Where in the United States will Wednesday’s Powerball winning numbers, and the estimated $425 million jackpot they could result in, be drawn? Only time will tell, but data shows certain areas produce more winners. Of the 43 states that participate in the Powerball, some appear luckier than others. Pennsylvania has had 16 winners in its history to lead the pack. The next luckiest state is Indiana with 11, while New Jersey brings up the rear with just three jackpot wins. The biggest winner of all time lives in Florida. Besides move to the Keystone State in the next few hours, what else can a Powerball player do to beat (or at least marginally improve) the odds? Richard Lustig, seven-time lottery grand prize winner and author of “Learn How To Increase Your Chances of Winning The Lottery,” offers more tips . “The lazy way out is to buy quick-picks. The computer picks out the numbers. Don’t play quick-picks. Quick-picks are the worst thing you can do.” With those, “you are playing with the worst odds,” said Lustig. More tickets may also result in a greater win percentage. The AP reports that more smaller prizes of $1-2 million and under have been issued since a major overhaul of the Powerball game in January 2012. The big question, though? Despite difficult odds of one in 175 million, how you would like to receive the jackpot when – not if – you win it tonight? You can take it in 30 annual payments, valued at $425 million, or you can ask for the lump sum of $244.7 million after taxes. Just something to mull over. Powerball Jackpot Climbs Past $425M
‘The power is in the numbers and the communities,’ Clef said on ‘RapFix Live,’ featuring activist Kevin Powell and attorney Stacey Richman. By Rob Markman, with reporting by Sway Calloway
Report Shows Most Americans Believe Blacks Are More Racist Than Whites Are black folks really more racist than whites ??? Via Washington Times: Americans, by and large, see blacks as more racist than whites or Hispanics, a new survey said on Wednesday. But political ideology plays a large role in the findings, Rasmussen Reports said. Rasmussen found in its national telephone survey that 37 percent of U.S. adults believe blacks are racist, compared to 15 percent and 18 percent regarding whites and Hispanics, respectively, as racist. The report stipulated that the respondents were asked about ethnic groups in America, not around the world. Break down the survey by ideology, however, and the numbers are radically different. About 49 percent of conservative Americans consider blacks the most racist ethnic group, while 12 percent regard whites the most racist. And about 27 percent of liberal Americans saw whites as the most racist, and 21 percent, blacks. By political party: 49 percent of Republicans say blacks are the most racist; 29 percent of Democrats agree; and so do 36 percent of “unaffiliated” respondents. Rasmussen said: “Among black Americans, 31 percent think most blacks are racist, while 24 percent consider most whites racist and 15 percent view most Hispanics that way. Among white adults, 10 percent think most white Americans are racist, 38 percent believe most blacks are racist and 17 percent say most Hispanics are racist.” In general, only 30 percent of all Americans believe race relations in the United States are good or excellent, the survey found. Discuss… Continue reading →
The making of White House Down is responsible for the making of Channing All Over Your Tatum . So the movie has clearly already paid off. But is the blockbuster, which hits theaters today, worthy of your time and money? Critics from around the country weigh in below… White House Down is the kind of celebration of rampant mayhem in which everyone seems to have a rocket launcher — or at least a live hand grenade — at the ready, just in case they need to dispatch a scrum of exceptionally vile and cruel villains. – The Washington Post As demented and entertaining as promised, and a little less idiotic than feared. – The New York Times Each nutty scenario is surpassed by the next, ludicrous story lines coalesce with expert orchestration, and absurd details return with perfect timing to build to a crescendo of hilarity. – The Boston Globe It’s a blatant attempt for the director to revive his box office fortunes by blowing up parts of the White House Complex as gaudily as he did 18 years ago. – The Orange County Register If you have to chose just one White House under attack movie, the wise choice would be to spend your money on Olympus Has Fallen. – About.com
