Today is Wednesday, October 30, 2024.
It is the 304th day of the year.
62 days remain.
WHAT’S ON TAP
Chase Bank pursues fraudsters and ELON MUSK puts down roots. Details in HIT LIST.
The song LIAM PAYNE recorded prior to his untimely passing will be released on Friday. More in SHOWBIZ.
ROBERT DOWNEY JR. doesn’t want to be reimagined and another “Scary Movie” is in the works. Details in CASTING CALL.
A whole lotta YE news in KARDASH.
THE KING is hiring! Details ROYALS.
###
HIT LIST
THERE ARE 6 DAYS UNTIL ELECTION DAY and here is the state of the race.
– JOE ROGAN says KAMALA HARRIS demanded he fly to her to record a one-hour podcast in order for her to appear on the show. Rogan declined, posting on X, “I strongly feel the best way to do it is in the studio in Austin. My sincere wish is to just have a nice conversation and get to know her as a human being. I really hope we can make it happen.”
HOWEVER: JD VANCE will reportedly record an interview with Rogan today.
– Harris has pulled $1.7 MILLION in media buys across major markets in North Carolina – suggesting she’s either very confident about her prospects there or abandoning the state.
– The Supreme Court has declined to hear arguments to have RFK JR’s name removed from the ballot in Wisconsin and Michigan. RFK sought to be delisted from the ballot after endorsing Trump earlier this year.
###
Earlier this year, a modern-day check-kiting scheme went viral on TikTok, allowing customers of Chase Bank to deposit a check for virtually any amount then immediately withdraw funds before the check bounced.
Inexplicably, people filmed themselves committing the fraud on the app, which many at the time called a “hack,” when they should have called it a crime.
Now, Chase wants their money back. The bank has filed lawsuits in three federal courts targeting four customers who stole $662,000. The suits seek to recoup the stolen money plus legal fees and other expenses. [via CNN]
###
ELON MUSK has been building a compound near Austin, Texas, with multiple properties so his children and their respective mothers can live next to each other.
The New York Times reports that Musk shelled out $35 MILLION for a 14,400-square-foot mansion and another smaller, six-bedroom home directly behind it. Musk already has a mansion that’s just a ten minute walk away from the adjoining properties.
Musk has children by at least three women, including an executive for his brain chip company Neuralink, SHIVON ZILIS. She’s already moved into one of the homes. Singer GRIMES, with whom Musk shares 4-year-old X, remains in an ongoing custody dispute with the billionaire. The rest of the space would be reserved for his first wife, Justine, when she and any of their five kids are in the area to visit. [via New York Times]
###
The new leadership at STARBUCKS has a mandate for its corporate workers: get back to the office.
The company has allowed a loose hybrid work structure for about two years that hasn’t been enforced. Now, employees are required to be at their desks at least three days a week or risk termination.
New CEO BRIAN NICCOL himself enjoys a hybrid work schedule, commuting by corporate jet from his home in Southern California to Seattle at least three days a week. [via WSJ]
###
Lonely Planet released its list of 30 must-see travel destinations for 2025. The “Best in Travel” list is broken down into the top ten cities, countries, and regions from around the world.
Topping the list of cities is: Toulouse, France. Often referred to as “Paris in miniature,” the city is considered a “perfect weekend break destination” complete with “art galleries, upcycled industrial venues and cafes.”
For countries, the West African nation of Cameroon takes the top spot, thanks to its “stunning beaches, not-so-crowded national parks, and lively nightlife.”
The top region to visit is Low Country and Coastal Georgia in the U.S., specifically the cities of Charleston and Savannah, which are “highlighted for their rich historical and cultural significance and vibrant food scene.”
###
DEATHS
Actress TERI GARR has died.
She passed away Tuesday of multiple sclerosis, according to her publicist.
Garr is best known for her roles in “Young Frankenstein” and “Tootsie.”
She was 79.
###
BY THE NUMBERS
📈 The DOW lost 154 points (0.36%) to close at 42,233 on Tuesday. The S&P increased 9 points (0.16%) to close at 5,832 and the NASDAQ increased 145 points (0.78%) to close at 18,712.
🛢 WEST TEXAS INTERMEDIATE closed at $67; BRENT CRUDE at $70.
⛽ The national average price of a GALLON OF GAS was $3.13 on Tuesday.
₿ BITCOIN surged on Tuesday to record highs, trading around $72,300.
🛩 There were more than 525 FLIGHTS delayed within, into, or out of the United States on Tuesday and more than 60 such cancellations.
💰Tonight’s POWERBALL drawing will be for a $39 million jackpot or a $18.6 million cash payout.
###
SHOWBIZ NEWS
Another day, another SEAN COMBS story.
