Today is Friday, May 5, 2023.
It is the 125th day of the year.
240 days remain.
WHAT’S ON TAP
Delta has an un-bee-lievable flight delay in Houston and hundreds of pounds of pasta were dumped in one New Jersey town. More in HIT LIST.
The White House economic team lays out a doomsday scenario if the country defaults on debt payments. More in THE SWAMP.
DREW BARRYMORE opts out of hosting this weekend’s MTV Movie & TV Awards and CARRIE FISHER gets a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. More in SHOWBIZ.
Picketing writers hold up production on two series and 12 celebs are heading to Mars. More in CASTING CALL.
The name of KHLOE KARDASHIAN’s son may have been revealed. More in KARDASH.
All the details for tomorrow’s coronation in ROYALS.
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HIT LIST
TOMORROW: The 149th Kentucky Derby begins just before 6:00 pm Central at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky.
The winning team will take home a $3 million prize.
“Practical Move” scratched on Thursday and will not compete. “Forte” leads the betting odds, 3-1, and will be jockeyed by Irad Ortiz Jr. The horse has won six of his last seven starts, and the last five in a row. [via CBS Sports]
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A swarm of bees were to blame for a three hour flight delay at the Houston Airport on Wednesday.
According to Delta, the flight to Atlanta was held off “after a friendly group of bees wanted to talk shop with the winglet of our airplanes, no doubt to share the latest about flying conditions at the airport.”
It is unknown what route the airline took to remove the bees. [via CNN]
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James Mugridge returned from his vacation in Mexico with an unwanted souvenir.
Upon returning home to England after a trip to Cancun with his girlfriend, Mugridge said he was shocked to discover a nearly 5-inch-long tarantula in his suitcase.
After grabbing a pair of chopsticks to investigate the arachnid, Mugridge was relieved to find that it was no longer alive. He credits its passing to storing his suitcase below in the plane’s cargo hold, where it likely froze to death, rather than in an overhead bin.
“In the cabin, I fear it would have been alive and kicking,” he added. [via NY Post]
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Hundreds of pounds of pasta were mysteriously dumped alongside a creek in New Jersey’s Old Bridge Township this week.
A spokesperson for the Department of Public Works confirmed to the Philadelphia Inquirer that there was in fact what appeared to be “15 wheelbarrow loads of illegally dumped pasta along a creek in a residential neighborhood.”
The story made its way to Reddit where several users offered helpful -- or not so much -- suggestions, including one that read, “We should send the perpetrators to the state penne tentiary,” to which another user replied, “If we do that, I’m alfredo what will happen to them.”
There was also a heavy debate about whether the noodles were cooked prior to being dumped or if they simply absorbed moisture post-dumping.
The mess was cleaned up shortly after it was found. Still no word on who dumped them. [via Philadelphia Inquirer]
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When Putnam County officers responded to a 911 call about a “fight in progress,” they definitely were not expecting to show up and find two goats duking it out.
After breaking up the fight -- and taking both animals into custody -- the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office had a little fun with the call on social media.
A Facebook post reads: “The suspects were pretty maaaadd at one another and the fight escalated into the yards of nearby residences. Both were pretty hard-headed, but officers managed to separate, wrangle and bring them to the Putnam County Jail.”
The animals were claimed by their owner the following day. [via Miami Herald]
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DEATHS
“Operation Repo” star SONIA PIZARRO has died.
She passed away Wednesday night at her home in Arizona, according to a statement from her niece, who was also on the show. No further details were shared.
Pizarro was 60.
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BABY NEWS
“Dancing With the Stars” pro LINDSAY ARNOLD has welcomed her second child, a daughter, with husband SAM CUSICK.
No further details were shared.
The baby girl joins big sister Sage, 2.
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THE SWAMP
The White House Council of Economic Advisers announced on Thursday that a prolonged battle to raise the debt ceiling that lasts longer than three months would mean 8.3 million job losses and a 45% fall in the stock market.
In a document outlining scenarios spurred by debt default, the Council also warns, “there would be limited policy options to help buffer the impact on households and businesses.” [via NBC News]
IN OTHER WORDS: The government wouldn’t be able to spend any money on “bailouts” and “stimmies” because about 43% of all spending is already borrowed, and without a debt ceiling raise, the government couldn’t borrow even more money.
WORTH ASKING: Why is it so insane to ask for some spending cuts to accompany an increase in more debt spending – especially when JOE BIDEN offered as a central campaign promise to unify the country?
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BY THE NUMBERS
📈 The DOW lost 286 points (0.86%) to close at 33,127 on Thursday. The S&P lost 29 points (0.72%) to close at 4,061 and the NASDAQ lost 48 points (0.49%) to close at 11,966.
🛢 WEST TEXAS INTERMEDIATE closed at $68; BRENT CRUDE at $72.
