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5/26/2022: “Look For The Helpers”

PLUS: Octogenarian Graduate, Beto Goes Bezerk, and No More Pro Bowl?

May 26, 2022

Today is Thursday, May 26, 2022.

It is the 146th day of the year.

219 days remain.

HIT LIST

Elon Musk remains serious about buying Twitter, despite the ongoing drama over bots and accusations it’s all a stunt he’ll eventually pull out of.

Maybe he will – but Reuters reports that Musk has secured $6.25 billion in outside financing for his acquisition of the social media platform. He’s faced heightened scrutiny in recent days as tech stocks have tanked, including Tesla’s. Musk has been relying on his stake in Tesla to help finance the purchase.

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An Amazon van driver in Oklahoma City bailed out of his own vehicle Monday after an unidentified man lobbed an inert grenade inside the cab.

The van crashed into a mailbox after the driver bailed, before hitting a parked car.

A bomb squad eventually removed the grenade as authorities arrived to the scene.

No word yet on any leads in the case.

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Two patas monkeys are on the loose outside Savannah, Georgia.

It wasn’t a zoo jailbreak – local police say they’re legally-owned pets of an area resident. Georgia’s DNR is on the prowl to capture the animals, and urged residents to not engage with the monkeys if they come across them.

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A study by Consumer Affairs shows that a majority of millennials love their pets more than their siblings, at 57%.

Half said they like their pets more than their own mother.

25% of millennials say they’d sell their car if it meant being able to pay for a medical procedure that would save their pet’s life.

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Betty Sandison has finally graduated from college.

She’s 84, and first enrolled at the University of Minnesota in 1955 to get her nursing license, which at the time only took a year, but didn’t finish her degree. She got married, had two kids, and a full career as a nurse.

In 2018 she began the process of completing her degree, which she got in the vague multidisciplinary studies program.

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Modest gains on the Dow Wednesday, which picked up 191 points.

West Texas Intermediate and Brent Crude hover around $110 a barrel, as the national average price of gas continues to climb upward heading into Memorial Day weekend.

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CHARTS

Following the horrific school shooting in Texas on Tuesday, everyone could take a page out of Mr. Rogers’ book and “look for the helpers.”

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DEATHS

LEE LAWSON has died.

The actress, known for her role as Bea Reardon on “Guiding Light,” passed away on May 22. Her daughter, Leslie Bova, revealed the news, saying that her mom had cancer and COVID-19 before her death.

She was 80.

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BABY NEWS

Model ROMEE STRIJD, 26, is pregnant with her second child with fiance LAUREN VAN LEEUWEN, 31.

“Soon we will be a family of 4,” she captioned an Instagram post on Wednesday revealing the news.

The couple are already parents to daughter, Mint, 1.

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RELATIONSHIPS

Actor JACOB ELORDI, 24, and social media star OLIVIA JADE, 22, are dating.

After months of rumors, a source confirmed to Us Weekly that the two are in fact an item.

Elordi was last linked to model KAIA GERBER, while Jade last dated JACKSON GUTHY.

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THE SWAMP

Democrat Texas gubernatorial candidate BETO O’ROURKE interrupted a press conference about Tuesday’s mass shooting at Robb Elementary yesterday.

While Governor GREG ABBOTT was giving an update on the tragedy, O’Rourke accused him of creating policies that enabled the shooter.

The mayor of Uvalde shouted O’Rourke down, calling him “a sick son of a bitch” for making the tragedy a political issue.

O’Rourke was escorted out by law enforcement and followed by media, who reportedly weren’t allowed to re-enter the conference after leaving.

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The Congressional Budget Office has published its projections for the American economy if all things remain unchanged for the next decade.

It’s ugly.

The CBO predicts a deficit of $1 trillion in 2022 alone.

WORTH NOTING: The deficit is the shortfall between revenue and expenses for a period of time. The debt is the accumulation of all deficits (and surpluses, but that won’t ever happen again in this country).

