test1: The Mega Millions jackpot crosses $1 billion. Plus, a eulogy for the Choco Taco. Here's the latest.

July 27, 2022 | VIEW IN BROWSER

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The Mega Millions jackpot has now reached $1.02 billion, and the actor who played Wally on "Leave It to Beaver" is "in his last hours." Plus, a fond requiem for the Choco Taco.

THE LATEST

The Mega Millions jackpot is now up to $1.02 billion, the fourth-largest in U.S. history.

Who wants to be a billionaire? *Raises hand.* A Mega Millions jackpot has now ballooned to 10 figures at $1.02 billion after no one matched all six numbers in last night's drawing. There have been 29 consecutive drawings without a winner, with the next drawing coming Friday. The odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 302.5 million.

Tony Dow, who played Wally on 'Leave It to Beaver,' is still alive, despite a statement saying he died.

Actor Tony Dow, best known for playing Wally Cleaver, the older brother on the classic series "Leave It to Beaver" that aired from 1957 to 1963, is "on hospice and in his last hours," his son Christopher told NBC News yesterday afternoon. Dow was the focus of some confusion yesterday after a now-deleted post on his Facebook page by his management said Dow died at 77. Dow and his wife, Lauren, announced in May that his cancer had returned.

RIP, Choco Taco: A eulogy for a beloved but forgotten summertime treat.

The Choco Taco has been put on ice, as Klondike announced the waffle cone treat is being discontinued after nearly 40 years as a neighborhood ice cream truck and freezer aisle staple. In a funny and surprisingly touching essay, our TODAY Food writer fondly recalls loving Choco Tacos as a kid but, regrettably, forgetting about them as an adult.

🚶Forget diets: This is how to lose weight — and keep it off for good.

While losing weight is hard, studies show that keeping it off is often even more difficult. With that in mind, here are 7 ways to approach a healthy weight long term without being fixated on dieting. Focusing on metabolic numbers instead of the numbers on the scale, adding more protein to your meals and assessing your social circle are just some of the ways you can make changes to work toward better health and longevity.

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Achieve your life goals with this easy tip.

Resistance bands are not only a good way to change up your workout, they also are affordable and easy to transport. Personal trainer Stephanie Mansour demonstrates 11 resistance band exercises that will help improve your balance and flexibility. She also explains the different types of resistance bands to use for your upper and lower body, as well as for exercises with different ranges of motion.

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Allow us to do the meal-planning for you.

Get a taste of South Carolina in a summer favorite with these garlicky charcoal-roasted shrimp from chef Ben Harris. For a tasty side that kids will love, Ben shared his street corn elote "fingers'" that make for a fun way to eat corn instead of the usual corn on the cob.

DAILY DELIGHT

A little pick-me-up before you go.

Carlos Marquez has a tattoo honoring each of his five children, but he has a particularly poignant one for his 1-year-old son, Luke, who has already undergone five brain surgeries. Luke needs a shunt in his brain to control his hydrocephalus, a buildup of fluid that's caused by a rare condition. The New Jersey dad has a tattoo on his head in the same position where Luke's shunt rests under his skull, and an inscription says, "His fight is my fight." Carlos told us, "I want him to know that he's never alone. I'm here for him no matter what."