Today is Tuesday, October 8, 2024.
It is the 282nd day of the year.
84 days remain.
WHAT’S ON TAP
Closure nears for FTX’s victims and advice to stay healthy this winter. Details in HIT LIST.
SEAN COMBS’ mom wants people to wait for the truth and OZZY OSBOURNE is using drugs again. More in SHOWBIZ.
TOM SEGURA extends his comedy tour and industry insiders are speaking out against the “Rust” premiere. Details in CASTING CALL.
What is KHLOE doing? Find out what’s up in KARDASH.
Promising news about KING CHARLES’ cancer diagnosis in ROYALS
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HIT LIST
As HURRICANE MILTON barrels toward Florida’s Gulf coast and cleanup continues from HURRICANE HELENE, here’s the latest:
– The official death toll from Hurricane Helene hit 227 by Monday. Reports unconfirmed by mainstream media outlets suggest the number will continue to climb as rescue teams get to rural areas of western North Carolina.
– Milton became a Category 5 hurricane Monday afternoon, with winds exceeding 155 miles per hour and officials anticipating catastrophic damage. The National Hurricane Center measured speeds up to 175 miles per hour yesterday. As of Monday evening, it remained on a path toward Tampa.
– Tampa International Airport will cease all operations this morning around 8:00 am Central with no reopening time yet designated. In the meantime, airport employees will secure facilities before getting out of dodge. Meanwhile, the Buccaneers will depart today ahead of their Sunday matchup against the Saints.
– Florida suspended all tolls Monday to encourage preemptive evacuations as officials fear storm surges could devastate areas closest to the coast.
– NASA has postponed the launch of its Europa Clipper, bound for a moon of Jupiter, which was set to blast off on a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket today.
– Florida Governor RON DESANTIS reportedly rejected a call from KAMALA HARRIS to discuss recovery from Helene and preparation for Milton, with sources saying the governor thought the outreach was purely “political.” [via Morning Martini]
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A study in the science journal “Natural Aging” says humans have reached the upper limits of longevity. Despite advances in medical research and technology that help an increasing number of people live into their triple-digit years, overall global lifespans have plateaued.
Up until 1990, the average improvement in lifespan was about two-and-a-half years per decade since records were kept. In the 2010s, global lifespans improved overall by about one-and-a-half years, and in the United States, not at all. “We’re squeezing less and less life out of these life-extending technologies. And the reason is, aging gets in the way,” says one of the lead researchers on the paper.
Even in the countries with the highest life expectancy, researchers expect the number of people hitting 100 and beyond to remain steady: about 15% of women and 5% of men in Australia, France, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Spain, and Switzerland. [via AP]
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Victims of the SAM BANKMAN-FRIED’s fraud have come another step closer to being repaid the money they lost, and then some, now that a judge has approved FTX’s bankruptcy plan.
Thanks to the explosive growth of Bitcoin’s value since the exchange’s collapse, customers will receive roughly 118% of the value of their holdings when FTX filed for bankruptcy. The repayment is still significantly less than the value the customers would hold had everything not tanked.
Several creditors argued they should be repaid in cryptocurrency, not cash, but the judge dismissed these concerns. [via CoinDesk]
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FOLLOW UP: After selling lemonade drinks so amped up with caffeine that at least one woman died, PANERA has settled with the victim’s family.
A trial was slated to begin this week to resolve the first of four similar lawsuits. A lawyer managing all four suits tells NBC News the matter has been settled but was unable to share other details.
Panera fully discontinued the offering in May this year. [via NBC News]
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A Colorado man managed to fend off a black bear with three cubs in tow that broke into his home until wildlife officials came to the rescue.
ABC News describes the victim’s injuries as “significant,” but not so bad he had to go to the hospital.
The 74-year-old survivor said the bears broke through a sliding glass door and tried to shoo them away with a dining room chair, but the mama bear knocked him back and clawed at him. He sustained injuries on his neck, arms, shoulder, abdomen, and leg before he was able to retreat to a bedroom with his wife and lock the door.
By the time officials arrived on scene, the bears had fled, but were eventually put down once they were found. The incident marks the first bear-on-human attack in 2024 after logging six similar incidents last year. [via ABC News]
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Sick of being sick all winter? The trick is to keep things moist!
Board-certified pulmonologist Dr. Amy Brown says nasal humidity is the key to avoiding respiratory infections and colds this winter, explaining that “When nasal filtration and immune defense aren’t functioning optimally due to dry air, viruses can get in more easily.”
While she promotes using humidifiers, Dr. Brown warns against too much moisture, which can lead to mold. The sweet spot for indoor humidity is between 35% and 45%. [via HuffPost]
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DEATHS
WHITNEY HOUSTON’s mom CISSY HOUSTON has died.
She passed away Monday at her home in New Jersey while under hospice care for Alzheimer’s disease.
In addition to being Whitney’s mom, Cissy was also a two-time Grammy-winning soul and gospel artist.
