Powerball jackpot jumps to record $500 million

The jackpot for the Powerball lottery soared on Tuesday to $500 million, a Powerball record, and could increase again by the time winning numbers are drawn Wednesday, a lottery official said.

Thepayout jumped nearly $175 million from the previous drawing because of brisk ticket sales after no one won the top prize Saturday, said Mary Neubauer, a spokeswoman for the Iowa Lottery, wherePowerball is based. There has been no Powerball winner for two months.