TALLAHASSEE, FLA.—A 20-year-old Florida man claimed the $451 million Mega Millions jackpot on Friday, choosing to get $282 million at once instead of more in annual installments.A Florida Lottery news release said Friday that 20-year-old Shane Missler, of Port Richey, had claimed the jackpot from the multi-state game’s Jan. 5 drawing. They say he chose to receive his winnings in a one-time, lump-sum payment of $281,874,999.“I’m only 20, but I hope to use it to pursue a variety of passions, help my family and do some good for humanity,” he said in a statement. Read more: How the Mega Millions lottery changed the game so everyone gets rich — except you … [Read more...] about 20-year-old Florida man wins $451-million Mega Millions jackpot
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Trump inexplicably exempted Florida from the massive offshore drilling overhaul, and some of his fiercest allies are pushing back
Ryan Zinke, Trump’s interior secretary, announced Tuesday that Florida would be exempt from a new plan to expand offshore drilling in US waters after he spoke to Republican Gov. Rick Scott. The new plan, and Florida’s exemption, was blasted by lawmakers of both parties in coastal states. On Tuesday, Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke announced that the state of Florida would be exempt from the Trump administration’s new plan to open up offshore drilling, and the reversal has already drawn blowback. Zinke said that the decision to exempt Florida from the expansion of offshore drilling came after discussions with Republican Gov. Rick Scott. “I support the governor’s position that Florida is unique and that its coasts are are heavily reliant on tourism as an economic driver,” Zinke said in a statement announcing the decision. The change in course comes less than a week after the new plan to open 98% of US … [Read more...] about Trump inexplicably exempted Florida from the massive offshore drilling overhaul, and some of his fiercest allies are pushing back
GOP congressman: Trump may have exempted Florida from offshore drilling because of Mar-a-Lago
The Trump administration decided to exempt Florida from new plans to open up the US to more offshore drilling. GOP Rep. Mark Sanford of South Carolina suggested that the change was politically-motivated. Sanford also told CNN the move may be “self-serving” since Trump has properties, such as Mar-A-Lago, along the Florida coastline. GOP Rep. Mark Sanford suggested that a sudden exemption for Florida from President Donald Trump’s new offshore drilling plan may have to do with the president’s own business. In an interview with CNN, Sanford said the exemption from the Trump administration’s new plan to open 98% of the US’s offshore waters to drilling for Florida smacked of politics since the state is important in presidential elections. The South Carolina Republican, who represents parts of the state’s coast including Charleston, also said there may have been a personal motive for … [Read more...] about GOP congressman: Trump may have exempted Florida from offshore drilling because of Mar-a-Lago
As influx of Puerto Ricans arrives in Florida, conservative group offers resources in effort to woo voters
WASHINGTON—A massive influx of Puerto Rico residents displaced by recent hurricanes is transforming communities in Florida and other states, and a conservative group is moving quickly to woo them ahead of the midterm elections.The Libre Institute, an offshoot of the Libre Initiative, a group backed by the billionaire Koch brothers, is launching new outreach programs this week in the Orlando area designed to provide English-language courses and civics lessons to thousands of Puerto Ricans living at least temporarily in Central Florida as the island continues rebuilding after deadly hurricanes Irma and Maria last fall.Full power has not yet been restored on the island, and Florida officials say more than 300,000 people have at least passed through the Sunshine State from Puerto Rico in pursuit of new opportunities or temporary shelter. Thousands of young island residents have been enrolled in Florida schools while their parents seek work and housing. Read more: Dark, desperate … [Read more...] about As influx of Puerto Ricans arrives in Florida, conservative group offers resources in effort to woo voters
Mega Millions says single ticket in Florida won $450M jackpot — 4th largest in lottery’s history
One Mega Millions ticket holder in Florida is the winner of the $450 million jackpot prize, the fourth biggest in the multi-state lottery’s 15-year history and the 10th largest of any lottery jackpot in U.S. history.The winning numbers, drawn Friday night, were 28, 30, 39, 59, 70 and 10. The jackpot amount refers to an annuity option in which payments are made over 29 years. Each annual payment is 5 per cent bigger than the previous one, but many winners choose a cash option, which in this case would yield $281 million in one lump-sum payment.According to a tweet by the Florida Lottery, the winning ticket was sold at a 7-Eleven in Port Richey, a Gulf Coast town northwest of Tampa. Read more: Analysis | How the Mega Millions lottery changed the game so everyone gets rich — except you … [Read more...] about Mega Millions says single ticket in Florida won $450M jackpot — 4th largest in lottery’s history