Today is Tuesday, November 5, 2024.
It is the 310th day of the year.
56 days remain.
WHAT’S ON TAP
A tough housing market spells trouble for young, first-time buyers and a tech union strikes on election eve. Details in HIT LIST.
DIDDY turns 55 behind bars and TOM HOLLAND often Googles his girlfriend. More in SHOWBIZ.
JENNIFER HUDSON and STING join “The Voice.” Details in CASTING CALL.
YE may be heading back to reality TV. More on that in KARDASH.
Another royal tour already in the works. Details in ROYALS.
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HIT LIST
TODAY IS ELECTION DAY.
If you’re hoping for an early bedtime, these are the early signs one candidate might be running away with it:
FOR HARRIS: If there’s an early call for Harris in North Carolina or Georgia, that’s a sign of big, early, decisive wins in crucial battleground states that currently favor Trump.
FOR TRUMP: An upset win in New Hampshire, or Virginia where he held a rally in the last few days, suggest massive shifts in voter sentiment in his favor. An early win in any of the “Blue Wall” states of Wisconsin, Michigan, or Pennsylvania also bode well for 45.
FOR EITHER: Though it likely won’t be an early call, taking Pennsylvania gives either candidate an enormous boost.
TONIGHT: The first polls close at 5:00 pm Central, in the eastern parts of Indiana and Kentucky. The first big wave of state calls will come in at 7:00 pm, with polls closing in 21 states and the District of Columbia. Alaska shuts things down at Midnight, but the tallies will likely still be underway in western states, at least.
Trump will be at Mar-a-Lago, with an event at the nearby Palm Beach County Convention Center. Harris will have an event at her alma mater, Howard University, in Washington DC.
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The astronauts on the International Space Station have cast ballots for today’s election despite orbiting some 250-miles above Earth.
Though it’s a national race, even presidential elections are organized at the state and county level, so some logistics vary depending on where the astronaut is registered. But generally, they fill out an electronic ballot that is sent back through a ground antenna in New Mexico. From there, the data heads to Mission Control, which passes it on to the appropriate clerk.
Only the astronaut and clerk have access to how the ballot was completed using data encryption technology. [via New York Post]
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The New York Times “Tech Guild,” a union of workers who work for the Gray Lady’s technology infrastructure, went on strike Monday. As previously reported, they’re demanding a buffet of benefits and worker protections.
On the more reasonable end, they want pay increases and stricter contracts to only permit dismissal for cause. On the nuttier end of the things, they want bereavement leave for their pets and unlimited break time – which is even more weird because they mostly work from home and are also protesting the paper’s demand they work in the office twice a week. [via New York Times]
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In just the last year, the median age of an American homebuyer has increased six years, to 56.
The troubling statistic is just another sign that younger Americans have been priced out of the home ownership market in the post-pandemic era. In the early 2010s, according to research by the National Association of Realtors, the median age was in the low-40s.
IT GETS WORSE: First-time homebuyers are also getting older, rising from 35 to 38 over the last year. First-time buyers also decreased by 8 points in the last year, from 32 to 24%. One analyst tells CNBC, “In my two decades in the mortgage business, I’ve never seen a more difficult time for millennials to purchase a home.” [via CNBC]
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Giant spiders are taking over the UK thanks to a breeding program led by the Chester Zoo.
According to the zoo, fen raft spiders, once on the decline, are now at an all time high with more than 10,000 breeding females who “just had the biggest mating season on record!”
While the semi-aquatic arachnids can grow to the size of a human hand, the zoo says they are harmless and play a vital role in a healthy aquatic ecosystem.
ARACHNOPHOBIA: Fear not, fen raft spiders are not found in America. [via NY Post]
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DEATHS
Legendary composer QUINCY JONES has died.
He passed away Sunday at his Bel-Air home, according to his publicist. No further details were shared.
Jones is best remembered as the architect of MICHAEL JACKSON’s “Thriller,” among other notable musical achievements.
He was 91.
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BY THE NUMBERS
📈 The DOW lost 257 points (0.61%) to close at 41,794 on Monday. The S&P lost 16 points (0.28%) to close at 5,712 and the NASDAQ lost 59 points (0.33%) to close at 18,179.
