Somebody may be celebrating their Fourth of July weekend with the fourth-highest Powerball jackpot in history.
An estimated $200 million is up for grabs in tonight's drawing, according to a Powerball news release.
The current jackpot winless streak began May 10, with Wednesday's drawing the 16th consecutive without a winner.
If nobody has all six numbers right tonight, some Moorhead businesses could be facing a busy week in Powerball sales.
Minnesota is one of 24 states, along with the District of Columbia and the Virgin Islands, that make up the Powerball network.
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Players nationwide purchased more than 52 million tickets between Sunday and Wednesday this week, according to Powerball.
Employees at M & H on Main Avenue in Moorhead said Powerball sales Friday were steady, but holiday activities stopped many people from purchasing.
Just down the street, Hornbacher's customer service manager Mindy Rehder said Powerball sales have picked up, but aren't as busy as previous Powerball highs.
Rehder said Hornbacher's put up ropes in the past to direct increased volumes of Powerball customers trying to cash in on high jackpots.
If no one wins tonight, Rehder said the ropes will probably go up next week.
Last December, a Powerball jackpot approaching $300 million had hoards of people buying tickets at Moorhead businesses.
Debbie Melcher of Moorhead bought two $1 Powerball tickets Friday. Melcher said she doesn't take any special interest in high jackpots because her odds of winning are lessened.
"I don't really notice," Melcher said. "But $200 million would be nice."
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Readers can reach Forum reporter Nick Kotzea at (701) 235-7311
