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Half a dozen life-changing lottery wins in Kentucky

Stories by Lexington Herald-Leader journalists, with AI summarization

These Kentucky lottery winners' success stories range from large jackpots to substantial scratch-off prizes.

A Kentucky woman wins $150,000 on Tax Day. She quickly informed her husband after discovering the prize on a King Crossword scratch-off ticket. The couple planned to buy a car and renovate their home with the winnings. In another win, a Danville man secured a $390,000 lump-sum payment after playing Lucky for Life. He intended to use the money for immediate needs. The man has played the game for 12 years. A woman's detour to a gas station in search of ice cream led to her winning $1 million. She opted for a lump-sum payment and plans to pay off medical bills and achieve debt-free status.

La afortunada ganadora declaró que planeaba usar el dinero en pagar facturas, añadiendo después que “le quedaba lo suficiente como para viajar un poco”.

NO. 1: KY WOMAN STOPS AT GAS STATION WHILE IN SEARCH OF ICE CREAM, LEAVES WITH $1M LOTTERY WIN

She had a craving for a Dairy Queen Blizzard, she told lottery officials. | Published February 10, 2025 | Read Full Story by Aaron Mudd

The federal government tracks awards like grants, loans and contracts in communities across the United States. Here’s what those grants fund in Horry County, South Carolina.

NO. 2: AFTER 12 YEARS PLAYING LOTTERY GAME, KENTUCKY MAN WINS $25K A YEAR FOR LIFE PRIZE

A Lexington man won the same second-place prize in November. | Published February 14, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jackie Starkey

Vicky and Jamie Barnes, of Shepherdsville, pose with a $150,000 big check after Vicky won big on a Kentucky Lottery ticket April 15, 2025.

NO. 3: TAX DAY LOTTERY TICKET LEADS TO A LARGE PRIZE FOR ONE KENTUCKY WOMAN

It’s the first top prize win on the King Crossword game. | Published May 22, 2025 | Read Full Story by Lindsay Smith

Pareja descubre boletos olvidados del Mega Millions, con un valor de $1 millón, cinco meses después en un cajón de trastos.

NO. 4: KENTUCKY MAN TO BUY DREAM RV, HIT THE ROAD WITH WIFE AFTER TOP PRIZE LOTTERY WIN

The man told Kentucky Lottery officials he let the cashier pick his winning ticket. | Published June 5, 2025 | Read Full Story by Aaron Mudd

El único boleto con premio mayor de la Lotería de Florida del domingo se compró en el sur de la Florida.

NO. 5: KY MAN SWITCHES UP LOTTERY GAMES. HIS $20 WAGER MADE HIM A MILLIONAIRE

A winning scratch-off ticket from the Kentucky Lottery’s Feelin’ Like A Million Bucks game turned a Shelby County man into an instant millionaire with a $20 wager. | Published August 19, 2025 | Read Full Story by Aaron Mudd

Jugador del Powerball gana $1 millón en un Publix de la Florida. Aquí está el lugar.

NO. 6: GRANDMOTHER SCRATCHES OFF FIVE-FIGURE WIN ON HALLOWEEN KENTUCKY LOTTERY TICKET

A Clarksville, Tenn., woman got the shock of her life when she scratched off a $30,000 Kentucky Lottery win on a ticket she bought in Oak Grove, near Fort Campbell. | Published October 25, 2025 | Read Full Story by Aaron Mudd

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.