Mississippi

Mississippi alligator breaks 2 state records and is possibly a world record

Published

1 year ago

September 10, 2024

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Mississippi alligator breaks 2 state records and is possibly a world record

‘When she came up she was under the bottom of the boat in between the pontoons. She was slapping the boat with her tail and all that. I thought she was going to knock my motor off for a minute.’

After two frustrating nights on the last weekend of the season, a Mississippi hunter caught the alligator he’d been after, but what he didn’t realize when he pulled it in his boat was that not only did it break two state records, it’s possibly a world record.

Jason Ullendorf said a cousin of his was buying a part at a boat shop last week when he was told about an alligator in the Pascagoula River. The alligator had been spotted near a sandbar and had been making people visiting the location uncomfortable.

“We figured we’d help them out and get it out of there,” Ullendorf said. “We went down there to look at it, and it was a pretty good gator. It’s kind of crazy how it happened.”

Catching it was easier said than done, though. Ullendorf and members of his hunting party repeatedly hooked the alligator, only to have the hooks pull out or break off when the alligator would go under logs.

“We chased it from about 9 o’clock until about 3 o’clock in the morning,” Ullendorf said. “By then we’d lost all our hooks.”

More: Hunters bag Mississippi alligator weighing almost 700 pounds

Another long night of hunting alligators

The following day, Ullendorf bought more hooks and returned to the river with only one other hunter, Joseph Mangano of Richton. Fortunately, they found the alligator in the same spot as the night before. Unfortunately, it was shaping up to be a replay of the night before with the two repeatedly hooking the alligator, only to have the hooks pull free.

“It was frustrating,” Mangano said. “At one point, we got so frustrated we left it and an hour later started again. We knew we would hook it, but we were going to have to get it out of the trees.”

At 4:45 a.m., the hunters got a break. The alligator surfaced in open water near the sandbar. The two hooked the alligator with a rod and reel and then got a hand line on it as the alligator towed the two men and their 18-foot pontoon boat upriver. Everything was going relatively smoothly until they pulled the gator near the boat.

“When she came up she was under the bottom of the boat in between the pontoons,” Ullendorf said. “She was slapping the boat with her tail and all that. I thought she was going to knock my motor off for a minute.”

More: ‘The size and mass of his head is unreal.’ Mississippi alligator hunters bag 800-pound giant

Mississippi hunters suspect their alligator is a female

The two got the alligator in their boat and while Ullendorf referred to it as a “she,” he didn’t think it was a female at the time. This alligator was too big to be a female, and the longest female alligator ever recorded in the state was caught in 2022 by Jim Denson and measured 10 feet, 2 inches.

“As soon as she came up we said, ‘That’s a male,’” Ullendorf said. “We never second-guessed it.”

But then they did. When to two took the alligator to Mangano’s business in Richton, Running M Meat Company, they discovered the alligator didn’t have male sex organs.

“I couldn’t believe it at first,” Ullendorf said. “We called Andrew Arnett to come down and verify it. I didn’t believe it at all.”

Is this Mississippi alligator a world record?

Arnett is the head of the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks Alligator Program. He confirmed it was a female and certified it at 11 feet, 3/4 inches long and 324 pounds. Not only was it a state record for longest female, it was the new state record for heaviest.

However, it may have broken another record, if only it existed. Multiple internet searches came up empty for an official world record for female alligators, but some states keep official records. According to searches by the hunters and Arnett, the longest female alligator on record before Ullendorf’s was 10 feet, 6.75 inches long and it was caught in Florida. If that’s true, Ullendorf has the new world record for longest female alligator.

“Just from what I’ve seen online, I think so,” Arnett said.

Do you have a story idea? Contact Brian Broom at 601-961-7225 or bbroom@gannett.com.

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Mississippi

Mississippi Lottery Mississippi Match 5, Cash 3 results for Dec. 19, 2025

Published

12 hours ago

December 20, 2025

Press Room

Mississippi Lottery Mississippi Match 5, Cash 3 results for Dec. 19, 2025

The Mississippi Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 19, 2025, results for each game:

Winning Mississippi Match 5 numbers from Dec. 19 drawing

06-11-22-30-32

Check Mississippi Match 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash 3 numbers from Dec. 19 drawing

Midday: 1-3-7, FB: 8

Evening: 1-0-0, FB: 9

Check Cash 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash 4 numbers from Dec. 19 drawing

Midday: 3-6-7-5, FB: 8

Evening: 4-2-1-2, FB: 9

Check Cash 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from Dec. 19 drawing

Midday: 10

Evening: 04

Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Story continues below gallery.

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

Winnings of $599 or less can be claimed at any authorized Mississippi Lottery retailer.

Prizes between $600 and $99,999, may be claimed at the Mississippi Lottery Headquarters or by mail. Mississippi Lottery Winner Claim form, proper identification (ID) and the original ticket must be provided for all claims of $600 or more. If mailing, send required documentation to:

Mississippi Lottery Corporation

P.O. Box 321462

Flowood, MS

39232

If your prize is $100,000 or more, the claim must be made in person at the Mississippi Lottery headquarters. Please bring identification, such as a government-issued photo ID and a Social Security card to verify your identity. Winners of large prizes may also have the option of setting up electronic funds transfer (EFT) for direct deposits into a bank account.