🛢 WEST TEXAS INTERMEDIATE closed at $71; BRENT CRUDE at $75.
⛽ The national average price of a GALLON OF GAS was $3.10 on Monday.
₿ BITCOIN tumbled on Monday, down 1.6% and trading under $67,700.
🛩 There were more than 3,080 FLIGHTS delayed within, into, or out of the United States on Monday and more than 150 such cancellations.
💰Tonight’s MEGA MILLIONS drawing will be for a $303 million jackpot or a $141.8 million cash payout.
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SHOWBIZ NEWS
SEAN COMBS celebrated his first of what will likely be many birthdays behind bars.
For his big day, Diddy was treated to a breakfast of cereal, fruit and breakfast cake, followed by a lunch of pasta with marinara sauce, meatballs and a garden salad. His birthday dinner options included chicken or tofu fried rice with black beans and carrots.
Combs turned 55 yesterday. [via NY Post]
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JASON KELCE addressed his weekend phone smashing incident during Monday Night Countdown on ESPN.
“I'm not happy with anything that took place. I’m not proud of it. In a heated moment, I chose to greet hate with hate and I just don’t think that’s a productive thing,” he said.
Despite his apology, insiders say Penn State is investigating the incident -- though hopefully that is aimed more at the student’s hateful comment than Kelce’s actions. [via TMZ]
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TOM HOLLAND often lets his anxiety get the best of him.
During his recent appearance on the “On the Menu” podcast, the actor revealed that he sometimes checks Google to make sure his girlfriend, actress ZENDAYA is okay.
“I’m not on socials,” he explained. “So sometimes I -- it’s more of a bit of an anxiety thing -- but like I’ll check, to see if everything’s good and just to make sure we’re all cool.” [via Page Six]
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SHABOOZEY’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” landed its 16th non-consecutive week at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, joining MORGAN WALLEN’s “Last Night” for the longest reign of the 2020s.
It is also tied for the second-longest time on top of the chart, coming in behind LIL NAS X’s “Old Town Road,” which ruled for 19 weeks in 2019. [via Billboard]
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GARTH BROOKS and TRISHA YEARWOOD may ditch the U.S. and settle down in Ireland.
The country legend said his wife “fell head over heels in love” with the Emerald Isle during his tour there in 2022, and has been “pushing hard” to get a home there ever since.
MEANWHILE: There has been no further action taken in the lawsuit against Brooks by a former makeup artist who claims he sexually assaulted her. [via Daily Mail]
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JILL DILLARD (formerly Duggar) says things are still “complicated” with her parents, JIM BOB and MICHELE DUGGAR, though both sides are making an effort.
“We are in a rebuilding phase,” she shared during a recent Q&A session on Instagram.
Jill detailed the estrangement in her book “Counting the Cost,” sharing how she and husband DERRICK DILLARD started distancing themselves from her famous family after leaving their TLC show, “Counting On.” [via InTouch]
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After much speculation during the now infamous defamation trial between AMBER HEARD and JOHNNY DEPP, his attorney, CAMILLE VASQUEZ says she “would never” date the actor.
Speaking to Extra, Vasquez said that while she thinks her client is “lovely,” he isn’t her “type.”
“I would never. Let me just go on record here: Never dated Johnny Depp. Never would date Johnny Depp. I think he’s a lovely person… He’s not my type,” she elaborated.
Vasquez spent four years working on Depp’s cast, and said she realized early on they were “different people.” [via Extra]
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CASTING CALL
KELLY CLARKSON will return to host this year’s “Christmas At Rockefeller Center” on NBC.
It will air live on December 4 on NBC and Peacock.
Additional details, including performers, will be announced at a later date. [via Deadline]
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The owner of the home used as Jesse Pinkman’s place in “Breaking Bad” says she was paid decently.
Christine Brennan, who appeared in “The House From…,” a documentary about some of the most famous homes from TV and film, said that she was paid $500 a day if someone from the crew needed to stop by for whatever reason and $2000 a day for when filming took place.
Fans of the show may remember the home being sold in Season 2. That part had to be written in after Brennan listed the place during Season 1. [via People]
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JENNIFER HUDSON and STING will serve as mentors in this season of “The Voice.”
