MADISON, Wis. (WBAY) – The Wisconsin Lottery announced an exceptional number of winners from Wednesday’s Powerball drawing, including new millionaires from ticket sales in Pulaski, De Pere and Kaukauna.

The lottery says there were four $1 million winning tickets and two more that won the $1 million prize with the 2X multiplier, making those worth $2 million.

The tickets matched all 5 regular numbers but not the Powerball:

03-19-35-51-67

Powerball: 15

The $1 million tickets were sold at:

• True North Energy, 113 S. Wisconsin, Pulaski
• De Pere Mini Mart Citgo, 821 George St., De Pere
• Mobil, 1005 Crooks Ave., Kaukauna
• Pick N Save, 6462 S. 27th St., Oak Creek

The $2 million tickets were sold in northern and western Wisconsin:

• Brite Spot 2, 109 Silver St., Hurley
• BP, 810 W. Wisconsin St., Sparta

The Wisconsin Lottery says one explanation for the large number of winners is that those five regular numbers are all in the same column on the paper slip, making it easy for players to pick their own numbers going down the line.

Wednesday’s Powerball drawing had a total 62 million-dollar winners and another 27 $2 million winners.

Two tickets matched all five plus the Powerball. Those tickets, sold in Indiana and Kansas, will split the $143 million jackpot.

Including the new millionaires (minus taxes, of course), Wisconsin had 5,637 winners in the Powerball drawing, with prizes ranging from $4 to $2 million.

Winners can learn how to claim their prizes on the Wisconsin Lottery website.

Retailers will receive 2% of the prizes over $599 sold at their store from the Wisconsin Lottery’s retailer incentive program, up to $100,000.

After a Wisconsin breeding and animal research facility that housed thousands of beagles agreed to sell most of their animals, some of the dogs will be headed to the Chicago area.

After weeks of protests over their treatment of the dogs, Ridglan Farms agreed to sell 1,500 of the facility’s roughly 2,000 beagles.

Activists who have accused Ridglan of mistreating the dogs broke into the facility last month in an effort to remove beagles that were being bred for laboratory testing.

About a month later, hundreds of activists and protesters returned, clashing with police, leading some to be tear gassed and pepper sprayed.

On Thursday, organizations separate from the activist groups reached a deal with Ridglan Farms to purchase 1,500 of the estimated 2,000 beagles housed there, and transfer them to rescue organizations around the country

“Today is about doing what is right for the beagles,” said Lauree Simmons, founder and president of Big Dog Ranch Rescue.

“This is really part of a larger effort to move our nation away from beagle testing, primate testing, and other forms of animal testing,” said Wayne Pacelle, president of Center for a Humane Economy.

In a statement, Ridglan farms denied mistreating the beagles, saying they are “happy, healthy and well cared for,” adding “publicly available USDA documentation shows this has been the case for many years.”

Ridglan said they’re in the midst of finalizing arrangements for the remaining 500 dogs.

At PAWS Chicago, the city’s largest no-kill animal shelter, preparations are being made for the arrival of 25 of the beagles purchased from Ridglan Farms.

“I’m so very happy for them to start their next chapter,” said PAWS Chicago head of program operations Celene Mielcarek.

PAWS expects to receive the beagles from Ridglan Farms on Saturday, but it will take some time for them to undergo medical evaluations and adjust before they’re ready for adoption.

“We are going to be spending so much time allowing them to decompress; they’ll arrive at our medical center, they’ll get their initial veterinary exam, and we’re going to get to know each of them,” Mielcarek said.

The dogs will then adapt to home life with foster care before being made available to find permanent families and start their new life, like so many dogs that have come through PAWS before them.

“We want to be nimble and respond to the crisis at hand. Right now, the crisis is helping these beagles learn how to be dogs and find their homes with their families,” Mielcarek said. 

The Wisconsin Badgers seemingly can’t miss as they just landed their 11th commitment in the class of 2027.

After missing out on a three-star defensive lineman yesterday, Luke Fickell secured a priority target as Connecticut native Will Zaccagnino officially committed to the Badgers.

“I have been looking forward to this moment for a while,” Zaccagnino wrote. “First I thank God for the opportunities and my family, coaches and teammates for their support.

He continued, “I’m also grateful to every program and coach that recruited me through this amazing process. I am very excited to announce my commitment to the University of Wisconsin! I’m home!!!”