Today is Wednesday, April 5, 2023.
It is the 95th day of the year.
270 days remain.
WHAT’S ON TAP
FIRST OF ALL: Sorry for the bananas layout in yesterday’s newsletter. We wish we could blame it on too many martinis, but it was just a clumsy mistake.
An app founder gets hit with a suit by the SEC for fraud and a miracle baby survives weeks separated from her mother after the devastating February earthquakes in Turkey. More in HIT LIST.
Former President DONALD TRUMP has been hit with 34 felony business fraud counts. More in THE SWAMP.
HUGH JACKMAN promotes wearing sunscreen and BARBARA WALTERS was pushed off of “The View.” More in SHOWBIZ.
Still no air date for “Yellowstone” to return and a “Harry Potter” series is on the table at HBO Max. More in CASTING CALL.
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HIT LIST
One good outcome for people living in states hit by heavy storms last week: The IRS is giving filers more time to submit their tax returns.
Arkansas residents in areas hit by tornadoes will have until July 31 to file. People living in parts of Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, New York, and California will also have extensions – some as late as October. [via WSJ]
WORTH NOTING: The IRS has been backlogged and slow for years. The pandemic made it even worse. This move gives them a bit more wiggle room to get information processed, too.
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How much do you suppose it costs to identify places where wild animals cross busy roads and set up road signs to warn drivers?
The Department of Transportation ballparks it’ll take about $111 MILLION – for the pilot program. Funds are becoming available for state and local governments and Native American reservations to study and post signs in exactly these areas. In total, about $350 million is in the pot for such programs across the country.
The first such program will roll out in New Mexico, along a stretch that’s been particularly perilous for drivers encountering mountain lions. [via Associated Press]
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Another miracle story of a young child surviving disaster – this time in Turkey, where a 3-month-old girl survived over 128 hours, unharmed, in rubble after earthquakes in February before rescuers found her. It took until last week to reunite the baby with her mother.
In the meantime, rescuers called the baby “Gizem” – Turkish for “mystery.” [via People]
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Remember Charlie Javice? She sold an app to JPMorgan that promised to help students find financial aid for going to college, but was suspected of vastly overestimating the number of users on the site.
JPMorgan sued her back in January.
Now she’s been arrested following charges filed by the Securities and Exchange Commission. The complaint alleges that Javice said there were 4.25 MILLION users on the site, when in reality there were fewer than one-tenth that number. That’s enough to get her arrested on Monday night.
She faces some heavy time behind bars, too. As CNN points out: “She is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit banking and wire fraud, one count of wire fraud, one count of bank fraud and one count of securities fraud. If convicted, each count carries a sentence that could mean decades in prison.” [via CNN]
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Google really wants you to turn to its flights-search feature the next time you’re booking a vacation.
They’re rolling out a pilot program that will refund users the difference if they later find and book the same flight for a lower price.
Select flights will be marked with a “guarantee” badge – and if you book it through Google, and the price decreases, you’ll automatically get paid out the difference via Google Pay. [via Google]
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CHARTS
Top 5 Fiction & Nonfiction Books Currently on the New York Times Best Sellers List:
FICTION:
“It Starts With Us,” Colleen Hoover
“Lessons in Chemistry,” Bonnie Garmus
“Daisy Jones & The Six,” Taylor Jenkins Reid
“It Ends With Us,” Colleen Hoover
“Countdown,” James Patterson & Brendan DuBois
NON-FICTION
“Poverty, By America,” Matthew Desmond
“Saved,” Benjamin Hall
“Spare,” Prince Harry
“The Body Keeps the Score,” Bessel van der Kolk
“I’m Glad My Mom Died,” Jennette McCurdy
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DEATHS
JUDY FARRELL, best known for her role as Nurse Able on “M*A*S*H,” has died.
She passed away Sunday after suffering a stroke nine days prior, according to a statement from her son.
Farrell also made appearances in “Get Smart,” “The Partridge Family” and “J.W. Coop.”
She was 84.
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STEFAN GRYGELKO, better known by his drag queen name Heklina, has died.
According to a friend, he was found dead in London on Monday. No cause of death has been reported.
He was 54.
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BREAKUPS
RUPERT MURDOCH, 92, and ANN LESLEY SMITH, 66, have called off their engagement.
The news comes just weeks after the billionaire announced the news to one of his own publications, The New York Post.
As for what led to the split, insiders say Smith struggled with all of the publicity surrounding their relationship and forthcoming nuptials.
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THE SWAMP
Former President DONALD TRUMP pleaded not guilty on Tuesday to 34 felony counts of falsifying business records.
In a statement, Manhattan District Attorney ALVIN BRAGG said, “The basis for business integrity and a well functioning business marketplace is true and accurate record-keeping. That's the charge at fault here -- falsifying New York state business records.”
Even MITT ROMNEY is suspicious of the motivations to indict Trump, saying in a statement that Bragg "has stretched to reach felony criminal charges in order to fit a political agenda.” Romney took the opportunity to remind people he still thinks Trump is unfit for office.
