4/24/2023: Deadliest National Parks
PLUS: Canadian Gold Heist; Biden’s Running; and Louis’ Birthday
Today is Monday, April 24, 2023.
It is the 114th day of the year.
251 days remain.
WHAT’S ON TAP
A teen gets banned from an amusement park and another retailer files for bankruptcy. More in HIT LIST.
President JOE BIDEN is expected to announce his re-election bid this week. More in THE SWAMP.
JAMIE FOXX remains in the hospital and MORGAN WALLEN takes a tumble on stage. More in SHOWBIZ.
DICK VAN DYKE will make a guest appearance on a long running soap and DailyWire+ lands a new investigative series. More in CASTING CALL.
###
HIT LIST
A 13-year-old boy has been banned from the Carowinds amusement park after climbing into a claw machine known as the “Cosmic XL Bonus Game and getting stuck.
According to the park, located in Charlotte, North Carolina, the teen had to be removed from the machine by their medical team.
He has been banned from the park for a year for “attempted theft,” Carowinds told CNN. [via CNN]
###
According to new data from the NATIONAL PARK SERVICE more that 2,000 visitors died in national parks between 2014 and 2021.
The leading cause of death, besides those deemed “undetermined,” were motor vehicle crashes (415), drownings (402) and medical-related deaths (385). Animal-related deaths were the rarest, with only five during those eight years.
The report also highlighted the parks with the highest deaths. Topping the list is Lake Mead National Recreation Area, with 145 deaths. Second on the list was Grand Canyon National Park, with 100 deaths over those eight years.
Rounding out the top five parks with the highest number of fatalities were: Yosemite National Park, Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Natchez Trace Parkway. [via The Hill]
###
More than $20 million worth of gold and other valuables was stolen from the Toronto Pearson International Airport last week. According to Peel Regional Police, the crime took place in the evening after the “rare” cargo was unloaded and transported to a holding facility.
The thieves “knew what they were after and where to get it, and that involves having some sort of insider knowledge,” Phil Boyle, an associate professor of sociology and legal studies from the University of Waterloo said.
No word on where the gold and valuables came from or where it was headed. [via iHeartRadio]
###
A Colorado substitute bus driver is facing 30 counts of misdemeanor child abuse after allegedly slamming on the brakes in an attempt to teach the kids about sitting properly in their seats.
In a video of the incident, 61-year-old Brian Fitzgerald warned the kids to sit down before he brake-checked them, resulting in many of the elementary aged kids slamming into the seats in front of them and onto the floor.
Fitzgerald apologized to his supervisors for his actions. No word on whether or not he has also apologized to his passengers. [via Daily News]
###
After weeks of clawing for alternative solutions, homegoods retailer BED BATH & BEYOND has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
The company will wind down its operations instead of pursuing debt relief and reorganization. While the remaining brick-and-mortar locations are closed, the company’s retail website will remain active to sell through any remaining inventory. [via CNBC]
###
DEATHS
KEN POTTS has died.
He was one of the last two remaining survivors of the USS Arizona battleship, which sank during Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941.
Potts passed away on Friday at his home in Provo, Utah. No word on a cause of death.
He was 102.
###
CAITLYN JENNER’s mom ESTHER JENNER has died.
She passed away last Thursday, according to Cait.
Esther was 96.
###
BABY NEWS
“Ray Donovan” star LIEV SCHREIBER and girlfriend, model TAYLOR NEISEN are expecting their first child together.
He’s 55, she’s 31.
Schreiber is already dad to two kids, Sasha and Kai, whom he shares with his ex, actress NAOMI WATTS.
###
Country singer SAM HUNT and his wife HANNAH LEE FOWLER are expecting their second child together.
The pair are already mom and dad to 10-month-old daughter Lucy Lu.
Hunt, who is 38, announced the news during his concert on Friday night in Vegas.
###
BREAKUPS
SHANNON DOHERTY has filed for divorce from her husband of 11 years, cinematographer KURT ISWARIENKO. She is 52, he’s 45.
A rep for the actress confirmed the news on Friday.
No further details have been shared.
###
Country singer JIMMIE ALLEN and his wife, registered nurse ALEXIS GALE are separating.
The couple, who are expecting their third child together, shared the news in a joint statement on social media.
Allen, who is 36, and Gale, who is 27, got married in 2021.
###
Actor DRAKE BELL’s wife, 29-year-old JANET VON SCHMELING has filed for divorce after three years of marriage.
