4/3/2023: Full Ride Plus
PLUS: Trump to Head to NYC; CMT Awards; and Harry & Meg’s One-Hour Work Day
Today is Monday, April 3, 2023.
It is the 93rd day of the year.
272 days remain.
WHAT’S ON TAP
An Apple AirTag chase leads to a homicide and North Korea ups its nuclear game. More in HIT LIST.
Trump heads to NYC tomorrow for arrest and arraignment, and another GOPer enters the 2024 fray. More in THE SWAMP.
BRITNEY SPEARS is spotted on vacation without her husband and without her wedding ring. More in SHOWBIZ.
SHEMAR MOORE returns to “The Young and The Restless” and another “Yellowstone” spinoff is in the works. More in CASTING CALL.
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HIT LIST
European customers of defunct crypto exchange FTX will finally be able to get their money back.
FTX EU shut down all access when its parent company imploded last November. Now, the overseas division has established a website for customers to request and verify their account balances and get their funds returned. [via Coindesk]
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A Texas man has flipped the narrative on using an Apple AirTag to track a stranger: instead of creeping on a victim, he used the tag to track down his stolen truck.
The unnamed victim of theft had left the tracking device in his vehicle and followed it to a shopping center about twenty miles away.
AND THEN THINGS GOT NUTS: When police arrived on the scene, the thief was shot dead, two cars had their windows shot out, and bullet casings surrounded the scene.
Authorities are determining if the unidentified victim of theft will be charged for the shooting. [via Fox News]
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National security analysts at a Washington DC-based think tank say that recent satellite images suggest North Korea could be close to putting a small nuclear reactor online.
The 38 North organization announced over the weekend that a new building appears to have been built at the site, where a light water reactor has been in development for years. The new building suggests the North Koreans are getting ready to bring in a staff to run the facility, they say.
The images also show development around a uranium enrichment plant, suggesting the rogue nation has plans to increase its uranium conversion capacity.
WORTH NOTING: While North Korea is well behind the developed world in terms of nuclear technology, these developments show they’re catching up, even if slowly. [via 38North.org]
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Archaeologists in Iowa have unearthed a sabertooth cat skull – the first of its kind to be found in the area. One researcher in the group says it’s incredibly rare to find such skulls outside of Southern California.
Based on the skull’s size, the study group believed it belonged to a two-year-old male cat that weighed about 550 pounds – about 25% bigger than a modern African lion. [via KETV]
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An Atlanta high school senior has gotten a full-ride to college – and then some.
Seventeen-year-old Regis Harris says he’s been accepted to 40 colleges, and when he makes his selection, he’ll have $1.6 MILLION in scholarships to pay for it.
The overachieving highschooler has a straight-A GPA, works part time, sings in the church choir, plays in the school band, competes in the chess club, runs for the varsity track team, and has joined the National Honor Society.
He says he’ll likely go to North Carolina A&T on a pre-med track to eventually become a psychologist. [via AtlantaFirstNews.com]
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CHARTS
Weekend Box Office
10. Jesus Revolution: $1 million (down from 8)
9. Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania: $1.2 million (down from 6)
8. 65: $1.5 million (down from 5)
7. A Thousand and One: $1.8 million (new)
6. Shazam! Fury of the Gods: $4.6 million (down from 2)
5. Creed III: $5 million (down from 4)
4. His Only Son: $5.3 million (new)
3. Scream VI: $5.3 million (stayed at 3)
2. John Wick: Chapter 4: $28.2 million (down from 1)
1. Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves: $38.5 million
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DEATHS
Musician BRIAN “Brizz” GILLIS has died.
He passed away last Wednesday, according to a post from his former band, LFO’s Facebook page.
He is the third LFO member to pass away. In 2010, RICH CRONIN died after suffering a stroke; he was 36. DEVIN LIMA passed away at 41 of adrenal cancer in 2018.
Gillis was 47.
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Former NFL player JOHN BROCKINGTON has died.
The Green Bay Packers legend passed away Friday, according to a statement from the team. No cause of death was shared.
He was 74.
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Actress SHARON ACKER has died.
She passed away on March 16 at her retirement home in Toronto, according to a statement from her cousin.
Acker is best known for her roles in “Point Blank,” “The New Perry Mason,” and “Happy Birthday to Me.”
