3/28/2023: Not Your Granddaddy’s U. S. of A.
PLUS: Imminent Population Decline; “Why?; Y; ?; and Harry Heads to London
Today is Tuesday, March 28, 2023.
It is the 87th day of the year.
278 days remain.
WHAT’S ON TAP
Earth4All has released their population predictions and things are changing at Lyft headquarters. More in HIT LIST.
Democrats don’t know who they want to run in 2024. More in THE SWAMP.
ELON MUSK’s daughter gets a name change and a duet from MILEY CYRUS and DOLLY PARTON is banned from a spring concert at a Wisconsin elementary school. More in SHOWBIZ.
JEFF GOLDBLUM confirms he will star in “Wicked” and JON HAMM joins “Mean Girls Musical.” More in CASTING CALL.
###
HIT LIST
First Citizens Bank will buy a good chunk of SILICON VALLEY BANK’s assets, including a $72 billion loan portfolio – which First Citizens bought for $16.5 billion – and $56 billion in remaining customer deposits. Another $90 billion in securities will remain in the FDIC receivership.
According to an FDIC press release, the government spent about $20 billion to backstop customer deposits at SVB.
The 17 branch locations of SVB began operating as First Citizens locations on Monday. [via NYT, FDIC]
###
Advocacy group Earth4All has released a report estimating the trajectory of the human population – and whether development continues at its current pace or governments take draconian steps to control everything, the human population is expected to peak within the next 30 years.
At the current pace of economic development, they estimate the world will reach a population of 8.6 billion by 2050, then decline to 7 billion by 2100.
If governments around the world implement their reforms – green energy, government spending, blah blah blah – the global population peaks in 2040 then drops to 6 billion by 2100.
EITHER WAY: Sounds like bad news for the Paul Ehrlich types who spent the ‘60s and ‘70s fretting over the collapse of civilization because too many people are on planet Earth. In time, everything balances out. [via StudyFinds, Earth4All]
###
Rideshare company LYFT is getting a corporate shakeup: co-founders Logan Green and John Zimmer will step aside from day-to-day leadership of the company on April 17. David Risher – who used to be Amazon’s “head of product” – will take the reins as CEO, though Green and Zimmer will stay on the board. [via The Verge]
MEANWHILE: Disney is implementing the first round of layoffs that the company announced last month, beginning with 7,000 employees getting cut from payroll.
###
If you feel like America isn’t the country you grew up in, you’re not alone. A Wall Street Journal-NORC survey shows drastic changes in attitudes toward ideas and themes that were for a long time quintessentially American ideals.
In the 25 years since 1998, here’s how Americans have shifted their priorities:
In 1998, 70% of Americans said patriotism is very important to them; today just 38% agree.
In 1998, 62% of Americans said religious values – of any denomination – are very important; today just 39% agree.
“Having children” went from a very important priority for 59% of the population to just 30% in 2023.
Over the same time, those who say money is “very important” to them increased from 31% to 43%.
[via WSJ]
###
An analysis of lunar dust returned from a Chinese mission in 2020 reveals abundant water on the Moon – except it’s suspended in tiny glass beads mixed in with all the other dirt.
It would take some new technology and a lot of these little beads to make water on the Moon, but it’s possible. As one of the researchers tells the Associated Press, “Yes, it will require lots and lots of glass beads. On the other hand, there are lots and lots of beads on the moon.”
WORTH NOTING: The planned 2025 manned mission to the moon targets the south pole, where frozen water is believed to exist in impact craters. [via Associated Press]
###
CHARTS
Top 5 Songs on Apple Music:
Morgan Wallen, “Last Night”
Toosii, “Favorite Song”
Morgan Wallen, “Thinkin’ Bout Me”
SZA, “Kill Bill”
SZA, “Snooze”
Top 5 Songs on Spotify:
Ed Sheeran, “Eyes Closed”
Miley Cyrus, “Flowers”
PinkPantheress & Ice Spice, “Boy’s a liar Pt. 2”
The Weeknd & Ariana Grande, “Die For You - Remix”
SZA, “Kill Bill”
###
BREAKUPS
AJ MCLEAN -- of BACKSTREET BOYS fame -- is separating from his wife ROCHELLE DEANNA MCLEAN.
