Today is Monday, March 3, 2025.
It is the 62nd day of the year.
303 days remain.
WHAT’S ON TAP
NOTABLE & NOTEWORTHY: Another milestone in the private space race.
An eerie reading for GAYLE KING and a health warning for daily pot smokers in SHOWBIZ.
PAT MCAFEE stands up against booing of the U.S. national anthem and JAMES GUNN shuts down casting rumors. Details in CASTING CALL.
MEGHAN MARKLE squeezes in some more self-promotion in ROYALS.
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A private space company has successfully put a lander on the Moon.
FIREFLY AEROSPACE launched its Blue Ghost lander on a SPACEX rocket on January 15.
Beyond the technical milestone of making it to the lunar surface, the lander will specifically study moon dust and Earth’s magnetic field using an X-ray telescope.
Last year, two landers made it to the Moon, one from Japan’s space agency and another from a private American company. While both successfully landed, both also tipped over, limiting their ability to perform experiments and transmit data. [via New York Times]
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The US Department of Agriculture has announced plans to combat the ever-increasing cost of eggs.
About $500 MILLION will go toward implementing “biosecurity” measures to prevent the spread of bird flu at massive farming facilities. Another $400 MILLION will go to financial assistance for farmers who lost their flocks as a result of bird flu. And another $100 MILLION will go toward vaccine research to stop the spread of future outbreaks.
Beyond direct spending, USDA is pursuing temporary import options to boost the supply of eggs and reducing regulations that increase their cost where possible. [via USDA]
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Archeologists in Pompeii recently discovered massive paintings with almost life-size depictions of rituals connected to the Greek god Dionysus, the patron of fertility, theater, and religious ecstasy. The frescoes show female followers of Dionysus dancing and hunting in parts; elsewhere, human-animal creatures are depicted playing music during a wine sacrifice.
The works appear at the site of what is believed to have been a banquet hall. Italy’s culture minister said of the find, “In 100 years’ time, today will be remembered as historic because the discovery we are presenting is historic.”
Pompeii continues to be a site full of discoveries, nearly two millennia after it was buried in ash following the explosion of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. [via New York Post]
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The Lieutenant Governor of Texas, DAN PATRICK, wants to change the name of a New York Strip steak, for the very simple reason that the cattle responsible for the cut prominently come from his state.
The “New York Strip” name reportedly came from a Big Apple favorite in the 1830s, Delmonico’s. The steakhouse’s signature dish was a strip steak cut from the short loin. As time wore on, this cut became synonymous with New York City. While New York State certainly raises cows, those are mostly for dairy.
Patrick says he’s working with the state legislature to introduce a resolution calling on all restaurants and grocery stores in the state to voluntarily rename any “New York Strip” offerings to “Texas Strip.” In an online post, Patrick says, “We want this to catch on across the country and around the globe.”
He concludes, “After session ends this summer, I might take a short cruise across the Gulf of America and have a juicy medium-rare Texas Strip.” [via Dan Patrick]
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More than 2,460 people participated in the polar bear dip at Most Lake in northwest Czech Republic, setting a new world record.
For the record, swimmers have to wear bathing suits, go at least waist-deep into the water, and stay in for at least a minute. The water temperature for Saturday’s dip was around 38 degrees Fahrenheit.
According to Guinness World Records, the previous record was 1,799 participants who took part in the polar bear dip in the Baltic Sea off the coast of Mielno, Poland on February 15, 2015. [via AP]
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DEATHS
NEW YORK DOLLS frontman DAVID JOHANSEN has died.
He passed away Friday at his home in Staten Island, according to a statement from his family. While a cause of death was not shared, Johansen had been battling Stage 4 cancer for the past 10 years.
He was 75.
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WEEKEND BOX OFFICE
10. Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX: Beginning: $916k (new)
9. One of Them Days: $925k (up from 10)
8. The Unbreakable Boy: $1.2 million (up from 9)
7. Heart Eyes: $1.3 million (down from 6)
6. Mufasa: The Lion King: $1.9 million (up from 8)
5. Dog Man: $4.2 million (down from 4)
4. Paddington in Peru: $4.5 million (down from 3)
3. The Monkey: $6.3 million (down from 2)
2. Last Breath: $7.8 million (new)
1. Captain America: Brave New World: $15 million (stayed at 1)
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THE SWAMP
President of Ukraine VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY didn’t leave Washington, DC on Friday with a signed deal to share profits from mining in his country with the United States.
