3/8/2023: Booze Ban Hits the Tracks
Discover more from Morning Martini
3/8/2023: Booze Ban Hits the Tracks
PLUS: Oat Milk Chocolate Bars; Kim’s Filter-less Photo; and Fergie Does the Oscars
Today is Wednesday, March 8, 2023.
It is the 67th day of the year.
298 days remain.
WHAT’S ON TAP
A new pull-up record has been set and Japan falls behind in the Space Race. More in HIT LIST.
BIDEN’s FCC nominee drops out and he still wants to tax the rich. More in SWAMP.
“Boy Meets World” star announces his political run and TOM BRADY enjoys his new yacht. More in SHOWBIZ.
“Ted Lasso” really is ending with Season 3 and “Avatar: The Way of Water” will be streamable this month. More in CASTING CALL.
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HIT LIST
Convicted murder ALEX MURDAUGH’s brother is already throwing him under the bus.
In an interview to the New York Times, Randy Murdaugh says this about his brother’s court testimony: “He’s not telling the truth, in my opinion, about everything there.” He added that after the trial, he hoped that he’d be able to shake that feeling, but that’s not so far been the case. [via New York Times]
NEXT: Murdaugh faces 99 criminal charges connected to 19 separate indictments for stealing nearly $9 million from his firm and clients over recent years.
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The Hershey Company is getting into the dairy-free chocolate game: it’s rolling out a version of its original chocolate bar, called “Hershey’s Plant-Based Extra Creamy with Almonds,” and a spin on the Reese’s peanut butter cup.
The chocolate in the candy is made with dairy alternatives, particularly oat milk.
The dairy-free Reese’s will hit shelves by the end of the month; and the Hershey bar in April. [via Vegconomist]
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Australian Jackson Italiano has smashed the record for most pull-ups in a 24 hour period, knocking out 8,008.
He completed the feat in just over 23 hours – after which he had to throw in the towel; he said his body just couldn’t do any more. The previous record was 7,715.
Italiano originally wanted to raise $1 (AUD) per pull-up for a dementia charity. He ultimately did better than that, bringing in nearly $8,800 AUD. [via Guinness World Records]
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A new law in New Hampshire is making for a weird bar service on the Amtrak Downeaster lines that runs from Brunswick, Maine, to Boston.
The New Hampshire Liquor Commission has instituted a regulation that outlaws the sale of alcohol that isn’t purchased within the state. That means that for the 35-mile stretch through New Hampshire, riders won’t be able to buy any booze or beer, since the train’s food and beverage service loads up in Maine.
WORTH NOTING: The Associated Press points out that it’s a popular line for bringing sports fans from across New England into Boston for concerts and events at TD Garden. The new regulation could put a damper on pregaming plans for the most enthusiastic fans.
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Japan’s hopes of competing in the New Space Race have been dashed for the moment, after its new, 187-foot-tall, H3 rocket failed to ignite its second-stage engines after reaching orbit.
Mission control then detonated the entire rocket and they’re investigating what went wrong. The failure comes just weeks after a preemptive abort of the same mission. [via NBC News]
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CHARTS
Top 5 Fiction & Nonfiction Books Currently on the New York Times Best Sellers List:
FICTION:
“Things We Hide From the Light,” Lucy Score
“It Starts With Us,” Colleen Hoover
“It Ends With Us,” Colleen Hoover
“Lessons in Chemistry,” Bonnie Garmus
“Burner,” Mark Greaney
NON-FICTION
“Spare,” Prince Harry
“It’s Ok To Be Angry About Capitalism,” Bernie Sanders with John Nichols
“The Body Keeps the Score,” Bessel van der Kolk
“I’m Glad My Mom Died,” Jennette McCurdy
“The Light We Carry,” Michelle Obama
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THE SWAMP
More than halfway through his term, President JOE BIDEN’s nomination to head the Federal Communications Commission has withdrawn from consideration.
Cable and internet industry lobbyists have been driving a bruising campaign to defeat GIGI SOHN’s Senate confirmation since she was first nominated in December 2021. [via Washington Post]
WORTH REMEMBERING: During multiple hearings, Senators brought to light Sohn’s history as a vocal liberal partisan, and questioned her ability to impartially regulate an increasingly partisan internet and media landscape.
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President JOE BIDEN wants to make good on another campaign promise: raising the taxes of people who earn more than $400,000 a year.
In an editorial published in the New York Times, Biden says his budget asks “the wealthiest to pay just a little bit more of their fair share, to strengthen Medicare for everyone over the long term” [emphasis added]. [via Reuters]
WORTH NOTING: Under the Trump-era tax cuts, the federal government has seen record revenues. There already is more than enough money. The government is just a terrible steward of it. Biden’s tax law is about nothing more than punishing wealth and prosperity.
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BY THE NUMBERS
📈 The DOW lost 574 points (1.72%) on Tuesday to close at 32,856. The S&P lost 62 points (1.53%) to close at 3,986 and the NASDAQ lost 145 points (1.25%) to close at 11,530.
🛢 WEST TEXAS INTERMEDIATE slid to $77; BRENT CRUDE to $83.
