11/3/2023: Find a Penny, Pick It Up…
Discover more from Morning Martini
11/3/2023: Find a Penny, Pick It Up…
PLUS: Booty Patrol; Steven Tyler Sued; and The Queen’s Credit
Today is Friday, November 3, 2023.
It is the 307th day of the year.
58 days remain.
WHAT’S ON TAP
SAM BANKMAN-FRIED IS GUILTY. More in HIT LIST.
ALAN RUCK causes a four-vehicle crash and BILLY JOEL announces his final show at Madison Square Garden. Find out more in SHOWBIZ.
MATTHEW PERRY was planning out his biopic before his untimely death and “Yellowstone” gets a return date. More in CASTING CALL.
KIM KARDASHIAN’s “nipple bra” is doing more than just helping the planet. More on that in KARDASH.
QUEEN CAMILLA cashes out while Christmas shopping. More on her shopping spree in ROYALS.
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HIT LIST
A jury found SAM BANKMAN-FRIED guilty on Thursday of all seven counts of fraud and conspiracy connected to his authorization to illegally use customer money for his own enrichment and to fuel the expansion of his crypto exchange company FTX.
For those keeping score at home, these are the formal charges:
Count one: conspiracy to commit wire fraud on customers
Count two: wire fraud on customers
Count three: conspiracy to commit wire fraud on lenders
Count four: wire fraud on lenders
Count five: conspiracy to commit commodities fraud
Count six: conspiracy to commit securities fraud
Count seven: conspiracy to commit money laundering
On the seventh count, the jury decided that SBF both laundered customer funds and attempted to conceal his acts, which will factor into his sentence.
Sentencing is set for March 28. He faces a maximum sentence of 110 years. In the meantime, it’s likely SBF will remain in jail in New York City.
WORTH REMEMBERING: Ahead of this trial, federal prosecutors removed indictments related to SBF’s misuse of customer funds specifically for making campaign donations, in order to try those separately. They now have until February 1 to inform the court if they intend to move forward with those charges in a trial scheduled for March. [via Morning Martini, @innercitypress]
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ELON MUSK announced on X on Thursday that the internet satellite division of SpaceX, called STARLINK, is now producing positive cash flow.
In a literal form of vertical integration, Starlink has launched over 5,000 satellites so far, all of them on SpaceX rockets. Musk says that Starlink now composes a majority of all active satellites in orbit.
A Starlink subscription and receiver empowers high-speed internet anywhere with coverage. [via @elonmusk]
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The 2023 Rockefeller Center Christmas tree has been chosen.
This year’s tree is a Norway spruce measuring 80-feet tall and 43-feet in diameter. It was donated by the McGinley family from Vestal, NY -- about 200 miles northwest of NYC. The tree is scheduled to be cut on November 9 and will arrive in Rockefeller Center two days later -- on Veteran’s Day.
KELLY CLARKSON will host the lighting ceremony on November 29. [via NY Post]
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Authorities in Florida have cited the owner of a pickup truck that has “BOOTY PATROL” stenciled along the truck bed and insignia that looks too close to official Border Patrol markings for comfort.
Upon closer inspection, the words next to the Border Patrol-looking insignia are “National Booty Behavior Protection.”
The driver wasn’t necessarily slapped for his own pervy verbiage, but because it’s illegal for private vehicles to have lights that resemble those of law enforcement vehicles.
GO FIGURE: USA Today tracked down the driver – an 18 year old boy. [via NBC News, USA Today]
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A North Carolina man is keeping a new lucky penny that he says he picked up off the ground just minutes before buying a lottery ticket that won him a huge jackpot.
Ralph Mayton from Graham, North Carolina, says he’s keeping the lucky coin forever. Not only did he win the main prize worth nearly $67,000, but also an additional $200,000 from the state lottery’s progressive jackpot – which he didn’t realize he also won until he got the check.
He says he’s sending his mother on a vacation to Hawaii with some of his winnings. [via ABC 11]
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DEATHS
Basketball player WALTER DAVIS has died.
He passed away Thursday of natural causes while visiting family in North Carolina, according to several sources.
Davis played for the Carolina Tar Heels, Phoenix Suns, Denver Nuggets and Portland Trail Blazers.
He was 69.