Hudson will work with MICHAEL BUBLE and REBA MCENTIRE’s teams, while Sting will assist SNOOP DOGG and GWEN STEFANI.
Hudson last served as a coach on the show in Season 15. [via The Wrap]
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THE DAILY KARDASHOPUS
YE and BIANCA CENSORI may soon get their own reality show.
Insiders say the rapper has been pitching the idea and believes “it would be an instant hit.”
Insiders told InTouch that Ye has been filming himself for years “with the ultimate plan of making a movie about his life,” but now thinks a “TV show would be better.”
KIM KARDASHIAN would likely not be a fan of the show, as it would give her ex yet another platform to share his often eccentric thoughts and opinions. [via InTouch]
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WE’LL NEVER BE ROYALS
Fresh off their tour Down Under, KING CHARLES and QUEEN CAMILLA already have their sights on another foreign trip – but not quite as far.
The King is keen on making up for time he lost during intensive cancer treatment this year. Now, the monarchs are already planning a trip to the Vatican for an audience with the Pope. Their previously-planned trip in March was sidelined after PRINCESS KATE announced her own cancer diagnosis.
Immediately upon the King’s return from Australia and Samoa last week, Buckingham Palace announced His Majesty would have a “full programme” in 2025, again signaling that his cancer treatment has been going well. [via The Mirror]
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DAY OF THE YEAR
Election Day
Gunpowder Day
American Football Day
National Chinese Takeout Day
National Love Your Red Hair Day
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ON THIS DATE
1862 - President Abraham Lincoln removes one of his top generals from command.
George McClellan was commanding the Army of the Potomac. Though he was an adept and capable leader, he was often paranoid and unaggressive in the field. As experienced as he was, he was no match for Robert E. Lee.
Two years later, McClellan challenged Lincoln for the presidency. He won the Democratic nomination, but lost handily in the general election.
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1977 - George W. Bush marries Laura Welch in Texas.
He would, of course, spend time as an oil man and GM of the Texas Rangers before becoming president in 2000.
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1994 - George Foreman becomes the oldest heavyweight champ on record.
At 45 years old, Foreman squared off with Michael Moorer in Las Vegas. His opponent was only 26.
Over 12,000 fans came out for the fight, where Foreman knocked out Moorer in the 10th round.
Foreman's return to fighting was to pay his bills, having squandered the millions he earned earlier in his career.
He would retire in 1997 and earn a living shilling his electoral grill and pitching other products on TV.
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2007 - The Writers Guild of America begins its strike, stalling TV shows mid-season.
By some estimates, the organized labor strike cost $3 billion in lost advertising sales and other economic opportunities in Los Angeles.
At play was the stake writers would get from DVD sales and streaming opportunities, which allowed for increased exposure of their shows after their initial run.
An agreement would be struck in February the following year.
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2009 - Major Nidal Hasan opens fire on other soldiers and civilians at Fort Hood in Texas, killing 13 and wounding 32.
Hasan was an Army psychiatrist. He was reportedly upset over being deployed to Afghanistan later that month and feared having to kill other Muslims.
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2018 - NASA’s Voyager 2 probe leaves the solar system, becoming the second manmade object to reach interstellar space.
Voyager 1 was the first to do so in 2004.
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BIRTHDAYS
Jawsh 685 - beat maker - 22
Roxanne Perez - wrestler - 23
Josie Canseco - model - 28
Odell Beckham Jr. - football player - 32
Jason Kelce - football player - 37
Kevin Jonas - guitarist, Jonas Brothers - 37
Luke Hemsworth - actor, “Westworld” - 44
Jonny Greenwood - guitarist, Radiohead - 53
Sam Rockwell - actor, “Frost/Nixon” - 56
Tatum O’Neal - actress, “Paper Moon” - 61
Tilda Swinton - actress, “Chronicles of Narnia” franchise - 64
Bryan Adams - rock singer - 65
Kris Jenner - KarJenner matriarch & momager - 69
Born On This Date
Bill Walton - HOF basketball player - 1952 (d. 2024)
Ike Turner - R&B singer - 1931 (d. 2007)
Vivien Leigh - actress, “Gone With the Wind” - 1913 (d. 1967)
Natalie Schafer - actress, “Gilligan’s Island” - 1900 (d. 1991)
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