In a statement, the couple said they “have mutually decided to separate temporarily to work on [themselves...] with the hope of building a stronger future.”
The pair tied the knot in 2011. They have two daughters together.
###
“Real Housewives of Miami” star JOANNA KRUPA may soon be single.
TMZ reports that her husband, businessman DOUGLAS NUNES has filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences as the reason. He also states that they separated around January 2.
The couple, who tied the knot in 2018, have one child together, a three-year-old daughter named Asha-Leigh. Doug is seeking joint legal and physical custody of her.
The divorce will be Krupa’s second. She was previously married to restaurateur ROMAIN ZAGO, who starred alongside her on “RHOM.”
###
RELATIONSHIPS
“Bachelor” alum ALEXIS WATERS is engaged!
Her boyfriend of four years, TYLER FERNANDEZ popped the question over the weekend while celebrating Water’s 30th birthday on a yacht in Miami.
Fans of the reality dating show will remember Waters as the girl who dressed up as a shark -- or as she called it, a dolphin -- during NICK VIALL’s time as the Bachelor on Season 21.
###
THE SWAMP
Only one in four Democrats want President JOE BIDEN to run again in 2024, according to a Monmouth poll.
IT GETS WORSE: A majority of Democrats can’t identify a candidate they’d prefer if Biden didn’t run. Only 13% say they’d back Vice President KAMALA HARRIS for the top job. [via Monmouth University]
###
ARRESTWATCH: The grand jury investigating former President DONALD TRUMP left for the day Monday without any decision about an indictment.
###
BY THE NUMBERS
📈 The DOW added 194 points (0.6%) to close at 32,432 on Monday. The S&P added 6 points (0.16%) to close at 3,977 and the NASDAQ lost 55 points (0.47%) to close at 11,768.
🛢 WEST TEXAS INTERMEDIATE closed at $72; BRENT CRUDE at $77.
⛽ The national average price of a GALLON OF GAS was $3.43 on Monday.
₿ BITCOIN lost more than 3% on Monday, trading just over $27,000.
🛩 There were more than 5,900 FLIGHTS delayed within, into, or out of the United States on Monday and more than 254 such cancellations.
💰Tonight’s MEGA MILLIONS drawing will be for a $332 million jackpot or a $174.3 million cash payout.
SHOWBIZ NEWS
ORLANDO BLOOM spent time in Ukraine over the weekend with VOLODYMYR ZELENSKY at the Presidential Palace.
At one point, the actor told Zelensky that “the strength of the Ukrainian people is something that is really awe-inspiring,” while crediting him with “holding the country [together].”
Bloom traveled to the war-torn country as a goodwill ambassador for UNICEF, the United Nations organization that provides international humanitarian aid to children. [via TMZ]
###
KELLY CLARKSON is launching a Las Vegas residency, named after her forthcoming album, “Chemistry.”
The 10-show run is being billed as “an intimate night with Kelly Clarkson.” It kicks off this July at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino’s Bakkt Theater.
As for the set list, she told fans that all their favorites will be included, as well as some of her new music.
Clarkson, 40, has not performed since her 2019 “Meaning of Life Tour.” [via People]
###
EXA, the daughter of GRIMES and ELON MUSK, has a new name.
According to her mom, the 1-year-old now goes by “Y now, or ‘Why?’ or just ‘?’”
Grimes shared that the symbol represents “curiosity, the eternal question…and such.” She noted that the government will not recognize the symbol. [via Page Six]
WORTH REMEMBERING: The couple had to change their son’s name from X AE A-12 to X AE A-XII in order for it to comply with California law.
###
THE BAND PERRY is taking a “creative break.”
Siblings KIMBERLY, REID and NEIL PERRY, announced Monday that they are taking some time away to “focus on individual creative pursuits.”