She was 91.
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Former junior world champion runner KIPYEGON BETT has died.
He passed away in a hospital in Bomet, Kenya after a short illness on Sunday, according to a statement from his sister.
Bett won the 800 meter title in 2016.
He was only 26.
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BY THE NUMBERS
📈 The DOW lost 398 points (0.94%) to close at 41,954 on Monday. The S&P lost 55 points (0.96%) to close at 5,695 and the NASDAQ lost 213 points (1.18%) to close at 17,923.
🛢 WEST TEXAS INTERMEDIATE closed at $77; BRENT CRUDE at $81.
⛽ The national average price of a GALLON OF GAS was $3.17 on Monday.
₿ BITCOIN gained on the day, trading around $63,100.
🛩 There were more than 3,055 FLIGHTS delayed within, into, or out of the United States on Monday and more than 105 such cancellations.
💰Tonight’s MEGA MILLIONS drawing will be for a $129 million jackpot or a $62.3 million cash payout.
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SHOWBIZ NEWS
TAYLOR SWIFT just keeps winning.
With an estimated net worth of $1.6 BILLION, she is now the world’s richest female musician, taking the top spot from RIHANNA.
Swift first reached billionaire status last October. [via Forbes]
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Football player JABRILL PEPPERS was arrested over the weekend on assault and drug charges.
According to officials, the Patriots safety got into an altercation, during which he attempted to strangle the other individual. Peppers was arraigned and pleaded not guilty on Monday, where he was held on a $2,500 bail.
His attorney told local news outlets that the truth of the situation will come out, and there is evidence that “sheds real doubt on the allegations.” [via NY Post]
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JANICE COMBS wants people to judge her son “by the truth” and not by a “narrative created out of lies.”
He is “not the monster they have painted him to be,” she told a local news outlet over the weekend.
Janice also made sure to note that she will be sitting behind her son at his court hearing tomorrow. [via TMZ]
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OZZY OSBOURNE revealed he is back to using marijuana and “tempted to return to stronger drugs” on a recent episode of his “Madhouse Chronicles” podcast.
“I am happier, but I am not completely sober. I use a bit of marijuana from time to time,” he admitted, while explaining that his wife SHARON OSBOURNE does whatever it takes to keep him off the hard stuff.
Ozzy says the dope helps him cope with a range of health issues, including Parkinson’s Disease. [via The Mirror]
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AL PACINO says he experienced a near-death experience in 2020 while sick with covid.
“I felt not good -- unusually not good. Then I had a fever, and I was getting dehydrated and all that” and the next thing “I was just gone,” he told The New York Times.
“I didn’t have a pulse [...] everybody was around me, and they said: ‘He’s back. He’s here,’” Pacino recalled, while noting that he was shocked at how he had no memories, just “nothing” during the ordeal.
The 84-year-old details the experience further in his upcoming memoir, “Sonny Boy.” [via NYT]
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DONALD GLOVER, who goes by the stage name Childish Gambino, has canceled the rest of his North American and European “New World Tour” citing an ailment that requires surgery.
Without elaborating on what happened, Glover tweeted that he needs to focus on his “path to recovery” and has to take “time out to heal.”
The tour kicked off in August and was supposed to head to Europe early next year. It was Glover’s first tour since 2019. [via AP]
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A celebration of life for fitness guru RICHARD SIMMONS was held in New Orleans over the weekend.
“Just like Clark Kent underneath his beautiful things that he was wearing, his clothing, [Richard] is wearing a tank top and shorts,” his brother told the crowd of mourners.
Simmons passed away in July, a day after his 76th birthday, from blunt traumatic injuries after falling at his home. [via Page Six]
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TEKASHI 6IX9INE signed a new record deal with Kartel Music worth millions.
Per the contract, he will get $1 million for an album and $250,000 for every concert of his upcoming tour -- which, if all goes well, should add up to over $6 million.
A clause in the deal states that Tekashi must stay out of trouble, which has been a hard ask in the past. [via TMZ]
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CASTING CALL
Comedian TOM SEGURA is extending his “Come Together Tour.”
He announced a handful of new dates for 2025, including stops in both North America and Europe.
“If my Instagram algorithm is any indication of the state of humanity, this very will might be the last tour anyone can see on earth. Can’t wait,” he quipped.
FOR A GOOD CAUSE: Segura will donate a portion of the proceeds from platinum charity ticket sales to the World Central Kitchen, and is also throwing in $100,000 from his own pockets. [via THR]
BY THE WAY: This is the guy who started the conspiracy theory that GARTH BROOKS is a serial killer, with a slew of bodies buried in his backyard. [via X]
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Industry peers of the late HALYNA HUTCHINS are slamming the decision to premiere “Rust” at the Cinematography Film Festival next month, calling the move “tone-deaf.”
“I’m all for memorializing Halyna and her beautiful work but not by screening and thereby promoting the film that killed her,” fellow cinematographer Rachel Morrison commented on a post promoting the event. Several others agreed with her statement, and asked for producers to “reconsider” the premiere.