The deal blew up in spectacular fashion, with cameras rolling, after a heated back-and-forth including Zelensky, PRESIDENT TRUMP, and Vice President JD VANCE. After about 40 minutes of pleasantries, Zelensky suggested that Russian leader VLADIMIR PUTIN would not agree to any ceasefire terms and that keeping the war in Ukraine was the only thing stopping Russia from taking military action against the United States.
That seemed to be the final straw for Trump, who shouted down Zelensky and eventually shut down the live verbal altercation for the reporters and cameras in the room.
Since then, Zelensky has received public support from multiple European leaders. Over the weekend, UK Prime Minister KEIR STARMER openly suggested that his support for Ukraine could include British troops on the ground and planes in the air.
Bloomberg reports that Trump wants a public apology from Zelensky before continuing any negotiations. The admin maintains that Zelensky is not serious about establishing a peace deal and that he’s welcome to return to bring the war to an end, not continue fighting it.
ALSO IN THE SWAMP:
– CBS News reports that border encounters in February hit the lowest number in 25 years. Border Patrol apprehended 8,450 last month. By comparison, it was not uncommon for such apprehensions to exceed 8,000 in a single day under former failed President JOE BIDEN.
– Trump announced plans to create a strategic cryptocurrency reserve ahead of a White House “crypto summit” planned for March 7.
– Trump signed an Executive Order making English the official language of the United States, ending a Clinton-era rule for the government and its agencies.
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BY THE NUMBERS
📈 The DOW increased 601 points (1.39%) to close at 43,840 on Friday. The S&P increased 92 points (1.59%) to close at 5,954 and the NASDAQ increased 302 points (1.63%) to close at 18,847.
🛢 WEST TEXAS INTERMEDIATE closed at $70 on FridayBRENT CRUDE at $73.
⛽ The national average price of a GALLON OF GAS was $3.09 on Sunday.
₿ BITCOIN gained on the news of the strategic crypto reserve, up over 10% from last week’s lows and trading over $93k.
💰Tuesday night’s MEGA MILLIONS drawing will be for a $215 million jackpot or a $100.9 million cash payout. Tonight’s POWERBALL drawing will be for a $279 million jackpot or a $131.5 million cash payout.
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SHOWBIZ NEWS
Before getting to the winners list, some notable odds and ends from last night’s Academy Awards:
– After spending weeks promoting itself as the streaming home of the Oscars, HULU had widespread trouble with the live feed of the broadcast.
– HARRISON FORD had to bow out from presenting after receiving a shingles diagnosis.
– NICK OFFERMAN was the in-house announcer for the first time, taking over for DAVID ALAN GRIER. The first-ever Academy member to perform PA duties was RONALD REAGAN – in 1953.
– Ahead of the show, rumors swirled that KAMALA HARRIS would show up, especially after increased security precautions, but she ended up staying home. Her husband showed her prepping a bowl of Doritos, the very normal and totally relatable former veep’s favorite campaign snack.
– In accepting his Best Actor award, ADRIEN BRODY went very long in his acceptance speech, and even when the orchestra started to play him off, he told them to cut the music off – and they did!
– “Anora” was the sleeper success of the night, taking home five Oscars. Writer, director, and editor SEAN BAKER won in each of those categories. MIKEY MADISON took home the best actress award; and the film won Best Picture.
Otherwise, CONAN O’BRIEN hosted the evening’s program. The winners are:
BEST PICTURE: “Anora”
ACTRESS: Mikey Madison, “Anora”
ACTOR: Adrien Brody, “The Brutalist”
SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Zoe Saldaña, “Emilia Pérez”
SUPPORTING ACTOR: Kieran Culkin, “A Real Pain”
DIRECTOR: “Anora”
ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY: “Anora”
ADAPTED SCREENPLAY: “Conclave”
ORIGINAL SONG: “El Mal” from “Emilia Pérez”
SCORE: “The Brutalist”
CINEMATOGRAPHY: “The Brutalist”
VISUAL EFFECTS: “Dune: Part Two”
FILM EDITING: “Anora”
SOUND: “Dune: Part Two”
PRODUCTION DESIGN: “Wicked”
COSTUME DESIGN: “Wicked”
MAKEUP & HAIRSTYLING: “The Substance”
LIVE ACTION SHORT: “I’m Not a Robot”
DOCUMENTARY SHORT: “The Only Girl in the Orchestra”
DOCUMENTARY FEATURE: “No Other Land”
ANIMATED FEATURE: “Flow”
ANIMATED SHORT: “In the Shadow of the Cypress”
INTERNATIONAL FEATURE: “I’m Still Here,” Brazil
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A Los Angeles-based astrologer is warning GAYLE KING against going on the recently announced all-women Blue Origin flight this spring.