Mississippi Lottery Headquarters

1080 River Oaks Drive, Bldg. B-100

Flowood, MS

39232

Mississippi Lottery prizes must be claimed within 180 days of the drawing date. For detailed instructions and necessary forms, please visit the Mississippi Lottery claim page.

When are the Mississippi Lottery drawings held?

Cash 3: Daily at 2:30 p.m. (Midday) and 9:30 p.m. (Evening).
Cash 4: Daily at 2:30 p.m. (Midday) and 9:30 p.m. (Evening).
Match 5: Daily at 9:30 p.m. CT.
Cash Pop: Daily at 2:30 p.m. (Midday) and 9:30 p.m. (Evening).

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Mississippi editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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Mississippi

Our College Football Playoff picks: Can Oregon reach the National Championship?

Published

1 day ago

December 19, 2025

Press Room

Our College Football Playoff picks: Can Oregon reach the National Championship?

With the College Football Playoff finally here, the Oregonian/OregonLive sports staff returns with its final predictions for the 2025-2026 season.

No. 5 Oregon starts its CFP campaign with a matchup against 12-seed James Madison on Saturday, in what will be the first-ever playoff game held at Autzen Stadium. The Ducks are a heavy favorite, and many of our experts predict them to make a deep playoff run after beating the Dukes.

In addition to UO hosting JMU, this weekend’s first-round CFP slate includes showdowns between No. 9 Alabama and No. 8 Oklahoma, No. 10 Miami and No. 7 Texas A&M, as well as No. 11 Tulane and No. 6 Mississippi.

Our staff has made predictions for all playoff games from now until the championship on Jan. 19. Check out the picks below.

No. 9 Alabama at No. 8 Oklahoma

Game details: 5 p.m. PT Friday at Memorial Stadium in Norman, Oklahoma

TV channel and live stream: ABC and ESPN

Latest line: Sooners by 1½

Over/under: 40½

Ryan Clarke: Alabama 31, Oklahoma 20

James Crepea: Alabama 28, Oklahoma 21

Nick Daschel: Oklahoma 27, Alabama 23

Aaron Fentress: Oklahoma 27, Alabama 24

Sean Meagher: Alabama 28, Oklahoma 26

Joel Odom: Alabama 27, Oklahoma 20

Bill Oram: Oklahoma 28, Alabama 21

No. 10 Miami at No. 7 Texas A&M

Game details: 9 a.m. PT Saturday at Kyle Field in College Station, Texas

TV channel and live stream: ABC and ESPN

Latest line: Aggies by 3½

Over/under: 48½

Ryan Clarke: Miami 21, Texas A&M 20

James Crepea: Miami 21, Texas A&M 14

Nick Daschel: Miami 31, Texas A&M 27

Aaron Fentress: Texas A&M 31, Miami 30

Sean Meagher: Texas A&M 35, Miami 24

Joel Odom: Texas A&M 23, Miami 21

Bill Oram: Miami 42, Texas A&M 35

No. 11 Tulane at No. 6 Mississippi

Game details: 12:30 p.m. PT Saturday at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Mississippi

TV channel and live stream: TNT, HBO Max and truTV

Latest line: Rebels by 17½

Over/under: 56½

Ryan Clarke: Mississippi 35, Tulane 13

James Crepea: Mississippi 35, Tulane 14

Nick Daschel: Mississippi 38, Tulane 24

Aaron Fentress: Miss 40, Tulane 17

Sean Meagher: Mississippi 38, Tulane 21

Joel Odom: Mississippi 35, Tulane 16

Bill Oram: Mississippi 38, Tulane 17

No. 12 James Madison at No. 5 Oregon

Game details: 4:30 p.m. PT Saturday at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon

TV channel and live stream: TNT, HBO Max and truTV

Latest line: Ducks by 20½

Over/under: 47½

Ryan Clarke: Oregon 45, James Madison 7

James Crepea: Oregon 35, James Madison 7

Nick Daschel: Oregon 45, JMU 10

Aaron Fentress: Oregon 41, JMU 16

Sean Meagher: Oregon 42, James Madison 17

Joel Odom: Oregon 38, James Madison 19

Bill Oram: Oregon 40, JMU 13

Quarterfinals

Cotton Bowl: Miami-Texas A&M winner vs. No. 2 Ohio State

Game details: 4:30 p.m. PT on Wednesday, Dec. 31 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas

TV channel and live stream: ESPN

Ryan Clarke: Ohio State 31, Miami 17

James Crepea: Ohio State 35, Miami 14

Nick Daschel: Ohio State 34, Miami 17

Aaron Fentress: OSU 33, Texas A&M 20

Sean Meagher: Ohio State 35, Texas A&M 24

Joel Odom: Ohio State 31, Texas A&M 21

Bill Oram: Ohio State 31, Miami 24

Orange Bowl: JMU-Oregon winner vs. No. 4 Texas Tech

Game details: 9 a.m. PT on Thursday, Jan. 1 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida

