10/17/2024: So a Cop and a Teacher Open a Brothel…
PLUS: SpaceX Sues; Clay’s Christmas Album; and Vacation Pad
Today is Thursday, October 17, 2024.
It is the 291st day of the year.
75 days remain.
WHAT’S ON TAP
AMAZON expands into nuclear energy and LAY’S chips wants your creative input. Details in HIT LIST.
DIDDY wants a list of his accusers and NICK JONAS gets scared off stage. More in SHOWBIZ.
No Halloween-themed episode of “The View” this year. Details in CASTING CALL.
Is YE a clone? Find out more on that conspiracy in KARDASH.
PRINCE HARRY and MEGHAN MARKLE (reportedly) buy a vacation pad in Europe. Details in ROYALS.
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HIT LIST
SPACEX has sued the state of California, accusing state regulators of making politically-motivated decisions to block its rocket launch licenses.
Even after SpaceX earned approval from the federal government to launch up to 50 rockets a year from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in Santa Barbara, the California Coastal Commission rejected the company’s request.
During the meeting, the head of the commission said the basis for the rejection was ELON MUSK’s disparaging comments about the federal government’s response to Hurricane Helene. SpaceX’s suit argues this is a violation of Musk’s free speech rights in a 284-page filing.
In one instance, the commissioner said, “Right now Elon Musk is hopping about the country, spewing and tweeting political falsehoods and attacking FEMA while claiming his desire to help the hurricane victims with free Starlink access to the internet.” [via Wall Street Journal]
WORTH NOTING: Musk did desire to help the hurricane victims with free Starlink access to the internet and accomplished exactly this in a matter of days in partnership with T-Mobile.
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THE FUTURE IS NUCLEAR: AMAZON has joined tech companies in making massive investments in nuclear power.
Like deals made by GOOGLE and MICROSOFT, Amazon is partnering with a private, Virginia-based energy company, throwing $500 MILLION to develop a small nuclear reactor – but that’s just the beginning.
Amazon plans to invest $35 BILLION over the next 15 years to expand its data centers in Virginia and will need significant energy resources to power it. [via CNBC]
TOP SHELF: We took a look at the energy needs for A.I. processing in a recent Top Shelf Weekend edition. Read it now >
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The National Women’s Soccer League announced the creation of a new team in Boston this week, BOS Nation FC (that’s how it’s stylized).
As part of the announcement, the football club released a hype video, alluding to all the other popular professional men’s sports teams in the city, with the cheeky slogan, “Too Many Balls.” WATCH >
BUT WAIT: The campaign drew the swift and vicious ire of transgender rights activists. In response, the team apologized and quickly pulled its entire “Too Many Balls” campaign: “We fully acknowledge that the content of the campaign did not reflect the safe and welcome environment we strive to create for all, and we apologize to the LGBTQ+ community and to the trans community in particular for the hurt we caused.” [via @NWSL Boston]
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Police in Long Island, New York, have busted four people for operating a network of brothels, including an 18-year police veteran and a teacher of 26 years.
Since as early as October 2019, the operations were externally marketed as “spas” and Reiki healing offices. But inside, sex work flourished.
In one incident, the police officer behind the criminal enterprise, 55-year-old George Trimigliozzi, drove his squad car on city roads over 90 miles per hour to get to the brothel after one prostitute warned him that her customer had been robbed outside and that he had called the police. Trimigliozzi then falsified police reports to cover up the whole incident.
The four suspects combined face dozens of counts of promoting prostitution, among other corruption charges. [via Suffolk County DA]
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After a seven-year hiatus, LAY’S “Do Us a Flavor” contest is back.
As part of the promotion, chip connoisseurs are asked to pitch flavor suggestions. In addition to seeing the flavor on store shelves, the person who submits the winning flavor will also get a $1 million prize.
Flavors of the past include Cheesy Garlic Bread, Kettle-Cooked Wasabi Ginger, Southern Biscuits and Gravy, and Crispy Taco, all of which will make a brief comeback in honor of the contest.
Submissions can be made now through February 21. The final flavors will hit shelves in April, allowing fans enough time to try and pick a favorite. [via Lay’s]
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DEATHS
Former ONE DIRECTION singer LIAM PAYNE has died.
He passed away after falling from the third floor of the Casa Sur Hotel, located in Buenos Aires, Argentina. A spokesperson for the Security Ministry of Buenos Aires municipality said that Payne “had thrown himself from the balcony of his room.”
Authorities are investigating the circumstances of his death.
He was only 31.
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BY THE NUMBERS
📈 The DOW gained 337 points (0.79%) to close at 43,077. The S&P increased 27 points (0.47%) to close at 5,842 and the NASDAQ gained 51 points (0.28%) to close at 18,367.
🛢 WEST TEXAS INTERMEDIATE closed at $70; BRENT CRUDE at $74.
⛽ The national average price of a GALLON OF GAS was $3.20 on Wednesday.
₿ BITCOIN climbed again Wednesday, trading around $67,700.
🛩 There were more than 1,880 FLIGHTS delayed within, into, or out of the United States on Wednesday and more than 35 such cancellations.