Hutchins’ family supports the decision, however.
Also, ALEC BALDWIN will not be in attendance. [via Deadline]
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THE DAILY KARDASHOPUS
KHLOE KARDASHIAN came under fire after posting a topless photo of her sister KIM in a fur coat and thong on Snapchat.
“There are children on this app. What is wrong with you? And it’s only slightly blurred!” one person commented, while another suggested that Khloe must be in need of money and is looking for more fan interaction on the app.
Last month, Khloe shared a different snap of her sister, writing “Kim’s boobies are big and juicy,” leaving many scratching their heads.
No word on if this was actually Khloe posting or an employee who runs her socials. Or maybe she got hacked?! [via The Sun]
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WE’LL NEVER BE ROYALS
KING CHARLES will reportedly pause his cancer treatment during his trip to Australia and Samoa, beginning October 18.
Doctors say the King is doing well enough to suspend the weekly treatments while he is abroad to keep up a jam-packed tour and meeting schedule, including the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting.
The eleven day junket includes some days with ten events with only one day without scheduled engagements in the mix. A traveling doctor will be along for it all, but that’s standard practice for the monarch.
MEANWHILE: In the runup to the tour, QUEEN CAMILLA has cleared much of her public schedule and will be spending much of the next two weeks with friends. [via DailyMail]
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DAY OF THE YEAR
Own Business Day
Ada Lovelace Day
World Octopus Day
National Face Your Fears Day
International Newspaper Carrier Day
International Birth Registration Day
Animal Action Day
National Pierogi Day
International Podiatry Day
American Touch Tag Day
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ON THIS DATE
1871 - A series of fires kill between 1500 and 2500 people near Peshtigo, Wisconsin.
The firestorm wreaked havoc across Wisconsin, Illinois and Michigan after strong winds caused smaller fires to spread very quickly.
The same storms instigated the Great Chicago Fire, which because of its notoriety as a larger city, has left the tragedy in Peshtigo forgotten.
By some accounts, the firestorm generated a tornado so powerful that rail cars were picked up into the air. Those who survived stayed wet in the Peshtigo River.
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1919 - The first coast-to-coast air race is held between California and New York.
Sixty-three planes participated, with some leaving from California and the others from New York. The race was round-trip.
The winner flew a Havilland-4 with a Liberty motor. He had the fastest total elapsed time, including rest stops, breaks and refueling—finishing the race in just over 3 days.
However, he was fourth in flight time, at 24 hours, 59 minutes, and 49 seconds.
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1956 - Don Larsen pitches the only perfect game in a World Series.
The New York Yankee had only lasted 1.2 innings in Game 2 of the series. Back at the mound for Game 5, he threw 97 pitches and only one batter for the Brooklyn Dodgers managed to get a 3-ball count.
The achievement earned Larsen the World Series MVP award that year.
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1967 - Che Guevara meets his end.
The communist terrorist was wounded and captured in a skirmish with the Bolivian army. He would be executed the next day.
Guevara had been fomenting revolution in South American countries, plus Cuba. He was instrumental in installing Castro as the head there, and even served in the administration.
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1991 - Croatia declares independence from Yugoslavia.
After 4 years of fighting, the Croatians were fully victorious, preserving their borders completely, though at a significant cost of life and economic devastation.
Tensions remain high with the Serbs across the border.
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2001 - President George W. Bush announces the establishment of the Office of Homeland Security, following the 9/11 attacks.
Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge was tapped to lead the effort to seal the gaps in intelligence gathering that may have otherwise prevented 9/11.
By the end of the following year, the office would be formally transformed into a cabinet-level department.
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2018 - New Orleans QB Drew Brees becomes the NFL’s all-time leader in passing yards with 77,888.
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2019 - Montgomery, Alabama elects Steven Reed as its first Black mayor in 200 years.
The Democrat beat businessman David Woods with 67% of the votes.
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BIRTHDAYS
Natalie Dove - boxer - 23
Ethan Torchio - drummer, Maneskin - 24
Bella Thorne - actress, “Shake It Up” & “The Duff” - 27
Kylee Russell - actress, “Zombies” - 28
Bruno Mars - pop singer - 39
Nick Cannon - TV show host, actor & dad of a dozen - 44
The Miz - wrestler - 44
Matt Damon - actor, “Good Will Hunting” & “The Martian” - 54
Matt Biondi - Olympic swimmer - 59
Bill Elliott - race car driver - 69
Sigourney Weaver - actress, “Ghostbusters” & “Avatar” - 75
Chevy Chase - actor, “Vacation” films - 81
RL Stine - author, “Goosebumps” series - 81
Born On This Date
Johnny Ramone - rock guitarist, Ramones - 1948 (d. 2004)
John Hay - private secretary to Abe Lincoln & US Secretary of State - 1838 (d. 1905)
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