4/28/2022: Casey Anthony Tell-All
PLUS: Squirrel Attack, Kylie Extends Beauty Brand, and Demaryius Thomas Scholarship
Today is Thursday, April 28, 2022.
It is the 118th day of the year.
247 days remain.
TRENDING
#Crew4 was trending yesterday after four astronauts lifted off aboard the SpaceX Dragon Freedom.
Trevor Reed landed in Twitter’s Top 10 Trends Wednesday after news of the Marine’s release from a Russian prison was announced. He had been held in the country since 2019.
#SayingGoodbyeIn4Words was trending yesterday. Tweets included “Stay away from me,” “Hasta La Vista Baby,” “I said good day,” “live long and prosper” and “see ya later, alligator.”
#LongLiveMonteroTour was trending after Lil Nas X asked his Twitter followers what songs they would like to hear him perform on his upcoming tour.
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HIT LIST
A nationwide CDC study suggests 58% of Americans have covid antibodies from infection, not just their shots that mitigate death and serious hospitalization.
This is a significant jump from the 33% measured just in December last year. The news suggests recent variants ripped through the country pretty quickly.
The same study shows 75% of kids under 18 have natural infection antibodies – reinforcing that children are the least susceptible to serious infection.
The study comes on the heels of Keebler elf reject Anthony Fauci declaring on Tuesday that the United States has left the pandemic phase of the covid nightmare.
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Elon Musk has responded to claims that right-wingers saw a boost to followers in recent days while left-leaning accounts lost some.
He tweeted Wednesday it was most likely because of the widespread media reporting about the acquisition, which flooded the platform with new users, not necessarily because of any change to the software.
BY THE WAY: Musk also had some advice for former President Donald Trump on Wednesday.
“Truth Social (terrible name) exists because Twitter censored free speech,” Musk wrote, then added in a follow-up, “Should be called Trumpet instead!”
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A Louisiana man was hospitalized after a squirrel jumped off his house’s roof and started attacking him.
A caller to 911 reportedly observed the incident, and said in the call to 911 that “the man was attempting to choke the squirrel, but was unable to obtain a good grip.”
Cops were sent to the scene, and managed to “subdue” the squirrel, which subsequently died.
No word on injury specifics, but the local NBC affiliate in Louisiana says some of them were severe – though he is going to fully recover.
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Guinness World Records has certified the world’s oldest living person, just days after the sitting titleholder passed away.
Now, it’s a woman called Sister Andre, a nun in France, who’s 118 years, 73 days old.
She was born February 11, 1904, and named Lucile Randon. Guinness also notes that she’s the oldest person to contract covid and live to tell about it.
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After an afternoon rally, stocks finished relatively flat. The Dow picked up 65 points, and the S&P just 8.
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CHARTS
Noah Washington, 23, was reportedly high on psychedelic mushrooms when he went airborne in his vehicle after slamming into an embankment at a Georgia gas station over the weekend.
He told police officers that he was “tripping” on six magic mushrooms at the time of the crash. Washington also claimed he was being followed by “assassins.”
He was charged with driving under the influence of drugs.
WATCH:
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DEATHS
KLAUS SCHULZE has died.
The German electronic music trailblazer passed away Tuesday after a battle with an undisclosed illness.
He was 74.
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BREAKUPS
MADONNA, 63, and her boyfriend, dancer AHLAMALIK WILLIAMS, 28, have split.
An insider told the UK Sun that the breakup is “amicable” and the two are simply at “different places” in their lives.
They dated for three years.
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THE SWAMP
It turns out the New York Post’s reporting earlier this week that one of HUNTER BIDEN’s business pals had meetings with then-Vice President JOE BIDEN and his staff 19 times from 2009 to 2015 was incorrect: There were an additional eight meetings not originally accounted for, all in 2016, right before Biden left office.
In the ensuing years, the Biden’s recorded millions of dollars in income – that we know of. As noted on Wednesday, there’s a more than $5 million discrepancy between his tax returns and the income he disclosed in government transparency filings.
When asked again about the president’s involvement with Hunter’s businesses – and even about his involvement with any of Hunter’s business partners – White House Media Commissar JEN PSAKI said unequivocally and directly, “He’s not involved in his son’s business dealings.”
