Today is Wednesday, October 9, 2024.
It is the 283rd day of the year.
83 days remain.
WHAT’S ON TAP
North Korea makes threats and a bakery makes a bold election prediction. Details in HIT LIST.
JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE helps a fan pop the question and THE DOORS celebrate 60 years. More in SHOWBIZ.
An ‘80s sitcom revival is not moving forward and “My Darlings” gets a film adaptation. Details in CASTING CALL.
YE and BIANCA CENSORI take some time apart. More in KARDASH.
MEGHAN MARKLE helps a friend with his podcast. Details in ROYALS.
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HIT LIST
Here’s the latest on HURRICANE MILTON and the recovery efforts from HURRICANE HELENE:
– Pinellas County, Florida, ordered a mandatory evacuation for some half a million residents Tuesday in anticipation of 15 foot storm surges. Tropical storm conditions are expected to begin this afternoon, with the hurricane making landfall some time overnight tonight, depending on who you ask.
– Florida officials scrambled Tuesday to clear debris left by HURRICANE HELENE in an effort to limit damage from HURRICANE MILTON as it approaches the state’s Gulf coast.
– Georgia declared a State of Emergency on Tuesday in anticipation of Milton’s landfall, allowing the state government to mobilize resources. The order remains in place until at least October 16.
– HORRIBLE TIMING: The state government agency that regulates insurance rates in North Carolina began hearings on Monday over whether to increase rates for homeowners across the state. The hearings were scheduled well before Helene wreaked havoc. The group representing insurance companies is seeking rate increases up to 99% in some areas.
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Decreased demand for fast food amid surging prices over the last four years are having effects up the supply chain: North America’s biggest producer of french fries is closing a major production plant in Washington state.
The company, Lamb Weston, supplies fries to MCDONALD’S, its largest customer that composes 13% of its total sales. The Arches has been struggling in recent years to keep prices down amid increasing supply and labor costs.
Reps for Lamb Weston say that even with promotional deals, like the $5 meal, they’re still using fewer fries, downsizing from a medium to a small.
As part of Lamb Weston’s consolidation, 400 workers will lose their jobs. Its stock is down 35% this year. [via CNN]
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North Korean State Media reported on Tuesday that KIM JONG JUNIOR promised to use nuclear weapons against its southern counterpart and the United States if either attempts any aggression during an address on Monday.
Junior gave the speech at his namesake University of National Defense.
Analysts believe the Kim Regime is saber-rattling to leverage sanction concessions out of whichever administration takes power in January. [via Associated Press]
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Artist Alexandre Levet created the art installation “All The Good Times We Spent Together” in 1988. The bizarre piece depicts little more than two empty beer cans, with a unique, handpainted design. Most recently, it’s been on display at the LAM Museum in Lisse, Netherlands, where it was put inside a glass elevator shaft, in a way that suggests they were left behind by construction workers, the museum says.
The concept backfired, though, when a substitute janitor mistook the installation for trash and threw the cans away. Oops.
The museum’s director had a different vision for the work, saying in a statement, “Our art encourages visitors to see everyday objects in a new light. By displaying artworks in unexpected places, we amplify this experience and keep visitors on their toes.”
A frantic search eventually turned up the cans in a garbage bag ready to go to the dump. They’re now on display on a pedestal near the museum entrance. Despite the confusion, museum officials are taking it in stride. “In a way, it’s a testament to the effectiveness of Alexandre Lavet’s art,” the museum director says. [via ABC News]
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Busken Bakery in Cincinnati, Ohio has correctly predicted every presidential election since 1984 -- minus 2020’s.
Their cookie polls started with the 1982 Super Bowl, featuring the Bengals vs. 49ers, followed by 1984’s Reagan vs Mondale presidential race -- incumbent Reagan won by a landslide, by the way.