WORTH REMEMBERING: President JOE BIDEN likes patting himself on the back for cutting the annual deficit year-over-year from 2020 to 2021, even though 2020 was an anomaly thanks to covid spending. In any case, the deficit is still a trillion dollars.

Over the next nine years, if nothing changes, the deficit will average $1.6 trillion a year. That means the best case scenario, assuming the government doesn’t start operating at a surplus, the country will add $16 trillion in debt over the next decade.

GET A LOAD OF THIS: The CBO notes that “Revenues are projected to reach their highest levels as a share of GDP in more than two decades in 2022” and “remain above their long-term average through 2032.”

WORTH NOTING: This is with the Trump Tax Cuts in effect.

IN OTHER WORDS: The government is bringing in an unprecedented level of revenue, especially given the economic chaos of the last two years. Washington has enough money. People are already paying more than their fair sure. They’re just reckless with their spending of it.

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LOTTERY

No winner for Tuesday night’s Powerball drawing. Friday night’s drawing will be for a $157 million jackpot or a $92.5 million cash payout.

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SHOWBIZ NEWS

MATTHEW MCCONAUGHEY took to Twitter to address the shooting that occured in his hometown of Uvalde, Texas.

The actor, who lived in Uvalde until he was 12, laid blame for the horrific event “at every American adult’s feet…regardless of party affiliation.”

In the post he called for Americans to do some “true soul searching” and decide what it is that “we truly value.”

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“Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” -- starring JOHNNY DEPP -- has landed in Netflix’s Top 10, amid his ongoing trial with ex-wife, actress AMBER HEARD.

Entertainment Weekly reports that the 2005 flick was No. 8 on the list as of Tuesday.

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One day after production wrapped on the ELVIS PRESLEY biopic, star AUSTIN BUTLER was hospitalized.

The actor told GQ magazine that he was diagnosed with a virus that left him hospitalized and bedridden for a week.

“My body just started shutting down the day after I finished Elvis,” he said.

“Elvis” will hit theaters on June 24.

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Barbie has created a new doll, inspired by actress LAVERNE COX, to celebrate her achievements in the LGBTQIA+ community.

Cox told PEOPLE magazine that the experience has been “surreal” and she is “so excited” for kids to “add a Barbie doll modeled after a transgender person to their colelction.”

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The series finale of “This Is Us” pulled in 6.4 million viewers on Tuesday night, according to early Nielsen data.

That is the best rating for the series since the second episode of Season 5, which aired on November 10, 2020.

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CASTING CALL

JUSSIE SMOLLETT is returning to the small screen.

The actor is reportedly working alongside producer MONA SCOTT-YOUNG on a new series for BET+.

Insiders described the series, titled “B-Boy Blues,” to TMZ as a “bold, funny, heartwarming bro-mance.”

WORTH NOTING: Smollett started working on the project prior to the 2019 hate crime hoax and subsequent trial and time behind bars.

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DEMI LOVATO, who is nonbinary and uses they/them pronouns, revealed that the lead single off their upcoming eighth studio album will be called “Skin of My Teeth.”

Lovato also shared on Instagram how “proud” they are of the music on the forthcoming album.

It is unknown when the new music will be released.

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Apple TV+ has given the greenlight to live action series “Speed Racer.”

While few details were shared, Deadline reports that creators are looking to original source material from the 1960s show for the reboot.

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GATEN MATARAZZO is returning to Broadway this summer.

According to Variety, the “Stranger Things” star will play Jared in the musical “Dear Evan Hansen.”

Matarazzo made his Broadway debut in 2011 in a production of “Priscilla Queen of the Desert.”

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***POTENTIAL SPOILER***

KAILYN LOWRY is leaving MTV’s “Teen Mom 2” after 11 years on the show.

The 30-year-old dropped the news during the show’s reunion special this week.

“I think I need to do my own thing. I think this needs to be my farewell. I think I'm ready,” she told viewers.

