Two Tickets Claim $1.78B Powerball Jackpot in Texas, Missouri

The Powerball lottery saw a historic $1.787 billion jackpot won by two tickets sold in Texas and Missouri, marking the second-largest lottery prize in U.S. history. The winners can opt for an annuity of $893.5 million or a lump sum of $410.3 million before taxes, with Texas exempting lottery winnings from state income tax, unlike Missouri. Both states allow winners to remain anonymous, so the identities of the winners are unlikely to be publicly known. In addition to the jackpot, numerous other prizes were awarded nationwide, including $1 million prizes for tickets matching five white balls, and various other smaller wins. Meanwhile, in Georgia, two tickets sold in Valdosta won $50,000 each by matching four white balls plus the Powerball, with other similar winnings across the state. Separately, in New Jersey, two unclaimed lottery tickets worth $150,000 and $50,000 respectively are nearing their expiration dates, with officials urging players to check their tickets.