Today is Wednesday, January 4, 2023.
It is the 4th day of the year.
361 days remain.
TRENDING
Kevin McCarthy landed in Twitter’s Top 10 Trends on Tuesday as voting for the next Speaker of the House became chaotic. More in Swamp.
#DamarHamlin was trending yesterday as NFL fans, players and employees tweeted out well wishes and prayers for the Buffalo Bills safety. More on his condition in Sick Bay.
Dana White was trending after a video surfaced of the UFC bigwig fighting with his wife on New Year’s Eve. More in Showbiz.
#3WordResolution was trending Tuesday evening. Tweets included, “Fix Washington dysfunction,” “Lose more weight,” “discard fashion abominations” and “Don’t. Get. Caught.”
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HIT LIST
Disgraced Democrat megadonor SAM BANKMAN-FRIED officially entered a not guilty plea on charges including fraud and campaign finance violations.
SBF himself didn’t speak; his lawyers formally entered the plea.
The trial is scheduled to begin on October 2.
WORTH REMEMBERING: Two of SBF’s high-profile former colleagues have already pled guilty to similar charges and are cooperating with authorities. He could certainly put together a deal that includes a guilty plea before a trial ever begins.
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The losses keep stacking up for Tesla – this time after an accident involving one of their vehicles has left two adults and two children in critical condition in California.
No word yet on what caused the vehicle to fall off a 250 foot cliff called the Devil’s Slide, just outside San Francisco.
MEANWHILE: Likely unrelated to the crash, Tesla’s stock lost more than 12% on Tuesday, closing at $108.10. Just 14 months ago, it peaked over $400 a share.
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After a string of Christmas holiday flight cancellations left thousands of Southwest passengers stranded, the airline is facing up to $700 million in refunds to customers, CNBC reports.
The company’s leadership has promised to reimburse those who missed their flights because of cancellations during an already complicated time of year. CEO BOB JORDAN also says they’ll invest big into new technology that makes internal management more efficient.
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An Indiana man is stranded in Mexico after catching covid on a Caribbean cruise, then having a stroke and contracting pneumonia.
Louisville CBS affiliate WLKY reports the man – named Ray Rice, who owns a country radio station in Scottsburg, Indiana – was on the cruise with his girlfriend when they both fell ill. Rice has been non-communicative as his family in the states scrambles to try to get him back home.
Rice reportedly has no health insurance, so American hospitals won’t accept him as a patient without a huge deposit – in one case, a Miami hospital wanted $250,000 down – even though the family has lined up the $25,000 to pay for a medical airlift out of Mexico. That’s on top of the $24,000 the family owes to the hospital in Mexico.
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Wildlife conservationists successfully rescued more than 300 turtles that were cold-shocked amid frigid temperatures sweeping the country last week near Corpus Christi, Texas. When temperatures drop to such low temperatures, the animals become unable to move or regulate their body temperatures, which can cause them to drown.
After taking the turtles to animal rehabilitation facilities, they were carefully returned to their homes at sea.
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BY THE NUMBERS
📈 The Dow lost 10 points (0.033%) to close at 33,136 on Tuesday. The S&P lost 15 points (0.40%) to close at 3,824 while the Nasdaq lost 79 points (0.76%) to close at 10,386.
🛢 West Texas Intermediate dropped back under $80 on Tuesday, closing at $76. Brent Crude closed at $82.
⛽ The national average price of a gas was $3.22.
₿ Bitcoin was mostly flat Tuesday, trading under $16,700.
🛩 There were more than 5,550 flights delayed within, into or out of the United States on Tuesday and 572 such cancellations.
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CHARTS
Top 5 Fiction & Nonfiction Books Currently on the New York Times Best Sellers List:
FICTION:
“It Starts With Us,” Colleen Hoover
“It Ends With Us,” Colleen Hoover
“Lessons In Chemistry,” Bonnie Garmus
“Verity,” Colleen Hoover
“The Boys From Biloxi,” John Grisham
NON-FICTION
“The Light We Carry,” Michelle Obama
“I’m Glad My Mom Died,” Jennette McCurdy
“Friends, Lovers And The Big Terrible Thing,” Matthew Perry
“Surrender,” Bono
“The Body Keeps the Score,” Bessel van der Kolk
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DEATHS
Motorsport enthusiast KEN BLOCK has died.