EITHER WAY: True to form, the former Commander in Chief is turning the scandal into a business opportunity: his campaign has raked in over $10 million in the last week.
GO FIGURE: Also yesterday, the 9th Circuit awarded Trump more than $120,000 in additional legal fees connected to a dismissed defamation case filed by STORMY DANIELS and attorney-turned-convicted-felon MICHAEL AVENATTI in 2018.
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BY THE NUMBERS
📈 The DOW lost 207 points (0.62%) to close at 33,394 on Tuesday. The S&P lost 27 points (0.64%) to close at 4,098 and the NASDAQ lost 71 points (0.58%) to close at 12,117.
🛢 WEST TEXAS INTERMEDIATE closed at $80; BRENT CRUDE at $85.
⛽ The national average price of a GALLON OF GAS was $3.51 on Tuesday.
₿ BITCOIN was up 1.15%, trading around $28,138.
🛩 There were nearly FLIGHTS delayed within, into, or out of the United States on Tuesday and more than such cancellations.
💰Tonight’s POWERBALL drawing will be for a $170 million jackpot or a $90.4 million cash payout.
SHOWBIZ NEWS
Actress CATERINA SCORSONE recently lost everything in a fire at her home.
The “Grey’s Anatomy” star shared the devastating story on social media, explaining that she had “about two minutes” to get her three children out of the home. Unfortunately, they were not able to get their pets safely out too.
Despite losing their beloved pets, their home and all of their belongings, Scorsone said that the love, support and items they have received from their community and loved ones has been a “silver lining.”
No word on what caused the fire. [via Page Six]
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According to her recently released death certificate, actress RAQUEL WELCH’s cause of death was cardiac arrest, with an underlying cause of Alzheimer’s disease.
As previously reported, Welch died on February 15 at her home in Los Angeles. At the time, her family said she had battled a “brief illness.” She was 82-years-old. [via TMZ]
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Soccer star GERARD PIQUE says he doesn’t care about all of the hate he has received after cheating on his longtime girlfriend, SHAKIRA.
When asked in a recent interview how he has been handling all of the backlash from his ex’s fans, Pique replied, “I don’t care about any of it. Honestly, not at all, because I don’t know them. These people have no lives and why should I care?”
HEARTLESS: In a previous interview, Pique stated that he “wasn’t sorry” for leaving Shakira -- the mother of his two kids -- “devastated” by their split. “I keep doing what I want,” he told El Pais. [via Page Six]
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HUGH JACKMAN wants you to wear sunscreen.
The 54-year-old, who has been treated for skin cancer several times, told his social media followers this week to “put some sunscreen on,” as he revealed a bandaged nose from recent skin biopsies.
As summer approaches, Jackman wants his more than 31 million followers to know, “It is just not worth it. No matter how much you want to tan, trust me…” [via People]
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BARBARA WALTERS was forced to leave her seat on “The View” by ABC, according to former co-host LISA LING.
Ling, who co-hosted “The View” from 1999 to 2022, recently shared the tidbit with The Cut, explaining that Walters confided in her that the network was “making her quit” when she announced her exit in 2014.
“I’ve never shared this with anyone,” Ling added.
Many may recall that Walters created “The View” in 1997. She not only co-hosted the daytime talkshow for 17 seasons, but served as executive producer until her death in 2022.
It is unclear why Ling decided to share the secret now. [via Page Six]
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JOHN TRAVOLTA’s white suit from “Saturday Night Fever” has hit the auction block.
The three-piece ensemble is expected to go for $200,000, according to Julien's Auctions, who has listed the outfit in the “Hollywood: Classic & Contemporary” sale.
The auction will also feature other memorabilia, such as HARRISON FORD’s machete from “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom” and the hoverboard used by MICHAEL J. FOX in “Back to the Future.” [via People]
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TRAVIS KELCE announced that he will host the first-ever “Kelce Jam” during NFL Draft weekend.
The two-time Super Bowl winning tight end said the festival will feature performances by MACHINE GUN KELLY, RICK ROSS, DJ DUO LOUD LUXURY and TECH N9NE.
The event will be held April 28 at the Azura Amphitheater in Bonner Springs, Kansas. [via AP News]
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CASTING CALL
“Yellowstone” fans may have a bit longer to wait to watch the conclusion of Season 5.
According to Paramount’s president of development and production, it is still “unclear” when filming will resume on the second-half of the season and whether or not star KEVIN COSTNER will be part of it.
The Duttons were originally set to return to the small screen this summer.
As previously reported, Costner and producers have been in a disagreement surrounding his filming schedule, leaving many to fear he will exit the show. He has not commented publicly on the issue. [via People]
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A “Harry Potter” TV series may actually be happening at HBO Max as the streaming service is in talks with author JK ROWLING, who has creative control over the franchise.
According to Deadline, Rowling may join the project as a producer. Once she agrees to that, the next step will be to find a writer.
