Texas
Powerball fever for estimated $1.7 billion jackpot as warm as the Texas weather
Kelly Fox decided to throw a bit of chance into her children’s Christmas gifts this year by buying them all Powerball tickets.
“It was for fun,” Fox said. “Let’s see if we win.”
Her generosity could pay off, as the estimated jackpot is $1.7 billion. The cash option for the prize exceeds $781 million. But the Fox family doesn’t have the exclusive lockdown on playing the fantasy-rich Powerball, where the odds are 1 in about 292 million.
Fuel City on S. Riverfront in Dallas is dealing with the frenzy and the dreams. Jason Flores is working his first Powerball rush. The 17-year-old has been on the job for only four months.
“I actually had a customer come up here the other day. They bought $3,000 worth of Powerball,” Flores said. “And then we had another customer come up here the other day that bought 300. And then today we had a customer buy $100 worth.”
The teen cashier and stocker have to figure out how the customer wants the tickets: all on one ticket, separate, or another preference. As the transactions are occurring, dreams and promises fill the air.
“We’ve had a lot of people come in here and just be like that they’re going to buy their dream house, their dream car, and, you know, put half of it into a savings account,” he said. “Other people that want to just ball out and buy everything. And we always have some customers that have us, the cashiers, as a lucky charm.”
Flores said customers ask him and other workers to bless the tickets. That’s where multi-million dollar promises, he said, have been made to him. If the ticket holder became a winner and honored their word, the teen would become a millionaire.
“One said $10 million, $2 million, $5 million,” he said.
Flores, who simply holds the ticket up and declares it a winner, has not quit his day job for the promises, yet. Even he dreams of the change such currency could bring to his family’s life.
In the meantime, most of Fox’s children decided their winnings would go toward a trip. There was a vote for college. Church donations came up. It will be a family decision for sure, according to the mother of eight.
“It’s got my signature on every single one of them,” Fox said.
U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico promise to serve all in El Paso
U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico discusses key public issues in Texas during the first stop of his Frontera Tour July 11, 2026 in El Paso.
The two candidates vying for the U.S. Senate seat in Texas are making stops across the Lone Star State this week.
Democrat James Talarico and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton will head to South Texas as the two go head-to-head in the Nov. 3 General Election to replace U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas. Cornyn lost his reelection bid to Paxton in the Republican Primary Election.
The campaign tour continues for Talarico after hosting townhalls in El Paso and Marfa as part of his “Frontera Tour,” while Paxton is holding a “Rally in the Valley” in McAllen.
Here’s where the candidates will be in Texas.
Paxton heads to McAllen for ‘Rally in the Valley’
Paxton is heading to McAllen for his “Rally in the Valley” event at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 14. He’ll be joined by National Border Security Council President Paul Perez, TX-28 Nominee Tano Tijerina, and TX-34 Nominee Eric Flores.
The all-ages event will take place at University Draft House Townlake McAllen, 100 West Business 83, and spots can be reserved at eventbrite.com.
Talarico to visit Del Rio, Eagle Pass, Laredo
Talarico continues his “Frontera” tour with a stop in Del Rio on Monday, July 14.
“Gather with your family, friends, and neighbors to hear from James about taking his fight against Big Money and corruption to Washington. Together, we can win back power for working people in a system that’s rigged for the ultra-wealthy,” the event page states, adding that the program will be short and voters can greet Talarico after.
Here are the stops on Talarico’s “Frontera” tour:
Monday, July 13:
- 3 p.m. Memo’s Restaurant, 804 E Losoya St. in Del Rio
- 7 p.m. International Center For Trade, 3295 Bob Rogers Drive in Eagle Pass
Tuesday, July 14:
- 6 p.m. La Posada – San Agustin Ballroom, 1000 Zaragoza St. 107 in Laredo
Natassia Paloma may be reached at npaloma@gannett.com, @NatassiaPaloma on X, natassia_paloma on Instagram, and Natassia Paloma on Facebook.
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