The filling comes a week after Bell, who is 36, was briefly reported missing, only to later be found alive and well, claiming he simply left his phone in his car.
The pair have been separated for some time.
###
Actor ALEX PETTYFER and his wife, model TONI GARRN are calling it quits after two years of marriage.
30-year-old Garrn announced the split in an Instagram Story over the weekend, writing that she and 33-year-old Pettyfer will move forward as “friends and co-parents” to their two-year-old daughter Luca.
###
RELATIONSHIPS
Podcaster ALEXANDRA COOPER, 28, is engaged to producer MATT KAPLAN, 39.
The pair have kept their relationship as private as possible, with 28-year-old Cooper calling 39-year-old Kaplan “Sexy Mr. Zoom Man” on her “Call Her Daddy” podcast.
###
WEDDINGS
Model SOFIA RICHIE and British music executive ELLIOT GRAINGE have tied the knot.
The couple said “I do” at Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc in Antibe on Saturday.
She’s 24 and he’s 30.
###
Olympian SIMONE BILES and NFL player JONATHAN OWENS are married!
The couple tied the knot Saturday in what appears to be a courthouse wedding, based on photos they shared on social media.
Biles is 26, and Owens is 27.
###
THE SWAMP
President JOE BIDEN is expected to announce his re-election campaign as early as tomorrow.
The Washington Post reports that Biden filmed the launch video in Delaware after returning from Ireland on April 15.
WORTH NOTING: The Post’s reporting also suggests that a hard announcement date hasn’t just been kept secret; there’s a sense that among the Democrat Party apparatus, plenty of people were wondering if and when it would happen. Per the Post: “Top fundraising officials at the Democratic National Committee scrambled to make dozens of phone calls, frequently ending up in voice mails, inviting top donors for a hastily arranged summit with the president to plan events.”
ALSO WORTH NOTING: After the president returned from Europe, a website team began creating an online platform for accepting campaign donations – something you’d imagine would be waiting in the wings. [via Washington Post]
AND: The Boston Herald reports that Biden’s slogan will be “Finish the Job.” [via Boston Herald]
MEANWHILE: The prospect of a Trump-versus-Biden matchup already has Americans feeling “exhaustion.”
A Yahoo News/YouGov poll says 38% of respondents picked “exhaustion” from a list of eight feelings that come to mind when presented with the rematch. (The others were fear (29%), sadness (23%), hope (23%), anger (23%), excitement (16%), pride (8%), and gratitude (7%)). [via Yahoo]
BY THE WAY: The last time an incumbent president ran against the man he defeated was the election of 1892. Grover Cleveland won his first term in 1884, lost in ‘88 to Benjamin Harrison, then beat Harrison in 1892. He’s the only president to have served non-consecutive terms.
###
BY THE NUMBERS
📈 The DOW added 22 points (0.066%) to close at 33,808 on Friday. The S&P was barely up, just 3 points (0.09%) to close at 4,133 and the NASDAQ added 12 points (0.11%) to close at 12,072.
🛢 WEST TEXAS INTERMEDIATE closed at $77 on Friday; BRENT CRUDE at $81.
⛽ The national average price of a GALLON OF GAS was $3.67 on Sunday.
₿ BITCOIN was down 1% Sunday, trading around $27,500.
🛩 There were more than 3,620 FLIGHTS delayed within, into, or out of the United States on Sunday and more than 190 such cancellations.
💰Tuesday night’s MEGA MILLIONS will be for a $26 million jackpot or a $13.7 million cash payout. Tonight’s POWERBALL drawing will be for a $28 million jackpot or a $14.9 million cash payout.
SHOWBIZ NEWS
JAMIE FOXX’s health is continuing to improve, though he remains in the hospital.
An insider told People Magazine that doctors “are running tests but [Foxx] is awake and alert.”
As previously reported, the actor suffered an unidentified medical emergency nearly two weeks ago. Despite initial reporting, sources now say that he was not on set when the incident occurred and he also was not transported to the hospital by ambulance.
Foxx’s stunt double has been filling in for him, filming alongside CAMERON DIAZ and GLENN CLOSE in the Netflix movie “Back in Action.” [via People]
###
AFROMAN announced his intent to run for President of the United States.
The rapper filed the appropriate paperwork with the Federal Elections Commission last week, noting that he is running as an independent.
Remember, Afroman first mentioned his plans to run last December at a concert in Missouri. [via TMZ]
GREEN PARTY: His plans to run on the platform of legalizing marijuana. No word on where he falls on other major issues.
