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5/25/2022: Prayers for Robb Elementary
PLUS: Tesla Eatery, Thomas Markle Hospitalized, and Kellyanne Does “The View”
Today is Wednesday, May 25, 2022.
It is the 145th day of the year.
220 days remain.
TRENDING
Steven Tyler and Aerosmith were trending Tuesday after the band made a big announcement about their lead singer. Head to Showbiz to find out more.
Several social media users tweeted out their anger at comedian Ricky Gervais following the release of his new special on Netflix. More info in Showbiz.
Robb Elementary was trending after news broke that an active shooting situation occurred at the Texas elementary school. More in Hit List.
#TheView was trending as Twitter users reacted to Kellyanne Conway’s appearance on the daytime talk show. Head to Showbiz for more.
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HIT LIST
An 18-year-old shooter killed at least eighteen children and a teacher at Robb Elementary outside San Antonio, Texas on Tuesday.
The suspect is named Salvador Romas, who is believed to have been killed by law enforcement at the school.
ABC News reports he shot his grandmother before the rampage.
This is a developing story . . .
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Tesla has plans to open a restaurant that will be open 24/7 and themed around the electric car company.
Elon Musk first teased the idea in a tweet all the way back in 2018, when he mused about putting in “an old school drive-in, roller skates & rock restaurant at one of the new Tesla Supercharger locations in [Los Angeles].”
Now, the company has filed paperwork to do just that. The plans call for a 9,300 square foot facility complete with 28 charging stations and a drive-in movie theater, plus a diner with seating for 200 people, Bloomberg reports.
No word yet on the food offerings or an opening date.
MEANWHILE: Adam Neumann has raised $70 million for his next venture. He’s the WeWork co-founder who exited his company in disgrace after blowing through billions of dollars in investment money in 2019
His new venture, which he’s spearheading with wife Rebekah and three others, will “sell tokenized carbon credits on the blockchain,” which has something to do with companies buying and selling carbon credits to alleviate their guilt about burning fossil fuels … or something.
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Supporting the Russian invasion is now a literal crime in Ukraine.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has signed a law that lets the country’s government seize the assets of anyone who supports the invasion.
Ukraine has been under a state of martial law since February 24, and the law would remain in effect until martial law is ended. Ukraine’s legislature has approved martial law status until August mid-August, NPR reports.
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The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says to expect up to six major hurricanes this season.
The season will bring between 14 and 21 named storms in total, ten of which could be hurricanes.
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The Dow had another afternoon rally to finish up just 25 points, after a day of trading in the red.
Snapchat lost 41% of its value during trading Tuesday, in the stock’s worst single day performance ever. The drop sheared $3.2 billion off the net worth of its co-founders – but they still have $6.5 billion between the two of them.
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CHARTS
Top 5 Fiction & Nonfiction Books Currently on the New York Times Best Sellers List:
FICTION:
“Book Lovers,” Emily Henry
"It Ends With Us," Colleen Hoover
“22 Seconds,” James Patterson and Maxine Paetro
“The Summer Place,” Jennifer Weiner
“Where The Crawdads Sing,” Delia Owens
NONFICTION:
“Killing The Killers,” Bill O’Reilly and Martin Dugard
“Finding Me,” Viola Davis
“A Sacred Oath,” Mark T. Esper
“Lily’s Promise,” Lily Ebert & Dov Forman
“The Body Keeps The Score,” Bessel van der Kolk
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BREAKUPS
Actress CANDICE ACCOLA, 35, has filed for divorce from her husband, musician JOE KING, 41.
Sources told Us Weekly that the pair split in January due to “irreconcilable differences.”
The exes, who tied the knot in 2014, share daughters Florence, 6, and Josephine, 1.
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SICK BAY
Country singer JOHN DRISKELL HOPKINS, 51, has been diagnosed with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis).
The disease causes progressive paralysis of the muscles responsible for chewing food, speaking and walking; eventually leading to complete respiratory failure.
“In my life, I've been scared, I've been angry, I've been stressed. But I don't know that I've ever truly felt anxiety until that day,” Hopkins told PEOPLE magazine, of the day he received the diagnosis.
Hopkins says he is “coping with weakness and balance issues” and is grateful that he has been able to join his bandmates -- Zac Brown Band -- on their seven-month “Out In The Middle” tour.