The country music trio released their debut album, “The Band Perry,” in 2010, followed by “Pioneer” in 2013. The last time they performed together was in 2019. [via Entertainment Tonight]
###
JEREMY RENNER continues to heal after being run over by his snowplow in January.
The actor shared a video to Instagram showing him taking some steps on an anti-gravity treadmill.
As previously reported, Renner was airlifted to the hospital after being crushed by his 1,400 pound PistenBully snow plow. He suffered blunt chest trauma and orthopedic injuries, including 30 broken bones.
The actor has continued to update fans on his journey to recovery. [via Deadline]
###
DOLLY PARTON and MILEY CYRUS’ 2017 song “Rainbowland” has been axed from a spring concert at a Waukesha, Wisconsin school over its alleged message of support of the LGBTQ community.
According to the parent of a first grader at the school, the song was removed because the district “has really cracked down on anything LGBTQ.”
“All that Miley and Dolly are saying is that they want to live in a world that is accepting, with no judgment and where people can be who they want to be,” the parent continued.
Kermit the Frog’s “Rainbow Connection” was also taken out of the set list, but was later reinstated after several complaints, according to the parent. [via Entertainment Tonight]
###
CASTING CALL
JEFF GOLDBLUM confirmed to JIMMY KIMMEL that he will star in the upcoming adaptation of Broadway’s “Wicked.”
While he did not share details about his role, Goldblum did praise “the witches,” played by CYNTHIA ERIVO and ARIANA GRANDE.
The adaptation is being divided into two movies with the first set to be released in November 2024. The second part will debut the following year. [via Hollywood Reporter]
###
JON HAMM will take on the role of Coach Carr in the upcoming “Mean Girls Musical.”
Those who have seen the original film will recall Carr is the gym coach/incompetent sex-ed teacher, played by DWAYNE HILL.
“Mean Girls” follows Cady Heron, who moves from Africa to an Illinois suburb and must tackle the social hierarchy of high school. [via Hollywood Reporter]
###
Disney’s “The Aristocats” is getting a live-action remake.
According to People Magazine, musician QUESTLOVE will direct a remake of the 1970 animated flick.
Questlove is no stranger to working on a movie set. Last year he won an Oscar for his film “Summer of Soul.”
Several other Disney films have gotten the live-action treatment, including “Peter Pan and Wendy,” “The Little Mermaid,” “Snow White,” “Mufasa: The Lion King” prequel, “Hercules,” and “Lilo & Stitch.” [via People]
###
CHANEL WEST COAST, whose real name is Chelsea Chanel Dudley, is leaving “Ridiculousness” after 12 years on the MTV show.
Insiders told People Magazine that the 34-year-old has signed a deal with Paramount to develop new unscripted series and other unscripted projects.
Dudley co-hosted the viral clip show alongside ROB DYRDEK and STERLING “Steelo” BRIM for 30 seasons. [via People]
###
THE DAILY KARDASHOPUS
A teaser for Season 3 of Hulu’s “The Kardashians” dropped yesterday.
In the clip, SCOTT DISICK tells the camera he has “never seen this much drama” in his life.
WORTH REMEMBERING: At the end of last season, KHLOE KARDASHIAN had just welcomed her second child, a son, with TRISTAN THOMPSON.
Season 3 premieres on May 25. [via E! News]
###
WE’LL NEVER BE ROYALS
PRINCE HARRY made a surprise trip to the UK to attend the first hearing in the high profile case against major British newsgroup, the Associated Newspapers.
Joining the royal was singer ELTON JOHN, his husband, filmmaker DAVID FURNISH, and actors ELIZABETH HURLEY and SADIE FROST, who all claim to have been victims of breaches of privacy by the news organization. Examples of such breaches being levied against the Associated Newspaper include: listening devices in cars and homes, commissioning the bugging of live, private phone calls, payments to police officials for sensitive information and impersonating individuals to obtain medical records.
Associated Newspapers, who publishes the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday and the Mail Online, have denied the allegations. [via Reuters]
MEANWHILE: Harry is not expected to see his dad KING CHARLES or brother PRINCE WILLIAM while he is in town.
