Oct 20, 2018

Mega Millions grand prize reaches $1.6 billion

Mega Millions ticket. Photo: Atilgan Ozdil/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

The Mega Millions grand prize is now officially tied for the largest lottery prize in U.S. history and is still poised to grow from its current $1.6 billion mark, making it one of six other top 10 drawings in the last three years, the AP's Scott McFertridge writes.

The big picture: Lottery officials have lessened the odds of winning a jackpot, increasing the opportunity for huge prizes that attract more attention and more money being spent on $2 Mega Millions or Powerball tickets despite the lower odds. In turn, older lottery grand prizes have been dwarfed.

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Dion Rabouin, author of Markets
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The holiday shopping season will now begin in October

Illustration: Eniola Odetunde/Axios

Amazon's decision to move its Prime Day to Oct. 13–14 this year will pull the whole holiday shopping season forward by more than a month and help make online retail bigger than ever, as more families shop electronically and jostle to get presents purchased ahead of December holidays.

Why it matters: The reality of the coronavirus pandemic pushing people toward e-commerce combined with the pull of Amazon Prime Day and the Christmas shopping season this year are setting up a bonanza for retailers — but only those with the ability to offer steep discounts, delivery and an attractive online platform.

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Axios
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Coronavirus dashboard

Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios

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Mike Allen, Stef W. Kight
2 hours ago - Politics & Policy

America's nightmare foretold

Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios

President Trump made it clear at the debate that he’ll continue to call the results fraudulent — and contest the outcome in key states — no matter how wide the margin. That’ll be amplified by a massive amount of disinformation, even though the platforms are trying to curtail it.

Why it matters: Back in 2000, we didn’t know Bush v. Gore was going to happen. We know this is going to happen.

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