Taylor Swift is beloved by millions, but to the Westboro Baptist Church, this is emblematic of the fact that our society is going straight to … you know. “This girl is a whore,” Ben Phelps, the leader of group said in announcing the WBC’s plan to protest her August 3 concert in Kansas City, Missouri. The WBC called Taylor “the whorish face of doomed America” in a press release, and Phelps explains, “She’s widely loved. She’s got huge approval ratings.” “What she’s famous for is hopping around from one bed from another. This girl is a whore. Who else is gonna say that if it’s not the church of the Lord Jesus?” Imagine if this guy saw Miley Cyrus Twerking . When Taylor Swift stops in Kansas City, not far from Westboro Baptist Church’s Topeka, Ks., headquarters, they’re going to let her know how they feel. “She’s coming into our backyard,” Phelps said. So we’re gonna go preach to her. Taylor tries to pretend that she’s a good Christian. But she’s not. “When she has a huge platform like that, a huge influence on young women, she’s got a duty to tell about God’s standards. And she has absolutely failed.” Citing her “immodest, vulgar appearance” and “serial fornication,” Phelps wants her to “promote the standards of God instead of whoredom, fornication … that filthy lifestyle.” Immodest appearance? She has been showing off some curves lately (see above, who knew?!), but calling that vulgar may be a tiny bit of a stretch. All depends on your perspective, we suppose. And Phelps’ is that of disgust: “Taylor Swift uses talent God gave her to warble about fornication,” he says. “One simple tweet from her: ‘Stop fornicating ladies, and obey God’ would rock the house. But it would cost her millions she makes with her sin-coddling songs.” Until she changes her sinful ways , he says, expect backlash. How big of a backlash? Phelps says Taylor Swift can expect at least 15 people, but he insists he’s not worried about the turnout, but the principle. “It’s not about the numbers,” he says. “It’s about getting a message out.” “We’re concerned about putting the standard of God out there. Especially when you have a person like this who is inexplicably loved and revered.” “She’s a whore! I mean, come on.” The irony is that while Swift has dated a lot, she’s also rumored to be a chaste prude who is concerned about setting an example and does NOT fornicate much if at all. Are we right? Or wrong? You tell us in the survey below: Is Taylor Swift a whore, as the WBC contends? NO! She’s actually a good role model for a celebrity! I wouldn’t say “whore” but she could improve her image. Yes. Girl fornicates non-stop and uses her talent to promote sin. View Poll »
We know Rick Ross misses that Reebok money. Rick Ross Hopes Losing Reebok Deal Teaches Proteges According to All Hip Hop Back in April, Maybach Music Group boss Rick Ross lost his partnership with Reebok after women’s groups protested against a controversial lyric in Ross’ “U.O.N.E.O” verse. While the lost deal reportedly cost the Miami rapper $3-5 million dollars, he’s still attempting to pull something positive from the situation for his MMG crew. “I’m in a position where if I never sold another shoe, Rozay good. So it’s really about what the little homies who coming next gonna take away from it,” Ross told MTV. The connection between corporations and rappers has been tightly scrutinized over the last several months as other high-profile performers with corporate ties like Lil Wayne and Tyler, The Creator have also been criticized for their content. Several of the MMG roster members have dealt with major companies in recent years. Meek Mill and Rockie Fresh are partnered with Puma, Wale endorses Skullcandy, and Stalley has worked with the Disney owned ESPN Network. “It most definitely was a learning situation and just for the little homeys, just something for them to take away,” said Ross. “That’s what’s important to me, what they take away from it.” Ross also spoke briefly on his own relationship with the shoe company that he had to cut ties with. “As far as myself and Reebok, we got a healthy situation,” added Ross. The whole MMG team will come together again for the Self Made Vol. 3 album hitting stores on August 6th. Rick Ross is a fawk boy that lied about his correctional officer past and makes music about being a drug kingpin. He probably didn’t even realize what he was doing when he wrote that lyric. Do you think Rick is being Sincere?
