John Lyon photo

John Lyon was among the gaggle of reporters who observed the midnight hour at a WLR convenience store to watch Higher Ed Director Jim Purcell buy the first lottery ticket. He bought five $2 scratch-off tickets. I can’t find a report that reveals whether he won anything.

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UPDATE: Purcell said he didn’t scratch off his tickets. He said he bought them to frame as souvenirs of the scholarship program. However, he said he might check if the $20,000 top prize in the games he played goes unclaimed. He reports that regular lottery players, not just officials and media, were lined up for tickets at midnight when sales opened.

UPDATE: The father of the Arkansas lottery congratulates himself.

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