⛽ The national average price of a GALLON OF GAS was $3.41 on Tuesday.
₿ BITCOIN slid over 1.3%, falling below $22,100.
🛩 There were more than 2,325 FLIGHTS delayed within, into, or out of the United States on Tuesday and more than 100 such cancellations.
💰Tonight’s POWERBALL drawing will be for a $31 million jackpot or a $15.8 million cash payout.
SHOWBIZ NEWS
Actor BEN SAVAGE has officially launched his campaign bid for California’s 30th District seat.
In an instagram post announcing his political run, the “Boy Meets World” star vowed to “restore faith in government.”
The seat is currently held by democrat ADAM SCHIFF.
Savage unsuccessfully ran for a seat on the West Hollywood City Council last year. [via NY Post]
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CHER, 76, is working on some new music with her boyfriend, music producer ALEXANDER “A.E.” EDWARDS, 36.
“I’m going to England to make two albums,” she told E! News. “[Edwards] is a producer and a writer and he does everything, so I’m happy about that.”
Cher also said she is getting herself in shape for a tour later this year. [via E! News]
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TAYLOR SWIFT and PINK will be honored at the 2023 iHeartRadio Awards for their impact on pop culture.
Swift will receive the iHeartRadio Innovator award, which recognizes her decades-long career and artistic influence. Pink will be honored with the Icon award for her impact on “pop culture, longevity and continued relevance as a touring and radio force with a loyal fan base,” according to a statement from iHeart.
Pink will also be performing at the award show, which is set to air on March 27. [via Variety]
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Comedian MIKE EPPS is being investigated for bringing a loaded handgun in his carry-on luggage.
According to TMZ, TSA agents found the weapon while he was going through a checkpoint at the Indianapolis Airport on Sunday. Epps, who was in town for a show, told officers he forgot the piece was in his bag.
The incident has been forwarded to county prosecutors to determine if charges should be filed. [via TMZ]
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DREW BARRYMORE says that her drinking got so bad following her divorce from WILL KOPELMAN that her therapist quit.
Speaking to the Los Angeles Times, the actress said she turned to the bottle to cope with the end of her marriage, which led her to seek professional help from therapist Barry Michels. All was going well until her drinking became too much and he dropped her as a patient.
“He just said, ‘I can’t do this anymore,” she told the outlet.
Despite the therapist and her friends calling out her drinking problem, Barrymore said it wasn’t until years later that she was able to see the issue for herself, at which point Michels agreed to take her on as a patient again. [via LA Times]
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TOM BRADY was spotted enjoying his new 77-foot yacht, named “TW12VE ANGELS,” in Hollywood, Florida on Sunday.
The former QB purchased the boat, which comfortably sleeps nine people, last month for $6 million.
He previously owned a smaller version of the same boat, which he named “Viva a Vida” in honor of then-wife GISELE BUNDCHEN’s environmental conservation initiative. [via TMZ]
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As the drama continues to play out surrounding the “Vanderpump Rules” scandal involving cast members TOM SANDOVAL and RAQUEL LEVISS, one insider told Page Six that the pair shared a kiss on-screen for the first time since the news of the affair broke.
The kiss allegedly happened at Leviss’ apartment this week, as cameras were rolling.
As previously reported, camera crews jumped back to work to film the fallout from the affair in hopes of getting it into the current season. Also, producers want the reunion to be all about the “scandoval,” as fans of the show have now dubbed it.
As for how Sandoval’s former girlfriend, ARIANA MADIX, is coping with the affair, a source said “she has not been alone” since it all came out. [via Page Six]
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CASTING CALL
“Ted Lasso” creator and star JASON SUDEIKIS confirmed that Season 3 will be the final season of the show.
“It’s the end of this story,” he told Deadline.
Sudeikis did say that there is a chance for spinoffs, however, though nothing is set in stone.
Season 3 of “Ted Lasso” premieres on March 15 on Apple TV. [via Deadline]
SPEAKING OF THE SHOW: Airbnb is offering an overnight stay at the show’s iconic Crown & Anchor Pub, for only $13 dollars a night. Sweetening the deal even more, ANNETTE BADLAND, who plays Mae on the show, will serve guests at the tavern. The offer is only available for three winners. Check out the details here>>>
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“Avatar: The Way of Water” will hit all major platforms on March 28 and will include three hours of bonus content.
According to Deadline, the never-before-seen footage features the “challenges facing cast and crew as filmmakers, a look at the building of the world of Pandora, looks at Pandora’s returning and new characters and bonuses on casting, stunts and many other aspects of the film.”
“Avatar: The Way of Water” is the third highest-grossing film of all-time with over $2.2 billion worldwide. [via Deadline]
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HUGH JACKMAN is preparing for his role as Wolverine by eating over 8,000 calories a day to bulk up.
This includes black bass (2,000 calories), Patagonia salmon (2,100 calories), two chicken burgers (1,000 calories per burger) and two sirloins (1,100 calories each) daily.
