Today is Monday, January 13, 2025.
It is the 13th day of the year.
352 days remain.
WHAT’S ON TAP
A drone pilot dings a Sooper Scooper airplane and FTX payouts finally begin. Details in HIT LIST.
Celebs are changing their tune about some liberal politics in SHOWBIZ.
WILL FERRELL explains his dress up decision and TIMOTHEE CHALAMET will host “SNL.” Details in CASTING CALL.
Another snag hits MEGHAN MARKLE’s new Netflix show. Details in ROYALS.
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Legal analysts for multiple outlets suggest the types of questions asked by Supreme Court Justices on Friday during the emergency TIKTOK hearing spell doom for the app.
At the core of the ban, regardless of whether it’s Constitutional, is the concern that China owning the app, collecting data, and manipulating the algorithm for its own political goals, presents unique national security challenges. TikTok says such a law, regardless of these challenges, violates the First Amendment.
But Justices appeared skeptical of TikTok’s claim. Justice ELENA KAGAN questioned whether a foreign company can enjoy First Amendment protections. Justice CLARENCE THOMAS seemed to separate the rights of TikTok parent BYTEDANCE and the platform it manages. Both Justices BRETT KAVANAUGH and JOHN ROBERTS seemed sympathetic to the national security threat the app poses.
No definitive word yet when a decision will come down, but it will likely be before the January 19 deadline. Publicly, ByteDance continues to maintain that it will shut TikTok down rather than sell it off. [via Morning Martini]
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A Canadian “Sooper Scooper” airplane – the kind that buzzes down to the surface of a lake or ocean, picks up 1500-plus gallons of water, then drops it over a wildfire – was out of commission over the weekend, after a remote-controlled drone collided with it on Friday. The specialized plane is just one of two of its kind being used to combat the L.A. wildfires. Unlike traditional firefighting airplanes, which require landing and reloading at an airport, the Sooper Scoopers can fill up and return to dumping water in about five minutes.
In this case, the drone knocked what officials called a “fist-sized hole” in the wing of the aircraft. An unidentified photographer has claimed responsibility for flying the drone to get aerial footage of the damage, in open defiance of an FAA no-fly order in the area that runs for ten more days.
Following the collision, all air traffic was suspended. In a harsh statement, the FAA issued a reminder that interfering with firefighting efforts on federal lands can carry punishment including a year in prison and $75,000 in fines. [via LA Times, TWZ]
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Comedian WHITNEY CUMMINGS is calling out some political hypocrisy.
In the latest episode of her “Good For You” podcast, the self-described “pretty liberal” Cummings said she feels like “the Left became the party of censorship.”
She also pointed out some other perceived inconsistencies, like “‘My body, my choice, pro-choice party, but you don’t have a choice in your candidate.’” [via NY Post]
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KHLOE KARDASHIAN thinks Los Angeles mayor Karen Bass is a “joke.”
Taking to Instagram, Khloe shared her support for Fire Chief Kristin Crowley who is blaming major budget cuts to the fire department for negatively impacting their response.
“I stand by YOU Chief Crowley!!!! You spoke the truth and you had tears in your eyes because I can tell you didn’t even want to say that but it was THE TRUTH!!! Thank you for being honest. Mayor Bass you are a joke!!!!” Khloe captioned an interview clip. [via NY Post]
NO GOOD DEED: Shortly after Khloe made the well-intentioned post, however, followers came for her, calling her a hypocrite over reports that she -- and her famous family members -- use hundreds of thousands of gallons of water over the allotted limit for their luxurious estates. [via TMZ]
SPEAKING OF THE KARDASHIANS: KIM KARDASHIAN wants incarcerated firefighters to get their due. Taking to Instagram, she explained how “there are hundreds of incarcerated firefighters, risking their lives” and getting paid “almost nothing.”
“I see them as heroes,” she added.
According to the BBC, there are over 1,000 incarcerated men and women helping fight the L.A. fires. [via NY Post, BBC]
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KYLIE JENNER’s boyfriend, actor TIMOTHEE CHALAMET, is set to host the January 25 episode of “SNL.”
He will also be the musical guest in promotion of “A Complete Unknown,” the Bob Dylan biopic he stars in that came out on Christmas.
The gig will be Chalamet’s third time hosting and first time as musical guest. [via NY Times]
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The forthcoming 55th season of “Sesame Street” will focus on lessons of emotional well-being through music.
Debuting January 16, the family program will feature a slew of musical guests, including SZA, CHRIS STAPLETON, NOAH KAHAN, RENEE RAPP, and SAMARA JOY. [via AP]
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UP NEXT: Reactions to the ongoing wildlife fire, ELI MANNING’s Super Bowl plans, and WILL FERRELL’s bizarre performance art.
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