According to a former party planner, Combs allegedly used to weigh female guests at his “Freak Off” parties to make sure they were not too heavy.
“The girls had to be young and hot, so I always had a scale nearby in case I needed to make sure. The number was 140 pounds,” the planner told the NY Post. They also had to have “no flab, no cellulite,” and not be “overly pierced or tattooed.”
As for their outfits, the women “had to wear a party dress, preferably very short” with “cleavage showing” and “high stilettos,” she added.
It is unknown if the former party planner will be part of Combs’ forthcoming trial, testifying for the prosecution, obviously. [via NY Post]
###
The last song LIAM PAYNE worked on -- a duet with musician SAM POUNDS -- will drop on Friday.
The single, titled “Do No Wrong,” was recorded just weeks before Payne’s untimely death in Argentina.
“I pray that this will be a blessing to the world like Liam has always dreamed,” Pounds posted on X.
Payne was also said to be “re-working” one of his favorite ONE DIRECTION songs prior to his death, no word on whether that will ever be released. [via The Sun]
###
On Tuesday morning, 50 CENT said he turned down $3 million to perform at former President DONALD TRUMP’s MSG rally.
Later in the day however, a Trump campaign official said that 50’s claim was not true. No word on whether the “untrue” part was the amount of money offered or that he was never actually asked to perform.
Anyway, 50 wants nothing to do with politics, saying, “That’s the formula for the confusion that sent Kanye to Japan,” referencing the political statements YE has made over the past couple of years. [via Variety]
###
Actor JAY JOHNSTON has been sentenced to one year and one day in jail for his participation in the chaos at the Capitol on January 6, 2021.
He was also given 24 months of supervised release and ordered to pay $2,000 in restitution.
Johnston pleaded guilty in July to one felony count of civil disorder for obstructing police. [via People]
###
MEL B aka Scary Spice thinks the rest of the SPICE GIRLS are “dickheads” for not jumping at the opportunity to do a 30th reunion tour.
In a recent interview, Mel revealed she had been kicked out of a WhatsApp group with her fellow Spices after urging them all to agree to some more performances.
Earlier this year the ladies reunited for VICTORIA BECKHAM’s 50th birthday, sparking hope amongst fans there would be a reunion announcement. Instead, Beckham stated that she had no interest in reuniting the band for anything other than a “social occasion.” [via Page Six]
###
The MORGAN WALLEN FOUNDATION donated $500,000 in musical instruments through the “One Instrument at a Time” initiative.
The instruments were divided up amongst schools in need across 14 cities Wallen performed in this year during his “One Night at a Time” tour.
BY THE WAY: Wallen donates $3 from every U.S. ticket sold from his current tour to his nonprofit, which supports programs for youth in music and sports. [via Billboard]
###
Country singer KACEY MUSGRAVES’ dog, Pepper, saved her from stepping on a snake while out for a barefoot walk.
While she managed to avoid a bite, the cattle dog wasn’t so lucky.
“Copperhead: 1, Pepper: 0,” Musgraves captioned an Instagram post detailing the incident.
After a visit to the vet, the pup is now at home “sleeping a lot” and “getting lots of love.” [via EW]
###
CASTING CALL
The Byers family home from “Stranger Things” has been transformed into a rental for fans to enjoy.
Located in Fayetteville, Georgia, the property was used for exterior shots during filming for Seasons 1-3, before being sold in 2022.
The new owners decided to keep with the theme and renovated the pad to include all things “Stranger Things,” including the Christmas lights alphabet wall.
Meanwhile, the fifth and final season of the Netflix show is currently filming. [via TMZ]
###
MARLON, SHAWN, and KEENEN IVORY WAYANS are bringing back the “Scary Movie” franchise.
The brothers, who worked together on the original 2000 flick, have reunited to create a new installment -- the sixth movie in the satirical-horror franchise.
No word yet on a director or a release date. [via THR]
###
ROBERT DOWNEY JR. has made it clear that he does not want his likeness to be recreated via A.I.
During a recent episode of the “On with Kara Swisher” podcast, the actor stated that he “intends to sue all future executives on spec” for any attempts to create a digital replication of him.
It doesn’t apply to Marvel, however, because Downey Jr. says he isn’t “worried about them hijacking [his] character’s soul.”
Also, in the event of his passing, he says legal action will still be taken as his “law firm will still be very active.” [via People]
###
THE DAILY KARDASHOPUS
YE and ADIDAS have settled the lawsuits regarding their former working relationship out-of-court.
Two years after the sportswear company chose to part ways with the controversial rapper, and his Yeezy line, CEO Bjorn Gulden issued a statement saying that while there had been “tensions on many issues” there is “no need to fight anymore.”