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MEGHAN MARKLE’s estranged father, THOMAS MARKLE, was rushed to the hospital on Monday night after believing he suffered a stroke.
Photos obtained by Page Six show the 77-year-old being loaded into an ambulance in Tijuana, Mexico.
In an update, Thomas’ other daughter, SAMANTHA MARKLE, told the Daily Mail that her father is “recovering in the hospital.”
She also threw in a dig at Meg, saying “It’s a travesty how much he’s been tortured and how much he’s had to go through thanks to my sister’s disregard the past few years.”
WORTH NOTING: The health scare means Thomas will not be attending QUEEN ELIZABETH’s Platinum Jubilee next week, as he had originally planned.
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THE SWAMP
An FBI investigation foiled a plot to assassinate former President GEORGE W. BUSH earlier this year.
A Forbes exclusive report reveals that two confidential informants shared text messages from the suspect, named Shihab Ahmed Shihab Shihab who’s been living in Columbus, Ohio since entering the country in 2020. He’s reportedly originally from Iraq.
Shihab asked the informant about obtaining replica police badges in order to get closer to Bush. He also asked for help getting out of the country after the attempt. Shihab at one point traveled to Dallas to get video footage of Bush’s residence.
Shihab sought to exploit weaknesses at the southern border to smuggle in other ISIS operatives to help in carrying out the attack.
Yesterday, Shihab was charged with aiding and abetting the attempted murder of a former U.S. official. He’s also facing immigration crime charges.
A statement from Bush’s office said, “President Bush has all the confidence in the world in the United States Secret Service and our law enforcement and intelligence communities.”
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It’s official: Former White House Media Commissar JEN PSAKI is headed to MSNBC. The network announced Tuesday that Psaki will join the network as an analyst and pundit for midterm election coverage. She’ll get her own show on streaming service Peacock in the first quarter of 2023.
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LOTTERY
No winner for Monday night’s Powerball drawing. Tonight’s drawing will be for a $135 million jackpot or a $79.2 million cash payout.
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SHOWBIZ NEWS
STEVEN TYLER has checked himself into rehab following a drug relapse.
According to a statement released by his Aerosmith bandmates, Tyler “relapsed” while on pain meds following a recent foot surgery. They explained that his admission was “voluntary.”
The band members concluded the statement, saying they will be canceling the first set of Las Vegas residency dates in June and July.
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RICKY GERVAIS is under fire for a series of anti-trans jokes featured in his newly-released Netflix special, “SuperNature.”
The British comedian joked about “the new women” and how they come with “beards and [a word that rhymes with socks].”
Some viewers were so offended that they threatened to cancel their Netflix subscriptions.
Gervais has long been outspoken about cancel culture, once saying “You can’t predict what will be offensive in the future.”
ALSO: GLAAD responded to the special, calling it “dangerous, anti-trans rants masquerading as jokes.”
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KELLYANNE CONWAY stopped by “The View” on Tuesday to promote her new book, “Here’s The Deal.”
While discussing her time as senior counselor to former president DONALD TRUMP, and her disappointment over him losing the 2020 election, audience members responded with a chorus of “boos.” The negativity prompted a harsh lecture from co-host WHOOPI GOLDBERG, who told the audience to allow her to “share her view.”
Later on in the segment, Conway went toe-to-toe with ALYSSA FARAH, another former Trump Administration employee, who has since denounced her loyalty to 45. Things got so heated that Goldberg was once again forced to step in and get the ladies to move on from the discussion.
Conway’s book hit shelves yesterday.
WORTH ASKING: Did anyone believe that someone associated with Trump would have been allowed to openly and honestly share their thoughts without backlash from the close-minded, Biden-supporting women of “The View”?
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HALSEY claims her label won’t let her release new music unless they can “fake” a viral TikTok first.
The non-binary singer (who uses they/them pronouns) vented their frustrations this week (on TikTok, ironically), claiming they are being blocked from debuting their new song for “marketing reasons.”
The label, Astralwerks/Capitol, has not responded to the claims.
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REGINA HALL will receive the second annual Voice of Inspiration Award from Variety today at the annual Reel Works ChangeMakers Gala.
Variety’s senior VP and global content/executive editor STEVEN GAYDOS called Hall “one of America’s most vital actresses and advocates for opportunities, inclusion and change.”
The Reel Works organization provides free filmmaking and mentoring programs to more than 1,600 youth in New York City. According to organizers, 100% of students who participate in their programs graduate, 83% attend college and more than half go on to have a career in media.
