Man wins lottery for $250K thanks to playing his ‘lucky numbers’

Andrew Fidler’s “lucky numbers” paid off for a $250,000 win in Monday night’s Powerball drawing. (North Carolina Education Lottery)

Raleigh, N.C.

A lottery player in North Carolina says his numbers came through for him when playing Powerball earlier this week.

According to the North Carolina Education Lottery, Andrew Fidler’s “lucky numbers” paid off for a $250,000 win in Monday night’s Powerball drawing.

Fidler said the numbers he played had been lucky for him before, so he decided to try them again.

“I was just feeling extremely lucky,” he said. “This is phenomenal timing.”

Fidler bought his $3 ticket online and matched the numbers on four white balls and the red Powerball to win $50,000.

But because he bought a Power Play ticket, his prize grew to $250,000 when the 5X multiplier hit.

“I was in disbelief,” he said. “It was definitely awesome.”

Fidler realized he won in the middle of the night when he woke up and checked his phone. He said he barely got any sleep after that.

“I’m very exhausted, but also extremely excited,” he said.

Fidler arrived at lottery headquarters on Tuesday to claim his winnings and took home $178,751 after taxes.

“We are currently looking at houses right now,” the lucky winner said.

Powerball is one of six draw games in North Carolina where players have the option of buying their tickets at a retail location or online.

Cabin pressure issue leaves Delta passengers with bloody ears and noses, reports say

FILE — The reported issue was on Delta Flight 1203 with passengers being accommodated on another aircraft. (Atlanta News First)

Salt Lake City

Passengers on a Delta Air Lines flight are recovering after a reported pressurization issue caused injuries to a few of the flyers.

CNN reports the pressure in the cabin caused bloody noses and other issues for travelers who were heading from Salt Lake City to Portland, Oregon, last Sunday.

The reported issue was on Delta Flight 1203 with passengers being accommodated on another aircraft once the plane returned to the airport in Salt Lake City.

A spokesperson for the airline shared that technicians fixed the pressurization issue on the aircraft and the plane was returned to service the next day.

Passenger Caryn Allen told KSL that it didn’t take very long for passengers to notice something was wrong on Sunday’s flight.

Allen said she and her husband had to put their hands over their ears while noticing another passenger suffering from a bloody nose.

“I looked about a row behind me, over on the other side of the aisle, and there was a gentleman that clearly had a very bad bloody nose, and people were trying to help him,” Allen said.

Another passenger, Jaci Purser, shared that it felt like somebody was stabbing her in the ear where she found blood.

A Delta Air Lines spokesperson apologized to the customers and said their flight crews followed protocol and gave the affected flyers immediate attention.

Just last week, WANF reported that a Delta plane was involved in an incident at the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport where an Airbus A350 bound for Tokyo clipped the tail of a smaller aircraft.

The Federal Aviation Administration said it is investigating.

‘Unfathomable’: First responder accused of sexually assaulting unconscious woman in ambulance

A Florida emergency worker is accused of sexually assaulting an unconscious woman in his care while on the job. (Flagler County Sheriff's Office)

Daytona Beach, Fla.

An emergency worker in Florida is accused of sexually assaulting an unconscious woman in an ambulance while on duty.

According to the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, James Melady, 37, was arrested on Wednesday and is facing charges of sexual battery on a helpless person and video voyeurism.

Authorities said the Daytona Beach Police Department started investigating Melady after a video surfaced of him molesting an unconscious female in Flagler County while on duty and in uniform while performing his official duties.

The reported incident occurred in October 2021, and the woman was a Flager County resident.

Flager County authorities said first responders were called to her residence and she was being transported to a hospital in the Palm Coast area.

According to detectives, the video in question showed Melady violating the woman while she was unconscious. They met with the woman, who was unaware of what happened.

Detectives said Melady confessed to his crimes while they were interviewing him. He also said he had retired from Flagler County Fire Rescue earlier this year.

Melady was arrested on a warrant by Daytona police and is currently being held in the Volusia County Jail under no bond.

“It’s unfathomable to me what this predator did to an unconscious victim while on duty while being entrusted to provide proper emergency medical care but instead sexually assault her,” Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly said. “I’m thankful we quickly got him off the street and in jail where he belongs.”

The sheriff’s office said if anyone believes they were also a victim of Melady to contact them at 386-313-4911.

Chad McQueen, son of Steve McQueen and ‘The Karate Kid’ star, dies at 63

FILE -- Producer Chad McQueen poses for photographers at a photo call at the 68th International Film Festival in France on May 16, 2015. (Joel Ryan/Invision/AP)

Chad McQueen, the son of the legendary actor Steve McQueen, has died.

Multiple outlets reported that Chad McQueen died Wednesday in Palm Springs at the age of 63.

Variety reported his wife Jeanie and children confirmed his death.

“It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of our father, Chad McQueen. His remarkable journey as a loving father to us, along with his unwavering commitment to our mother, truly exemplified a life filled with love and dedication,” a family statement read.

Chad McQueen is best known for his role as Dutch in “The Karate Kid” movies in the 1980s.

He appeared in several other films, but his acting career was not as extensive as his father’s.

However, Chad McQueen did have a successful career in auto racing, something his loved ones said became his passion.

“His passion for racing not only highlighted his exceptional talent but also served as a way to honor his father’s legacy, a testament to the values instilled in him,” the family shared.

‘No third debate’: Donald Trump says he won’t debate Kamala Harris again

FILE — Former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris participate in 2024 presidential debate. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Washington

Former President Donald Trump says he won’t be debating Vice President Kamala Harris again.

Trump shared online Thursday in a post on Truth Social that “There will be no third debate!”

The former president debated President Joe Biden in June and Harris earlier this week.

Harris’ campaign had called for another debate after the two faced off Tuesday.