Kentucky
Man wins largest online Instant Play prize in history of Kentucky Lottery
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WBKO) – One Eastern Kentucky man has made history by winning the largest online Instant Play prize in the history of the Kentucky Lottery.
This marks the first time a Kentucky player has claimed the Mega Money Jackpot, a linked Progressive jackpot pool that is funded by multiple states and is currently featured on two Kentucky Lottery games: Jackpot Spectacular and Outlaw’s Loot.
The man, who wishes to remain anonymous, told lottery officials that before heading to a doctor’s appointment last week, he pulled up the Kentucky Lottery app on his phone and wagered $5 on the Jackpot Spectacular Instant Play game. According to the release, that play ended with him winning the $859,001.91 Mega Jackpot.
“Something was telling me to jump on and play,” he said in a release.
He said he was down to three chances remaining and on the second one, it hit.
“The Mega kept coming up and I was like, ‘no way, no way, no way and BAM! I just kept looking at it, I couldn’t believe it,” he said. “There’s no way I won that!”
He then checked his email and saw a confirmation email from the Kentucky Lottery informing him of his big win.
“I was crying, laughing,” he said. “I just kept thanking God, blessing me the way he did.”
He headed to the lottery headquarters in Louisville where he received a check for $618,481.37 after taxes.
He told officials he plans to pay off his son and daughter-in-law’s house.
“They work hard, and it will take a burden off of them,” he said in a release. He also plans the invest and donate some of his winnings to charity.
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A wide receiver from Belle Glade, Florida, Gilmore totaled 28 receptions for 313 yards and one touchdown for the Wildcats during the 2025 season. The 6-foot-1 sophomore has had a very interesting offseason as he entered the portal, flipped a commitment, and is now back in Lexington.
After the 2025 season, Gilmore committed to Louisville when he entered the transfer portal, then flipped his commitment to Baylor, and ultimately signed with the Bears. To end Gilmore’s portal saga, he’s now back in a familiar place with the Wildcats.
When the 2026 season begins, Gilmore will have two years of eligibility remaining.
Gilmore had a solid sophomore campaign with the Wildcats, appearing in all 12 games. His best game of the season came in the late-season loss against Vanderbilt. He tallied six catches for 55 yards in the game.
With Kentucky losing most of its wide receiver production from last season, this is a significant pickup, and it won’t be surprising if Gilmore is back in the starting lineup this fall.
As for the Aggies, the only name on the report is Mackenzie Mgbako, a one-time Kentucky target who remains out for the season after undergoing foot surgery. Texas A&M head coach Bucky McMilan said today that Mgbako will return next season, which would be a big boost for the Aggies before the offseason begins.
Kentucky vs. Texas A&M Injury Report
COVINGTON, Ky. (WKRC) – The Licking River Bridge was demolished Monday morning in a controlled blast, clearing the way for a replacement structure.
Authorities established a 1,000-foot safety perimeter, closed nearby roads and asked residents to shelter in place before the demolition. The bridge collapsed within seconds of the blast.
“Today we say goodbye to a bridge that has served Kentuckians for nearly a century and we make room for something new. A signature bridge that is safer, stronger and we make room for something new,” Gov. Andy Beshear said. “This region, like the rest of the commonwealth, is evolving, it is booming, it’s economy growing every day. What we’re doing together is building our new Kentucky home.”
The Licking River Bridge is now history after crews brought it down with a controlled demolition Monday morning. (WKRC)
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Crews will begin construction on the new bridge after debris removal is complete. The replacement bridge is expected to open in the summer of 2028.
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