According to a statement from his clothing company Hoonigan Industries, he passed away in a snowmobiling accident over the weekend.
He was 55.
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Former Jacksonville Jaguar UCHE NWANERI has died.
He passed away early Monday morning at his home in West Lafayette, Indiana. Preliminary autopsy results suggest that he may have suffered a heart attack, though they are still waiting for toxicology results.
He was only 38.
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SICK BAY
UPDATE: The Buffalo Bills said Tuesday afternoon that safety DAMAR HAMLIN remains in the ICU in critical condition after suffering cardiac arrest during Monday night’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals. His family also released a statement, thanking fans for the “outpouring of support” they have received.
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UPDATE: Actor JEREMY RENNER underwent surgery late Monday for blunt chest trauma and orthopedic injuries he sustained after being run over by his Snowcat snow plow on Sunday morning, his rep said. He remains in the ICU in critical but stable condition.
During a press conference on Tuesday, officers said that Renner was helping a family member get their vehicle out of the snow when the plow started to roll. Renner attempted to get back inside and got run over in the process. Investigators are looking into whether there was a malfunction that caused the machine to roll.
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THE SWAMP
After three rounds of voting, the 118th Congress failed to elect a Speaker on Tuesday and adjourned for the day around 4:00 pm Central.
Before the second vote, even Ohio conservative firebrand JIM JORDAN encouraged his Republican colleagues to back KEVIN MCCARTHY, who had been the Republican minority leader in the House. Instead, the 19 GOP holdouts stuck to their guns.
MEANWHILE: The pandemic ain’t dead in Washington D.C.
Incoming Senators and their guests were required to provide a negative covid test in order to take swearing-in photos with Vice President KAMALA HARRIS.
WORTH NOTING: The White House still requires anyone who comes into close contact with the Vice President or President to take a rapid test within 24 hours of the meeting – regardless of vaccination status.
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Remember when the Biden White House redefined “recession” earlier this year because they didn’t want people to believe with their own eyes that the economy was bad?
Now it appears they might be taking a similar approach to illegal immigration.
The Post Millennial website points out that during Tuesday’s press briefing, White House Media Commissar KARINE JEAN-PIERRE repeatedly said “irregular immigration,” not “illegal immigration.”
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LOTTERY
No winner for Monday night’s Powerball drawing. Tonight’s drawing will be for a $291 million jackpot or a $147.9 million cash payout.
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SHOWBIZ NEWS
A fundraiser started by Buffalo Bills player DAMAR HAMLIN has raised nearly $5 million in the wake of his cardiac arrest during Monday Night Football.
Hamlin started the fund while he was in college at the University of Pittsburgh to support his mother’s daycare, according to The Washington Post.
The initial goal was set at $2500.
WORTH NOTING: One of the most significant donations came from wrestler CHRIS JERICHO for a whopping $10,000.
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Legendary singers DOLLY PARTON and DIONNE WARWICK are working on some music together.
Warwick broke the news on TAMRON HALL’s daytime talk show, explaining that Parton sent her a duet and she couldn’t pass up the opportunity.
The song is a gospel track called “Peace Like a River.”
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Country singer JASON ALDEAN was mercilessly trolled Tuesday after his wife, BRITTANY ALDEAN, posted a photo of DONALD TRUMP kissing her forehead at a New Year’s Eve party at Mar-a-Lago.
“Trump got a good long look down your wife’s chest when he kissed her, “ one person wrote, while another called attention to Jason’s less-than-thrilled expression during the kiss, writing, “That third rate country singer looks pissed and surprised. Hey Jason, he is used to ‘getting what he wants.’ Divorce in 2023?”
It is probably safe to say that the Aldeans, longtime supporters of the former president, are used to the backlash.
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Rocker IGGY POP revealed in a recent interview with The New York Times that he was once asked to join the legendary rock band AC/DC.