###
DAY OF THE YEAR
National Something On a Stick Day
Respect Your Cat Day
National Black Forest Cake Day
National Weed Appreciation Day
###
ON THIS DATE
1774 - British Parliament enacts the Coercive Acts against the Massachusetts colony.
The four acts were passed in response to the Boston Tea Party and other blatant acts of destruction of British property by American colonists.
The Coercive acts included:
The Boston Port Act, which closed the port of Boston until damages from the Boston Tea Party were paid.
The Massachusetts Government Act, which restricted democratic town meetings and turned the governor’s council into an appointed body.
The Administration of Justice Act, which made British officials immune to criminal prosecution in Massachusetts.
The Quartering Act, which required colonists to house and quarter British troops on demand.
The plan backfired, and instead of the other colonies cutting off Boston, they rushed to Boston’s defense. The Quartering Act in particular eventually led to specific Constitutional language barring such an action in the future.
###
1797 - The first US patent — titled “Clothes Washing” — is granted to Nathaniel Briggs of New Hampshire.
The patent covered a device known as the Box Mangler. It consisted of a heavy frame containing a large box filled with rocks, resting on a series of long wooden rollers.
Dirty textiles were laid flat on a sheet and wound around one of the rollers. Two people then pulled on levers to move the heavy box back and forth over the rollers.
###
1799 - New York State abolishes slavery.
As part of the new law, any child born to a slave after July 4, 1799 was legally free. Children born before July 4 were considered indentured servants.
Prior to this, 43% of all households in New York owned slaves.
###
1881 - The “Greatest Show On Earth” is formed by P. T. Barnum and James Anthony Bailey.
It was described by the men as “a show that was truly immense, and combined all the elements of museum, menagerie, variety performance, concert hall and circus.”
The program would eventually turn into Barnum and Bailey’s Circus.
###
1885 - The US Salvation Army is formed.
It began in England by William Booth in 1865 and was originally named the Christian Mission. The goal was to help the poor, drunk, outcast, and wretched of London’s East End slums.
###
1930 - Turkish cities Constantinople and Angora change their names to Istanbul and Ankara.
In the case of Istanbul, local Muslims had colloquially used that name for centuries for Constantinople. By some accounts, beginning in the 13th century, local residents heard Byzantine visitors and invaders use the phrase “eis ten polin” to describe the area — which is a rough Greek translation for “in the city.” That turned into the Arabic-sounding “Istinpolin,” Anglocized as “Istanbul.”
###
1990 - President George H.W. Bush posthumously awards Olympic athlete Jesse Owens the Congressional Gold Medal.
Owens was a track and field athlete who won four gold medals at the 1936 Olympic Games.
Owens died at the age of 66 from lung cancer.
###
2009 - The first cases of H1N1 swine flu are reported in the US.
The WHO would eventually classify the outbreak as a pandemic.
Over 284,000 people would die from the virus.
###
2020 - President Trump makes a grim prediction that over 240,000 Americans could die from COVID-19, even with restrictions in place.
The first case of the virus in the US was documented two months prior.
###
BIRTHDAYS
Derek Carr - football player - 32
Laura Harrier - actress, “Spider-Man: Homecoming” & “BlacKkKlansman” - 33
Lacey Turner - actress, “EastEnders” - 35
Jonathan van Ness - reality star, “Queer Eye” - 36
Lady Gaga - pop singer - 37
Julia Stiles - actress, “Save the Last Dance” & “10 Things I Hate About You” - 42
Shanna Moakler - model, actress & former Miss USA 1995 - 48
Kate Gosselin - reality star, “Jon & Kate Plus 8” - 48
Vince Vaughn - actor, “Wedding Crashers” & “Old School” - 53
Cheryl “Salt” James - rapper, Salt-N-Pepa - 57
Reba McEntire - country singer - 68
Rick Barry - basketball player - 79
Born On This Date
Annie Wersching - actress, “General Hospital” & “24” - 1977 (d. 2023)
Umaga - wrestler - 1973 (d. 2009)
Frederick Pabst - German-American brewer, Pabst Brewing Company - 1836 (d. 1904)
###