starbucks, we’re focused on modernizing our menu with innovative, relevant, and hype-worthy products that will resonate with our customers,” Tressie Lieberman, Starbucks’ global chief brand officer, said in a statement. “Our new protein beverages tap into the growing consumer demand for protein in an innovative, premium and delicious way that only Starbucks can deliver.” Protein Lattes, crafted with protein-boosted milk, are also being added to the menu, and will offer between 27 and 36 grams of protein per grande beverage. Starbucks says the new milk option, blended fresh daily with unflavored protein powder, can also be customized in other drinks such as lattes, shaken espressos and refreshers.

The NFL star got candid about calling Swift his fiancée for the first time and thanked everyone for their well-wishes after the couple’s Instagram announcement. WASHINGTON — Travis Kelce is opening up about his recent engagement to popstar Taylor Swift.  The Kansas City Chiefs star addressed the news for the first time on Wednesday’s episode of his "New Heights" podcast with his brother Jason Kelce. The couple announced news of their engagement on Instagram back in August with a series of photos of the proposal in a garden.  "Your English teacher and your gym teacher are getting married 🧨," Swift captioned the post. Travis broke his silence on the engagement on the New Heights episode, calling the past week “exciting” and “awesome.” “It’s been really fun telling everybody who I’m going to be spending the rest of my life with,” Kelce said, thanking fans and friends for their well-wishes after the couple announced the engagement in a joint Instagram post last week. [embedded content] Travis admitted he still “gets giddy” about calling Swift his fiancée and noted he used the term publicly for the first time while attending the University of Nebraska versus University of Cincinnati football game with Swift. “It was the first time introducing Taylor as my fiancée to a few of my teammates,” he recalled. “So yeah, it was pretty cool.” Jason had posted a short video last week congratulating the couple since that episode had been recorded before the brothers could discuss the proposal. “We felt it was necessary, as a team here at New Heights, to get together and send Travis and Taylor a giant congratulations for being engaged,” Jason said in the clip. On the latest episode, Jason asked his brother to share advice for proposing to someone.  “You gotta know your gal, and you can’t let how somebody else does it make you feel like you gotta do it that way,” Travis said. “You might be able to get some ideas from how other people did it, it might get the creative juices flowing. But know your partner, know who you’re doing it for. Everything else will be beautiful.”

The new additions come after some high-profile cast members announced departures following the show's historic 50th season. WASHINGTON — Saturday Night Live is shaking up its lineup ahead of Season 51, adding four new featured players and promoting a familiar face. NBC announced Tuesday that Ben Marshall, a member of the comedy trio Please Don’t Destroy, has been elevated to the cast. Joining him are Veronika Slowikowska, Tommy Brennan, Jeremy Culhane and Kam Patterson. Marshall arrived at SNL in 2021 with Please Don’t Destroy partners John Higgins and Martin Herlihy, quickly building a following for their viral digital shorts, reminiscent of The Lonely Island. The trio also often wrote live sketches together for the show. Shortly after the cast addition announcement, Higgins shared that he would no longer be working on SNL. "I can’t believe how lucky I was to be a part of this show. It was my dream and I got to live it," he wrote in an Instagram post.  Herlihy will remain a writer on the show, however, Please Don't Destroy sketches will no longer appear, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Slowikowska gained a following of over a million followers online with viral sketches and has acting credits on Shane Gillis’ Netflix comedy "Tires" and FX’s "What We Do in the Shadows." Brennan, named a “New Face of Comedy” at Just for Laughs in 2023, has performed on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” Culhane is known for his work on Dropout TV, formerly known as CollegeHumor, and with Upright Citizens Brigade in Los Angeles. Patterson, a stand-up comic featured regularly on the live podcast "Kill Tony," will soon appear alongside SNL’s Marcello Hernández in Kevin Hart’s Netflix film 72 Hours. The cast changes come as the long-running sketch comedy show, which has aired since 1975, prepares for major transitions. Producer Lorne Michaels has teased big changes before Season 51, and the past few weeks have been filled with cast departure announcements.  Among those leaving SNL after its historic 50th season are Heidi Gardner after eight years, Michael Longfellow and Devon Walker after three seasons each, and Emil Wakim after just one season.  Writers Celeste Yim and Rosebud Baker both also confirmed their departures from the show. Season 51 of SNL kicks off on Saturday, Oct. 4, at 11:30 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock.