TV channel and live stream: ESPN

Ryan Clarke: Oregon 27, Texas Tech 20

James Crepea: Oregon 28, Texas Tech 21

Nick Daschel: Oregon 30, Texas Tech 24

Aaron Fentress: Oregon 27, Texas Tech 24

Sean Meagher: Oregon 37, Texas Tech 35

Joel Odom: Oregon 30, Texas Tech 24

Bill Oram: Oregon 38, Texas Tech 30

Rose Bowl: Alabama-Oklahoma winner vs. No. 1 Indiana

Game details: 1 p.m. PT on Thursday, Jan. 1 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California

TV channel and live stream: ESPN

Ryan Clarke: Indiana 34, Alabama 24

James Crepea: Indiana 35, Alabama 28

Nick Daschel: Indiana 34, Oklahoma 24

Aaron Fentress: Indiana 29, Oklahoma 20

Sean Meagher: Indiana 33, Alabama 23

Joel Odom: Indiana 28, Alabama 17

Bill Oram: Indiana 10, Oklahoma 7

Sugar Bowl: Tulane-Mississippi winner vs. No. 3 Georgia

Game details: 5 p.m. PT on Thursday, Jan. 1 at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana

TV channel and live stream: ESPN

Ryan Clarke: Georgia 20, Mississippi 10

James Crepea: Georgia 28, Mississippi 21

Nick Daschel: Georgia 30, Mississippi 7

Aaron Fentress: Georgia 30, Mississippi 22

Sean Meagher: Georgia 28, Mississippi 20

Joel Odom: Georgia 25, Mississippi 22

Bill Oram: Georgia 45, Mississippi 35

Semifinals

Fiesta Bowl: Cotton vs. Sugar winners

Game details: 4:30 p.m. PT on Thursday, Jan. 8 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona

TV channel and live stream: ESPN

Ryan Clarke: Ohio State 23, Georgia 20

James Crepea: Ohio State 28, Georgia 21

Nick Daschel: Georgia 29, Ohio State 23

Aaron Fentress: Ohio State 27, Georgia 26

Sean Meagher: Ohio State 28, Georgia 21

Joel Odom: Georgia 31, Ohio State 21

Bill Oram: Ohio State 42, Georgia 41

Peach Bowl: Orange vs. Rose winners

Game details: 4:30 p.m. PT Friday, Jan. 9 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia

TV channel and live stream: ESPN

Ryan Clarke: Indiana 30, Oregon 24

James Crepea: Indiana 35, Oregon 24

Nick Daschel: Oregon 31, Indiana 23

Aaron Fentress: Indiana 30, Oregon 23

Sean Meagher: Indiana 27, Oregon 24

Joel Odom: Oregon 34, Indiana 24

Bill Oram: Oregon 30, Indiana 20

National Championship

Semifinal winners

Game details: 4:30 p.m. PT on Monday, Jan. 19 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida

TV channel and live stream: ESPN

Ryan Clarke: Ohio State 25, Indiana 21

James Crepea: Ohio State 28, Indiana 24

Nick Daschel: Georgia 28, Oregon 17

Aaron Fentress: Ohio State 22, Indiana 20

Sean Meagher: Ohio State 33, Indiana 31

Joel Odom: Georgia 30, Oregon 27

Bill Oram: Ohio State 32, Oregon 31

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Mississippi

Mississippi Lottery Mississippi Match 5, Cash 3 results for Dec. 18, 2025

Published

2 days ago

December 19, 2025

Press Room

The Mississippi Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 18, 2025, results for each game:

Winning Mississippi Match 5 numbers from Dec. 18 drawing

01-06-18-19-35

Check Mississippi Match 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash 3 numbers from Dec. 18 drawing

Midday: 1-9-0, FB: 3

Evening: 3-8-2, FB: 7

Check Cash 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash 4 numbers from Dec. 18 drawing

Midday: 0-3-9-4, FB: 3

Evening: 7-2-8-2, FB: 7

Check Cash 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from Dec. 18 drawing

Midday: 02

Evening: 10

Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Story continues below gallery.

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

Winnings of $599 or less can be claimed at any authorized Mississippi Lottery retailer.

Mississippi Lottery Corporation

P.O. Box 321462

Flowood, MS

39232

Mississippi Lottery Headquarters

1080 River Oaks Drive, Bldg. B-100

Flowood, MS

39232

Mississippi Lottery prizes must be claimed within 180 days of the drawing date. For detailed instructions and necessary forms, please visit the Mississippi Lottery claim page.

When are the Mississippi Lottery drawings held?

Cash 3: Daily at 2:30 p.m. (Midday) and 9:30 p.m. (Evening).
Cash 4: Daily at 2:30 p.m. (Midday) and 9:30 p.m. (Evening).
Match 5: Daily at 9:30 p.m. CT.
Cash Pop: Daily at 2:30 p.m. (Midday) and 9:30 p.m. (Evening).

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Mississippi editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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