Iggy says the band’s former manager told him they were looking for a singer, and thought of him. He explained that he listened to some of their music, but ultimately thought, “I can’t fit that bill.”
Iggy chatted with the publication ahead of the release of his 19th solo album, “Every Loser,” which drops on Friday.
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DANA WHITE and his wife of nearly 30 years, ANNE WHITE, were caught on camera in a tussle at a bar on New Year’s Eve.
The longtime UFC boss and his wife were partying at El Squid Roe in Cabo San Lucas when things got out of hand.
In the clip, shared by TMZ, Dana appeared to whisper something to Anne who then slapped him. He retaliated by slapping her, twice. The two were quickly separated.
In response, Dana told TMZ this week that it was an “unfortunate” situation that he and his wife have both apologized to one another for. He added that his main concern now is their three children.
As of Tuesday evening there had been no response from the UFC regarding the incident.
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Prior to turning himself into prison, reality star TODD CHRISLEY revealed he will sit down for one interview and one interview only, with his son, CHASE CHRISLEY, asking the questions.
Todd shared the news on the latest episode of his “Chrisley Confessions” podcast, explaining that he looks forward to “answering all the hard questions,” including some submitted by fans.
“Nothing is off limits. It’s a no holds bar interview,” he added.
The sit down will occur sometime next week.
Todd and his wife JULIE CHRISLEY are due to report to their respective Florida prisons on January 17. He was sentenced to 16 years and she got 12 for fraud and tax evasion.
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LEONARDO DICAPRIO is living the good life on a luxury yacht in St. Barts.
Paparazzi spotted the actor sunning, swimming and schmoozing with several bikini-clad women on Monday.
It is unknown if he is dating any of them. He has recently been linked to model GIGI HADID and actress VICTORIA LAMAS.
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Fans of the iconic sitcom “Friends” will soon get to enjoy Central Perk coffee at home.
People Magazine reported yesterday that International Delight has teamed up with Warner Bros. to create a new limited-edition coffee creamer.
The flavor, “Friends Manhattan Hazelnut Mocha,” is inspired by the Manhattan Mocha coffee listed on the chalkboard menu outside of Central Perk, the coffee shop featured on the show.
The creamer is currently available at grocery stores nationwide.
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CASTING CALL
“The Addams Family” spinoff, “Wednesday” is keeping its spot on top of Nielsen’s streaming charts.
The Netflix show earned its second week in a row of more than five billion minutes viewed, a milestone that has only been achieved by four other shows.
In total, it has amassed over 11.3 billion viewing minutes across its first two weeks on the streamer, coming in second to only “Stranger Things” which racked up 12.3 billion minutes.
WORTH NOTING: “Wednesday” is only eight 60-minute episodes, while “Stranger Things” had 32 episodes at the time it hit the record.
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Walt Disney is the No. 1 studio at the worldwide box office with $4.9 billion for 2022. It is the seventh year in a row the company has landed the top spot.
Universal is at No. 2 with $3.9 million globally.
WORTH NOTING: The billions were earned by only 16 Disney-backed films.
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THE DAILY KARDASHOPUS
KHLOE KARDASHIAN was mistaken for TAYLOR SWIFT in a recent Instagram post featuring her cover shoot for Sorbet Magazine.
While her famous friends and family members fawned over the look in the comment section, others wrote that they had to do a double-take because of her lightened hair and bangs, which Swift is known for.
Some users also noted how often Khloe seems to change her appearance, with one commenting, “Is this the 12th version of Khloe? I lost count.”
No word on whether Khloe was flattered or offended by the comparison…especially after the years-long feud Swift had with her sister KIM KARDASHIAN.
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WE’LL NEVER BE ROYALS
MEGHAN MARKLE is rumored to be working on her own memoir.
The Mail on Sunday reported Tuesday that Meg is “contemplating getting entirely candid about her time in the Royal limelight -- and leaving no stone unturned.”
The news comes just a week ahead of the release of PRINCE HARRY’s book, “Spare.”
WORTH REMEMBERING: Meg is already a published author. She released a children’s book, titled “The Bench,” last year.