WORTH ASKING: Are we still supposed to believe…
…that Hunter Biden’s spot on the board of a Ukrainian energy company that paid hundreds of thousands of dollars,
…that Hunter Biden’s business dealings in China all happened without any of Joe Biden’s knowledge,
…that Joe Biden made millions in recent years…
are all coincidental and unrelated? Really?
WORTH NOTING: Lots of people get rich after holding office and leveraging those relationships. But when that enrichment comes merely from trading on influence, journalists must ask questions and investigate to ensure government officials are not acting corruptly.
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The controversial Title 42 immigration measure is set to expire later next month. The provision gives the federal government powers to deport immigrants to stop the spread of disease.
But last week a federal judge threatened to issue a temporary restraining order to keep Title 42 in place until legislation is passed to curb the influx of illegal immigration at the southern border.
Now, the Biden administration isn’t going to fight that restraining order if and when it’s issued.
WORTH ASKING: What is President JOE BIDEN’s vision for this country? What is he aspiring to? Other than unrealistic campaign promises – like legalizing weed and forgiving student loan debt – and lofty rhetoric about decency – which hasn’t held up in practice (see: calling Peter Doocy a stupid son of a bitch) – what does Joe Biden stand for?
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Boeing announced Wednesday it’s lost more than $1 billion on its deal to produce two new Air Force One jets for the president.
Former President DONALD TRUMP negotiated the deal in 2018 – which put Boeing on the hook for any cost overruns, instead of letting them treat the federal government like its private piggy bank, as so many companies do when working on government contracts.
WORTH NOTING: Boeing will still earn $4 billion on the contract.
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LOTTERY
No winner for Tuesday night’s Mega Millions drawing. Friday night’s drawing will be for a $43 million jackpot or a $25.9 million cash payout.
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SHOWBIZ NEWS
JARED PADALECKI took to social media this week to update followers on his condition following his near fatal car crash.
The 39-year-old started out his post thanking fans for their “outpouring of love,” before saying how “lucky” he is to be alive.
As previously reported, the actor was a passenger in the car that crashed. No other details have been shared.
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LADY GAGA announced Wednesday that she will be releasing a new song titled “Hold My Hand” for the upcoming film “Top Gun: Maverick.”
The track, which she called a “love letter” to her fans, will drop on May 3.
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JOE ROGAN thinks ELON MUSK is a “superhero” for taking over Twitter in an effort to advocate for free speech.
Rogan praised the billionaire during an episode of his “Joe Rogan Experience” podcast this week.
SPEAKING OF FREE SPEECH: Rogan found himself a victim of cancel culture over his stance on COVID-19 vaccines. The trolls failed in their efforts to get Spotify to remove his podcast, which brings in millions of subscribers.
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CASTING CALL
CASEY ANTHONY is ready to tell her story nearly 11 years after being acquitted of murder and manslaughter charges.
Anthony was arrested in 2008 in connection to the disappearance of her 2-year-old daughter, Caylee. After an extensive six-month search for the toddler, her body was found in a wooded area near the family home.
Casey was charged with murder and her 2011 trial saw at least 40 million viewers. She was famously — and shockingly — only found guilty on four counts of lying to police.
Now at 36, Casey says she wants to “tell her truth.”
The interview will air on a major streaming service, an insider told PEOPLE. A premiere date has not yet been announced.
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ANDREW GARFIELD is taking a step back from the limelight.
The 38-year-old told Variety that he is taking a break from acting after working on several high-profile projects.
“I want to be and just be a bit of a person for a while,” he told the outlet.
Garfield recently appeared in “Spider-Man: No Way Home,” “Tick, Tick…Boom!” and the FX series “Under the Banner of Heaven,” which premieres today.
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TRAVIS SCOTT has booked his first show since the Astroworld tragedy.
The rapper will hit the stage on May 7 at E11EVEN in Miami for Race Week.
According to promotional posters, tickets vary in prices depending on whether you’re a man or woman — ladies get in cheaper.
(No word on cost for those who identify as neither a man or woman…or both.)
