10/29/2024: Pot Pizza
PLUS: Election Countdown; Remembering Matthew; and The Royal Foundation’s Homewards Program
Today is Tuesday, October 29, 2024.
It is the 303rd day of the year.
63 days remain.
WHAT’S ON TAP
Another popular eatery faces extinction and the NFL breaks down players’ go-to snack food. Details in HIT LIST.
MORGAN WALLEN tops the charts again and ADELE reveals she is partially deaf. More in SHOWBIZ.
JON STEWART extends his “Daily Show” run and ARMIE HAMMER debuts his podcast. Details in CASTING CALL.
More disturbing revelations from YE’s Donda Academy in KARDASH.
PRINCE WILLIAM highlights one of his pet causes in a new Disney+ documentary. Details in ROYALS.
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HIT LIST
THERE IS ONE WEEK UNTIL ELECTION DAY and here is the state of the race:
– USA Today has joined the list of growing national newspapers that has declined to endorse a candidate this election cycle. Since making a similar announcement, the Washington Post has reportedly lost 200,000 digital subscription cancellations over the weekend alone, or roughly 8% of its subscription base.
– The daughter of a Chinese Communist Party official tells the DailyMail she had a romantic relationship with TIM WALZ during one of his many visits to the country.
– Philadelphia’s District Attorney has filed a lawsuit to stop ELON MUSK’s America PAC from handing out its daily $1 MILLION prize to people who have signed the PAC’s petition to protect the First and Second Amendments. The suit argues the contest is an illegal lottery.
– KAMALA HARRIS will give her “closing arguments” speech tonight at the White House Ellipse. JOE BIDEN, who lives next door, won’t be there.
– DONALD TRUMP has taken the lead in the Real Clear Politics average of polls for the popular vote, 48.6% to 48.4%. He also leads in the average of Battleground State polls, 48.4% to 47.5%.
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The estate owned by convicted killer ALEX MURDAUGH has a new owner, who doesn’t believe Murdaugh is guilty of murdering his wife and son.
Alexander Blair purchased a portion of the estate at auction in February for $1 MILLION. Blair has torn down the kennels that were the site of the killings, but kept a bullet-ridden door and window. Speaking to Realtor.com, Blair gives an explanation that, frankly, doesn’t make a whole lot of sense: “[Murdaugh] is a big man, he was even bigger back then, and he’s too big for the bullets to have gone through in the way that they did.”
No word how a man’s size would impact bullet hole penetration.
Blair adds that locals in the area don’t think Murdaugh committed the crimes, either. Or maybe Blair is trying to assuage a guilty conscience. [via Realtor.com]
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TGI FRIDAY’s closed 50 of its restaurants last week, about 23% of its locations.
The closures follow another 36 that were shut down at the start of the year for underperformance.
No formal word yet from the company, but it’s expected to enter bankruptcy proceedings. Bloomberg has previously reported that it is not looking to shut down entirely but restructure in a Chapter 11 process, and is on the hunt for cash to get through that process.
If bankruptcy unfolds, it would join popular chains RED LOBSTER and BUCA DI BEPPO in closures and restructuring. [via CNN]
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Authorities near Madison, Wisconsin, are investigating a pizza parlor for serving pies infused with THC.
Owners of Famous Yeti’s Pizza in Stoughton unintentionally served slices last week that were contaminated with the drug. Dane County’s public health agency got suspicious after paramedics took multiple people to the hospital with similar, stoned-out symptoms, all of whom had eaten at the spot.
Officials say oil used to make pizzas tested positive for THC. Owners are cooperating with the investigation, but so far now word how the accident happened. [via WKOW]
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The “secret” halftime snack of most NFL players is a staple from their childhood: Uncrustables.
According to data collected by The Athletic, last season 24 of the 32 total teams consumed “at least 80,000 Uncrustables;” this includes games, practices and training camps. Laid out side-by-side, that would cover more than 18 yards on a football field.
Breaking it down further, Denver Broncos players ate the most at 700 sandwiches a week, followed by the Seattle Seahawks with 320 per week and the Jacksonville Jaguars with 315. At the bottom of the list were the Cincinnati Bengals and the New Orleans Saints, both of which consumed 50 Uncrustables a week. [via The Athletic]
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BABY NEWS
GISELE BUNDCHEN is expecting her first child with her boyfriend, jiu jitsu instructor JOAQUIM VALENTE.
She’s 44 and he’s 35.
The news comes two years after Bundchen confirmed her divorce from TOM BRADY, with whom she shares two kids.
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BY THE NUMBERS
📈 The DOW gained 273 points (0.65%) to close at 42,387 on Monday. The S&P gained 15 points (0.27%) to close at 5,823 and the NASDAQ increased 48 points (0.26%) to close at 18,567.
🛢 WEST TEXAS INTERMEDIATE closed at $68 on Monday; BRENT CRUDE at $71.