###
MORGAN WALLEN took a tumble while performing in Louisville on Thursday night.
The country singer appeared to fall due to thick fog that was covering the stage, making it difficult to see where he was walking.
The stumble didn’t seem to phase Wallen, however. He got up and kept right on singing, according to concert goers.
Wallen is currently on the US leg of his “One Thing at a Time” tour. [via Page Six]
###
ASHLEY GRAHAM has been crowned Maxim's Sexiest Woman of 2023.
The 35-year-old model, who is all about body positivity, also graced the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue in 2016.
Other’s featured on Maxim’s list include country singer KELSEA BALLERINI and actress MARGOT ROBBIE. [via NY Post]
###
Following the news that ALEC BALDWIN is no longer facing criminal charges in connection to the death of cinematographer HALYNA HUTCHINS, her family says they still plan to sue.
GLORIA ALLRED, who is representing Hutchinsons’ family, said Friday that Baldwin can “pretend he is not responsible for pulling the trigger,” but the fact is, “he had a major role in a tragedy which had real life consequences.” [via Deadline]
BUT WAIT: Special prosecutors in New Mexico also released a statement in response to the news, saying that Baldwin is not totally off the hook as “charges may be refiled after further investigation.”
###
Reality star SAVANNAH CHRISLEY is calling out Southwest Airlines after being kicked off a recent flight for allegedly being “unruly.”
According to Savannah, a flight attendant told her she needed to check her carry-on bag, to which she said she would try and make it fit and if it didn’t then she would check it. Not accepting that answer, the flight attendant continued to push back.
At one point the pilot got involved, telling Savannah that he would find a spot to store her bag. Again, not having it, the flight attendant told the pilot she must check her bag.
Sharing the ordeal on social media, Savannah captioned her post, “So Southwest, you’re awful but not going to lie…your pilot was kinda hot.” [via Page Six]
###
The harmonica BOB DYLAN played during his 1963 concert at Town Hall in New York City is for sale from Moments In Time.
The instrument was one of two gifted to actor PETER MCKENZIE by the legendary musician. McKenzie wrote about the day he received them in his book “BOB DYLAN On A Couch & Fifty Cents A Day.”
The harmonica is expected to go for around $45,000. [via TMZ]
###
CASTING CALL
“The Super Mario Bros. Movie” is holding on strong at the top of the box office.
To date, the film has earned over $400 million domestically, making it the second-animated film to hit the milestone after “The Incredibles 2.”
The movie, based on the popular Nintendo game, debuted on April 5.
Over the weekend it raked in more than $58.2 million domestically. [via NY Post]
WEEKEND BOX OFFICE: No. 2 at this weekend’s box office was newbie “Evil Dead Rise” with $23.5 million, followed by fellow new flick, “The Covenant” with $6.3 million.
###
DICK VAN DYKE will make a guest appearance on “Days of Our Lives.”
In the episode, set to air this fall, Dyke plays a man with amnesia.
The 97-year-old recently appeared on “The Masked Singer.” [via Deadline]
###
A ten-part series, narrated by conservative commentator CANDACE OWENS, has landed at DailyWire+, the SVOD platform of right-wing media company The Daily Wire.
The series, “Convicting a Murderer,” is in response to Netflix’s true crime series “Making a Murderer,” which focused on the murder trial of Wisconsin native Steven Avery.
While the latter made some viewers feel sympathy for Avery, the new docuseries aims to show interviews and evidence that was left out of the Netflix series.
As for Owens joining the project, she told Deadline that she has “an interest in the media’s ability to transform villains into heroes via elective reporting.” [via Deadline]
###
THE DAILY KARDASHOPUS
A fan of TRAVIS BARKER rammed her car into the security gates of his and KOURTNEY KARDASHIAN’s Los Angeles neighborhood in an attempt to meet him.
According to TMZ, the woman made numerous attempts to gain access to the drummer, claiming that he had invited her via social media to visit, but was repeatedly turned away. With all options exhausted, the woman decided to take matters into her own hands and crash into the gate.
Barker was not home at the time of the incident. He and his BLINK-182 bandmates were rehearsing for their second weekend of Coachella.
As for the woman, she was arrested for trespassing. Barker’s rep told TMZ that he plans to file a restraining order against her. [via TMZ]
###
WE’LL NEVER BE ROYALS
PRINCE LOUIS, the youngest of PRINCE WILLIAM and PRINCESS CATHERINE’s three kids, turned five on Sunday.
