Powerball Winning Numbers January 3, 2026: Jackpot, Winners & Next Draw
Powerball Winning Numbers for January 3, 2026
The first Powerball drawing of 2026 delivered excitement with an estimated $74.4 million jackpot, but no one claimed the top prize. Hosted by Laura Johnson, the live event revealed the numbers: 18, 21, 40, 53, 60, and Powerball 23, with a Power Play multiplier of 3. Ticket holders across America eagerly checked their slips as the balls dropped one by one.[1][2]
Key Results and Winners
While the jackpot rolled over to $86 million for Monday's drawing, smaller wins lit up the night. One player secured $1 million for matching five numbers, and 19 others won $50,000 with Power Play. Maryland alone saw over 12,000 winners totaling various prizes from $4 to $100,000. Double Play offered no $10 million winner but had a $50,000 match.[2][3]
What's Next for Players
As dreams of life-changing wealth continue, the growing jackpot draws more players nationwide. Experts remind us odds stand at 1 in 292 million, yet stories of past winners inspire hope. Grab tickets early for Monday's $86 million shot—could 2026 be your year?[1][2]
About the People Mentioned
Laura Johnson
Laura Johnson is an American actress recognized for her roles in film and television during the 1980s through 2000s.[4][5] She gained early visibility with appearances on the CBS series *Dallas* (1977-1991) and TV movies such as *Fly Away Home* (ABC, 1981-82) and *Chiller* (CBS, 1984-85).[4][5] Her film credits include *Fatal Instinct* (1992), *Trauma* (1993), *Deadly Exposure* (1994), *Red Eye* (2005) with Rachel McAdams, and *Four Christmases* (2008) starring Vince Vaughn.[4] Additional TV roles featured in *And the Beat Goes On: The Sonny and Cher Story* (1999), *Hope Ranch* (2002-03), and *The Storm* (2008-09), marking her last noted projects.[4] A separate Laura Johnson freelances as a theatre and opera director and teacher, specializing in classical and contemporary works across U.S. venues, Italy, Korea, and Canada.[1] Key achievements include directing world premieres of Earl Kim's music/theatre pieces like *Narratives* (featuring Irene Worth) and Paul Salerni's operas such as *The Life and Love of Joe Coogan*, *Tony Caruso’s Final Broadcast* (East Coast premiere, praised by librettist Dana Gioia), and *Haunted* ballet-opera.[1] Her production of *L’amico Fritz* won the National Opera Association’s best production award.[1] Other individuals share the name: a South Dakota educator and rancher elected president of the Children's Home Society board in 2021, notable as the first former resident in that role; a Minnesota-born band director with a Master of Music Education from Old Dominion University (2020), currently at Oscar Smith Middle School in Virginia; and a University of Minnesota gymnast who was Big Ten Co-Champion on vault.[2][3][6] No single figure dominates current relevance as of available records.[1][2][3][4][5][6]