As previously reported, each season of the series would focus on one book in the “HP” series. There are seven novels in the series. [via Deadline]
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Another “Shrek” film is in the works.
According to Variety, DreamWorks Animation intends to develop “Shrek 5” with original voice actors MIKE MYERS, CAMERON DIAZ and EDDIE MURPHY.
Both Murphy and Myers have expressed interest in reprising their roles as Donkey and Shrek, respectively. [via Variety]
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THE DAILY KARDASHOPUS
KOURTNEY KARDASHIAN and TRAVIS BARKER’s Italian wedding will be the center of a new special on Hulu.
The streamer announced yesterday that “‘Til Death Do Us Part” will feature “personal archive footage” from the nuptials.
Kardashian fans will recall that the couple got married three times; a fake wedding in Vegas, a legal ceremony at a Santa Barbara courthouse and finally, in front of family and friends in Portofino.
“‘Til Death Do Us Part: Kourtney and Travis” premieres on April 13. [via Page Six]
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WE’LL NEVER BE ROYALS
Brits and tourists are predicted to spend more than 1.4 BILLION euros during the KING CHARLES’ Coronation weekend.
The Centre for Retail Research breaks that down further, expecting 847 million euros spent on parties, 57 million euros on wines, beer, and spirits, and nearly 250 million euros on souvenirs and memorabilia. Plus, pubs will stay open for an extra two hours that weekend and are expected to bring in nearly 200 million euros. [via The Sun]
WORTH NOTING: 1.4 BILLION euros is seven times the cost of the official royal event.
Charles’ Coronation is set for May 6.
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DAY OF THE YEAR
National Walking Day
National Caramel Day
First Contact Day
National Deep Dish Pizza Day
National Read a Road Map Day
Hospital Admitting Clerks Day
National Go For Broke Day
Childhelp National Day of Hope
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ON THIS DATE
1722 - Dutch navigator Jacob Roggeveen discovers Easter Island aka Rapa Nui in the southeastern Pacific.
While the discovery was not deemed historical at the time, it has since attracted the attention of scientists and archaeologists from all around the world because of the large mysterious statues that dot the island.
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1792 - President Washington issues the first veto.
The bill in question would have changed the allocation of legislators in the House of Representatives. Washington consulted with his cabinet, and decided it was unconstitutional.
His only other veto was for a bill that would have reduced the size of the US cavalry.
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1945 - Yugoslavian dictator Tito creates an alliance with the Soviet Union.
The agreement allows Soviet troops to move through Yugoslavia's borders without issue.
Tito and Allied powers engineered a counteroffensive in 1941 to keep Germany and Italy out of the country, but with the end of World War II and the rise of the Cold War, Yugoslavia became a cog in the expansive Soviet regime.
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1955 - British Prime Minister Winston Churchill resigns.
He had led the country through World War II, and much of Europe's restoration. Throughout his tenure, he opposed fascism and communism, and was skeptical of Soviet victories after the war.
Before leaving office he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth and even received the Nobel Prize in literature.
Following his resignation as PM, he would remain in parliament for another nine years.
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1969 - Nearly 100,000 war protestors march through New York City.
Partner protests erupted across the country, including San Francisco, Washington DC, and Los Angeles.
The Socialist Workers Party was the primary organizer of the events.
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1984 - Kareem Abdul-Jabbar breaks the all-time scoring record for an NBA player.
With 31,420 points, he bested Wilt Chamberlain. The basket that put Abdul-Jabbar on top came with fewer than nine minutes left in the game, off a pass from Magic Johnson.
He was then benched for the rest of the game.
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1994 - Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain dies from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, fueled by a drug overdose.
Some conjecture that his crazy wife Courtney Love engineered his murder, but Cobain notoriously struggled with addiction.
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2016 - San Francisco becomes the first US city to mandate paid parental leave.
The new law requires most San Francisco employees to receive six weeks of fully paid parental leave.
It would officially go into effect in January 2017.
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2020 - British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is admitted to the hospital after suffering symptoms from COVID-19.
He survives the deadly virus.
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BIRTHDAYS
Dominik Mysterio - wrestler - 26
Lily James - actress, “Downton Abbey” & “Cinderella” - 34
Charlotte Flair - wrestler - 37
Phil Wickham - rock singer - 39
Hayley Atwell - actress, “The Duchess” & “Ant-Man” - 41
Zak Bagans - Tv show host, “Ghost Adventures” - 46
Sterling K. Brown - actor, “This Is Us” - 47
Juicy J - rapper - 48
Pharrell Williams - music producer & singer - 50
Mike McCready - guitarist, Pearl Jam - 57
Agnetha Faltskog - singer, ABBA - 73
Born On This Date
Colin Powell - US Secretary of State - 1937 (d. 2021)
Gregory Peck - actor, “To Kill A Mockingbird” - 1916 (d. 2003)
Bette Davis - actress, “All About Eve” - 1908 (d. 1989)
Booker T. Washington - author & presidential advisor - 1856 (d. 1915)
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