Man vows to never eat bologna again after winning $1 million on lottery scratch-off

A Tennessee man has secured the first top prize of the $1 million Casino Nights Kentucky Lottery scratch-off game. (Kentucky Lottery)

Logan County, Ky.

A lucky Tennessee man turned a $20 ticket into a $1 million lottery jackpot.

According to the Kentucky Lottery, Jody, who requested his last name not be shared, came to Louisville on June 10 with his father to claim their winnings from the $1 million Casino Nights Kentucky Lottery scratch-off game.

Lottery officials said Jody’s father purchased the winning ticket just a few days earlier at an Adairville Market and began scratching the ticket at the store.

“I said [to the clerk], ‘If I hit this million dollars, I ain’t ever eating bologna again,’” the father shared

The top prize was revealed within the first couple of rows where he matched the three key symbols next to the top prize amount.

“It kind of shocked me,” the father said.

He told lottery officials that he immediately called his son when he realized he’d won.

“He went, ‘You’ll never believe what I just did,’” Jody said. “And, I said, ‘What?’ He said, ‘We just won $1 million!’ I was sitting there thinking, yeah right, I don’t believe you!”

According to Jody, his father then drove down to his home to show him the ticket and they made plans to drive up to Kentucky Lottery headquarters.

Jody said he still continued with his weekend plans that included mowing the lawn while looking forward to their Louisville trip.

As for the winnings, Jody said he plans on investing the money.

“Houses are paid off. Cars paid off. We will be bill-free probably next week,” he said.

Lottery officials said Jody and his father opted to take the game’s $700,000 lump sum cash option.

White couple accused of adopting Black children and forcing them to work as ‘slaves’

Jeanne Whitefeather, 62, and Donald Lantz, 63, are accused of using five children for “forced labor” on their farm. (WV Division of Corrections)

Charleston, W.Va.

A West Virginia couple has been charged for allegedly using their adopted African American kids as “slaves.”

Jeanne Whitefeather, 62, and Donald Lantz, 63, are accused of using five children for “forced labor” on their farm.

The discovery of the reported abuse came to light last October and the couple was taken into custody.

Whitefeather appeared in court for a preliminary hearing late last year regarding the child neglect case.

Deputies said they found two children locked in a shed after using forced entry into the couple’s barn following up on a welfare check that was called into them.

Deputy H.K. Burdette responded to the October 2023 call and described the awful conditions where the children were found.

“One of them responded and said ‘Ma’am, we are not able to open the door from the inside,’ " she said. “I was repulsed, for the lack of a better term. As soon as the door was open, the heat from inside hit us. The smell made my eyes water. It was terrible without running water, circulating air, or beds.”

According to NBC News, the couple is facing dozens of charges including human trafficking, child neglect, and forced labor after their adopted five Black children were forced to do labor and live in deplorable conditions.

“What these children were going through ... it is frankly horrifying and despicable; there is no other way to describe it,” Kanawha County Assistant Prosecutor Debra Rusnak said.

Whitefeather admitted to deputies that the children were left in the shed but stated that “they like it.”

Deputies said at the couple’s main residence, they located another small child who was locked inside and alone. That child was in an unprotected loft, approximately 15 feet high.

According to the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office, the family had moved to West Virginia last year from Washington state with all five adopted children being home-schooled.

Officials said the children are currently all safe while Whitefeather and Lantz have pleaded not guilty to the charges they are facing.

The couple is being held on $500,000 bonds as they await their trial that is scheduled for Sept. 9.

Southwest father-daughter duo fly together for the first time as pilots

A father-daughter made it a family affair when taking to the skies together as Southwest Airlines pilots for the first time. (Southwest Airlines)

A father and daughter recently took to the skies for the first time together as Southwest Airlines pilots.

New Southwest Airlines First Officer Mackenzie Rennhack said she always knew she wanted to be a pilot.

When she was a little girl, Rennhack would dress up like her dad, Captain Michael Rennhack, according to Southwest Airlines.

She was then gifted a “discovery flight,” a short introductory flight for those who might be interested in earning their pilot’s license one day, and that’s when Mackenzie Rennhack knew she had to fly.

Mackenzie Rennhack took her passion to Arizona State University, where she participated in the University Pathway of the Southwest Airlines Destination 225° Pilot Pathways Program.

Southwest Airlines said the family’s story came full circle last month when she joined her father in the cockpit for their first flight together.

Mackenzie Rennhack was also joined by her mother, brother, and her fiance for the flight with her dad.

“Welcome aboard, First Officer Mackenzie; we’re so glad you’re here!” representatives with Southwest Airlines shared.

Traveling nurse drowns while visiting Glacier National Park after falling into creek

Gillian Tones, 26, drowned after falling into a creek at Glacier National Park in Montana. (GoFundMe | Glacier National Park Service via MGN)

West Glacier, Mont.

Authorities say a 26-year-old woman drowned after falling into a creek at a national park in Montana over the weekend.

According to the National Park Service, the woman slipped on slick rocks and fell into Virginia Creek between St. Mary Falls and Virginia Falls at Glacier National Park on Sunday.

The woman, later identified as Gillian Tones, was quickly swept up by cold, fast-moving water and went over a series of smaller waterfalls before being pinned underwater by a log for several minutes.

Authorities said other park visitors helped pull her out of the water but despite resuscitation efforts from rescuers and first responders, Tones was pronounced dead at about 7 p.m.

Family members told WTAE that Tones was a free spirit and worked as a traveling nurse, earning an award for her work.

“She was a truly bright light in the lives of everyone who had the privilege of knowing her. Her presence radiated warmth and positivity. She had an uncanny ability to lift the spirits of those around her,” loved ones shared through a GoFundMe. “Her compassion and empathy knew no bounds. She was always willing to lend a helping hand and listening ear.”

Park officials thanked first responders and the other park visitors for their help that day.

Officials also extended their “deepest condolences” to the Tones family.

‘I was hyperventilating!’: Man wins $6M from scratch-off ticket thanks to playing lucky number

The lucky player, who chose to remain anonymous, bought his winning ticket at a 7-Eleven located in Clinton Township. (Michigan Lottery)

Wayne County, Mich.

A 32-year-old Michigan man won a massive lottery jackpot thanks to purchasing a scratch-off ticket while stopping at an area convenience store.

Michigan Lottery officials said the man, who chose not to disclose his identity, bought the winning $50 500X Money Maker ticket at a 7-Eleven store in Clinton Township.

“I play lottery games every once in a while, and this 500X Money Maker ticket was only the second ticket I have purchased so far this year,” the lottery winner said.

According to the new millionaire, he asked the clerk what the ticket number was on the next ticket, and he purchased it after hearing it was his and his wife’s lucky number of 14.

“I scratched the ticket off and when I saw I won $6 million, I started hyperventilating! I had to take the day off work because I was in a state of shock. I texted my wife and said: ‘Lucky number 14,’” the man shared.

He chose to receive his winnings in a one-time lump sum payment of $4.1 million.

“Congratulations to the lucky player and his wife on an incredible $6 million win,” Michigan Lottery Commissioner Suzanna Shkreli said. “Creating life-changing moments for our players is incredibly exciting and I hope this prize has a positive impact on this player and his family for many years to come.”

The lucky player said he plans to invest his newfound wealth, help his family and start a business.