In honor of the big day, Kensington Palace posted some new photos of the young prince. In one, he is smiling while being pushed around in a wheelbarrow by his mom, Kate. Another shot shows a closeup of a beaming Louis in a blue sweater.
According to the post, the photos were taken earlier this month by photographer Milli Pilkington. [via Today]
###
DAY OF THE YEAR
Scream Day
National Pig in a Blanket Day
Firefly Day
###
ON THIS DATE
1800 – President John Adams signs off on spending $5,000 on what would become the Library of Congress.
It was intended to house reference materials for legislators while writing laws.
At first, the collection resided in the Capitol. The first catalog was from April 1802, and lists 964 volumes and 9 maps.
When the British invaded again in 1814, they torched the Capitol, taking the books with it.
Thomas Jefferson later substituted the books with works from his own collection.
###
1863 – Union soldiers are first required to adhere to a strict code of conduct.
It applied to how officers and soldiers should treat Confederate prisoners and civilians.
Union army leaders drew from European nations for inspiration.
They were called the General Orders Number 100. The guidelines outlined procedures for dealing with surrenders, prisoner exchanges, and flags of truce.
Many of the guidelines were later applied to the Geneva Convention.
###
1916 – The Irish Republican Brotherhood launched what became known as the "Easter Rebellion," a backlash against the British who were occupying Ireland.
Patrick Pearse was the group's fearless leader.
The revolt was successful, after capturing a smattering of British headquarters across the Irish island. Afterward, they proclaimed Ireland free from British rule.
It didn't last long. The Brits regained control a week later.
###
1922 – The first man in Australia is executed for a crime prosecuted using forensic evidence.
Detective work led investigators to a man named Colin Ross, based on eyewitness accounts of area prostitutes.
While rudimentary blood work was useful at the time for investigating crimes, there was no blood on the murdered girl's body. When cops arrived at Ross's home, they took hair samples from a blanket, and matched them against those from the victim.
At the trial, the defense insisted a scientist swear under oath that the samples matched. The plan backfired, and the witness said the hairs found in Ross' apartment indeed belonged to the girl.
By today's scientific standards, Ross would most definitely be found not guilty, however.
###
1967 – General William Westmoreland publicly blames anti-war hippies for the communists' successes in the Vietnam War.
He said that 95 percent of Americans supported the effort, but a vocal 5 percent made the most noise.
This caused even more rioting and protesting by those seeking to discredit the American war effort in Vietnam, proving Westmoreland's point about people rioting and protesting to discredit the American war effort in Vietnam.
###
2018 – The Golden State Serial Killer is identified after 40 years.
James DeAngelo, 72, a former police officer, is arrested for 12 killings and 50 rapes in California during the 1970s and ‘80s.
The break in the case came after authorities were able to get a sample of DNA from an item discarded by DeAngelo, which matched several samples that had been taken from his victims.
The following year he would plead guilty to 13 counts of first degree murder, as well as 13 counts of kidnapping and be sentenced to multiple consecutive life sentences.
###
BIRTHDAYS
Ryan Whitney - actress, “See Dad Run” & “The Thundermans” - 25
Kehlani - R&B singer - 28
Jordan Fisher - actor, “Live and Maddie” - 29
Ashe - pop singer - 30
Leah Messer - reality star, “Teen Mom” - 31
Jack Quaid - actor, “The Hunger Games” - 31
Joe Keery - actor, “Stranger Things” - 31
Larramie Shaw - actor, “House of Payne” - 31
Carly Pearce - country singer - 33
Kris Letang - hockey player - 36
Kellin Quinn - rock singer, “Sleeping with Sirens” - 37
Morgan Evans - country singer - 38
Travis Clark - rock singer, “We The Kings” - 38
Kelly Clarkson - pop singer - 41
Melinda Clarke - actress, “Days of Our Lives” & “Nikita” - 54
Cedric the Entertainer - actor, “The Neighborhood” - 59
Jack Martin Blades - rock singer, Night Ranger & Damn Yankees - 69
Phil Robertson - reality star, “Duck Dynasty” - 77
Barbara Steisand - pop singer - 81
Shirley MacLaine - actress, “Terms of Endearment” - 89
Born On This Date
Larry Tesler - invented copy, cut, paste - 1945 (d. 2020)
Lou Thesz - wrestler - 1916 (d. 2002)
###