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BY THE NUMBERS
📈 The DOW increased 564 points (1.7%) to close at 33,839 on Thursday. The S&P added 79 points (1.89%) to close at 4,317 and the NASDAQ increased 232 points (1.78%) to close at 13,294.
🛢 WEST TEXAS INTERMEDIATE closed at $82; BRENT CRUDE at $86.
⛽ The national average price of a GALLON OF GAS was $3.44 on Thursday.
₿ BITCOIN dipped 1.4% Thursday, trading back under $35,000.
🛩 There were more than 2,490 FLIGHTS delayed within, into, and out of the United States on Thursday and more than 85 such cancellations.
💰Tonight’s MEGA MILLIONS drawing will be for a $181 million jackpot or a $79.2 million cash payout. Saturday night’s POWERBALL drawing will be for a $173 million jackpot or a $76.1 million cash payout.
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SHOWBIZ NEWS
These albums drop today:
Ava Mirzadegan, “Dark Dark Blue”
Billy Joel, “The Vinyl Collection, Vol. 2”
Chicago, “Chicago Greatest Christmas Hits”
Cody Johnson, “Leather”
Hilary Woods, “Acts of Light”
Jean-Michel Jarre, “OXYMOREWORKS”
Jimmy Buffett, “Equal Strain on All Parts”
Jung Kook, “GOLDEN”
Neil Young, “Time Fades Away 50”
Niall Horan, “The Show: The Encore”
Shooter Jennings, “Shooter Jennings & The Werewolves of Los Angeles Do Zevon”
The Struts, “Pretty Vicious”
Willie Nelson, “Long Story Short: Willie Nelson 90 Live At The Hollywood Bowl”
Zoe Wees, “Therapy”
Zooey Celeste, “Restless Thoughts”
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BRITNEY SPEARS’ memoir, “The Woman in Me” has sold over 1.1 million copies in its first week -- that includes pre-orders, print books, ebooks and audiobooks.
Unfortunately that means Spears’ recent claim that her book was the “highest selling celebrity memoir in history” is not true; PRINCE HARRY’s memoir “Spare” sold 1.6 million in its first week.
In response to the success, Spears took to Instagram to thank her fans and readers for their “unwavering support.” [via People]
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Actor ALAN RUCK caused a four-vehicle accident before crashing his truck into the side of a pizza restaurant in Hollywood this week.
According to footage of the accident, Ruck’s truck collided with a car stopped at a stoplight, pushing it into a four-way intersection and oncoming vehicles. His truck kept going and ended up in the side of the eatery.
Law enforcement sources told TMZ that two people suffered minor injuries and it does not appear that alcohol was involved.
Ruck has not addressed the incident. [via TMZ]
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STEVEN TYLER has been sued by a woman who claims the AEROSMITH frontman sexually assaulted her when she was 17.
According to the lawsuit, accuser JEANNE BELLINO says she was working as a model in the summer of 1975 when she and a friend met up with Tyler and his bandmates in Manhattan.
While walking down the city streets to their hotel, Bellino claims Tyler became “irritated” after she asked about some song lyrics and pulled her into a phone booth. He then allegedly proceeded to kiss and grope her while his friends looked on and laughed, per the filing. Not knowing what to do, Bellino says she continued on with the group to the hotel, where Tyler once again tried to force himself on her.
Bellino’s claims follow a 2022 lawsuit filed by JULIA HOLCOMB, who claims she and Tyler had a sexual relationship in 1973 when she was only 16.
Tyler has not yet responded to Bellino’s allegations, but previously spoke out about Holcomb’s accusations, explaining that she had consented to the relationship. [via Rolling Stone]
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BILLY JOEL will play his 150th -- and last -- concert of his NYC residency at Madison Square Garden on July 25, 2024.
Prior to that Joel will play at the Garden twice this year and six times in 2024 prior to the final show.
Joel first performed at the iconic venue in December 1978. He went on to set the record for most consecutive performances by any artist in 2006 and then in 2015 set a record for most lifetime performances by an artist at the arena. [via People]
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BILLIE EILISH’s new multi-colored hair has some fans comparing it to a weather map -- specifically a storm pattern.
Eilish showed off her red, orange, yellow and green patterned roots, on X, prompting several weather-related comments.