The airline’s latest GoWild! promotion lets travelers use the annual pass immediately, giving them an extra eight months of travel time compared to past offers. WASHINGTON — Frontier Airlines has unveiled its biggest GoWild! All-You-Can-Fly Annual Pass promotion yet, offering travelers limited-time early access to nearly two years of unlimited flights for $299. The discounted pass, normally $599, is available for purchase through Friday, Sept. 5. Unlike previous annual passes, which typically begin the following May, the 2026–2027 GoWild! pass can be used immediately, giving buyers an extra eight months of travel time. “This is our most exciting GoWild! offer yet,” Bobby Schroeter, Frontier’s chief commercial officer said. “We’ve never offered a GoWild! All-You-Can-Fly Annual Pass with so much travel time built in.  For just $299* - half off the regular $599 price - our customers can now get nearly two years of unlimited GoWild! flights on Frontier Airlines.”  Passholders can fly to more than 100 destinations across the U.S., Latin America and the Caribbean, including Puerto Rico. Each booking costs $0.01 in airfare plus taxes, fees and charges. While it's advertised as all-you-can-fly, and offers unlimited flights most days of the year, there are dozens of blackout dates that are off-limits, usually surrounding major holiday travel periods.  Flights also can't typically be booked very far in advance. Domestic flights must be booked and confirmed the day before the flight departs. International flights can be booked starting 10 days from departure. According to Frontier, those with the annual pass can book "select flights" earlier - when available - but that may add on an early booking charge.  The announcement comes as Frontier continues rolling out “The New Frontier,” a slate of customer upgrades that include UpFront Plus seating with extra room, unlimited companion travel for loyal customers and a new First Class option debuting later this year. More details and purchases for the GoWild! pass are available at https://www.flyfrontier.com/gowildpresale.  What's the catch? Flights can be booked and confirmed the day before flight departure for domestic travel and starting 10 days before flight departure for international travelFlights can be booked at flyfrontier.com or on the Frontier mobile appFlights are subject to blackout periods:2025: January 1, 4-5, 16-17, 20; February 13-14, 17; March 14-16, 21-23, 28-30; April 4-6, 11-13, 18-21; May 22-23, 26; June 22, 26-29; July 3-7; August 28-29; September 1. October 9-10, 12-13; November 25, 26, 29-30; December 1, 20-23, 26-31.2026: January 1, 3-4, 15-16, 19; February 12-13, 16; March 13-15, 20-22, 27-29; April 3-6, 10-12; May 21-22, 25; June 25-28; July 2-6, September 3-4, 7; October 8-9, 11-12; November 24-25, 28-30; December 19-24; 26-31.2027: January 1-3, 14-15, 18; February 11-12, 15; March 12-14, 19-21, 26-29; April 2-4.Flights do not include any add-on products (like bags or seats), you can still customize your travel.Taxes, fees, and charges apply at the time of booking.A fare of $0.01 will be charged for each segment booked.Flights and seats are subject to availability; last seat availability is not guaranteed.Travel qualifies as activity and will extend your FRONTIER Miles expiration.The GoWild! Pass is non-transferable. The pass holder is the only allowed passenger to travel with GoWild! Pass privileges.Your Annual Pass will automatically renew for successive one-year terms unless you cancel.Your Seasonal Pass will automatically renew for the seasonal pass period terms unless you cancel.You must be 18 years or older and a resident of the United States to purchase the GoWild! Pass. The pass holder may be under the age of 18 but must be a resident of the United States. Pass holders under the age of 13 must be enrolled by their parent or legal guardian. Children under the age of 15 years old must travel accompanied by a passenger who is at least 15 years old.