OMG! You just checked your lottery ticket for Mega Millions and you won! You check it again, maybe again and again. You feel a strange sensation of falling inward with joy as well as anxiety & panic. You just won all or part of $1.1 Billion dollars! Now what?
According to the Texas Lottery Commission, the very first thing you should do is sign the back of that ticket. Lottery tickets are a “bearer instrument”. Whoever “bears” (holds) the ticket is considered the owner unless the back of the ticket has been signed. So do that first… do it now!
Next, remain calm and most importantly, shut your mouth. Zip it. Avoid all temptation to shout from the rooftops that you have won the lottery. Go totally dark on social media … NEVER announce that you have won the lottery.
At this point the only person who should know is your spouse, that’s it. Don’t even tell your kids. Don’t even call your mother.
Unfortunately, for the current draw (at publication) the $1.1 billion dollar jackpot is being drawn on Friday evening… which means that you can’t do anything until Monday morning. That’s going to be three excruciating days of waiting. Just remember … keep your mouth shut while you formulate a plan.
You will have 180 days to claim the prize, so there is plenty of time to get your ducks in a row. Over the weekend you will likely play around with making endless lists of how to spend your money but think of that as just a game because monday morning the next thing you should do is start looking for an attorney.
Believe it or not, there are attorneys that specialize in lottery winnings. Make some calls & set up two or three interviews. Don’t tell them that you just won the big one, just that you need to discuss your options for a jackpot. When you get to their office, the first thing that you do is make THEM sign a non-disclosure agreement before you discuss anything. If they don’t sign … walk out. YOU are calling the shots now.
When you settle on an attorney, they will also be able to provide you with a financial adviser that will go over the taxes you will owe as well as advise you about the difference between the cash and annuity. They will also advise you on how to invest it … but even with this expert advice, you should seek a second or even a third opinion. Remember, there will always be people who want a piece of the action.
According to the National Endowment for Financial Education, 70% of those who receive large cash windfalls lose them within just a few years. So be smart and get financial advice.
Now you need to make a plan to claim your prize. It starts by calling the Texas Lottery Commission at: 800-375-6886 to complete an initial inquiry on your ticket and to schedule an appointment to complete the processing of your claim.
For this, you will need to travel to Austin. Prizes greater than $5,000,000, all Lotto Texas®, Powerball®, and Mega Millions® jackpot prizes, and prizes paid by annuities must be processed at Texas Lottery headquarters in Austin.
If you are married and have kids, we suggest that you get a babysitter and you and your spouse take separate modes of transportation. One of you would have the original ticket with you and the other a copy. You want to avoid a complete tragedy, right?
BTW, you still haven’t told anyone, right?
Bad things can happen if you spill the beans. Friends, family, and new people will suddenly appear in your life. Abraham Shakespeare was murdered in 2009 after winning a $30 million jackpot. The suspect, a woman who befriended Shakespeare after he won the lottery, shot him twice in the chest and then buried him under a slab of concrete.
Sandra Hayes of Missouri split a $224 million Powerball prize with 11 people, but she soon found that certain acquaintances were more interested in her assets than her friendship. She said that when she dined out with her friends, they would belatedly announce that they didn’t have enough money to foot the bill. “These are people who you’ve loved deep down, and they’re turning into vampires trying to suck the life out of me,” Hayes told The Associated Press.
In the State of Texas, you do NOT have to reveal your identity publicly to claim your prize. Texas, along with Delaware, Georgia, Kansas, Maryland, North Dakota, Ohio and South Carolina allow anonymity to Mega Millions winners. The 85th Texas Legislature’s regular session in 2017 enacted HB 59 authorizing certain prize winners who win lottery prizes in the amount of $1 million or more to choose to remain anonymous. So chose wisely.
By now you have probably decided whom you are going to tell about your good fortune. But remember, once you let that cat out of the bag you will not be able to get it back. Don’t think that your Mother is not going to blab to her sister… then the sister to the boyfriend… then the boyfriend to the guys at work… then just like the 6 degrees of Kevin Bacon the next thing you know CNN is knocking on your door … whether you chose to “remain anonymous” or not.
That kind of money can get people killed. So we suggest that you don’t tell anyone until after you have claimed the prize. Then, before you let that cat out of the bag, grab your closest family and tell them that you are sending a car for them and to pack their bags for a weekend trip. Get them off to a hotel (in the United States) and don’t let them know what’s going on until you get there.