⛽ The national average price of a GALLON OF GAS was $3.57 on Thursday.
₿ BITCOIN slid 0.6% on Thursday, trading just under $28,900.
🛩 There were more than 2,868 FLIGHTS delayed within, into, or out of the United States on Thursday and more than 43 such cancellations.
💰Tonight’s MEGA MILLIONS drawing will be for a $68 million jackpot or a $35.8 million cash payout. Saturday night’s POWERBALL drawing will be for a $87 million jackpot or a $46.8 million cash payout.
SHOWBIZ NEWS
These albums drop today:
Aime Simone, “Oh Glory”
Ana Popovic, “Power”
Artemis, “In Real Time”
BAILEN, “Tired Hearts”
The Bomboras, “Songs From Beyond!”
The Connells, “Set the Stage”
Conway the Machine, “Won’t He Do It”
Destroy Lonely, “If Looks Could Kill”
Ed Sheeran, “(Subtract)”
Emily King, “Special Occasion”
Freya Ridings, “Blood Orange”
Greg Mendez, “Greg Mendez”
Jenny Owen Youngs, “from the forest floor”
Jidenna, “Me You & God”
The Jonas Brothers, “The Album”
Justin Moore, “Stray Dog”
Megan Moroney, “LUCKY”
Olivia Jean, “Raving Ghost”
Ryan Oakes, “Wake Up”
The Smashing Pumpkins, “ATUM - Act 3”
Tom Meighan, “The Reckoning”
Winger, “Seven”
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DREW BARRYMORE is no longer hosting the MTV Movie & TV Awards in a show of support for the writers’ strike.
“I have listened to the writers, and in order to truly respect them, I will pivot from hosting,” she told Deadline on Thursday.
The MTV Movie & TV Awards, which are set for this Sunday, will now be hostless, an insider told the outlet. [via Deadline]
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BILLIE LOURD wore a maxi dress with a giant image of Princess Leia on it as she accepted her mom, CARRIE FISHER’s posthumous star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
The honor occurred yesterday, May 4th, aka Star Wars Day.
Fisher died in December 2016. She was 60. [via Page Six]
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Pump Restaurant Lounge, owned by reality star LISA VANDERPUMP, is closing.
According to TMZ, the 10-year lease is up on the location and another 10-year lease is “too expensive” in Vanderpump’s opinion.
She does have other restaurants in the area -- Sur and TomTom -- which are featured on the Bravo show “Vanderpump Rules.” There are also two Vanderpump restaurants at Caesars in Vegas. [via TMZ]
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PAMELA ANDERSON has launched a swimwear line in collaboration with Frankie Bikinis.
The former “Baywatch” star’s line includes a wide array of ‘90s-inspired styles -- including the iconic high-cut red one piece that was made famous on the show.
“I have been wanting to do this forever, but timing is everything, and it was worth the wait,” she told InStyle. [via InStyle]
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Rumor is…KEVIN COSTNER got a woman on the set of “Yellowstone” pregnant and that is why his wife CHRISTINE BAUMGARTNER filed for divorce earlier this week.
Sources close to the actor told TMZ that the rumor is “total BS” and his rep told the Daily Mail that it is “absolutely not true.”
It is not known where or how the rumor started as there is no woman claiming to be pregnant with Costner’s child. [via Daily Mail]
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CASTING CALL
Filming for “Billions” was delayed Thursday as cast and crew members refused to cross paths with picket lines of writers. The same thing happened to those trying to get to the set of “American Horror Story.”
Those picketing were chanting, “Day or night / rain or shine / you don’t cross / a picket line.”
MEANWHILE: The writers’ strike has not stalled the production of Amazon’s “Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” or HBO’s “House of the Dragon,” which are both shooting in the UK. Insiders told Deadline that scripts for both were finished prior to the strike, so filming can continue. [via Deadline]
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LANCE ARMSTRONG, MARSHAWN LYNCH, and RONDA ROUSEY are set to star in a competition series, called “Stars on Mars.”
The celebs are just three of 12 competing on the Fox show, where they will fight to conquer a simulation planet to become the “brightest star in the galaxy.”
Along the way, competitors will receive missions from legendary “Star Trek” actor WILLIAM SHATNER. Each week they will vote to eliminate one of their crewmates, according to the official synopsis.
The show is set to debut on June 5. [via Variety]
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Prior to the writers’ strike, KIERAN CULKIN and JENNIFER COOLIDGE were set to host the final two episodes of Season 48 of “SNL.”
It would have been Culkin’s second time hosting the show, while Coolidge was set to make her long-awaited debut as host.
As for the musical guests, LABRINTH was set to appear on the May 13th episode alongside Culkin and FOO FIGHTERS were going to close things out with Coolidge on May 20th.