💰Friday night’s MEGA MILLIONS drawing will be for a $185 million jackpot or a $88.4 million cash payout.
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SHOWBIZ NEWS
SEAN COMBS wants to know the names of his alleged victims.
His attorneys filed a motion this week, asking the court to reveal the names because Combs’ “celebrity status, wealth, and the publicity of his previously settled lawsuit,” has caused a “ripple effect, resulting in a torrent of allegations by unidentified complainants.”
Prosecutors did not address the recent filing, though have previously spoken about their intention to follow the standard protocol of keeping alleged sexual assault victims out of the public record for their safety.
WORTH NOTING: Part of Combs’ bail being denied is that he has a history of threatening witnesses, who's to say the same wouldn’t occur with the growing number of accusers? [via Deadline]
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ARTEM CHIGVINTSEV left a two-hour court hearing on Wednesday with a win, after a judge ruled he and estranged wife NIKKI GARCIA will share custody of their 4-year-old son, Matteo.
The judge also disagreed with Nikki’s request for Artem to attend anger management classes, and instead ordered both of them to take parenting classes -- separately -- in an effort to co-parent more effectively.
The next hearing in their ongoing divorce is set for December. [via TMZ]
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The JONAS BROTHERS performance in Prague on Tuesday night was paused after NICK JONAS abruptly ran off stage.
After several minutes of confusion, it was revealed that Nick had been targeted by a laser pointer.
The brothers did ultimately return and finish out the show.
No word on whether or not the laser-pointing culprit was found. [via Variety]
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CLAY AIKEN is releasing a Christmas album.
The 10-track album, titled “The Christmas Bells Are Ringing,” is due out November 22.
It has been 12 years since his last studio album, “Steadfast,” was released. [via Billboard]
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FAT JOE says he used Ozempic to slim way, way down.
After dropping over 200 pounds, the rapper shared his weightloss journey with Us Weekly, crediting the type II diabetes drug and healthier eating.
Despite being much thinner, Joe says his stage name isn’t going anywhere. [via Us Weekly]
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CLINT EASTWOOD’s daughter FRANCESCA EASTWOOD was arrested for domestic violence last weekend after an alleged altercation with her boyfriend.
The spat occurred while the couple was driving, prompting Francesca’s boyfriend to head to the Beverly Hills Police Department. Once there, officers separated and spoke to them, while noting visible injuries on the boyfriend.
Francesca was arrested and booked on felony domestic violence. She later posted the $50,000 bail and was released. [via The Blast]
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CASTING CALL
What’s scarier than Halloween? If you ask the ladies of “The View” it's the thought of another Trump presidency.
With the upcoming election, producer BRIAN TETA revealed that co-hosts WHOOPI GOLDBERG, JOY BEHAR, SUNNY HOSTIN, ALYSSA FARAH GRIFFIN, ANA NAVARRO, and SARAH HAINES, will skip the annual Halloween-themed episode.
“It’s too important,” Behar has said of the upcoming election. “We need to use every single minute on this show to inform the public about how dangerous [Trump] is.” [via EW]
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BEN AFFLECK, MATT DAMON, and DAVID BECKHAM are joining forces on a new ad for Stella beer.
The trio were spotted on location at Griffin Club Los Angeles in Cheviot Hills this week, with Affleck and Damon dressed in tennis gear. [via TMZ]
WORTH NOTING: It is unknown if the commercial is for Stella with or without alcohol. This is notable as Affleck is reportedly sober.
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LAURIE METCALF, TOM HOLLANDER, and OLIVIA WILLIAMS will star alongside CHARLIE HUNNAM in the newest installment of Netflix’s “Monster” series.
As previously announced, Season 3 will feature Hunnam as serial killer ED GEIN.
Metcalf will play Gein’s mom, while Hollander will take on the role of Alfred Hitchcock, and Williams will play his wife, Alma Reville.
No word on when the forthcoming series will premiere. [via Variety]
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BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN is looking forward to the forthcoming biopic about the making of his 1982’s “Nebraska” album.
“I feel really good about the whole project,” he told Rolling Stone.
JEREMY ALLEN WHITE stars as The Boss in the film, titled “Deliver Me From Nowhere.”
A premiere date is not yet known. [via Rolling Stone]
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THE DAILY KARDASHOPUS
Is the YE of today the same Ye (or rather, Kanye) of the past? KRISTIN CAVALLARI isn’t so sure.
While discussing conspiracy theories on her “Let’s Be Honest with Kristin Cavallari” podcast, the “Laguna Beach” alum revealed that she thinks Ye is a “clone.”
“The Illuminati, the cabal, did not like how much he was saying,” she explained. “He was calling a lot of people out, and he said, if I go away and I come back, and I look different, that is not me. He was gone. Look at him. He is not the same [effing] person.”
Later on in the conversation, Cavallari revealed that she believes BRITNEY SPEARS is a clone too. [via EW]
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WE’LL NEVER BE ROYALS
PRINCE HARRY and MEGHAN MARKLE have reportedly purchased a vacation home in Portugal.