As previously reported, Jackman is reprising his role as Wolverine in “Deadpool 3,” which hits theaters this November. [via Variety]
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THE DAILY KARDASHOPUS
KIM KARDASHIAN posted a make-up and filter-free selfie of herself at the dentist this week and fans took to the comment section to argue over her excessive use of photo editing.
One fan wrote, “Yes an unfiltered selfie!,” while another commented, “Nice to see Kim’s skin without makeup or a filter.”
Another person suggested that the photo was still likely “heavily edited” before she posted it, even with no filter. [via Teen Vogue]
WORTH NOTING: Kim has a beauty and skincare line, of course she is going to do whatever she can to make herself seem flawless to make fans believe it's all from her products.
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WE’LL NEVER BE ROYALS
DUCHESS SARAH FERGUSON is rumored to be attending this weekend’s Oscars.
A source told The Sun that the plan is for her to present an award on behalf of her late friend LISA MARIE PRESLEY.
“Fergie has been a close friend of the Presley family, especially Elvis’ daughter Lisa Marie,” the insider added. [via The Sun]
WORTH REMEMBERING: Fergie spoke at Lisa Marie’s funeral on January 22.
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PRINCE HARRY and MEGHAN MARKLE are considering buying their own private island.
According to The Mirror, Harry is really “pushing hard” for an island to be their “next investment,” especially as the couple claims to love the “idea of living in a natural and eco-friendly environment.” [via The Mirror]
WORTH ASKING: What’s more private than an island?
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DAY OF THE YEAR
World Maths Day
Be Nasty Day
International Women’s Day
National Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Day
National Peanut Cluster Day
National Proofreading Day
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ON THIS DATE
1884 - Susan B. Anthony addresses the US House Judiciary Committee.
She was there to argue for an amendment to the Constitution granting women the right to vote.
That amendment took more than three decades to finally pass through Congress.
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1917 - Riots and protests erupt in Petrograd, marking the start of the February Revolution in Russia.
A week later Czar Nicholas II abdicated.
His brother was put in charge, but refused the title of Czar. (Czar comes from the name Caesar).
The fall of the monarchy and the rise of the people eventually led to communist rule across Russia and its territories.
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1942 - Dutch troops fighting in Japan surrender to Japanese troops on the island of Java.
The Dutch had occupied the south-Pacific island since the late 1500s. It was a base for the Dutch East India Company, known for establishing trade routes throughout the region by sea.
As an Allied force, the Dutch agreed to invade the islands of Borneo and Celebes. This ticked off the Japanese, who later stormed Java.
The Dutch agreed to pull out, and surrendered Java. It then became a part of the Republic of Indonesia.
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1950 - Volkswagen begins production of its microbus.
The official model name was the Volkswagen Type 2.
The Type 1 designation went to the Beetle. Within a matter of years, hippies in the US adopted the bus as their favorite mode of communal transportation.
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1971 - Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier square off in the "Fight of the Century” at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
Ali had been suspended from the sport for three-and-a-half years because the boxing commissions took away his license for refusing to fight in the Vietnam War.
At the time of the fight, both Ali and Frazier were undefeated. Both also had Olympic gold medals to their credit.
Celebrities poured in to see the fight firsthand. Frank Sinatra even sat ringside, posing in photos for a Life magazine article.
Frazier would win the fight with a left hook to Ali's chin, knocking him down for the first time in his career.
In their subsequent fights in 1974 and '75, Ali won.
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2004 - Iraq agrees to a new constitution.
Its interim Governing Council hammered out the document.
It went into effect that summer when Coalition Forces transferred power to the Iraqis.
Iraqis knew it would only be temporary, as a full-fledged government was slated to take power in 2006.
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2014 - Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 loses contact and disappears 39 minutes after takeoff.
Radar shows the plane making a series of odd turns before its final turn south, into the Indian Ocean.
The search for the 239 people on board was the most expensive search effort in history. Bits of wreckage believed to be from the plane have since washed onto beaches around the globe.
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2020 - The US records 521 cases of COVID-19.
State officials reported 21 deaths across the country.
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BIRTHDAYS
Montana Jordan - actor, “Young Sheldon” - 20
Charlie Ray - actress, “Little Manhattan” - 31
Benny Blanco - music producer - 35
Milana Vayntrub - actress, AT&T commercials - 36
Chad Gable - wrestler - 37
Kat Von D - tattoo artist - 41
James Van Der Beek - actor, “Dawson’s Creek” & “Varsity Blues” - 46
Freddie Prinze Jr. - actor, “She’s All That” & “Summer Catch” - 47
Boris Kodjoe - actor, “Surrogate” & “Resident Evil” films - 50
Camryn Manheim - actress, “The Practice” - 62
Lester Holt - journalist, NBC - 64
Gary Numan - rock singer, Cars - 65
Peter Gill - drummer, Frankie Goes to Hollywood - 72
Micky Dolenz - singer, The Monkees - 78
Born On This Date
Alan Hale Jr - actor, “Gilligan’s Island” - 1921 (d. 1990)
Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr - 59th Supreme Court justice - 1841 (d. 1935)
Anne Bonny - Caribbean pirate - 1702 (d. 1782)
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