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SPORTS
After postponing the Cincinnati Bengals v. Buffalo Bills game on Monday night following DAMAR HAMLIN’s scary on-field incident, the NFL has announced the game will not resume this week.
Per the league’s Rule Book, the decision regarding emergency situations is left up to the Commissioner -- in this case ROGER GOODELL -- or duly appointed representatives, who discussed the decision with both teams.
This weekend’s games will not be affected by the postponement, the league said in a statement.
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DAY OF THE YEAR
Tom Thumb Day
Perihelion Day
National Spaghetti Day
National Trivia Day
Pop Music Chart Day
World Braille Day
World Hypnotism Day
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ON THIS DATE
1796 - The US Congress recognizes the new republic that formed in France.
The French revolution is considered by some the second republican overthrow of government, modeled after the American Revolution.
Instead of the Bill of Rights and Declaration of Independence, the French people had the Declaration of the Rights of Man. The Americans also managed to avoid public executions by lopping off transgressors' heads.
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1847 - Samuel Colt wins a contract to provide guns to the U.S. government.
He would provide 1,000 .44 caliber revolvers to the nation.
With the capital coming from the government, Colt was able to build facilities that allowed him to mass-produce his weapons, and make them cheap for cowboys, gamblers, and other gunslingers.
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1896 - Utah becomes the 45th state.
In July 1847, 148 Mormon pioneers reached Utah's Valley of the Great Salt Lake. Leader Brigham Young determined the perfect place to begin settling for him and other Mormons, and the pioneers prepared for the thousands of Mormons they expected to have follow them.
Later Young was appointed governor of the Utah territory.
Today the Mormon population is still influential in Utah.
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1965 - President Johnson gives his state of the union address, in which he outlines plans for a "Great Society."
Among the programs were Medicare and Medicaid, Head Start, the Voting Rights Act, the Civil Rights Act, the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the White House Conference on Natural Beauty.
Johnson's plans for regulating air and water standards helped give birth to the EPA shortly after.
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1965 - Poet T.S. Eliot dies of emphysema in London at age 76. Eliot's “The Waste Land,” published in 1922, is considered the single most influential work of poetry of the twentieth century.
In 1948 he was bestowed the Order of Merit by King George VI and in the same year was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature.
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1999 - The Euro is unveiled for use across 11 European nations.
It was designed to help integrate and unite the continent, and build a currency more powerful than the American dollar. On its first day it was successful, closing with a worth of $1.17.
Three years later, it would go into circulation in the 11 countries. Some other smaller territories, who aren't members of the EU, would also adopt the currency, like Monaco and the Vatican City.
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2004 - NASA Rover, Spirit, successfully lands on Mars.
The rover would survey the Red Planet for the next seven years in what is considered one of the longest and most successful missions in NASA history.
It would be joined by its twin, Opportunity, 21 days later.
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2010 - The Burj Khalifa officially opens in Dubai.
Standing at 2,722 feet, the building is the world’s tallest.
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2021 - South Korea records more deaths than births for the first time.
The country holds the title for the world’s lowest birth rate.
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BIRTHDAYS
Victor Wembanyama - basketball player - 19
Jaeden Martell - actor, “It” & “The Book of Henry” - 20
Coco Jones - actress, “Let It Shine” - 25
Emma Mackey - actress, “Sex Education” - 27
Kalin White - R&B singer - 28
Derrick Henry - football player - 29
Kris Bryant - baseball player - 31
Charles Melton - model & actor, “Riverdale” - 32
Labrinth - music producer - 34
James Milner - soccer player - 37
Till Lindemann - metal singer, Rammstein - 60
Tina Knowles - fashion designer & mom of Beyonce - 69
Born On This Date
Peter Steele - metal singer, Type O Negative - 1962 (d. 2010)
Dan Shula - HOF football coach - 1930 (d. 2020)
Louis Braille - inventor of the Braille system - 1809 (d. 1852)
Jacob Grimm - folklorist, “Grimm’s Fairy Tales” - 1785 (d. 1863)
Issac Newton - physicist - 1643 (d. 1727)
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