⛽ The national average price of a GALLON OF GAS was $3.13 on Monday.
₿ BITCOIN surged on Monday, up over 2.8% and trading just shy of $70,000.
🛩 There were more than 2,610 FLIGHTS delayed within, into, or out of the United States on Monday and more than 70 such cancellations.
💰Tonight’s MEGA MILLIONS drawing will be for a $250 million jackpot or a $117.3 million cash payout.
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SHOWBIZ NEWS
SEAN COMBS has been accused of drugging and raping a 10-year-boy.
According to the newest lawsuit, the accuser says he flew to NYC with his parents in 2005 for an audition, during which Combs asked him what he would do to be a star, to which he responded, “anything.”
Combs allegedly then gave the child a soda, which he says made him feel a “little funny,” and was told, “You have to do some stuff you don’t want to do sometimes,” and then forced him to perform oral sex. The accuser claims he eventually passed out and later woke up with his pants undone, believing he had been sexually assaulted.
Despite Combs threatening to hurt the boy’s parents if he told, the accuser says he did in fact tell them, but nothing was reported out of fear of retaliation.
Texas-based attorney TONY BUZBEE is representing the accuser. [via TMZ]
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JENNIFER ANISTON marked the first anniversary of “Friends” co-star MATTHEW PERRY’s death with a slideshow of photos on Instagram, captioning it “1 year ❤️🩹🕊️.”
The official Instagram account for “Friends” also released a statement, encouraging fans to share their “favorite memory of [Perry’s] from the show.” [via Instagram]
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Restaurant supply store KaTom recently surveyed 2,000 adults about their favorite TV chefs. GORDON RAMSEY took the top spot at 40%, followed by RACHAEL RAY (31%), and BOBBY FLAY (28%).
MARTHA STEWART (26%) and EMERIL LAGASSE (26%) rounded out the top five.
Elsewhere, respondents also said they would be willing to spend an average of $340 on a three-course meal cooked by their favorite chef, and 22% said they engage in food-related content daily. [via The Sun]
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MORGAN WALLEN’s newest single, “Love Somebody,” topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
It is Wallen’s third No. 1, joining “I Had Some Help” and “Last Night,” the latter of which spent 16 weeks leading the charts last year, marking the longest Hot 100 reign of the 2020s.
“Love Somebody” takes the top spot from SHABOOZEY’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy),” which spent 15 weeks there. [via Billboard]
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EMINEM and KID ROCK may be on opposite sides of the aisle politically, but when it comes to football, they can agree that the Detroit Lions are the best in the league.
Both shared their respect for one another in a shoutout on X, following the Lions latest win. [via TMZ]
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ADELE revealed she is “partially deaf” after contracting a “rare water bacteria” that is “very hard to treat.”
She opened up about the diagnosis during her Vegas residency, calling the initial pain “worse than childbirth.”
“I wanted to chop my ear off a few times. I’m no longer in pain, which is great but I’m a bit deaf in my left ear,” she explained. [via The Mirror]
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The Miami Heat unveiled a bronze statue honoring basketball star DWAYNE WADE, and many think it looks nothing like him.
According to Wade, he was “heavily” involved in the creative process and even had sculptors measure his face to get the dimensions just right.
While fans may not think it resembles him, Wade appeared to be happy with it, calling the creation a “beautiful process.” [via NY Post]
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CASTING CALL
“Larger Than Life: Reign of the Boybands” will premiere on November 12 on Paramount+.
The documentary follows iconic boy bands from THE BEATLES and THE JACKSON 5 through NSYNC, NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK, and THE BACKSTREET BOYS, highlighting their highs and lows and everything in between.
Watch the official trailer here>
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ARMIE HAMMER launched his newest project, “The Armie HammerTime Podcast,” on Monday.
The official description states: “Armie sits down with extraordinary people from all walks of life as he rebuilds his own. Don’t worry… we feed him before every episode,” -- referring to the accusations that he enjoys cannibalism.
“Some of you are going to love this and some of you are going to [effing] hate it,” Hammer said in an Instagram video posted Monday.
The podcast is available on all major audio platforms. [via People]
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JON STEWART has extended his time at “The Daily Show” through 2025.
After returning earlier this year, Stewart will continue hosting episodes every Monday through the end of next year. He will also remain an executive producer.
As for the rest of the week, news team correspondents will continue to split hosting duties. [via Variety]
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THE DAILY KARDASHOPUS
A former teacher from YE’s Donda Academy claims the rapper wanted students to learn about some pretty intense topics.
Cecilia Hailey, who is suing Ye alongside several of her former colleagues for wrongful termination, spoke about her time at the school with The Sun.
“He did want the children to learn marching,” she said. “He wanted all the children to be educated in how to carry a gun, how to shoot a gun.”