Now, fourth generation owner Dan Busken says as of Tuesday morning the tally of cookie sales stands at 15,823 for DONALD TRUMP and 4,833 for KAMALA HARRIS. [via WHIO]
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DEATHS
Actor ED WHEELER has died.
He passed away on August 21 at a New Jersey hospital of respiratory failure due to complications from pneumonia, according to a recent statement from his wife.
Wheeler is best known for his roles on “Law & Order,” “Blue Bloods,” and many other films, shows, plays and commercials.
He was 88.
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BY THE NUMBERS
📈 The DOW increased 126 points (0.3%) to close at 42,080 on Tuesday. The S&P increased 5 points (0.97%) to close at 5,751 and the NASDAQ increased 259 points (1.45%) to close at 18,182.
🛢 WEST TEXAS INTERMEDIATE closed at $73. BRENT CRUDE at $77.
⛽ The national average price of a GALLON OF GAS was $3.18 on Tuesday.
₿ BITCOIN was mostly flat on the day, trading around $63,000.
🛩 There were more than 1,740 FLIGHTS delayed within, into, or out of the United States on Tuesday and more than 700 such cancellations.
💰Tonight’s POWERBALL drawing will be for a $336 million jackpot or a $165.3 million cash payout.
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SHOWBIZ NEWS
LISA MARIE PRESLEY kept her son, BENJAMIN KEOUGH’s body in her home for two months after he died.
The situation is detailed in Lisa Marie’s new memoir, “From Here to the Great Unknown.”
“My house has a separate casitas bedroom and I kept Ben Ben in there for two months. There is no law in the state of California that you have to bury someone immediately,” she writes. “I found a very empathetic funeral home owner … She said, ‘We’ll bring Ben Ben to you.’”
He would eventually be buried at Graceland, alongside his grandfather, ELVIS; Lisa Marie would be buried there as well after her passing in January 2023. [via Daily Beast]
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AL PACINO says he and his son’s mother, NOOR ALFALLAH, are “just friends” and “co-parents.”
The revelation comes after she was spotted with BILL MAHER over the weekend.
Pacino and Alfallah share 1-year-old son Roman. [via Page Six]
YOU DO THE MATH: Pacino is 84, Maher is 68 and Alfallah is 30.
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JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE gave an assist to a fan at his show in Brooklyn on Monday night.
“I see a sign that says, ‘May I propose to Sarah,’” he announced, before passing off the microphone to the sign holder, telling him, “You got it.”
Sarah’s “yes” was played on the various screens around the Barclay’s Center.
“I can’t top that. Alright, thank you. Have a good night everyone,” JT joked after sending congratulations to the newly engaged couple. [via People]
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In honor of their 60th anniversary, THE DOORS are giving fans some archival releases.
First up, vinyl series “The Doors 1967-1971” will be released on November 22, followed by a four-disc remasters vinyl edition of “Live in Detroit” a week later.
In early 2025, a 344-page book called “Night Divides Day,” will drop. It will feature new interviews with drummer JOHN DENSMORE, guitarist ROBBY KRIEGER and archival material from late frontman JIM MORRISON and late keyboardist RAY MANZAREK.
Other celebration plans are also in the works for next year. [via Billboard]
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CHRIS PINE has released his first-ever book.
The children’s book, called “When Digz the Dog Met Zurl the Squirrel: A Short Tale About a Short Tail,” follows a dog named Digz and a Squirrel named Zurl, who despite being natural enemies, learn that there’s always more than meets the eye.
Pine says the book offers a message of “loving and accepting one another despite our differences;” something he hopes will resonate with both kids and parents alike.
The book is available now. [via People]
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TAYLOR SWIFT, JOHNNY DEPP, SYDNEY SWEENEY and SCARLETT JOHANSSON are on the list of celebrities whose identities are most often exploited for online scams.
Computer security company McAfee released a list of the Top 10 celebs whose names and likenesses are most frequently fabricated for online scams -- all without their permission.