So now it’s time to brainstorm about the future and your security and put your financial plans into action. And start enjoying the good life.
The good people at State Farm have this to say about your windfall.
“Maintain your perspective and sense of self
Don’t quit your day job. Certainly not until you have your lottery money in hand, but even then consider sticking with some sort of part-time work or at least a passionate hobby. Depending on how important work is to your sense of self, you may want to try a new career or go back to school to study something you’ve always been interested in.
Keep a healthy mind and body. We all know money can’t buy happiness — in fact, some folks say winning the lottery and dealing with the money and requests for help and loans ruined their lives with stress. Eat right, exercise, talk to close family and friends, and seek professional counseling if handling your new wealth is causing too much emotional strain.”
Good advice in our opinion. And now for our disclaimer:
These tips are merely suggestions and should not be considered financial or legal advice. Please consult professionals for specific advice.
Texas Senate Primaries Show Early Leads for Crockett and Paxton
AUSTIN, Texas – A new poll released by The Texas Tribune indicates that Jasmine Crockett and Ken Paxton are leading their respective primary races for the U.S. Senate seat in Texas. The survey, published on February 9, 2026, highlights the early momentum for both candidates as they vie for their party nominations in a closely watched election cycle. The results point to strong voter recognition and support for Crockett in the Democratic primary and Paxton in the Republican primary.
The poll, conducted among likely primary voters across the state, shows Crockett holding a significant lead over her Democratic challenger James Talarico, while Paxton maintains a commanding position among Republican contenders John Cornyn & Wesley Hunt.
According to the poll, Ken Paxton leads with 38 percent of likely GOP primary voters, pulling ahead of incumbent John Cornyn, who trails at 31 percent, while Wesley Hunt remains a distant third at 17 percent. The survey indicates Paxton would hold a commanding advantage in a runoff scenario and currently outperforms Cornyn across nearly every key Republican demographic group, with Latino voters the lone exception, where Cornyn maintains a seven-point edge.
Among Democrats, the poll shows Jasmine Crockett opening a notable lead, capturing 47 percent of likely primary voters compared to 39 percent for James Talarico—a meaningful shift from earlier polling that had Talarico in the lead. While still early, the numbers suggest momentum is consolidating ahead of primaries that will determine the general election matchups.
Jasmine Crockett, a sitting U.S. Representative whose district lines were redrawn out from under her, has responded to political extinction with a desperate lurch toward the U.S. Senate. Her campaign, widely criticized as race-baiting and grievance-driven, has leaned heavily on inflaming urban Democratic turnout while cloaking thin policy substance in fashionable slogans about healthcare and “equity.”
By contrast, Ken Paxton enters the race with a long, battle-tested record as Texas Attorney General, earning fierce loyalty from conservatives for his aggressive defense of state sovereignty, constitutional limits, and successful legal challenges to federal overreach. Though relentlessly targeted by opponents, Paxton’s tenure reflects durability, clarity of purpose, and an unapologetic alignment with the voters he represents—qualities that define his standing in the contest.
The Texas U.S. Senate race draws national attention, as the state remains a critical battleground in determining the balance of power in Congress. With incumbent dynamics and shifting voter demographics at play, the primary outcomes will set the stage for a potentially contentious general election. The Texas Tribune poll serves as an initial benchmark, though voter sentiment could evolve as campaigns intensify and debates unfold in the coming weeks.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem joined national security leaders in a dual-state event to commemorate a historic decline in border crossings, according to an official release from the Department of Homeland Security. The event spanned two locations, Arizona and North Dakota, in a single day, highlighting coordinated efforts to strengthen border security. Noem, alongside other officials, marked the achievement as a significant milestone in national security policy.
The Department of Homeland Security reported a measurable drop in unauthorized border crossings, attributing the success to enhanced enforcement measures and inter-agency collaboration. Specific data on the decline was not detailed in the initial announcement, though officials emphasized the impact of recent policy implementations. The two-state commemoration underscored the geographic breadth of the issue, addressing both southern and northern border concerns.
In Arizona, Noem and security leaders reviewed operations along the southern border, a longstanding focal point for immigration enforcement. Later in the day, the group traveled to North Dakota to assess northern border security, an area often overlooked in national discussions but critical to comprehensive policy. The dual focus aimed to demonstrate a unified approach to protecting all U.S. borders, per the department’s statement.