Another teacher told the outlet that Ye was “going to teach the kids how to survive in the wilderness, hunting, camping and how to load and shoot firearms.”
WORTH NOTING: There is no indication that any of these things were ever actually taught at the academy, though many families were forced to sign NDAs for their child to attend. [via The Sun]
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WE’LL NEVER BE ROYALS
PRINCE WILLIAM’s documentary about one of his pet causes will appear on Disney+.
The two-part feature, called “Prince William: We Can End Homelessness,” follows the future King as he works with The Royal Foundation’s Homewards program. One camera, Wills works with “people who have experienced homelessness across a series of moving encounters,” according to the official announcement.
In his own interviews with documentarians, William also candidly shares stories about the work his mother did to inspire this cause.
The two-parter will be available for streaming on November 1 in the US after appearing on British networks. [via UPI]
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DAY OF THE YEAR
World Stroke Day
National Cat Day
National Internet Day
National Oatmeal Day
National Hermit Day
RSPB Feed the Birds Day
World Psoriasis Day
International Day of Care and Support
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ON THIS DATE
1618 - Sir Walter Raleigh is executed in London.
Raleigh was a prominent explorer who headed three trips to the New World. He helped set up the lost Roanoke colony in 1587, which was also the first British settlement in America.
While he was in the good graces of the Royal Court, he was later ostracized for having a secret marriage to one of the queen's handmaidens. It's likely she was just ticked he didn't want to sleep with her.
After Elizabeth's death, King James I had him imprisoned and sentenced to death because he didn't like him. Raleigh was freed to prospect for gold in South America, but he returned empty-handed.
So, he was beheaded.
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1777 - John Hancock resigns as President of the Continental Congress.
Hancock may be best known in Pop Culture as being the first to sign the Declaration of Independence in an oversized scrawl. He was also the wealthiest man in New England for some time.
He later would serve as the first governor of Massachusetts and shape its first constitution in 1780.
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1901 - Leon Czolgosz (CHALL-gots) is executed for assassinating President McKinley.
McKinley was shot on September 6 at the Pan-American Exhibition in Buffalo. He died eight days later from gangrene in the internal wound.
Czolgosz was detained and swiftly prosecuted. It is reported that Thomas Edison filmed the execution.
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1929 - The stock market crashes, wiping out billions of dollars of the American economy.
The high trade volume and point crash triggered the Great Depression.
It was preceded by several days of slumping performance in the stock market. That day has become known as Black Tuesday.
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1991 - The Galileo space probe becomes the closest manmade object to inspect an asteroid.
It came within a thousand miles of Gaspra, passing at about 5 miles a second. Gaspra orbits around the sun between Mars and Jupiter.
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1998 - John Glenn becomes the oldest astronaut to travel to space.
He was the first American to orbit the Earth in 1962. Following his career at NASA, he was encouraged by Bobby Kennedy to run against the incumbent Senator in Ohio.
After an accident in 1964, Glenn withdrew from the Senate campaign and was unable to continue at NASA. He was actually with Bobby Kennedy in 1968 when Bobby was assassinated.
Two years later, Glenn would win the Ohio Senate seat, where he would serve until 1999.
His trip into space in 1998 also made him the only sitting Senator to travel to space.
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2018 - A video is broadcast of Osama bin Laden addressing the United States and admitting direct responsibility for the September 11, 2001 attacks.
He also condemns President Bush’s government’s response to the attacks and presents the attacks as part of a campaign of revenge.
It was speculated the release of the footage was timed to influence the 2004 U.S. Presidential election, which would take place four days later.
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2021 - President Biden travels to Rome to meet with Pope Frances.
While there, Biden appeared to have an accident…in his pants.
Several sources on the ground noted that Biden had “pooped his pants” prompting the live stream of the two men to abruptly shut off.
The incident led to #PoopypantsBiden trending on Twitter.
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BIRTHDAYS
India Eisley - actress, “I Am the Night” - 31
Carlson Young - actress, “As the Bell Rings” - 34
Andy Dalton - football player - 37
Gio Benitez - TV journalist, “GMA” - 39
Gabrielle Union - actress, “Bring It On” & “LA’s Finest” - 52
Tracee Ellis Ross - actress, “Black-ish” & “Mixed-ish” - 52
Winona Ryder - actress, “Beetlejuice” & “Edward Scissorhands” - 53
Steven Sweet - rock singer, Warrant - 59
Randy Jackson - pop singer, The Jackson 5 - 63
Mike Gartner - hockey player - 65
Kate Jackson - actress, “Rookies” & “Charlie’s Angels” - 76
Richard Dreyfuss - actor, “Jaws” - 77
Frank Sedgman - tennis player - 97
Born On This Date
Bob Ross - painter - 1942 (d. 1995)
Carl Djerassi - father of the contraceptive pill - 1923 (d. 2015)
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