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CASTING CALL
RITA MORENO has joined the cast of “Fast X.”
She will play the grandmother of VIN DIESEL’s character, Dom.
Plot details for the latest installment in the “Fast & Furious” franchise have been kept under wraps.
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LEX MEDLIN, ARIANA GUERRA and JAY LEE will be series regulars on the upcoming second season of “CSI: Vegas.”
Medlin will play Beau, one of Dow Chemical’s top research scientists, while Guerra will take on the role of Serena, a tough-skinned cynic of CSIs.
Lee will reprise his role as CSI Chris Park. He had a recurring guest role last season.
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JOSH LUCAS will star opposite KRISTEN WIIG in Apple TV+’s comedy series, “Mrs. American Pie.”
He will play Douglas, the husband of Wigg’s character, Maxine, who will do everything in her power to secure a seat in the Palm Beach high society.
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***POTENTIAL SPOILER ALERT***
In a newly released trailer for the upcoming Thor flick “Thor: Love and Thunder,” CHRISTIAN BALE is revealed as the villainous Gorr the God Butcher.
The fourth installment of the Marvel franchise features CHRIS HEMSWORTH as Thor, and NATALIE PORTMAN as Thor’s ex-girlfriend.
The film also stars TESSA THOMPSON, RUSSEL CROWE, CHRIS PRATT and DAVE BAUTISTA.
“Thor: Love and Thunder” hits theaters on July 8.
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“Bachelor” alum TAYSHIA ADAMS will host the 2022 MTV Movie & TV Awards: Unscripted.
Unscripted will air after the MTV Movie & TV Awards on June 5.
VANESSA HUDGENS has been tapped to host the awards show.
SPEAKING OF THE AWARDS SHOW: Top nominees include “Spider-Man: No Way Home” with seven nods, “Euphoria” with six and “The Batman” with four.
FOR THE UNSCRIPTED NOMINEES: “RuPaul’s Drag Race” landed four nods and “Selling Sunset” and “Summer House” earned three each.
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COURT CASES
The judge in the JOHNNY DEPP-AMBER HEARD trial denied the actor’s request to have his ex-wife’s $100 million counterclaim rejected.
Depp’s attorney argued for the motion on Tuesday morning, just before Heard’s legal team rested.
Heard countersued Depp in August, 2020, more than a year after he filed his $50 million defamation suit against her.
WORTH NOTING: Depp’s ex-girlfriend, supermodel KATE MOSS will take the stand today, in support of the actor.
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CRIB NOTES
Actor NEIL PATRICK HARRIS has finally landed a buyer for his Harlem brownstone.
According to the New York Post, the five-story pad is in contract for more than $7.1 million -- setting a record for the neighborhood.
Harris bought the home in 2013 for close to $3.6 million.
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THE DAILY KARDASHOPUS
Fans now know what SCOTT DISICK was up to as his ex, KOURTNEY KARDASHIAN said “I do” -- for the third time -- with TRAVIS BARKER. He was at a strip club.
Sources inside Sapphire New York told TMZ that Disick was in the VIP section early Monday morning with a group of friends.
Eyewitnesses said the visit was lowkey and Disick never interacted with any dancers.
MEANWHILE: Travis and Kourt’s Italian nuptials are being criticized as many feel they were “mocking” Catholicism.
ALSO: Kourt has changed her name to Kourtney Kardashian Barker…at least on Instagram.
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WE’LL NEVER BE ROYALS
Ever wondered why the Royal Family wears shades of blue more than any other color?
An expert has weighed in.
Behavioral Color Psychologist (yes it’s a thing!) KAREN HALLER told Woman and Home magazine that the color “communicates you are in a position of authority, trustworthy, reliable and can be depended on.”
Wearing the same color when out, such as the Cambridges often do, shows they are “coming together as a family, representing themselves as a cohesive unit,” Haller added.
On the flip side, Haller says the color choice can also come off as “aloof” and “distant,” leading to the presumption those wearing it are “unapproachable.”
Royals most commonly in shades of blue include: QUEEN ELIZABETH, CAMILLA PARKER BOWLES and PRINCESS MARGARET, according to the publication.
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SPORTS
The NFL Scouting Combine will take place in Indianapolis for the next two seasons.