We know the smuck that let her go ahead is mad she won that doe . Lady Wins Massive Powerball Jackpot According to The NY Daily News An 84-year-old widow claimed the largest Powerball jackpot in U.S. history on Wednesday — but somewhere a courteous stranger is kicking himself for letting her cut in line to buy the winning ticket. Gloria Mackenzie of Zephyrhills, Fla., emerged from seclusion to collect the record $590.5 million prize, then immediately went into hiding without uttering a word. The silver-haired great-grandmother — wearing shades, sunglasses, a pink shirt and white sneakers at lottery headquarters in Tallahassee — instead issued a written statement revealing the luck that brought about her windfall. “While in line, another lottery player was kind enough to let me go ahead of them in line to purchase the winning Quick Pick ticket,” Mackenzie revealed in her statement. “We are grateful for this blessing of winning the Florida Lottery Powerball jackpot and appreciate the interest of the public, state of Florida and the lottery,” Mackenzie’s statement said. While she asked for “privacy for our family’s benefit,” reporters converged on her tiny, single-story shack of a house that has no curb or gutter and is across the street from a cow pasture. She never returned to the $51,000 abode and there was no indication she ever would again. “I hope she gets a better place to live,” joked neighbor Don Cecil. Given her age, Mackenzie chose to take a lump sum payment — a whopping $370,896,780.54 before taxes. She told lottery officials she plans to split the money with her son, Scott, who was with her Wednesday. It’s unclear if her other son, two daughters, four grandchildren and two great grandkids will get a cut. The tight-lipped octogenarian declined to take part in a press conference. Her purse strap slung over her shoulder, she left the lottery offices in a silver Ford Focus with her son, Scott, and a financial advisor, ignoring questions shouted at her by reporters. “They walked right through the headquarters of the Florida Lottery … and said, ‘I have a winning ticket and I’d like to validate it,’” Florida Lottery Secretary Cynthia O’Connell said. Mackenzie purchased the winning ticket for the May 19 drawing at the Publix Super Market in Zephyrhills — a town of 13,337 about 30 miles northeast of Tampa. While her odds of winning were a staggering 1 in 175.2 million, Mackenzie told lottery officials she watched the drawing and knew immediately that she matched all the numbers: 10, 13, 14, 22, 52 and a Powerball of 11. Mackenzie relocated to the Sunshine State from East Millinocket, Maine, several years ago. Her husband, Ralph, a World War II vet who worked in a paper mill for 39 years, died in 2005. After hitting the jackpot, Mackenzie kept it under wraps for 17 days as she and her son sought financial counseling, O’Connell said. “This is a very large amount of money, it changes your life,” O’Connell said. “I believe to make sure that they were ready to handle the responsibilities that comes with that kind of a jackpot win.” Neighbor James Hill said he was bowled over the news. “She didn’t say anything about it. She’s so quiet and secluded. She’s usually in the house,” said Hill. “I’m very happy for her. It couldn’t have happened to a nicer person. She was always pleasant and smiling.” The previous record Powerball payout was $587.5 million set in November 2012. The largest lottery prize in U.S. history is the $656 million Mega Millions pot split among winners in Maryland, Kansas and Illinois in March 2012. Nice guys always finish last. AP
Third grader Maggie Ciara has a serious case of Stanley Cup fever, as evidenced by an answer the Chicago Blackhawks fan put on a recent math test. The question: “What is 9 times 9?” The answer? Hossa. Marian Hossa wears No. 81 for her favorite NHL team. As you can see, her Oak Lawn, Ill., teacher was baffled. What is this? The best part? After seeing that she didn’t get it, Maggie clarified it for her teacher, Christine Mech … who gave her full credit and an A+ overall. “Maggie is a very clever girl,” said Mech, who actually is a Blackhawks fan herself. “I love how Maggie has a sense of humor. We had a little bit of a laugh afterward.” Also awesome? After Maggie’s mom, Diane, posted a photo of the exam on Facebook, the NHL team itself “Liked” it and posted it on its official page too. Hockey. It’s always the right answer. Although the numbers aren’t looking quite as good for Chicago, which trails Detroit 3-1 in the conference semifinals.
And… she’s off! Following a slew of magazine interviews over the past month – she’s scared of ending up alone in a bathtub , she is sick of misleading portrayals in the media – Taylor Swift let her music do the talking last night. The superstar kicked off her Red tour in Omaha, dressing at various points in revealing outfits that included a corset and a very short red dress. Among the numbers she belted out for fans? “The Lucky One,” “I Knew You Were Trouble” and “22.” Give each performance a look and a listen now: Taylor Swift – “The Lucky One” (Live in Omaha) Taylor Swift – “I Knew You Were Trouble” (Live in Omaha) Taylor Swift – “22” (Live in Omaha)