“...her gut is telling her not to go, and I’m telling her not to go,” astrologer Ashley Sipes says in part on a recent TikTok video, in which she shows a diagram of Kings’ transit chart, noting the trip could be dangerous.
“I’m not saying something terrible or tragic is going to happen, but this just doesn’t feel right to me,” she continues. [via @astroa3h]
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Actor DAVID KRUMHOLTZ says he developed a rare condition from smoking too much pot.
After a “long break” from using marijuana, Krumholtz says he started smoking again and soon became a “daily smoker,” which led to his diagnosis of cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS). According to Cedars-Sinai, CHS “leads to repeated and severe bouts of vomiting,” and is most common in “daily long-term users of marijuana.”
“I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy. I almost died a couple of times” he told Page Six.
Since the near-death experiences, Krumholtz says he no longer uses the drug. [via Page Six]
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Designer RACHEL ZOE wants other parents to be aware of the dangers of E-bikes – bicycles that can also be powered with a small electric motor – after her 14-year-old son suffered a “badly lacerated kidney” while riding one.
"For any parent deciding if they should get a f---ing E-BIKE for their child DO NOT," she wrote over a photo of her son in a hospital bed. "I DID NOT and I am a hard no but Sky was on one and been in ER for 9 hours... whoever is being begged by a child to get one HARD NO."
Details of what led to his injuries are not known. [via People]
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A 1948 JACKIE ROBINSON Leaf card is hitting the auction block.
Heritage Auction has acquired one of only eight cards that has received a “superior assessment,” and expects it could fetch over $400,000.
The card features Robinson on the front wearing his Brooklyn Dodgers cap. On the back is his bio, including being the “First Negro player in modern organized baseball.” [via TMZ]
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JOHNNY MANZIEL’s mom Michelle was arrested over the weekend for DWI.
Exact details are not yet known, other than that the arrest took place Saturday night in Kerrville, Texas, and Michelle has already bonded out. [via Daily Mail]
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YE’s Cody, Wyoming ranches are still on the market, and racking up some serious debt.
First up, a 3,888-acre plot he purchased in 2019 for around $8 million and named West Lake Ranch. The property was put on the market in October 2021 with an asking price of $11 million. There is more than $12,200 owed in back property taxes -- from just last year alone.
The other property, located just 80 miles away, is 6,713 acres, and was purchased by Ye just months after the first for around $14.5 million. The spot is reportedly where the rapper found solitude following his divorce from KIM KARDASHIAN. It’s also where he created his “Donda” album, which was released in August 2021. There is more than $78,500 owed in taxes from recent years.
MEANWHILE: Ye and BIANCA CENSORI still appear to be together, and are reportedly hunkered down at the Four Seasons in Beverly Hills, despite recently purchasing a $35 million home nearby. [via The Sun]
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CASTING CALL
PAT MCAFEE didn’t hold back after the U.S. national anthem was booed at the Rogers Centre in Toronto, ahead of the WWE’s “Elimination Chamber” event.
Sitting alongside fellow commentators MICHAEL COLE and WADE BARRETT, McAfee jumped out of his chair, looked directly into the camera, and yelled, “This is the most stacked Elimination Chamber that the WWE has ever had. Kinda sucks that it’s in the terrible country of Canada…”
This of course follows the booing that transpired at the USA vs. Canada hockey game during the 4 Nations Face-Off. [via TMZ]
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No, DANIEL RADCLIFFE will not voice Clayface in the forthcoming movie about the comic book character.
DC Studios boss JAMES GUNN shut down the rumors in a Threads post, writing, “Daniel is great but we certainly haven’t talked to or considered him. So this one is 100% false.”
The shape-shifting creature made of clay was introduced in 1940 as one of the earliest Batman antagonists, appearing as various iterations across several live-action and animated projects. Plot details for the new film are being kept under wraps, but Gunn previously noted it would be R-rated. [via EW]
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NICHOLAS SPARKS’ “A Walk to Remember” is getting a movie remake.
The story, first introduced in Sparks’ 1999 book, follows a quiet, religious girl and a rebellious teenage boy. It was adapted into a film in 2002.