The league contemplated moving the event -- even going as far as soliciting bids for the first time ever -- but ultimately decided to keep it where it has been held since 1987.
IAN RAPOPORT of the NFL Network was the first to report the news.
The league also later confirmed it.
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DAY OF THE YEAR
National Brown-Bag It Day
National Missing Children’s Day
National Tap Dance Day
National Wine Day
Towel Day
Geek Pride Day
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ON THIS DATE
1787 – The Constitutional Convention meets in Philadelphia, with the mission of dismantling the Articles of Confederation.
James Madison's plan was the first to be discussed, which included provisions for a bicameral legislature and an elected judiciary. It strongly reflected the British parliamentary system.
But William Patterson contoured with a different plan, in which each state would have one vote in the legislature, eliminating disproportionate representation from over-populous states.
The discussion that ensued would frame the US Constitution.
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1793 – The first Catholic priest is ordained in the United States.
His name is Father Stephen Theodore Badin and he was sent to do mission work in Kentucky.
In the early days of the United States, Maryland was the hotbed of Catholicism. The ordaining bishop was a man who was born in Baltimore, traveled to Europe where he was ordained, and returned to the new United States to help grow the Church, under the orders of the Pope.
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1878 – The “HMS Pinafore” debuts for the first time.
The signature play written by Gilbert and Sullivan was their 4th collaborative work. Audiences in particular enjoyed the melodic and catchy songs. Meanwhile, critics did not give it universal approval.
The role of protagonist Captain Corcoran has been reserved for outstanding thespians with dashing good looks and beautiful singing voices.
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1935 – Babe Ruth hits his last home runs as a professional ballplayer, cementing a record that would stand 40 years.
That game he went 4 for 4, nailing 3 homers and batting in 6 runs, bringing his career total to 714 home runs.
He would later be surpassed by Hank Aaron and Barry Bonds.
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1977 – “Star Wars” hits theaters for the first time, becoming a worldwide sensation.
The film would earn 7 Oscars and sell nearly a billion dollars’ worth of tickets worldwide in its first run.
For its time, the special effects were groundbreaking and revolutionary, contributing to its success.
George Lucas was the mastermind behind the series, and became a kazillionaire from it. He attributed much of his financial success to ensuring a significant cut of profits from all Star Wars-related merchandise that was sold.
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2011 – Oprah Winfrey airs her last show after 25 years of broadcasting.
She planned to go on and rule the world through her OWN network.
OWN is home to shows such as, “Greenleaf,” “Love Is,” “If Loving You Is Wrong” and many centered around Oprah, herself.
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2018 - Harvey Weinstein turns himself in to New York police to face charges of rape, criminal sex act, sex abuse and sexual misconduct.
The charges stem from incidents with two separate women in 2013 and 2004.
His bond is set at $10 million and per conditions of his bail, Weinstein is required to wear a GPS monitoring system and surrender his passport.
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2020 - A video of George Floyd’s arrest and murder while in police custody goes viral.
The 9 minute clip shows Floyd pinned to the ground by police officer Derek Chauvin.
The incident sparks widespread condemnation and nationwide protests.
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BIRTHDAYS
David Pastrnak - hockey player - 26
Aly Raisman - Olympic gymnast - 28
Bo Dallas - wrestler - 32
Roman Reigns - wrestler - 37
Joe King - guitarist, The Frey - 42
Adam Gontier - rock singer, Three Days Grace - 44
Brian Urlacher - football player - 44
Alberto del Rio - wrestler - 45
Cillian Murphy - actor, “28 Days Later” & “Inception” - 46
Octavia Spencer - actress, “The Help” & “Hidden Figures” - 52
Jamie Kennedy - comedian - 52
Anne Heche - actress, “John Q” & “Six Days Seven Nights” - 53
Mike Myers - actor, “Austin Powers” films - 59
Amy Klobuchar - US senator - 62
Klaus Meine - metal singer, Scorpions - 74
Frank Oz - puppeteer, Grover on “Sesame Street” - 78
Ian McKellen - actor, “Stardust” & “X-Men” - 83
Born On This Date
Tom T. Hall - country singer - 1936 (d. 2021)
Warren Frost - actor, “Twin Peaks” & “Matlock” - 1929 (d. 2017)
Bill “Bojangles” Robinson - actor & tap dancer - 1878 (d. 1949)
Ralph Waldo Emerson - essayist & philosopher - 1803 (d. 1882)
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