The official release from Homeland Security included remarks from Noem, who praised the dedication of personnel involved in the effort. “This decline in crossings is a testament to the hard work of our agents and the effectiveness of our strategies,” she said. Her comments were echoed by other leaders present, though no additional direct quotations were provided in the initial report.
Background on the border security initiatives reveals a multi-year push to address vulnerabilities at both entry points. Southern border challenges, particularly in Arizona, have long dominated policy debates due to high volumes of crossings and complex terrain. Meanwhile, northern border issues in states like North Dakota often involve different dynamics, including trade security and seasonal migration patterns. The Department of Homeland Security has prioritized resources for both regions, though specific funding allocations remain undisclosed in the latest update.
The cause of the reported decline ties directly to recent enforcement actions, though exact mechanisms were not specified in the announcement. Officials pointed to improved technology, increased staffing, and stronger partnerships with local and state authorities as contributing factors. Further details on these efforts are expected in forthcoming reports from the department, which has committed to transparency on border metrics.
Opinion
The recognition of a decline in border crossings signals a potential turning point in how the nation secures its frontiers. Celebrating this achievement in two distinct regions reinforces the importance of a comprehensive strategy that does not neglect less-discussed areas like the northern border.
Events like these also serve as a reminder that security is not a partisan issue but a fundamental duty of government. Prioritizing resources and personnel to protect sovereignty while maintaining lawful entry processes should remain a core focus, ensuring that progress is sustained through consistent policy and accountability.
CARACAS, VENEZUELA — When President Donald J. Trump dropped the phrase “Discombobulator” in a recent interview, the world sat up and took notice. According to the president, the United States deployed a secret weapon to render Venezuelan military systems useless as U.S. forces executed a daring raid that resulted in the capture of Nicolás Maduro.
In an interview with the New York Post, Trump stated the device “made the equipment not work,” and that Venezuelan radar, missiles, and defensive systems “never got their rockets off” during the operation. “I’m not allowed to talk about it,” he said, referring to the classified nature of the technology.
The remarks have sparked curiosity, skepticism, and intense speculation about what the “Discombobulator” might actually be — and what its use means for U.S. military capability and foreign policy.
What Happened: The Maduro Raid and the Discombobulator Claim
On January 3, 2026, U.S. special operations forces carried out a rapid, highly coordinated mission in Caracas that culminated in the capture of Venezuela’s president, Nicolás Maduro, and his wife, Cilia Flores. The operation, code-named Operation Absolute Resolve, involved aircraft, helicopters, unmanned drones, and elite troops.
Speaking about the raid, Trump took credit for the success, telling the New York Post and others that a classified weapon, the so-called Discombobulator, as he called it, played a decisive role. He claimed that the device disabled Venezuelan military equipment, including systems supplied by Russia and China, before U.S. forces landed.
According to Trump’s account, Venezuelan troops tried to activate their defenses, “pressed buttons,” and found nothing worked. The president’s description suggests a form of electronic or directed-energy warfare — although he offered no detail on mechanism or development.
Context: Military Technology and Secrecy
The U.S. military has long invested in electronic warfare and directed-energy research. Systems that jam radar, disrupt communications, and interfere with electronic signals have been under development for decades. Yet no publicly acknowledged program has been confirmed to match Trump’s description of the Discombobulator.
Wartime secrecy and classification make it entirely plausible that capabilities not widely known could exist. Still, without independent verification or military documentation, journalists and analysts caution against jumping to definitive claims based on the president’s interview alone.
Conservative Commentary and Conclusion (Opinion)
The success of the Maduro raid reflects decisive leadership and a willingness to act where lesser administrations have hesitated. The Discombobulator claim — irrespective of its accuracy — underscores a broader theme: American ingenuity paired with bold strategy is unstoppable.
If such a capability exists and was responsibly employed to save lives and neutralize threats without explosive conflict, it represents a powerful demonstration of military superiority. Critics who mock the name risk missing the larger strategic point.
Whether the Discombobulator ends up in the annals of military history or remains a rhetorical flourish, the episode has already ignited fear in our adversaries about American power, innovation, and military might.
Sources:
- President Trump comments on “Discombobulator,” PBS NewsHour, Jan. 26, 2026.
- AP News reporting on Trump’s interview and weapon description.
- Gulf News analysis of unnamed weapon and its reported effects.
- Axios on use of U.S. drones and technology in operation.
- Wikipedia entry on 2026 United States intervention in Venezuela.
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