The Mega Millions jackpot had reached an estimated $685 million. It likely will top $700 million come Jan. 3, 2023.
Nation and World
A hiker is dead, and her husband is recovering after being injured during a 16-mile overnight hike at Zion National Park in Utah.
For more than three months the winning Powerball numbers have eluded ticket buyers, allowing the jackpot to reach a record $1.9 billion for Monday.
The cash option is estimated at $745.9 million for the Saturday drawing, which will be the 40th since the last jackpot winner.
About 1,000 people stranded in the park Friday were able to follow police escorts out. Damage to the park is being evaluated, but appears to have been extensive.
The next drawing on Tuesday evening will be worth an estimated $790 million.
A promising start to winter snow in California has dried up, leaving the snowpack devastatingly low.
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told lawmakers that Russian mechanized forces that entered from Belarus were about 20 miles from Kyiv, according to a person familiar with the call.
After 40 drawings, the Powerball losing streak by millions of players is over.
The new year brought no new luck for Powerball players Saturday night for a jackpot prize worth $500 million.