“It’s giving AccuWeather,” one user wrote, while another commented, “The eye of the storm is just a cowlick.” [via Page Six]
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CASTING CALL
ATHENNA CROSBY -- the person photographed having lunch with MATTHEW PERRY a day before his death -- spoke to ET about future plans the actor had discussed with her.
Crosby revealed that Perry was planning to work on a biopic and had hoped his “17 Again” co-star, ZAC EFRON, would play the younger version of him.
“He was just looking forward to sharing more about his story and his recovery from addiction,” Crosby explained.
No word on whether anyone close to Perry will take over that project.
FOR WHAT IT’S WORTH: The relationship between Crosby and Perry is not known. All she said was that the two had met through a mutual friend. [via ET]
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Paramount announced this week that the final episodes of “Yellowstone” are scheduled to air November 2024.
Many may recall, it was announced in May that the KEVIN COSTNER-fronted show would be ending with its fifth season.
In the meantime, the network also greenlit two spinoff series “1944” and “2024.” The former will follow a similar format to other spinoffs “1883” and “1923” -- following the lives of the Dutton family in the titular year.
As for “2024,” no plot details have been shared, though an insider revealed that it will feature new characters -- perhaps MATTHEW MCCONAUGHEY -- with some crossover characters too.
The spinoffs are expected to air sometime after the conclusion of “Yellowstone.”
No word yet on a timeline for the second season of “1923,” either. [via Decider]
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The late-night spot once held by JAMES CORDEN’s “The Late Late Show” will now be home to “After Midnight,” with host TAYLOR TOMLINSON.
Tomlinson is a 29-year-old career standup known for her Netflix specials “Look At You” and “Quarter-Life Crisis.”
The new show is based on Comedy Central’s “@midnight.” [via NY Post]
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HARRISON FORD’s last run as archaeologist Indiana Jones in “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny” will land on Disney+ on December 1 -- just months after it debuted in theaters.
The movie also stars PHOEBE WALLER-BRIDGE, MADS MIKKELSEN, BOYD HOLBROOK, KAREN ALLEN, ANTONIO BANDERAS, and more.
The fifth installment in the Indiana Jones franchise made $383 million at the worldwide box office. [via Variety]
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COURT CASES
“Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” star SHANNON BEADOR was sentenced to three years of probation on Thursday for her September DUI charge.
She will also have to complete 40 hours of community service and a nine-month alcohol program.
Prosecutors wanted Beador to serve 30 days in jail.
ALSO: A judge dismissed the hit-and-run with property damage charge. [via Page Six]
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TUPAC SHAKUR’s alleged murderer DUANE “Keefe D” DAVIS appeared in a Clark County courtroom on Thursday where he entered a plea of not guilty to murder with the use of a deadly weapon.
He is being represented by a public defender.
No word on when the next court date will be. [via TMZ]
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THE DAILY KARDASHOPUS
It turns out KIM KARDASHIAN’s “nipple bra” may benefit more than just the planet.
While many were quick to mock the new product, several women who have beaten or are battling breast cancer were quick to call the bra a “game changer.”
36-year-old Philecia La’Bounty, who is currently battling Stage 4 breast cancer for the second time, spoke to USA Today about the bra, saying, “Regardless of why Kim made this garment or what inspired it, there's a massive community that is grieving the loss of their breasts and is extremely excited to have this easy, affordable and painless option to get their nipples back.” [via USA Today]
WORTH ASKING: Why didn’t marketing genius Kim K think about this when promoting her new nipple bra?
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WE’LL NEVER BE ROYALS
QUEEN CAMILLA ran out of cash while shopping at a market during her visit to Kenya with KING CHARLES – and was graciously given the items with a promise to pay later.
The monarch picked up “a basket, a blanket, some jewelry, and cashew butter,” Express reports, but had run out of bank notes halfway through the shopping spree.
When a reporter asked one vendor about being stiffed, the clerk said, “What that means is that the money is in the bank, not in the hand. Her Majesty’s credit is very good!”
Another clerk said that the queen mentioned she was Christmas shopping. [via Express]
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DAY OF THE YEAR
National Sandwich Day
Japanese Culture Day
Love Your Lawyer Day
World Jellyfish Day
Smart Home Day
National Housewife Day
Cliche Day
Fountain Pen Day
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ON THIS DATE
1493 - Christopher Columbus lays eyes on the Caribbean island Dominga for the first time. He named it for the day of the week he spotted it, which was a Sunday.