MEANWHILE: Scott is still in the middle of several lawsuits stemming from the tragedy. Insiders say it will likely take years for them to get settled.
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KELLY BISHOP, ALFIE FULLER and JASON RALPH have been promoted to series regulars on Prime Video series “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.”
Bishop plays Bendetta, an antagonist to the titular character. Fuller plays Dinah Rutledge and Ralph stars as Mike Carr. All three characters first appeared in Season 4.
There is not yet a premiere date for the fifth and final season.
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Actress and singer LEA MICHELE is set to perform for one-night only at Napa Valley’s Carneros Resort.
The solo performance will take place on June 7 as part of Broadway and Vine’s 2022 Concert Series.
The monthly concert series pairs Broadway performers with wine and culinary experiences, PEOPLE magazine reports.
WORTH NOTING: It is the same venue where Michele wed husband ZANDY REICH in 2019.
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MELISSA MCBRIDE will not be part of the yet-to-be titled “Walking Dead” spinoff.
The spinoff was set to be centered around McBride’s character Carol Peletier from the original series and NORMAN REEDUS’ character Daryl Dixon.
Insiders told Deadline that McBride was unable to commit to relocating to Europe for filming so she was forced to exit the project.
It is unknown how or if the spinoff will move forward.
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Peacock has given a straight-to-series order to “Bupkis.”
The half-hour live action comedy series is produced by and stars “SNL” cast member PETE DAVIDSON.
The show has been pitched as a fictionalized version of Davidson’s life.
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TERRENCE J. SMITH, TIFFANY ELLE BURGESS and ABA ARTHUR have joined the cast of “The Color Purple” Musical.
They join previously announced stars TARAJI P. HENSON, H.E.R., and FANTASIA BARRINO.
The musical adaptation is slated to be released in December 2023.
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Apple Original Films is working on an untitled film about the life of actor MICHAEL J. FOX.
Production sources told Deadline that the project will incorporate documentary, archival and scripted elements as it details Fox’s triumphs and trials, including his diagnosis with Parkinson’s disease.
A premiere date has not yet been announced.
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THE DAILY KARDASHOPUS
KYLIE JENNER is expanding her makeup brand.
Her company recently filed trademark docs for “KYLASH,” which would cover products such as extension fibers, cosmetic preparations, tints and serums for eyelashes.
The trademark would also cover eye makeup remover and mascara, according to the docs.
WORTH NOTING: Kylie originally filed to trademark “KYLASH” in 2018, but at the time that was just for fake eyelashes.
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KRIS JENNER’s boyfriend COREY GAMBLE testified this week that he heard BLAC CHYNA threaten to kill ROB KARDASHIAN “multiple times” during a fight.
Corey explained that he was awoken by a call from Rob to Kris and he could hear Chyna screaming obscenities along with the threat in the background. He continued on saying that after he rushed to Rob and Chyna’s home he again heard her threaten “to kill” Rob.
His testimony contradicts what Chyna said on the stand, when she claimed to have never threatened Rob.
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WE’LL NEVER BE ROYALS
ED SHEERAN will lead the musical tribute to QUEEN ELIZABETH for her Platinum Jubilee.
The British singer will perform outside of Buckingham Palace on June 5 during the finale of celebrations in honor of Her Majesty’s record-breaking 70 years on the throne.
It is unknown if Sheeran will perform the national anthem or some of his own hits — or both.
WORTH NOTING: The four-day event is said to cost around $18 million.
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SPORTS
PEYTON MANNING has partnered with Georgia Tech to create a scholarship in memory of the late Broncos wide receiver DEMARYIUS THOMAS.
In a social media post, Manning wrote about what an “incredibly talented and unselfish teammate” Thomas was and how he wanted to honor him “by partnering [with] the PeyBack Foundation with Georgia Tech to establish the Demaryius A. Thomas Scholarship Endowment.”
As many may remember, Thomas passed away in December at the age of 33. He was a first round pick in 2010 from Georgia Tech and holds the record for the second-most receiving yards with the Broncos.
In addition to the scholarship, Georgia Tech announced that August 8 of each year will be recognized as Demaryius Thomas Day by the school. He wore No. 8 at Georgia Tech and No. 88 for the majority of his time in the NFL.