She was 87.
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BABY NEWS
Actors KALEY CUOCO, 37, and TOM PELPHREY, 40, have welcomed their first child together.
The couple announced the birth of their daughter, Matilda Carmine Richie Pelphrey, on Instagram over the weekend. She arrived on Thursday, March 30.
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THE SWAMP
Democrat Pennsylvania Senator JOHN FETTERMAN is out of the hospital, where he’s been undergoing treatment for clinical depression since February.
He’ll spend the next two weeks at home in Braddock, Pennsylvania, and rejoin his colleagues in DC on April 17. [via NBC News]
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TOMORROW: Former President DONALD TRUMP will head to New York City on Tuesday to be arrested and arraigned on charges connected to the accusation that he improperly used campaign funds to pay off porn star STORMY DANIELS to keep quiet about their affair.
Trump says there never was an affair and there was never an improper payment.
Unidentified sources tell the Associated Press that Trump faces at least one felony charge. During the arraignment, the court will officially reveal the formal list of charges for the first time. [via Associated Press]
CORRECTION: Last week we suggested Trump could issue himself a pardon if re-elected, but that ability would only apply to a federal conviction. This case is being prosecuted by the state of New York, not the US Department of Justice.
BY THE WAY: Former Arkansas Governor ASA HUTCHINSON has officially thrown his hat in the ring to run for the Republican presidential nomination in 2024.
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BY THE NUMBERS
📈 The DOW added 415 points (1.26%) to close at 33,274 on Friday. The S&P added 58 points (1.44%) to close at 4,109 and the NASDAQ added 208 points (1.74%) to close at 12,221.
🛢 WEST TEXAS INTERMEDIATE closed at $75 on Friday; BRENT CRUDE at $79;
⛽ The national average price of a GALLON OF GAS was $3.50 on Sunday.
₿ BITCOIN slid a bit over the weekend trading over $28,000.
🛩 There were more than 4,640 FLIGHTS delayed within, into, or out of the United States on Sunday and more than 790 such cancellations.
💰Tuesday night’s MEGA MILLIONS drawing will be for a $385 million or a $203.8 million cash payout. Tonight’s POWERBALL drawing will be for a $159 million jackpot or a $84.5 million cash payout.
SHOWBIZ NEWS
Country singers KELSEA BALLERINI and KANE BROWN hosted the CMT Music Awards last night, live from Austin, Texas.
And the winners are…
Video of the Year - Kane Brown & Katelyn Brown, “Thank God”
Female Video of the Year - Lainey Wilson, “Heart Like A Truck”
Male Video of the Year - Jelly Roll, “Son of a Sinner”
Group/Duo Video of the Year - Zac Brown Band, “Out In The Middle”
Female Breakthrough Video of the Year - Megan Moroney, “Tennessee Orange”
Male Breakthrough Video of the Year - Jelly Roll, “Son of a Sinner”
Collaborative Video of the Year - HARDY ft. Lainey Wilson, “Wait in the truck”
CMT Performance of the Year - Cody Johnson, “‘Til You Can’t”
CMT Digital-First Performance of the Year - Jelly Roll, “Son of A Sinner” (from CMT All Access)
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BRITNEY SPEARS has been spotted partying with friends in Puerto Rico without her husband SAM ASGHARI and without her wedding ring.
Asghari was also spotted sans wedding band in Los Angeles.
Insiders told Page Six that despite the lack of rings, there are no marital issues. [via Page Six]
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“Tiger King” star CAROLE BASKIN is shutting down her Big Cat Rescue in Florida and moving the animals to Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge in Arkansas.
Her husband, Howard Baskin, revealed in a statement on their website that once the cats are moved to the new sanctuary they plan to sell the property in Florida and use the proceeds for future wild animal rescue missions.
MEANWHILE: Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge posted on their Facebook page that they are “taking in 35 cats from the Big Cat Rescue.”
WORTH REMEMBERING: Congress passed the Big Cat Public Safety Act in 2021, which bans unlicensed individuals from owning wild animals. The bill could lead to a decline in the need for rescues, which was part of the reason Baskin wanted to shutdown her sanctuary. [via Deadline]
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A street was temporarily named after TAYLOR SWIFT in Arlington, Texas ahead of last weekend’s concerts.
