Powerball jackpot reaches $500 million

Don Cheng buys a ticket at Sam’s Liquor store in El Monte as anticipation is growing among lottery hopefuls for the $500-million Powerball jackpot.  (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

Millionaire hopefuls stand in a long line to pick their Powerball numbers at Bluebird Liquor store in Hawthorne. Brisk ticket sales across the country have bumped the jackpot to $500 million from $485 million.   (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

Carita Ingersoll, of Gardena, picks her Powerball numbers at Bluebird Liquor store in Hawthorne.  (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

Mark Boesen displays his Powerball lottery tickets purchased at Bluebird Liquor store in Hawthorne.  (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

Arthur Chen buys a Powerball ticket at Sam’s Liquor store in El Monte.  (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)