4/6/2023: The Economy is Totally Fine
PLUS: Putin’s Deceptions; Kim’s Whips; and No Prince Louis
Today is Thursday, April 6, 2023.
It is the 96th day of the year.
269 days remain.
WHAT’S ON TAP
The richest are getting richer because the rich are spending lots of money while small businesses reach a record number of bankruptcies. More in HIT LIST.
Dershowitz says former President DONALD TRUMP will likely be convicted on business fraud charges, but the case will be overturned on appeal. More in THE SWAMP.
TORI SPELLING develops an eye ulcer and AARON RODGERS shops for crystals. More in SHOWBIZ.
“Mad Men” star SAM PAGE joins the cast of “Grey’s Anatomy” and KYLE RICHARDS lands a role in a new holiday-themed film. More in CASTING CALL.
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HIT LIST
ELON MUSK has apparently authorized Twitter to add a “state-sponsored media” flag to NPR’s account on the social media service.
The organization isn’t happy about it; JOHN LANSING, NPR’s President & CEO, said in a memo Wednesday that “NPR and our member stations are supported by millions of listeners who depend on us for the independent, fact-based journalism we provide.”
BUT WAIT: NPR’s own website says, “Federal funding is essential to public radio's service to the American public and its continuation is critical for both stations and program producers, including NPR.”
WORTH ASKING: If NPR operates independently of federal funding it shouldn’t be a problem to end its federal funding. Right?
WORTH NOTING: As always, the devil thrives in the details. While there isn’t a direct transfer between Janet Yellen’s checking account and NPR’s credit union – or however money gets wheelbarrowed around these days – the Corporation for Public Broadcasting does get direct federal funding. The CPB then gives grants to local radio stations, which use those grants to license NPR’s content. It’s as corrupt as a Biden family picnic.
WORTH REMEMBERING: NPR publicly said they wouldn’t cover the Hunter Biden laptop story in 2020 because it was a distraction. Such reporting about the authenticity of the laptop and the contents therein has since been totally vindicated.
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Corporate bankruptcies hit a 12-year high over the first two months of 2023 and are on track for about 670 by the end of the year.
There was an obvious spike in filings in 2020, at 638, but before that, there were fewer than 600 such bankruptcies every year since 2011. Combined, the January and February filings for this year include over $20 billion in total liability – meaning that’s money the companies’ vendors will likely never see. [via Business Insider]
MEANWHILE: Joining the growing list of bankruptcies is the recently-embattled Virgin Orbit space company, which has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The move comes after operational starts-and-stops in recent weeks and a failure to secure new investment. [via USA Today]
MEANWHILE, AT BED BATH & BEYOND: Amid massive downsizing, Bed Bath & Beyond has reached a $120 million consignment deal to improve its inventory levels, since vendors fear selling them products that they won’t get paid for if they go bankrupt. [via CNBC]
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The richest are getting richer: The world’s wealthiest man, BERNARD ARNAULT, who oversees the Louis Vuitton fashion empire, is now worth $201 BILLION – the first time he’s exceeded the $200-billion mark.
GET THIS: His wealth has increased $39 billion in just the last three months – thanks to increased demand for high-end fashion products.
WORTH ASKING: How many everyday Americans can’t buy a house or a car or afford groceries or gas because they’re buying designer handbags and scarves? (It’s zero.)
WORTH REMEMBERING: JEFF BEZOS was the first person to earn a $200 billion net worth, which he achieved in 2020. He’s down to a paltry $128 billion fortune. [via The Guardian]
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If your recent Chipotle burrito order has left your eyes watering from too much spicy heat, you’re not alone: A Wall Street Journal investigation reveals that an increasing number of customers say the company’s signature Tomatillo-Red Chili Salsa has become uneatable.
Reps for Chipotle say they haven’t intentionally changed the recipe, but they do acknowledge that they’ve had to get creative to source the ingredients for the recipe. The chile de árbol behind the signature kick also varies widely in its heat level on the Scoville scale, anywhere between 15,000 and 30,000 units, but gets reduced once it’s cooked down and added to the final recipe.
The Journal’s testing showed a range of heat from samples collected from Chipotle restaurants in Phoenix, Chicago, and Washington, DC, from about 2700 to 3300 Scoville units.
