Content for Friday, October 1
Powerball is Now Up to $620 Million
After nearly four months without a big winner, the Powerball jackpot for tomorrow night has climbed to an estimated $620 million-- the 10th largest US lottery prize. There have been 39 drawings in a row without a Powerball grand prizewinner. The last time someone hit the jackpot was June 5th. Although the jackpot is billed as $620 million, that's the estimate for the annuity option paid over 30 years.Winners nearly always opt for the cash option, which for Saturday's drawing will be an estimated $446 million.
Arby’s to Sell Sweatsuits That Smell LIke Smoked Meat
Arby’s is launching a line of sweatshirts and sweatpants next week that have been smoked to smell like a smokehouse. The chain partnered with an actual Texas smokehouse to create the line of “premium sweats” that will smell as if you’ve been sitting next to the pit for hours. No word on pricing, but Arby’s says the product is legit and a countdown clock to the release date indicates the items will go on sale Monday.
Dr. Dre, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, Snoop and Mary J. Blige to Perform Super Bowl Halftime Show
The Super Bowl halftime show will feature 5 music acts this February with include Dr. Dre, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, Snoop Dogg and Mary J. Blige slated to perform. Pepsi revealed the lineup for the game at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on Sunday, February 13th. Jay-Z, who played a big part in getting the lineup together says the event will be "history in the making.” The announcement notes the show is expected to be “12 minutes of unforgettable greatness."
NFL: Tom Brady Sounds Extremely Sick and He Doesn’t Know Why
Tom Brady gave his weekly press conference for the media in Tampa and immediately his raspy voice shocked people. Brady has had some on-and-off rasp over the past couple of months, but yesterday he sounded the worst. After answering a few questions, Brady was finally asked about the condition of his throat. He said, “I don’t know. I’ve had a few of these days. I don’t know what the deal is, so I gotta try to figure this out. I said my throat’s more tired than arm. Imagine that.” Brady was reminded by a reporter that he had a similar hoarseness to his voice in the summer. Brady said,“Same thing — I know. It came back. I know. Very strange. Something must be a little — I can’t explain that, so.” Brady has had COVID and he’s vaccinated, but fans are freaking out about the prospect of Brady being sick for the Buccaneers taking on the Patriots this weekend. Some are accusing Patriots coach Bill Belichick of 'biolgical warfare' to knock Brady out of the game this Sunday.
Seattle Business Offers Budget Weddings In A Shipping Container
A budget wedding service in Seattle is now offering weddings in a shipping container. The company was located at a shopping center for the past 10-years but the owner decided to now run it out of a shipping container in a trailer park. She says the open-air nature of the trailer park mall makes it ideal for the COVID era. The business offers small weddings with minimal guests starting at only $350.
Nearly Half Of Older Adults Say Bedroom Life Much Better Now Than In Their 30s!
According to a new survey… nearly half of older adults say their sex life is much better now than in their 30s. Researchers surveyed 2,000 people 50 and older. They found 45% say they’ve had the best sex of their lives as they’ve grown old. And 35% are more intimate now than ever before and the same amount believe their sex drive is higher than when they were younger.
The Bill for His COVID Test Was... $54,000
A Dallas man needed a COVID test and was able to get one at an emergency room in Lewisville, Texas. He and his wife got PCR tests for the coronavirus, as well as rapid antigen tests. When all their results came back negative, it was a huge relief. Until the bill came. Total bill: $56,384, including $54,000 for the PCR test and the balance for the antigen test and an ER facility fee. His insurance company’s negotiated rate for both tests and the facility fee totaled $16,915.20, which the insurer paid in full. A recent report from an insurance trade association notes that "price gouging by certain providers continues to be a widespread problem." For coronavirus tests, there is no cap to what providers can charge. The problem: when the pandemic hit, lawmakers worried that people might avoid necessary testing for fear of the cost. So they passed legislation that required insurers to pay for these tests, without copays or cost sharing for the patient. According to an expert, “If the insurance company is paying astronomical sums of money for your care, that means, in turn, that you are going to be paying higher premiums.” Taxpayers, who subsidize marketplace insurance plans, also face a greater burden when premiums increase. Even people who have employer-sponsored health coverage feel the pain. Research shows that each increase of $1 in an employer's health costs is associated with a 52-cent cut to an employee's overall compensation.
SNAIL Mail: USPS to Slow Delivery Starting Today
Mail delivery for many Americans will slow starting today, part of Postmaster General Louis DeJoy's blueprint for overhauling the U.S. Postal Service in order to slash costs. One expert on the postal service says almost 4 of 10 pieces of first-class mail will see slower delivery. That "means mail delivery will be slower than in the 1970s." Starting today, the postal service's current three-day delivery standard for first-class mail — letters, bills, tax documents and the like — will drop to delivery anywhere within the U.S. within five days. In other words, Americans should now expect that letters and other mail could take up to five days to reach their destinations, and vice versa. The USPS will continue to have a two-day delivery standard for single-piece first-class mail traveling within a local area. ** Among the regions that will feel the greatest impact are Western states like California and Nevada, as well as Florida. Other pockets across the nation will also suffer from slower delivery times.
Time To Ditch The Smartphone At Bedtime?
According to a new study… kids sleep less and have poorer quality slumber if they use smartphones, tablets and other electronic devices at night. Researchers found those aged between six and 15-years old are most affected. For that age group they say video gaming, computers, phones, Internet use and watching television were behind the poor sleep. In children aged five and under, television and tablets were the main culprits for shorter sleep.