Lowry has yet to address her exit on social media

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JACKIE GOLDSCHNEIDER has been demoted to a “friend of” for the upcoming season of the “Real Housewives of New Jersey.”

The news was confirmed by cast member FRANK CATANIA during his recent appearance on “The Morning Toast” podcast.

Catania also revealed that “friend of” TRACI JOHNSON, who is married to former NFL player TIKI BARBER, got the axe.

Filming for Season 13 recently got underway, per Bravo.

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KELLY CLARKSON announced yesterday that the Kellyoke segment from her daytime talk show has been turned into an EP, which will drop on June 9.

The six tracks included are: “Blue Bayou,” “Call Out My Name,” “Happier Than Ever,” “Queen of the Night,” “Trampoline,” and “Fake Plastic Trees.”

The EP is Clarkson’s first since her holiday album, “When Christmas Comes Around.”

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COURT CASES

Former “19 Kids and Counting” star JOSH DUGGAR, 34, was sentenced to 12.5 years in prison Wednesday for his child pornography conviction.

He will also be on supervision for 20 years upon his release, and he was ordered to pay a $50,100 fine.

Duggar was found guilty five months ago for receiving and possessing child pornography.

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JOHNNY DEPP testified in his defamation trial Wednesday, despite previous reports stating he wouldn’t take the stand again.

AMBER HEARD’s legal team called on the actor to answer a series of questions about past assaults and more allegations made by the actress.

Depp was also asked what it's been like for him to listen to Heard’s testimony during the trial, to which he replied, “insane,” “ridiculous,” “humiliating,” “painful,” “savage” and “cruel.”

ALSO: Depp’s ex-girlfriend, supermodel KATE MOSS, testified virtually Wednesday. She denied Heard’s claims that Depp once pushed her down the stairs. That was basically it from her.

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THE DAILY KARDASHOPUS

CAITLYN JENNER was not invited to KOURTNEY and TRAVIS’ Italian wedding.

Sources close to the couple told TMZ that Cait and Kourt have a “very limited relationship,” which is why she didn’t make the cut.

The couple reportedly have yet another wedding set for once they return to California, so maybe Cait will be at that one.

SPEAKING OF CAIT: She recently spoke about KIM and KANYE’s “tough” relationship during an appearance on “The Pivot Podcast.” “[Ye] was very difficult to live with,” Cait said, before adding how much she adores Kim’s new beau PETE DAVIDSON.

SPEAKING OF YE: His 2020 presidential campaign committee says they were “defrauded” out of thousands of dollars. A letter sent to the Federal Election Commission says an investigation found someone accessed the committee’s campaign account “three times between December and February 2021.” The letter also states that $3,999 of campaign funds were used to pay off an unnamed individual’s credit card debt. The FEC is now working with the committee to gather more info.

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WE’LL NEVER BE ROYALS

PRINCE HARRY and MEGHAN MARKLE have rejoined the Royal Family...at least in wax form.

Madame Tussauds has given all their royal wax figures a makeover ahead of QUEEN ELIZABETH’s Platinum Jubilee and also returned Harry and Megahn to their original spots alongside his family.

The royal figures will be on display for two weeks as part of Madame Tussauds’ platinum jubilee celebrations.

WORTH NOTING: Harry and Meg -- the real ones -- are still reportedly planning to attend the event.

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SPORTS

The NFL is considering eliminating the Pro Bowl.

Team owners met this week in Atlanta to discuss the possibility of doing away with the Pro Bowl game and “creating something else in its place,” the NFL Network reported.

The talk started over a lack of interest in the annual game, with players opting out to avoid unnecessary injuries.

Even commissioner ROGER GOODELL has acknowledged there may need to be some changes to the event in future years.

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COLIN KAEPERNICK has workouts scheduled with the Las Vegas Raiders.

ESPN’s ADAM SCHEFTER broke the news on Wednesday, tweeting that the tryout will happen “in just a few days”.

