California fuels Powerball $550 million jackpot
By JULIE WATSON and BARBARA RODRIGUEZ, Associated Press
May 16, 2013 4:09 PM CDT

The lucky numbers for Powerball may be the ones state lottery officials are seeing since joining the multi-state game.

The frenzy that has taken over since the Golden State joined the madness last month has helped drive the Powerball jackpot to $550 million.

That's the third largest lottery jackpot in state history.

It also means a lot more money from lottery ticket sales for California's schools.

California lottery director Robert O'Neill expects Powerball will generate well above the originally estimated $50 million for public education.

Californians have Nevadans to thank for some of that good fortune. The state's biggest Powerball seller is a convenience store on the California-Nevada state line.