She was also presented with a key to the city, as Arlington bragged that it was “participating in a friendly competition with other U.S. cities hosting The Eras Tour to demonstrate its ‘Reputation’ as one of Swift’s biggest fans.”
If that’s not enough, a local rescue service announced a plan to help its animals get adopted. According to a press release, residents “could adopt a cat (or any animal) from Arlington Animal services for $40,” in honor of Swift’s 40 Top 10 Hits. Swifties know how much her feline friends mean to her. [via Daily Mail]
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CHRIS HEMSWORTH says he plans to reduce the number of acting roles he plans on taking going forward since learning he is at high risk of suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.
The “Thor” star said he is “not talking about retiring by any means,” but a source said it may seem like that to his fans.
Remember, Hemsworth discovered he is at high risk for the disease while filming his National Geographic docuseries, “Limitless.” [via Page Six]
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SHAKIRA posted a heartfelt good-bye to Barcelona over the weekend as she packed up her life -- and her two sons -- to move to Miami.
As many are well aware, the hip-shaking singer is relocating after splitting from the father of her kids, soccer player GERARD PIQUE, who reportedly cheated on her.
“Today we start a new chapter in search of their happiness,” she wrote. [via Deadline]
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CASTING CALL
SHEMAR MOORE will reprise his role as Malcolm Winters on “The Young and The Restless” for the show’s 50th anniversary season.
He played Malcolm from 1994 to 2005.
Moore will appear on the episode set to air on May 8. [Deadline]
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A “Yellowstone” spinoff starring MATTHEW MCCONAUGHEY is moving forward at Paramount+.
An insider told The Hollywood Reporter that the show will happen, whether KEVIN COSTNER returns to “Yellowstone” or not. As previously reported, things have been up in the air as the star and producers work out a filming timeline.
There are already several “Yellowstone” spinoffs, including “1883,” “1923” and “6666.” [via People]
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NICOLE KIDMAN and LIEV SCHREIBER are set to star in a new limited series for Netflix, called “The Perfect Couple.”
Based on the book by ELIN HILDERBRAND, the story follows murder-mystery novelist Greer Garrison Winbury (Kidman), who is planning a Nantucket wedding for her son and future daughter-in law. Amidst all the wedding planning, a dead body turns up on the beach and everyone is a suspect.
Schreiber’s role is unknown.
Filming is set to begin this month. [via Daily Mail]
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TEYANA TAYLOR will play DIONNE WARWICK in an upcoming biopic about the music icon.
A title and release date for the project has not yet been revealed, but according to Taylor, production has already started.
The biopic was initially announced by Warwick in February 2021, who confirmed the news to Entertainment Weekly. [via Daily Mail]
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COURT CASES
Former Olympic sprinter OSCAR PISTORIUS will remain behind bars after his parole was denied on Friday.
As previously reported, he was potentially going to get early release after having served more than half of his 13-year sentence -- which is a regular occurrence in South Africa -- but officials say someone got the math wrong regarding his actual time served
Due to the miscalculation Pistorius will now have to wait until August 2024 to apply for early release. [via TMZ]
WORTH REMEMBERING: Pistorius was convicted of murdering his girlfriend 29-year-old REEVA STEENKAMP in 2013.
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THE DAILY KARDASHOPUS
YE is being sued by a former employee who claims he owes her more than a quarter of a million dollars.
According to court documents, obtained by TMZ, DORA SZILAGYI says Ye convinced her to leave her full time job at Adidas to become Yeezy’s Director of Project Innovation in 2021. She says Ye promised her a $275,000 severance pay if she was fired after September 1, 2021, which she ultimately was, but never got paid for it.
Szilagyi stated that she thinks Ye only made the severance promise to lure her away from Adidas, and never had an intention of paying her. [via TMZ]
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WE’LL NEVER BE ROYALS
PRINCE HARRY and MEGHAN MARKLE each worked a total of 52 hours in 2021 at their Archewell foundation -- that is one hour a week.
Others who only worked one hour a week that year include, Archewell’s Executive Director, Treasurer Secretary, President, and Treasurer, according to the non-profit’s 2021 tax filing.
The report also shows that Executive Director James A. Holt was paid $60,000, plus over $3,800 in benefits that year. That is more than $1,200 per hour.