Kaepernick has spent the past few months touring the country, throwing the pigskin to wide receivers in various football towns.

He has been out of the NFL for six years.

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DAY OF THE YEAR

National Blueberry Cheesecake Day

World Lindy Hop Day

Dracula Day

Earring Lover’s Day

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ON THIS DATE

1868 – The Senate fails to convict President Andrew Johnson on charges that he violated the Tenure of Office Act by a one-vote margin.

Senators passed the act the year prior to keep intact the cabinet implemented by President Abraham Lincoln, who were less sympathetic than Johnson to southern countries as reconstruction efforts were underway post-Civil War.

Johnson first replaced Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton with Ulysses S. Grant, but after the Senate expressed its disapproval and the Supreme Court failed to rule on the constitutionality of the move, Johnson appointed General Lorenzo Thomas. That’s when the House of Representatives initiated formal impeachment hearings.

But two votes on the charges failed, first on May 16 and again on this date.

Johnson served the remainder of his term but did not seek re-election; instead, Ulysses S. Grant won.

The Supreme Court ruled the Tenure of Office Act unconstitutional in 1926.

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1896 – Czar Nicholas II takes power in Russia.

He oversaw the collapse of the Russian Royal Family as communist radicals exploited post-World War I turmoil and pushed the country into a civil war.

Nicholas and his family were ultimately executed in the summer of 1918.

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1897 – “Dracula” hits bookshelves for the first time.

The legendary Vampire story was one of 17 novels published by Bram Stoker, but this title was the first that gave him a bit of notoriety.

Though Stoker died in 1912, the story’s popularity exploded in the 1920s, when a dramatic version hit Broadway, followed by the 1931 film starring Bela Lugosi.

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1927 – The last Model T drives off the assembly line.

Henry Ford and his son drove the car out of the factory; its 15-millionth car.

The mass-produced consumer car retailed as low as $260.

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1998 – The Supreme Court rules that 83% of Ellis Island — the island that was once the principal immigration gateway to the United States — lies in New Jersey, not New York.

The dispute arose as the island was artificially expanded, growing well beyond New York’s original maritime border.

The resolution of the issue was not a simple matter of drawing a line at a certain spot; instead, a small mass technically belongs to New York, and is surrounded on all sides by New Jersey’s jurisdiction.

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2004 - Terry Nichols is found guilty of 161 state murder charges for helping carry out the Oklahoma City bombing.

The verdict came only five hours after the jury started deliberating.

The April 19, 1995 blast at the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building killed 168 people.

Nichols’ accomplice, Timothy McVeigh was executed three years prior.

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2020 - Twitter adds labels to warn about inaccuracies in President Donald Trump’s tweets for the first time.

The labels contain links to CNN, the Washington Post and the Hill to explain Trump’s alleged lies.

Trump fired back claiming Twitter was “stifling FREE SPEECH.”

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BIRTHDAYS

Mathew Barzal - hockey player - 25

Alan Bersten - pro dancer, “DWTS” - 28

Brandi Cyrus - actress, “What’s Up” & “Hannah Montana” - 35

Scott Disick - Kourtney Kardashian’s ex - 39

Lauryn Hill - singer - 47

Matt Stone - co-creator of “South Park” - 51

Helena Bonham Carter - actress, “Sweeney Todd” & “The King’s Speech” - 56

Lenny Kravtiz - funk singer - 58

Margaret Colin - actress, “Independence Day” - 64

Hank Williams Jr. - country singer - 73

Stevie Nicks - rock singer - 74

Born On this Date

Ashley Massaro - wrestler - 1979 (d. 2019)

Sally Ride - astronaut - 1951 (d. 2012)

Miles Davis - jazz musician - 1926 (d. 1991)

Peter Cushing - actor, “Dracula” & “Star Wars” - 1913 (d. 1994)

John Wayne - actor, “True Grit” - 1907 (d. 1979)

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