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Eight stories about life-changing lottery wins in Kentucky

Stories by Lexington Herald-Leader journalists, with AI summarization

This collection of stories show how Kentucky residents see their lives change after winning lottery prizes. Each details ordinary people who have received big checks and face new choices.

Check out the stories below.

Tamika Waddy, of Lexington, poses with her big check in early January at Kentucky Lottery’s Louisville headquarters after winning $200,000 on a scratch-off ticket.

NO. 1: LEXINGTON LOTTERY PLAYER PLANS FOR VACATION, NEW RIDE AFTER WINNING 6-FIGURE PRIZE

She purchased the lucky ticket from an area grocery store. | Published January 13, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jackie Starkey

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NO. 2: EASTERN KY MAN BECOMES FIRST IN STATE TO WIN MEGA MONEY JACKPOT. IT’S A RECORD PRIZE

The win made him emotional. | Published January 24, 2025 | Read Full Story by Aaron Mudd

Jeremy Owen and wife Chelsea Hanson pose with their Kentucky Lottery winnings.

NO. 3: KENTUCKY MAN’S WIFE URGED HIM TO PLAY UNIQUE LOTTERY CROSSWORD GAME. THEN HE WON BIG

The man told lottery officials he doesn’t normally like the crossword games. | Published February 22, 2025 | Read Full Story by Aaron Mudd

Hazel Morris poses with her husband Dale, showing off a large check made out with their Kentucky Lottery winnings. Hazel Morris won more than $281,000 playing the Elephant King instant play game.

NO. 4: WITH A CARTON OF EGGS IN HAND, KY WOMAN SECURES A MEME-WORTHY ONLINE LOTTERY WIN

She can now afford all the eggs she wants. | Published March 31, 2025 | Read Full Story by Aaron Mudd

Linda Grizzle and her son, Shannon Farthing, have the choice to receive their prize in graduated annual payments or in a lump cash sum.

NO. 5: CENTRAL KENTUCKY MOTHER, SON DUO CLAIMS STATE’S $167.3M POWERBALL JACKPOT WIN

“This is going to pay off my debt,” on of the winners told the Kentucky Lottery. | Published April 28, 2025 | Read Full Story by Meredith Howard

By Getty Images/iStockphoto

NO. 6: A LUCKY KENTUCKIAN HAS A LOTTERY TICKET WORTH ‘$25,000 FOR LIFE.’ WHERE IT SOLD

The winner can claim the annual prize or take the cash option. | Published June 18, 2025 | Read Full Story by Aaron Mudd

Un jugador de la Lotería de la Florida ganó el premio mayor del Fantasy 5, informaron las autoridades.

NO. 7: A POWERBALL TICKET WORTH $50,000 SOLD IN KENTUCKY. COULD IT BE YOURS?

Check for these winning numbers from the June 28 drawing. | Published June 30, 2025 | Read Full Story by Aaron Mudd

Dreamstime/TNS

NO. 8: POWERBALL JACKPOT HITS $216M, AND 2 KENTUCKY PLAYERS HOLD BIG WINNING TICKETS

One of the tickets is worth $1 million. | Published July 8, 2025 | Read Full Story by Lindsay Smith

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.