The lack of time spent in the office allowed the Sussexes plenty of time to whine about the Royal Family. [via Page Six]
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DAY OF THE YEAR
Fish Fingers and Custard Day
National Chocolate Mousse Day
National Tweed Day
World Party Day
World Aquatic Animal Day
National Find a Rainbow Day
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ON THIS DATE
33 A.D. – By some accounts, this is the date Jesus was crucified.
While scholars disagree on the exact day, they're fairly certain they have the year right.
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1860 – The first Pony Express riders depart from opposite ends of the country.
One rider leaves St. Joseph, Missouri. The other leaves Sacramento, California.
The westward rider arrived first, after just 10 days, covering 1800 miles.
Though the Pony Express only lasted a couple of years, it was the first step to connect California with the United States. Telegraph wires soon made it more efficient to bridge that communication gap.
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1865 – The Civil War continues to close, as Union troops capture Richmond, Virginia.
The invasion of the city came after Ulysses S. Grant had tried for more than 10 months to break the defensive barriers around Richmond. Two decisive victories finally helped him and his troops inside.
Some of the first troops to march through the streets were soldiers of the 5th Massachusetts Cavalry -- which was an all-black unit.
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1882 – Renegade outlaw Jesse James is killed -- by the coward Robert Ford.
Ford betrayed his boss for the reward money. But when he went to claim it, he was charged with first degree murder. The governor of Missouri soon pardoned him, however, but Ford only received a small part of the original reward.
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1988 – Mario Lemieux scores the most goals in the NHL for a single season, breaking a seven-season streak held by Wayne Gretzky.
With 168, he won the Art Ross trophy, which goes to the NHL player every year who scores the most goals. His nickname was "Super Mario." That year he also won the MVP trophy.
He came close to beating Gretzky's scoring streak, winning in 1989, '92, '93, '96, and '97, but was ultimately one year short of tying it.
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1996 – FBI agents arrest Ted Kaczynski, the Unabomber.
Kaczynski was held responsible for 16 mail bombs. Three died and 23 were injured over 17 years thanks to Ted Kaczynski's terror.
He was finally caught after submitting his manifesto to the New York Times and Washington Post, who published the letters because Kaczynski promised more terror unless they acquiesced. His brother David recognized the letters as Kaczynski's, and tipped off the police.
When agents raided his Montana home, they found a live bomb and original copies of his psychotic manifesto.
Kaczynski was found guilty and sentenced to four life sentences in prison plus 30 years. He never showed remorse.
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2008 – Mariah Carey tops Elvis Presley’s record of 17 No. 1 hits with her 18th, “Touch My Body.”
Only the Beatles have more with 20.
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2020 - Prince Charles opens the UK’s first emergency field hospital for coronavirus patients.
The temporary NHS Nightingale Hospital is equipped to hold up to 4,000 patients and will be staffed with student nurses, medical students, former doctors, nurses and others who have come out of retirement to help.
It is the first of several such facilities planned across the country to keep up with the growing number of patients.
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BIRTHDAYS
Paris Jackson - model & daughter of Michael - 25
Jordan Tucker - basketball player - 25
Gabriel Jesus - soccer player - 26
Sarah Jeffrey - actress, “Descendants” films & “Charmed” - 27
Hayley Kiyoko - pop singer - 32
Amanda Bynes - actress, “All That” & “She’s The Man” - 37
Leona Lewis - pop singer - 38
Chrissie Fit - actress, “General Hospital” & “Teen Beach Movie” - 39
Ben Foster - soccer player - 40
Cobie Smulders - actress, “How I Met Your Mother” - 41
Adam Scott - actor, “Parks and Recreation” & “Step Brothers” - 50
Eddie Murphy - actor, “Dr. Doolittle” & “Beverly Hills Cop” - 62
Alec Baldwin - actor, “30 Rock” & “Beetlejuice” - 65
Jane Goodall - zoologist - 89
Born On This Date
Marlon Brando - actor, “The Godfather” & “Apocalypse Now” - 1924 (d. 2004)
Doris Day - actress, “Sentimental Journey” - 1922 (d. 2019)
Washington Irving - author, “Legend of Sleepy Hollow” - 1783 (d. 1859)
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