It was in October 2022 that Adidas decided to sever the relationship with Ye, amid a boycott over his antisemitic remarks. The decision would cost the company over $100 million in losses.
No financial details of the settlement were shared. [via Reuters]
ELSEWHERE: Ye purchased a new property in Beverly Hills for $35 million. The home is 20,000-square-feet and features 11 bedrooms and 18 bathrooms. It sits on seven acres. No word on how much time Ye will spend at the new place, however, as he appears to be perfectly content in Japan. [via TMZ]
###
WE’LL NEVER BE ROYALS
KING CHARLES is hiring! The Chief Maid oversees housekeeping and presentation at all of the monarch’s primary properties.
Based out of Windsor, the Chief Maid only gets a fixed-term contract one year at a time, beginning in February next year. In addition to preparing rooms and facilities for the Royal Family and various events, the role will “support the ongoing personal development of a highly dedicated team.”
The job opening promises a competitive salary plus lodging. If you want to throw your hat in the ring, you have until November 10 to apply. [via The Mirror]
###
DAY OF THE YEAR
National Publicist Day
National Wicked Day
National Candy Corn Day
National Checklist Day
Create a Great Funeral Day
Haunted Refrigerator Night
Mine Rescue Day
###
ON THIS DATE
1775 - The Continental Congress begins laying the groundwork to form the American Navy.
Seven men were appointed to acquire and staff a fleet of ships that would be used to fight the British in the sea.
The committee included John Adams and Silas Deane, among other revolutionaries.
By the time fighting began in earnest, there would be 40 armed ships.
This fighting force was disbanded following the end of the American Revolution. It would be formally reestablished in April 1798.
###
1890 - Oakland, California becomes one of the first large cities to outlaw major drugs.
Opium, morphine, and cocaine would only be available with a prescription.
###
1938 - The "War of the Worlds" radio broadcast spooks Americans across the country.
The performance dramatized the broadcast of a martian invasion of Earth. Orson Welles helmed the adaptation of the science fiction novel by H.G. Wells. Orson had found fame as a radio character actor and was well-known.
Despite his notoriety and repeated announcements that the ensuing broadcast was indeed fiction, an uproar followed.
By some estimates, a million people actually believed Earth was being taken over by aliens.
Highways were clogged and panic erupted.
Soon news of the hysteria reached the studio, and Welles broke character to remind everyone they were performing theater.
Welles thought he was through -- but three years later he would direct, write, produce and star in “Citizen Kane,” one of the greatest movies of American cinema ever.
###
1974 - Muhammad Ali wins his second heavyweight championship.
The "Rumble in the Jungle" pitted Ali against George Foreman.
The fight took place in Zaire. It did well for Zaire's local economy -- the country's president, Mobutuu Sese Seko personally paid each fighter $5 million just to make the trip.
Ali knocked down Foreman in the fifth round.
With the win, he became the second dethroned champion to win the title again.
###
1995 - The citizens of Quebec narrowly reject a legislative effort to secede from Canada.
Some of the largely French-speaking populace was opposed to the encroaching British and American influences across the rest of Canada. They feared they'd lose their relative autonomy and unique culture.
###
2012 – Disney purchases Lucasfilm Ltd and its rights for “Star Wars” and “Indiana Jones” for $4.05 billion.
The buyout is Disney’s fourth largest deal ever.
###
2021 - The Grand Ole Opry broadcasts its 5,000th Saturday night radio program from Nashville, Tennessee.
The country music radio show debuted on Saturday, November 28, 1925.
###
BIRTHDAYS
Devin Booker - basketball player - 28
Marcus Mariota - football player - 31
Nastia Liukin - Olympic gymnast - 35
Claudia Jessie - actress, “Bridgerton” - 35
Janel Parrish - actress, “Pretty Little Liars” - 36
Ashley Graham - model - 37
Eva Marcille - model - 40
Andrew Schultz - comedian - 41
Ivanka Trump - heiress & executive, Trump Organization - 43
Matthew Morrison - actor, “Glee” - 46
Jason Adelman - actor, “Talisman” - 47
Edge - wrestler - 51
Nia Long - actress, “Third Watch” & “Big Momma’s House” - 54
Ben Bailey - TV show host, “Cash Cab” - 54
Charnele Brown - actress, “A Different World” - 59
Kevin Pollack - actor, “Usual Suspects” - 67
Timothy B. Schmit - rock singer, Eagles - 77
Henry Winkler - actor, “Happy Days” - 79
Born On This Date
Dick Gautier - actor, “Get Smart” & “Bye-Bye Birdie” - 1931 (d. 2017)
John Adams - 1st VP and 2nd POTUS - 1735 (d. 1826)
Christopher Columbus - explorer who discovered the New World - 1451 (d. 1506)
###