Topping the list is Johansson, followed by KYLIE JENNER, Swift, actress ANYA TAYLOR-JOY, actor TOM HANKS, singer SABRINA CARPENTER, Sweeney, actress BLAKE LIVELY, Depp and singer-actres ADDISON RAE. [via BusinessWire]
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DREW BARRYMORE says when she was a young actress people would often mistake her for fellow child star BROOKE SHIELDS.
Barrymore shared the tidbit on her daytime talk show Tuesday, alongside Shields who was there promoting her new hair care line, Commence.
“When I was young, people would call me Brooke because the most famous, beautiful, outstanding, young woman in the business was Brooke Shields. And I, at my little stature and not being Brooke Shields, I was like, ‘I know, I am Brooke,” Barrymore told the audience. [via Decider]
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CASTING CALL
A revival of ‘80s sitcom “Who’s The Boss?” is no longer happening.
Two years ago star ALYSSA MILANO shared her excitement about a sequel, telling fans that a script had been submitted to Amazon’s FreeVee.
The show would have followed Tony Micelli, played by TONY DANZA, and single mom Angela Bower (JUDITH LIGHT), 30 years after the end of the original.
No word on whether there are plans to shop it elsewhere. [via EW]
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KELLY RIPA and MARK CONSUELOS are teaming up with MGM Studios to produce a film adaptation of the novel, “My Darlings.”
Described as a satirical thriller, the book centers on interior designer, wife, mother and queen bee of her social circle, Eloise Wiliams, who also happens to be a serial killer.
“My Darlings” is available now. [via THR]
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SHANE GILLIS was asked to play DONALD TRUMP on Season 50 of “SNL” by creator LORNE MICHAELS, but turned it down.
He had impersonated the former president when he hosted the show last season.
JAMES AUSTIN JOHNSON took over the gig, alongside MAYA RUDOPLH who returned as KAMALA HARRIS. They are joined by JIM GAFFIGAN as TIM WALZ, DANA CARVEY as JOE BIDEN, and ANDY SAMBERG as Harris’ husband, DOUG EMHOFF. [via Deadline]
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THE DAILY KARDASHOPUS
YE’s solo outings as of late are because he and BIANCA CENSORI are taking some time apart.
An insider told The Mirror that Censori is spending time with her family in Australia, while Ye remains in Japan.
The last time the pair were spotted together was during a shopping trip with two of Ye’s kids last month. [via The Mirror]
TMZ also reported that the couple’s marriage is “on the rocks,” with sources saying they are telling friends they split up weeks ago. [via TMZ]
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WE’LL NEVER BE ROYALS
During an “Ask Me Anything” chat on Reddit, “Suits” actor PATRICK ADAMS says he doesn’t chat with former co-star MEGHAN MARKLE much anymore – but as soon as he launched his new podcast he immediately got a message from her.
"Upon hearing about the podcast, I got a lovely text, saying how excited she was for us and asking how she could help in any way,” Adams wrote – because if Meg knows anything, it’s podcasting.
YOU MAY RECALL: She was given a $20 MILLION contract for her “Archetypes” podcast, which did not ultimately receive the full payout and was canceled by Spotify. [via The Sun]
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DAY OF THE YEAR
National Emergency Nurses Day
Canadian Beer Day
International Top Spinning Day
International Beer and Pizza Day
Bring Your Teddy Bear to Work & School Day
Curious Events Day
Fire Prevention Day
National Pet Obesity Awareness Day
National Curves Day
World Post Day
Scrubs Day
National Stop Bullying Day
National Moldy Cheese Day
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ON THIS DATE
1635 - Roger Williams is sent out of the Massachusetts Bay Colony and told to never return.
He was vocally opposed to strict religious rules and to the infiltration of Indian land.
This made him an ally of the native Americans, who helped him establish the first civilized colony in present-day Rhode Island. It was intended to be a place for anyone seeking freedom and by the day's standards - separation of church and state.
Williams viewed his work and success as a sign from God, and named the town "Providence."