The property could do more than help them keep a foothold in Europe: establishing a residence in Portugal would help them earn a “Golden Visa,” allowing them to travel freely through many European Union nations. Despite marrying Harry, Meg never completed the formal process of applying for and receiving British citizenship.
Harry’s cousin PRINCESS EUGENIE and her family also have a property in Portugal, at the ritzy CostaTerra Golf and Ocean Club, south of Lisbon. Harry and Eugenie have remained close amid all the other public family turmoil. [via DailyMail]
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DAY OF THE YEAR
National Mulligan Day
National Get Smart About Credit Day
Women in Military Service for America Memorial Anniversary
Conflict Resolution Day
Spreadsheet Day
National Edge Day
Harry Potter Book Day
National Pay Back a Friend Day
Black Poetry Day
Forgive an Ex Day
Wear Something Gaudy Day
Child Poverty Day
National Pasta Day
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ON THIS DATE
1777 - Continental General Horatio Gates captures almost 6,000 British soldiers at Saratoga, New York.
More than 20,000 American forces were on hand to surround the relatively small group of Redcoats and Hessians. Rather than being decimated, their general negotiated surrender.
The men would remain in captivity, and pledged to never again serve the Crown in North America.
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1835 - The Texas Rangers are founded -- the border guards, not the baseball team.
The corps of lawmen kept watch over the Brazos and Trinity Rivers, which outlined part of the independent republic's territory.
They were especially important during Texas' war with Mexico. Settlers along the frontier were especially in danger from Mexican troops or even hostile Indians.
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1912 - The First Balkan War is set into motion, when Serbia and Greece declare war on the Ottoman Empire.
The Turkish powerhouse still controlled much of Southeastern Europe, including smaller countries like Montenegro and Macedonia.
Even when the Ottomans were driven out and countries' borders redrawn, the situation remained chaotic with new independent states struggling to govern themselves.
War would break out again in 1913, after Bulgaria was ticked off that it didn't get more land in the deal -- though they would be quickly defeated.
All of the tumult eventually impelled the world into its first global war.
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1931 - Al Capone gets 11 years in prison for tax evasion and is slapped with an $80,000 fine. The sentence marked the beginning of the end for the infamous gangster.
Though Elliot Ness' "Untouchables" were successful in breaking up Capone's bootlegging enterprises, the FBI finally busted Capone for not paying taxes.
Capone began his sentence in Atlanta, but word got out he was given too good of treatment, so he was transferred to Alcatraz. He would be released in 1939 for good behavior, having spent the last year of his sentence in the hospital (for syph).
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1974 - President Ford outlines his reasons for pardoning his predecessor Richard Nixon.
When Ford took office, he famously said that the "long national nightmare" was over.
Since there was no precedent for Ford's handling of the indictment hanging over Nixon's head, he took action to move forward, noting an endless trial would only serve to polarize the country.
In response to the pardon, Nixon apologized for not acting more decisively in the handling of Watergate, lamenting that it turned from a political scandal to a national tragedy.
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1989 - A 7.1-magnitude earthquake rocks San Francisco.
It lasted 15 seconds. Millions of people witnessed the disaster on TV, since Game 3 of the World Series was being hosted in San Francisco.
It began just before the start of the game -- the sportscasters turned into news anchors, reporting from the stadium.
63 died and more than 3,000 were injured. 100,000 buildings sustained damage.
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2004 - The Taipei 101 skyscraper becomes the tallest high-rise in the world when it's fixed with an extra-tall tower on top.
It would hold onto the title for six years, until 2010 when the Burj Khalifa would open in Dubai.
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2006 - The US population reaches 300 million.
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2015 - Soccer superstar Cristiano Ronaldo becomes Real Madrid’s all-time leading scorer.
He hit the milestone with his 324th goal in a 3-0 win over Levante.
The record was previously held by club legend Raul.
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BIRTHDAYS
Erin Kellyman - actress, “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier” - 26
Barry Keoghan - actor, “Dunkirk” & “The Batman” - 32
Charles Oliveira - MMA fighter - 35
Chris Motionless - metal singer, Motionless in White - 38
Felicity Jones - actress, “The Worst Witch” & “The Theory of Everything” - 41
Matthew Macfadyen - actor, “Pride & Prejudice” - 50
Eminem - rapper - 52
Chris Kirkpatrick - pop singer, NSYNC - 53
Wyclef Jean - rapper - 55
Ziggy Marley - reggae singer & son of Bob Marley - 56
Doug McMillon - CEO of Walmart - 58
Mike Judge - cartoonist, “King of the Hill” - 62
Alan Jackson - country singer - 66
Mae Jemison - 1st African American woman in space - 68
Born On This Date
Norm McDonald - comedian - 1959 (d. 2021)
Michael Hossack - rock drummer, The Doobie Brothers - 1946 (d. 2012)
Evel Knievel - motorcycle riding daredevil - 1938 (d. 2007)
Rita Hayworth - actress, “Cover Girl” - 1918 (d. 1987)
James Rudolph Garfield - U.S. Secretary of the Interior - 1865 (d. 1950)
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