So it’s not just you. [via WSJ]
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If you’re going to drive drunk, avoid passing the police station. Better yet, don’t drive your car into the department’s entrance sign.
Officers in Connecticut arrested a 30-year-old driver who smashed his Honda Accord into the welcome sign at the Plainfield Police Department on Monday. The driver’s been charged with speed and vehicle-control violations and, of course, operating under the influence. He’s out on bond. [via Associated Press]
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CHARTS
Recommended Reading:
Astronomers use complex techniques like measuring radio waves to study whether distant planets could harbor life. Some radio waves indicate the presence of a magnetic field, which not all planets have; but a magnetic field is key to protecting any potential life from harmful radiation. Read about the latest find suggesting there could be life on a world far, far away >
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DEATHS
BOB LEE, the founder of Cash App, has died.
He was fatally stabbed early Tuesday morning in San Francisco, according to a local NBC station. No arrests have been made in connection to his death.
Lee was only 43.
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RELATIONSHIPS
Actor star LUKAS GAGE, 27, and celebrity hairstylist CHRIS APPLETON, 39, are engaged.
Several outlets reported the news this week, while noting that the couple has not confirmed their engagement themselves.
The pair went public with their relationship just last month.
WORTH NOTING: Appleton is KIM KARDASHIAN’s go-to hair guru.
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THE SWAMP
High-profile lawyer and Trump-defender ALAN DERSHOWITZ says he believes the former president will be convicted on the charges made public on Tuesday — but not on the case’s merits.
Dershowitz said in a podcast interview that the same kind of people on the grand jury would be seated for the jury trial that is set to begin in January.
BUT WAIT: Dershowitz added that the case would be reversed on appeal, and never be “affirmed all the way up to the Supreme Court.” [via Human Events]
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TO THE SOVIET SWAMP WE GO: A Russian defector says that Russia’s President VLADIMIR PUTIN has set up identical offices around the country, so that when photos and video are taken, spies can’t be sure exactly where he is.
The details go down to the furniture and art, at locations in St. Petersburg, Sochi, and Novo-Ogaryovo, all of which are described as completely identical.
IT GETS WORSE: Over fears of assassination attempts and coup plots, Putin’s security detail will often make it look like he’s leaving one location, sending a security detail and motorcade away from the office while Putin remains behind to work. [via New York Post]
WORTH NOTING: Maybe he uses the same people that JACK DONAGHY does:
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BY THE NUMBERS
📈 The DOW added 74 points (0.22%) to close at 33,476 on Wednesday. The S&P lost 13 points (0.33%) to close at 4,087 and the NASDAQ dropped 149 points (1.23%) to close at 11,978.
🛢 WEST TEXAS INTERMEDIATE closed at $80; BRENT CRUDE at $85.
⛽ The national average price of a GALLON OF GAS was $3.53 on Wednesday.
₿ BITCOIN ticked up Wednesday, trading just shy of $28,200.
🛩 There were more than 4,980 FLIGHTS delayed within, into, or out of the United States on Wednesday and more than 770 such cancellations.
💰Friday night’s MEGA MILLIONS drawing will be for a $414 million jackpot or a $221 million cash payout.
SHOWBIZ NEWS
TORI SPELLING developed an eye ulcer after keeping her contact lenses in for days at a time.
She admitted the mistake on an episode of her “9021OMG” podcast this week, telling co-host JENNIE GARTH that she often sleeps in her contacts. While Spelling did not share how long she had the pair in that led to the ulcer, she did confess that she has “been known to go maybe 20 days” wearing the same daily pair.
As for the ulcer, Spelling has to wear a patch on her eye while it heals. [via Page Six]
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JEREMY RENNER told DIANE SAWYER that he thought he was going to die after being run over by his 14,000 pound snowplow on New Year’s Day.
He was so sure he wasn’t going to make it that the actor said he started writing notes on his phone to his family members; his last sentiments.
While he is miraculously back on his feet, Renner said he still has a way to go in his healing process. [via TMZ]
Renner’s interview with Sawyer aired last night on ABC.
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LEBRON JAMES and TIGER WOODS are two of the new billionaires on Forbes’ list of billionaire sportspeople. They are also notable for being the first billionaire athletes who are still playing their respective sports.
