JQJO — Your world, one story at a time · Page 802

Washington — On Wednesday, April 29, the Powerball drawing produced two jackpot winners who will split a $143 million prize and generated roughly 90 additional million-dollar winning tickets sold across 20 states, according to Powerball and state lottery officials. The published winning numbers were 3, 19, 35, 51, 67 with Powerball 15 and a 2x Power Play.

Atlanta, Louisville and other state lottery offices confirmed specific in-state winners this week; Kentucky officials said a $1 million ticket was sold at a Thornton's in Louisville, and Georgia reported at least one $1 million winner. The jackpot reset to an estimated $20 million, and the next drawing is scheduled for Saturday, May 2, per lottery authorities.

Omaha, Neb. — Union Pacific filed an amended application Thursday seeking approval to acquire Norfolk Southern for $85 billion, arguing the combined railroad would create a one-carrier coast-to-coast system and reduce delivery time by eliminating interline handoffs. The Surface Transportation Board previously rejected the initial filing in January as incomplete.

This week the railroads and supporters, including Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen and regional business leaders, reiterated claims the merger could shift 2.1 million truckloads to rail and save shippers billions; the STB has 30 days to decide whether to accept the amended filing before starting a detailed review likely to last more than a year.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Jacksonville Jaguars this week completed a multi-day 2026 draft haul and added veteran free agents while ultimately deciding not to trade up from No. 56, according to Sports Illustrated reporting and an Adam Schefter podcast mention on Thursday; the team made ten reported selections over the draft weekend and added numerous rookies.

The decisions leave the Jaguars with increased positional depth and preserved 2027 first-round capital after the reported trade consideration failed to materialize; Trevor Lawrence remains the unquestioned starting quarterback, training camp looms in months, and team statements and roster projections indicate Travis Hunter will continue as a two-way player with emphasized cornerback duties.

United States. Multiple local weather services report that incoming cold fronts and low-pressure systems will produce below-normal temperatures, scattered showers, and isolated thunderstorms across the Midwest, Southeast and Rockies beginning Thursday and continuing into the weekend. Forecasters cite Thursday morning showers, a Friday frontal passage with more widespread rain, and mountain snow at higher elevations.

Immediate impacts will include morning commute showers on Friday, a chance of heavier rain Friday night into Saturday with some thunderstorms, weekend frost risk in inland valleys such as the Miami Valley and Indianapolis area, and winter weather advisories for Continental Divide ranges; temperatures are expected to rebound by Sunday into next week.

Atlanta — The New York Knicks overwhelmed the Atlanta Hawks 140-89 in Game 6 on Thursday night at State Farm Arena, eliminating the Hawks and clinching advancement to the Eastern Conference semifinals. New York built a 40-15 first-quarter lead and held an 83-36 halftime advantage, establishing multiple playoff records during the contest.

The decisive win produces immediate consequences: the Hawks’ season ended while the Knicks move on to face the winner of Boston and Philadelphia this weekend, with New York’s rotation boosted by OG Anunoby’s 29 points and Karl-Anthony Towns’ triple-double; league records show the largest halftime margin in playoff history and a 51-point final margin.

Macon, Georgia meteorologists forecast increased rain and cooler temperatures Friday into Saturday as an upper trough and a developing Gulf surface low move northeastward, producing widespread showers and scattered thunderstorms across Middle Georgia while keeping daytime highs limited to the 60s and low 70s before a dry spell returns Sunday.

In Indianapolis and the Western Carolinas this week, forecasters warned of below-average temperatures and patchy frost Friday night into Sunday morning and declared a First Alert Weather Day Saturday for the Upstate, prompting advice to postpone or provide backups for outdoor events, monitor local forecasts, and expect rain to taper Saturday night.

Atlanta — Matt Olson delivered a two-run, ninth-inning home run that lifted the Atlanta Braves to a 4-3 walk-off victory over the Detroit Tigers Wednesday, with Ozzie Albies reaching base ahead of Olson and Reynaldo Lopez recording scoreless relief to secure the win. In Pittsburgh Thursday, the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Pirates 10-5 to complete a four-game sweep, led by homers and multi-hit efforts.

The immediate consequences include a credited win for Lopez and a loss added to Kenley Jansen's season record Wednesday, and a setback for Paul Skenes Thursday after allowing five runs in five innings; both outcomes affect bullpen workload and short-term rotation decisions as teams prepare for upcoming divisional matchups this week and adjust roster usage accordingly.

HOUSTON — The Los Angeles Lakers closed their first-round playoff series with a 98-78 victory over the Houston Rockets at the Toyota Center on Friday night, winning the best-of-seven series 4-2. LeBron James scored 28 points with eight assists and seven rebounds as the Lakers secured the Game 6 win that ended Houston's season.

Friday's result sends the Lakers into the Western Conference second round, where they will face the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday in Oklahoma City. The Rockets, who had avoided elimination Wednesday with a 99-93 Game 5 win in Los Angeles (Jabari Smith Jr. 22 points), finish the series without Kevin Durant for most games due to injury.

PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Boston Celtics 106-93 on Thursday to force a decisive Game 7 in the first-round NBA playoff series. Joel Embiid returned from an appendectomy and scored 19 points, Tyrese Maxey led with 30 points, and Paul George contributed 23 as the Sixers delivered their most complete performance of the season.

The teams will meet in Boston on Saturday for the winner-take-all Game 7; the Sixers hope Embiid’s availability and Maxey’s scoring will determine their trajectory. Boston coach Joe Mazzulla faces evaluations of his rotation after back-to-back losses, while analysts highlighted turnovers, rebounding and offensive stagnation through the series as key concerns.

Washington: U.S. Central Command chief Admiral Brad Cooper will brief President Donald Trump on Thursday about new military options against Iran, U.S. media reported, outlining plans described as a 'short and powerful' wave of strikes and additional measures including potential control of the Strait of Hormuz and special forces operations.

The briefing follows a fragile ceasefire that began roughly three weeks earlier after reported hostilities traced to 28 February, and Joint Chiefs Chairman General Dan Caine is expected to attend; this week lawmakers including Senator Roger Wicker urged tougher measures, while officials have not issued formal confirmation and no final decision has been announced.