Big Lots is reopening stores, with more locations returning in spring and summer

FILE — Big Lots is set to reopen in Roanoke, Virginia. (WDBJ)

Big Lots is reopening a number of its stores, including several locations that have already reopened in a handful of states.

The discount chain’s new owners announced earlier this month that its first wave of reopenings includes nine stores in six states that are now under a new ownership group as part of the brand’s 2024 bankruptcy filing.

“We’re opening stores quickly so we can serve the community. We know the stores won’t be perfect to start, but each week we’ll add more new products as we build towards the grand opening celebration in the fall,” Lisa Seigies, president and CEO of Variety Wholesalers, said.

The company announced the first wave of stores that have reopened on April 10 include:

Kentucky: 1342 Indian Mound Drive in Mount Sterling.

Louisiana: 755 Veterans Memorial Boulevard in Metairie.

Mississippi: 2605 West Main Street in Tupelo and 5778 Highway 80 East in Pearl.

North Carolina: 1432 East Dixie Drive in Asheboro.

Tennessee: 1041 South Riverside Drive in Clarksville, 744 Nashville Pike in Gallatin and 220 Dickson Plaza Drive in Dickson.

Virginia: 2911 Hershberger Road Northwest in Roanoke.

Last December, Big Lots was sold to Gordon Brothers Retail Partners, a firm that specializes in distressed companies.

Variety Wholesalers Inc., which had already owned more than 400 discount stores in the U.S. Southeast and Mid-Atlantic regions, said it acquired hundreds of Big Lots stores and will operate them under the Big Lots brand.

“We’re thrilled to bring the Big Lots! brand back to life by offering more deals than ever, lots of famous brands and a new apparel department for the entire family,” Seigies said.

According to Variety Wholesalers, it will reopen the remaining acquired locations in subsequent waves, with about 55 stores in the second wave opening on May 1.

The remaining stores will open through early June and lead up to a grand opening celebration that will take place across all stores this fall.

Variety Wholesalers said it plans to reopen Big Lots stores in North Carolina, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, West Virginia and other states.

“Every time a customer visits Big Lots! we want them to find something new and exciting!” Seigies said.

Jelly Roll says he has lost nearly 200 pounds

FILE -- Jelly Roll performs at the BBR Decades Party during Country Radio Seminar on Feb. 20 in Nashville, Tenn. (Amy Harris/Invision/AP)

Jelly Roll shared another milestone update as he continues his weight-loss journey.

During Wednesday’s “Big Night Aht” event, the country music star told host Pat McAfee and those in attendance that he has lost nearly 200 pounds.

“I started at 540 pounds. I am 357 pounds this morning,” the 40-year-old said in a video posted by Entertainment Tonight. “I’m going to lose another 100 pounds and go skydiving with my wife in Sweden, baby!”

Jelly Roll has been open about his weight loss for more than a year, celebrating his accomplishments with his fans while hoping to inspire others.

Earlier this year, Billboard reported that the “Son of a Sinner” singer launched Jelly Roll’s Losers Run Club, a Facebook group to help others train and stay motivated as he plans to run in his second 5K event hosted by comedians Bert Kreischer and Tom Segura in May.

Last year, the rapper-turned-country star also shared his training schedule as he participated in his first 5K event hosted by the comedians at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California.

Additionally, Jelly Roll is scheduled to be with Post Malone on a nationwide stadium tour that will kick off this spring.

Mega Millions ticket prices are going up with ‘bigger jackpots.’ See the new payouts

FILE — A customer buys a Mega Millions ticket at Rossi's Deli in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Atlanta

Mega Millions lottery tickets will be costing more after Friday’s drawing.

According to a news release, a new version of the Mega Millions game takes effect on April 8.

The game will offer “bigger prizes,” but tickets for Mega Millions are going up from $2 to $5.

Officials said players will see their money returned with larger jackpot offerings.

“Beyond bigger jackpots, players told us they want bigger non-jackpot prizes and that’s exactly what this new game delivers,” Joshua Johnston, lead director of the Mega Millions Consortium, said. “Players who had won $2 in the old game will now take home $10, $15, $20, $25 or $50 under this game.”

Johnston added that players who had won $500 under the old rules would now take home $1,000, $2,000, $2,500, or $5,000 under the new version.

With the rise in ticket prices, the Mega Millions jackpots will also now start at $50 million each time there is a winner, with the jackpot money growing more quickly.

Mega Millions is a national game with tickets sold in 45 states, Washington, D.C. and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Drawings are conducted at 11 p.m. ET on Tuesdays and Fridays in Atlanta.

Husband fatally shoots wife after refusing to sign divorce papers, reports say

Lamar Antonio Bryant, 41, has been charged with first-degree murder. (Orange County Sheriff's Office, Florida)

Orlando, Fla.

Authorities in Florida say they have arrested a man wanted for killing his wife in a domestic shooting earlier this week.

According to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, 41-year-old Lamar Bryant has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of Takeshia Eads, 42. Family members have asked news outlets to use her maiden name.

The sheriff’s office said its investigation began after deputies responded to a shooting at a home on Livingston Street Tuesday evening.

According to authorities, they found a woman, later identified as Takeshia Eads, suffering from a gunshot wound to the head. She was transported to an area hospital, but she did not survive.

WESH reports that Eads was a mother of four and that other family members may have been at home at the time of the shooting.

Investigators shared that Eads had recently filed for divorce from Bryant, but he refused to sign the paperwork.

The pair had been reportedly married for more than a decade.

Loved ones shared that Eads was a selfless woman who always helped the ones she loved.

Bryant is currently being held without bond after making his initial court appearance on Thursday, WOFL reported.

Trump nicknames himself the ‘fertilization president’ during Women’s History Month event

FILE — President Donald Trump signed an executive order promising to expand access to in vitro fertilization. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Washington

President Donald Trump nicknamed himself the “fertilization president” during a speech at a Women’s History Month event at the White House on Wednesday.

While speaking of his administration’s efforts to expand in vitro fertilization, Trump said there will be “tremendous goodies” for women,“ including ”fertilization and all the other things we’re talking about.”

Trump added, “Fertilization. I’m still very proud of it, I don’t care. I’ll be known as the fertilization president, and that’s OK.”

While campaigning for his second presidential term in October, Trump also called himself the “father of IVF” when answering a question about in vitro fertilization during a Fox News town hall.

Last month, Trump signed an executive order promising to expand access to in vitro fertilization.

The president signed the order that read, in part:

“To support American families, it is the policy of my Administration to ensure reliable access to IVF treatment, including by easing unnecessary statutory or regulatory burdens to make IVF treatment drastically more affordable.”

The order instructed the assistant to the president for domestic policy to give Trump a list of policy recommendations on protecting IVF access and “aggressively reducing out-of-pocket and health plan costs for IVF treatment” within 90 days.