James is worth an estimated $1 BILLION and Woods’ net worth is an estimated $1.7 BILLION.
Others on the list include Las Vegas Raiders owner MARK DAVIS, New York Jets owner WOODY JOHNSON, Tennessee Titans owner AMY ADAMS STRUNK, and Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Devils owner DAVID BLITZER. [via Fox Business]
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JENNIFER LOPEZ has created a new low-calorie wine, called Delola Spritz.
Delola comes in three original flavors: Bella Berry Spritz, Paloma Rosa Spritz and L’Orange Spritz.
“Each one is bottled up in a beautiful glass bottle and ready to serve. Just pour over ice and enjoy,” JLo told her fans in an Instagram post. [via Daily Mail]
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FLAVOR FLAV spent the past two days teaching students at Harvard about hip hop culture.
The rapper shared his expertise during a table read of Emily Dickinson’s 1896 poem “A Clock Stopped,” all while referencing how it fit into his music career.
The discussion was fitting as Flav later donated one of his iconic clocks to the Hip Hop Archive Research Institute. [via TMZ]
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BLAC CHYNA revealed on Instagram this week that she received a Doctorate of Liberal Arts degree from Sacramento Theological Seminary and Bible College.
The 34-year-old showed off her certificate propped up against a picture of her two kids, son King, 10, whom she shares with rapper TYGA and daughter Dream, 6, whom she shares with ex-fiance ROB KARDASHIAN.
The announcement comes amid several big life changes Chyna has been making, including removing a “demonic” tattoo, having her facial filler dissolved and reversing other cosmetic procedures. She has previously said she is embarking on a new “life-changing journey” to better herself for her kids. [via ET]
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AARON RODGERS was spotted shopping for crystals at a shop called Topanga Rocks in Topanga, California this week.
He exited the shop with a small bag, though it is unclear what he purchased.
The shopping spree comes as the Green Bay Packers and New York Jets continue to haggle over a fair price for the QB. [via TMZ]
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CASTING CALL
“Mad Men” alum SAM PAGE has joined the cast of “Grey’s Anatomy” in a recurring role.
Page will play Sam Sutton, an Air Force pilot who is seriously injured in a base-jumping accident, according to ABC.
His character will first appear on the show during the May 4 episode. [via Variety]
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Reality star KYLE RICHARDS has landed a role in “The Holiday Exchange,” an LGBTQ-themed holiday film.
The story follows Wilde, played by TAYLOR FREY, who decides to swap houses on an LGBTQ app for the holidays with a man named Oliver, played by RICK COSNETT. During the swap, the men each meet respective handsome locals who make their stay more fun.
Richards will play Wilde’s mom, Lola, according to the Daily Mail. [via Daily Mail]
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STEPH CURRY will star in NBC’s latest mockumentary comedy series.
The show, titled “Mr. Throwback,” will center on a memorabilia dealer, played by ADAM PALLY, who is looking to reunite with his sixth-grade teammate, NBA star shooter Steph Curry.
No word on when the series will air. [via Deadline]
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THE DAILY KARDASHOPUS
TMZ obtained an aerial snapshot of KIM KARDASHIAN’s impressive fleet of vehicles parked outside her Hidden Hills home.
The whips -- all gray in color -- include two versions of the Range Rover Autobiography, a 2022 Rolls-Royce Ghost, 2023 Cadillac Escalade, 2022 Maybach and a 2022 Lamborghini Urus Mansory.
In total, the collection of cars is estimated to be worth about $2.1 million. [via TMZ]
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WE’LL NEVER BE ROYALS
PRINCE LOUIS may not attend his grandfather’s coronation.
According to one palace source, the youngest son of PRINCE WILLIAM and PRINCESS CATHERINE may not be in attendance due to “his behavior at past events.” His siblings, PRINCE GEORGE and PRINCESS CHARLOTTE will be at the celebration.
Many may recall that Louis, who is only 4, made headlines last spring for the funny facial expressions and gestures he made on the balcony at QUEEN ELIZABETH’s Platinum Jubilee. [via Page Six]
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DAY OF THE YEAR
National Burrito Day
International Fun at Work Day
National Acai Bowl Day
National Siamese Cat Day
New Beer’s Eve
National Caramel Popcorn Day
Tell a Lie Day
National Tartan Day
Army Day
Plan Your Epitaph Day
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ON THIS DATE
1830 – Joseph Smith establishes the Mormon church.