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1888 - The Washington Monument opens to the public in Washington DC.
It is made of marble, granite and bluestone gneiss.
Construction had begun in 1848, but was stalled by funding problems and eventually the Civil War.
At 555 feet, 5-and-one-eighth inches tall, it stood as the world's tallest structure, though a year later the Eiffel Tower would become the tallest.
The Washington Monument still holds the title for tallest stone structure and tallest obelisk.
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1919 - In the World Series, the Cincinnati Reds beat the Chicago White Sox -- thanks to eight Chicago players throwing the game.
Arnold "Chick" Gandil was at the heart of the operation. He motivated others on the team with promises of making a lot of money and sticking it to their manager, Charles Comiskey, who many despised.
Word made it around the underground gambling world that the fix was in ahead of the series and the odds against Cincinnati fell quickly. A series of bad pitching and lame fielding would eventually impel the Reds to victory.
Rumors swarmed about the conspiracy. The following Fall, two players came forward admitting to it. As the scandal unfolded, Comiskey suspended those still on the team, dashing his team's chances at making it to the playoffs.
No one went to jail, but those responsible were banned from the league for life.
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1936 - The Hoover Dam opens for business, sending electricity to Los Angeles, across 266 miles of power lines.
It was at first named Boulder Dam, but later renamed in honor of President Herbert Hoover by Franklin Roosevelt.
While it was useful in supplying electricity, it was also an effective way to manage fresh water in the arid American southwest.
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1944 - Winston Churchill and Joseph Stalin begin a conference in Moscow to discuss the beginning of the end of World War II.
Churchill negotiated Stalin's support against Japan following Germany's seemingly inevitable surrender.
After the conference, much of the post-war Soviet bloc map was drawn. Yugoslavia was cut in half -- the East and the West. Romania went to the Reds while Greece would remain in control of free European powers.
Unfortunately, no treaties were signed and the deals were not officially documented -- as became evident at the dawn of the Cold War.
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1967 - One day after capturing leftist terrorist Che Guevara, the Bolivian Army executes him.
Five shots to the leg, one to the right shoulder, one to the arm, one in the chest, and one in the throat.
He was 39 years old when he was killed.
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2012 - Women’s rights activist Malala Yousafzai is shot three times by a Taliban gunman as she boards her school bus in northwest Pakistan.
Despite the attack and continued death threats from the Taliban, she continued to advocate for worldwide access to education, especially for young girls and women.
In 2014, she would become the youngest-ever Nobel Prize recipient.
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2019 - Nearly 1 million people in northern California have their power cut by Pacific Gas and Electric to prevent wildfires from electrical equipment amid high winds.
By late October over 3 million people would lose power as more preemptive shutoffs took place.
The shutdowns were met with widespread backlash and criticism from residents who blamed government officials for lack of information. For his part, Governor Gavin Newsom blamed the PG&E.
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BIRTHDAYS
Landon Barker - rock singer & son of Travis Barker - 21
Lulu Lambros - actress, “Stuck in the Middle” - 21
Mark Estes - social media personality & ex of Kristin Cavallari - 25
Gavin Adcock - country singer - 26
Megan Moroney - country singer - 27
Bella Hadid - model - 28
Jacob Batalon - actor, “Spider-Man: Homecoming” - 28
Cole Preston - drummer, Wallows - 28
Scotty McCreery - country singer - 31
George Kittle - football player - 31
Tyler James Williams - actor, “Everybody Hates Chris” - 32
Zachery Ty Byran - actor, “Home Improvement” - 43
Brandon Routh - actor, “Superman Returns” - 45
Steve Burns - actor, “Blue’s Clues” - 51
Tony Shalhoub - actor, “Monk” - 71
Sharon Osbourne - reality star & wife of Ozzy - 72
Donna Kelce - mom of Travis & Jason - 72
Born On This Date
John Lennon - rock singer, The Beatles - 1940 (d. 1980)
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