The island later changed hands from the French to the British in 1763. It remained a colony of the Crown until 1978, when it became an independent nation.
Today the small island holds nearly 72,500 inhabitants. It’s a popular tourist spot known for its untouched rainforests and thriving exotic animal populations.
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1903 - The Panamanians declare independence from Colombia.
The separatist faction was powered principally by the Panama Canal Company, a joint French-American company looking to build what would become the Panama Canal. A treaty was ratified that would have the US pay the Colombian government for use of the land for building the canal.
When the Colombians reneged on the agreement, President Roosevelt ordered support for a rebellion in Panama. By November 6, the Republic of Panama was officially recognized by the US, and a new treaty was negotiated with the new government. The terms were $10 million up-front and $250,000 annually, beginning nine years later.
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1957 - The Reds put the first animal into space -- a dog named Laika -- on board the Sputnik 2 spacecraft.
The Siberian husky had been a stray living in Moscow before being rescued and put into the space program. She was hooked up with electrodes to monitor her vitals, and relay the information back to Soviet engineers and doctors.
She died when the life-support system crapped out.
Of the 12 recorded launches of dogs into space by the Soviets, at least five died. They were all paving the way for the launch of the first human into space.
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1976 - The horror flick, “Carrie,” based on Stephen King’s novel, opens in theaters nationwide.
The film launched Sissy Spacek’s acting career – she even received a Best Actress nomination for the role. John Travolta also had a part.
The movie’s success helped to explode Stephen King’s writing career, with many of his tales being adapted for film. Among them: “The Shining,” “Stand by Me,” “Misery,” “Dolores Claiborne,” and “The Green Mile.”
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1986 - A Lebanese magazine publishes a story exposing American arms sales to Iran in exchange for the release of seven American hostages held in that country.
US intel confirmed the reports three days later, shocking even some inside President Reagan’s inner circle. The scandal exploded when it was revealed by the Attorney General that the money from the sales went to fund anti-communist rebels in Nicaragua. Congress was outraged; it had passed the Boland Amendment in 1982 which prohibited the use of any federal funds “for the purpose of overthrowing the government of Nicaragua.”
While Reagan admitted knowledge of the sales to Iranian rebels, he did not claim to know anything about spending money on the Contras.
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1992 - Bill Clinton is elected President of the US, defeating incumbent President George H. W. Bush.
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2014 - New York’s 104-story One World Trade Center officially opens; 13 years after the September 11 attacks.
Also referred to as The Freedom Tower, WTC 1, 1 World Trade Center or One WTC, it is the tallest building in the US, as well as in the Western Hemisphere. It is ranked #6 among tallest buildings in the world.
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2019 - Olivia Newton-John’s black leather outfit from the film “Grease” sells for $405,700 at a Beverly Hills auction.
The final sale was more than double what the outfit was expected to bring in. Half of the proceeds would go toward the actress’ cancer treatment center in Australia.
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BIRTHDAYS
Bodhi Sabongui - actor, “The Baby-Sitters Club” - 16
Carson Rowland - actor, “Sweet Magnolias” - 26
Kendall Jenner - reality star & model - 28
Ella Mai - R&B singer - 29
Nav - rapper - 34
Elizabeth Smart - activist - 36
Colin Kaepernick - football player - 36
Ian Wright - soccer player - 60
Gabe Newell - Microsoft developer & owner of Valve Corporation - 61
Dolph Lundgren - actor, “Rocky IV” & “The Expendables” - 66
Kate Capshaw - actress, “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom” - 70
Roseanne Barr - comedian & actress, “Roseanne” - 71
Larry Holmes - boxer - 74
Anna Wintour - editor, Vogue - 74
Michael Dukakis - Governor of Massachusetts & Democratic presidential nominee (1988) - 90
Born On This Date
Mike Evans - actor, “All In the Family” - 1949 (d. 2006)
Charles Bronson - actor, “Magnificent Seven” & “The Dirty Dozen” - 1921 (d. 2003)
Bob Feller - HOF baseball player - 1918 (d. 2010)
Bronko Nagurski - HOF football player - 1908 (d. 1990)
Stephen F. Austin - founded & helped colonize Texas - 1792 (d. 1836)
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