He based the religion on a vision he had of an angel named Mormoni speaking of a 1500 year old religious text that had been transcribed onto discs by a Native American. His dictation of what he believed to be the content of those discs formed the Book of Mormon.
Smith was later murdered by an anti-Mormon mob. The religion drew widespread criticism for some of its more unconventional beliefs, like polygamy.
Smith’s successor, Brigham Young, later brought the church to Utah, where it has since flourished.
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1841 – John Tyler is inaugurated as president.
He was William Henry Harrison’s Vice President. Harrison died only a month into his term.
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1896 – The first modern Olympic games open.
Greece’s King Georgios I welcomed 60,000 spectators to watch events featuring 280 athletes from 13 countries.
There were 43 events in total in the following sports: Athletics, cycling (road and track), fencing, gymnastics, shooting, swimming, tennis, weightlifting, and wrestling.
Scheduled sailing events were canceled due to bad weather.
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1909 – Explorer Robert Peary and his expedition reach what they believe to be the North Pole.
But analysis of their records a few years later determined they were very likely south of the actual position.
On May 3, 1952, Lieutenant Colonel Joseph O. Fletcher is believed to be the first, undisputed person to set foot on the actual point.
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1917 – The US House votes 373 to 50 to authorize America’s entry into World War One by declaring war against Germany.
Public opinion had been turning against Germany over the course of several months, following naval attacks on vulnerable ships.
In March, German ships sank four American merchant vessels. Following a call by President Woodrow Wilson for war and an appropriation of $250 million for the war effort, it was official.
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1968 – Stanley Kubrick’s “2001: A Space Odyssey” is released into theaters.
While critics had mixed reviews, there was so much demand for the film that some theaters carried it for regular showings for a year. The film would win an Oscar for Best Visual Effects.
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1996 - Actor Marlon Brando makes anti-Semitic remarks on “Larry King Live,” stating that the “Jews control Hollywood.”
He explained his thoughts on the matter saying that “Hollywood exploits negative racial stereotypes, except those about Jews.”
King responded to the remarks saying, “When you say something like that, though, you’re playing right into anti-Semitic people.”
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2016 - A baby is born with DNA from 3 parents through mitochondrial transfer in Mexico.
The procedure, called spindle nuclear transfer, involves removing the healthy nucleus from one of the mother’s eggs and transferring it to a donor egg which has had its nucleus removed. The resulting egg – with nuclear DNA from the mother and mitochondrial DNA from a donor – was then fertilized with the father’s sperm.
The technique was used to ensure a disease mutation carried by the mother would not be passed down to the baby.
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2020 - Nadia, a tiger at the Bronx Zoo, tests positive for COVID-19.
It is the first known case of human-to-cat transmission.
Meanwhile, the death toll from COVID-19 in the US passes 10,000, with more than 356,000 Americans infected.
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BIRTHDAYS
Oscar Piastri - race car driver - 22
Peyton List - actress, “Jessie” & “Bunk’d” - 25
Spencer List - actor, “iCarly” & “Bereavement” - 25
Rena Lovelis - bassist, Hey Violet - 25
Miranda May - actress, “Bunk’d” & “Liv and Maddie” - 27
Julie Ertz - soccer player - 31
Charlie McDermott - actor, “The Middle” - 33
Eliza Coupe - actress, “Scrubs” - 42
Candace Cameron-Bure - actress, “Full House” & “Fuller House” - 47
Zach Braff - actor, “Scrubs” - 48
Jason Hervey - actor, “Wonder Years” - 51
Paul Rudd - actor, “Clueless” & “Ant-Man” - 54
Todd Chrisley - reality star, “Chrisley Knows Best” - 54
Billy Dee Williams - actor, “Star Wars: Episode V” & “Episode VI” - 86
James Watson - molecular biologist, co-discovered DNA’s structure - 95
Born On This Date
Merle Haggard - country singer - 1937 (d. 2016)
Mickey Cochrane - HOF baseball player - 1903 (d. 1962)
Raphael - painter & builder - 1483 (d. 1520)
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