North Carolina Carpenter Wins $1 Million Lottery

Jerry Hicks, a 56-year-old carpenter from North Carolina, found a $20 bill in a parking lot, which led to a life-changing $1 million win from a scratch-off lottery ticket he purchased with it. The ticket, called Extreme Cash, was chosen out of necessity as the one he originally intended to buy was unavailable. After opting for a lump sum payout of $600,000, Hicks took home $429,007 after taxes. He plans to use his winnings to support his children and retire from his long career, but not before celebrating with a feast at Golden Corral. Hicks's story highlights both the thrill of sudden fortune and the financial realities that accompany lottery winnings, including significant tax deductions. His win comes at a time when many in his community are recovering from the impacts of Hurricane Helene flooding.