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DAY OF THE YEAR
National Blueberry Pie Day
National BraveHearts Day
National Great Poetry Reading Day
National Superhero Day
Workers’ Memorial Day
National Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day
National Teach Children to Save Day
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ON THIS DATE
1789 – The captain of the HMS Bounty and 18 members of his crew are mutinied.
Chief mutineer Fletcher Christian was drawn to settling down in the Pacific islands and escaping harsh treatment from Captain William Bligh.
The execution of the mutiny was bloodless — Bligh and his loyalists were set adrift in a 23-foot skiff with only a pocket watch and quadrant. After a journey of more than 3600 miles, Bligh arrived in Timor, where he made his way to Britain to report the mutiny.
Some of the mutineers were eventually captured and tried: Three were hanged, four acquitted and another three were pardoned. Fletcher Christian was reportedly murdered by native Tahitians.
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1920 – Bolsheviks take control of Azerbaijan and convert it to a Soviet Socialist Republic.
It was one of the first countries to try to create a formal union of communist governments in 1921, joining the Transcaucasian Soviet Federative Socialist Union — a precursor to the USSR.
After that failed, Azerbaijan formally joined the newly-formed Soviet Union, alongside Russia, Ukraine and Belarus, as Bolshevik influence continued to spread across Asia and Europe.
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1930 – The first nighttime professional baseball game is played.
The Muscogee Indians beat the Independence Producers, 13 to 3.
1,500 were in attendance at the field in Independence, Kansas.
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1945 – Benito Mussolini is executed.
The fascist Italian dictator was trying to escape to Spain during the end of World War II with his mistress.
Though he was using an alias and disguise, he was discovered and shot. His body and those of his loyalists were put on display and publicly humiliated.
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1952 - The Treaty of San Francisco kicks in, and officially ends Japan’s status as an imperial power in the Pacific.
It also allocated compensation for victims of Japan’s harsh Prisoner of War camps during World War II, but it was mostly a gesture of goodwill — Japan paid around $7.5 million to the Red Cross.
Some of the islands Japan controlled were to be left to the United States in a trusteeship, but they were soon returned to Japan’s jurisdiction.
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1986 – Two days after the Chernobyl meltdown, the Soviet government publicly admits to the catastrophe.
A nuclear power plant in Sweden was detecting spiking levels of radiation some 1,000 miles away, drawing attention to the incident. Even with their feet held to the fire, the Soviet regime downplayed the scope of the disaster, and leveraged it into propaganda about American nuclear accidents, like Three Mile Island.
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2019 – Disney’s Marvel film, “Avengers: Endgame” earns an estimated $1.2 billion worldwide.
It is the first film to earn more than $1 billion on opening weekend.
Domestically it raked in $350 million.
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BIRTHDAYS
Victoria de Angelis - bassist, Maneskin - 22
Juan Mata - soccer player - 34
Robin Schulz - DJ - 35
Jenna Ushkowitz - actress, “Glee” - 36
Harry Shum Jr. - actor, “Glee” & “Shadowhunters” - 40
Jessica Alba - actress, “Dark Angel” & “Sin City” - 41
Drew Scott - TV show host, “Property Brothers” - 44
Jonathan Scott - TV shot host, “Property Brothers” - 44
Penelope Cruz - actress, “Blow” & “All the Pretty Horses” - 48
Too Short - rapper - 56
Jon Daly - golfer - 56
Chuck Leavell - keyboardist, The Allman Brothers - 70
Jay Leno - TV show host, “The Tonight Show” - 72
Ann Margret - actress, “Viva Las Vegas” & “Bye Bye Birdie” - 81
Born On This Date
Cheslie Kryst - Miss USA 2019 - 1991 (d. 2022)
Saddam Hussein - President of Iraq - 1937 (d. 2006)
Harper Lee - novelist, “To Kill a Mockingbird” - 1926 (d. 2016)
Ferruccio Lamborghini - creator of the Lamborghini - 1916 (d. 1993)
Lionel Barrymore - actor, “It’s A Wonderful Life” - 1878 (d. 1954)
James Monroe - 5th POTUS - 1758 (d. 1831)
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