MANDY MOORE and SHANE WEST starred. No word on whether they will be involved in the new version. [via Southern Living]
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Disney is gearing up for the release of the live-action “Snow White” with some limited-edition dolls from Mattel.
Based on the characters Snow White, played by RACHEL ZEGLER, and the Evil Queen, played by GAL GADOT, the fully posable dolls will come in collector’s edition packaging and sell for $75.
“Snow White” premieres on March 21. [via THR]
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WE’LL NEVER BE ROYALS
TOMORROW: The world finally gets access to MEGHAN MARKLE’s cooking and hosting tips with the release of her show, “With Love, Meghan,” on Netflix.
Ahead of the premiere, Meg shared some candid scenes from her home over the weekend, featuring tennis pro SERENA WILLIAMS playing with her daughter LILIBET. The snaps show Williams playing the board game CandyLand with Lilibet.
Never missing a moment for shameless self promotion, Markle included a graphic on the reel, with the caption, “3 days until the party begins. All are invited,” referencing tomorrow’s premiere. [via New York Post]
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DAY OF THE YEAR
National Anthem Day
World Hearing Day
World Wildlife Day
World Birth Defects Day
What If Cats and Dogs Had Opposable Thumbs Day
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ON THIS DATE
1873 - Congress enacts the Comstock Act.
This law extended obscenity laws, prohibiting the distribution of obscenities by mail.
One of these obscenities included contraceptive devices and information about abortion.
The law is still on the books, but the test of what qualifies as obscene remains up to the courts.
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1923 - The first issue of Time Magazine hits newsstands.
It was the first weekly newsmagazine in the United States, marketed as an easy-to-read summary of news and events from the week, plus commentary.
Time remains in print today, with European and Asian spinoffs.
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1931 - Congress passes a resolution making “The Star-Spangled Banner” the national anthem.
The lyrics came from a poem written by Francis Scott Key, describing the attack on Fort McHenry by the British navy during the War of 1812.
Before that, “My Country ’Tis of Thee,” was an unofficial national song frequently sung at large public events and gatherings.
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1938 - The world’s fastest steam-powered locomotive is completed.
The Mallard was built by London and North Eastern Railway in Doncaster, England. The record-setting test run happened four months later, on July 3.
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1969 - Apollo 9 launches from Kennedy Space Center.
The mission is the first to feature the complete Apollo spacecraft, including the Lunar Module. The crew didn’t leave the earth’s orbit, testing docking and undocking maneuvers essential to a complete moon-landing mission.
The crew would safely splash down on March 13.
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1991 - Los Angeles police officers severely beat motorist Rodney King.
The incident was caught on amateur video, which later led to riots after the officers were acquitted.
The rioting lasted six days with 63 deaths and 2,383 injured.
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2005 - Steve Fossett completes the first nonstop, unrefueled, solo airplane flight around the world.
For the flight, Fossett piloted a specially designed craft with a carbon-composite airframe and a single Williams jet engine.
He took off from Saline, Kansas and headed east returning to Saline 67 hours and 2 minutes later, after flying 25,000 miles.
He would make the flight again a year later.
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2019 - SpaceX’s Dragon capsule successfully docks at the International Space Station during its demonstration run.
The commercially-developed, uncrewed space capsule arrived at the orbiting lab after completing a one-day rendezvous in Earth’s orbit, following its launch from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida
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BIRTHDAYS
Thomas Barbusca - actor, “The Mick” - 22
Jayson Tatum - basketball player - 27
Camila Cabello - pop singer - 28
Jessica Biel - actress, “7th Heaven” & “Summer Catch” - 43
Buddy Valastro - chef, “Cake Boss” - 48
Ronan Keating - pop singer - 48
Julie Bowen - actress, “Modern Family” - 55
Tone Loc - rapper - 59
Laura Harring - Miss USA & actress, “Mulholland Drive” - 61
Jackie Joyner-Kersee - Olympic track & field athlete - 63
Herschel Walker - HOF football player - 63
Mary Page Keller - actress, “Ryan’s Hope” - 64
John Lilley - guitarist, The Hooters - 71
Gene Bess - HOF all-time winningest college basketball coach - 90
Born On This Date
Jean Harlow - actress, “Dinner at 8” & “Bombshell” - 1911 (d. 1937)
Alexander Graham Bell - scientist & inventor, telephone - 1847 (d. 1922)
Georg Cantor - discovered transfinite numbers - 1845 (d. 1918)
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