As previously reported, former cast member PETE DAVIDSON was set to host this weekend’s episode. [via Variety]
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A docuseries centering on JERRY JONES and his Dallas Cowboys is being created in a joint venture between NFL Films and Skydance Sports.
The untitled series will “reach deep in NFL Films’ vast archive of never-before-seen content, and will trace Jones’ remarkable rise from the son of an Arkansas community store owner to being one of the most innovative and influential leaders in sport,” per the companies’ description.
It will also feature pieces dedicated to Cowboys stars, including TROY AIKMAN and EMMITT SMITH.
No word on when or where the series will debut. [via Hollywood Reporter]
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COURT CASES
ED SHEERAN has been found not liable of plagiarizing MARVIN GAYE’s hit “Let’s Get It On” in his song “Thinking Out Loud.”
The case went to the jury on Wednesday evening, though only lasted long enough for jurors to get acquainted with one another. Deliberations resumed Thursday, with only a few hours passing before a verdict was reached.
According to Variety, Sheeran had stated earlier in the week that he would quit making music if he was found guilty. [via Variety]
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THE DAILY KARDASHOPUS
The Sun reported Thursday that KHLOE KARDASHIAN and TRISTAN THOMPSON have named their now-10-month-old son Tatum Robert.
It is assumed his last name is Thompson, matching 5-year-old big sister True, but that has not been confirmed.
Khloe previously stated she wanted another “T” name, and the middle name Robert is clearly an ode to her late father ROBERT KARDASHIAN.
The name has not yet been confirmed by Khloe. [via The Sun]
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WE’LL NEVER BE ROYALS: CORONATION WEEK
TOMORROW: KING CHARLES and QUEEN CAMILLA will be formally crowned as monarchs of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth of Nations.
Beginning at 10:20 am London time (4:20 am Central), Charles and Camilla will take the “Diamond Jubilee State Coach” [NOT Stagecoach with a G] from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey, a little over a mile by London streets. The service itself begins at 11:00 am (5:00 am Central) and will run about two hours.
Once inside the Abbey, Charles will receive the Sovereign’s Orb, the Sovereign’s Sceptre with Cross, and the Sovereign’s Sceptre with Dove. Camilla will take the Queen Consort’s Rod with Dove, and the Queen Consort’s Sceptre with Cross.
Then some oaths, presentations, and anointments, before the culmination: Charles receiving St. Edward’s Crown – which is only used for coronation ceremonies. It was created in the 1600s for – go figure – King Charles II. Then some of the same ceremonial schtick for Camilla.
Before leaving, St. Edward’s Crown will be replaced with the Imperial State Crown – apparently a more suitable crown for everyday wear and leisure.
Then it’s back to Buckingham Palace, this time in the Gold State Coach, pulled by eight horses, in a massive procession, and the customary Buckingham Palace Balcony photo op.
HOW TO WATCH: Just about all American cable news networks will have coverage, or just search for “coronation livestream” on Youtube and you’ll see a bunch of options.
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DAY OF THE YEAR
National Astronaut Day
Revenge of the Fifth
Nail Day
Cinco de Mayo
National Hoagie Day
National Space Day
National No Pants Day
National Cartoonists Day
International Midwives’ Day
Hug A Shed and Take A Selfie Day
International Tuba Day
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ON THIS DATE
1821 – Exiled European ruler Napoleon Bonaparte dies.
His final days were spent on the island of Saint Helena, where he had been for six years.
The official report concluded he died of stomach cancer, though some suggest he was the victim of arsenic poisoning.
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1904 – Cy Young records the first perfect game in the modern era of baseball, pitching for the Boston Americans.
Before Young, only two other pitchers had thrown perfect games. In 1880, Lee Richmond (Worcester Worcesters) and John Ward (Providence Grays) pitched perfect games within five days of each other.
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1961 – Alan Shepard becomes the first American in space.
On board the Freedom 7, Shepard reached altitudes of 116 miles in a flight that lasted 15 minutes.
Though a huge step forward in space exploration, the Americans still lagged behind the Soviets until the success of the Apollo missions to put a man on the moon.
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1973 – Thoroughbred racehorse Secretariat wins the Kentucky Derby in record time.
The 1 minute, 59 and two-fifths second lap time still stands as a course best. In anticipation of Secretariat’s performance, the crowd was also a record 134,476 people.
That year the horse won the Triple Crown — taking home victories at The Preakness and Belmont as well — the first to do so in 25 years.
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2000 – Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn align with the Sun and Moon.
The rare astronomical event was not visible from Earth, since the planets were behind the sun, relative to Earth’s position.
The event will happen again in 2438.
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2013 – The National Rifle Association reports record membership numbers, exceeding five million.
The feat was announced at the organization’s annual convention in Houston, Texas by Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre.
This came on the heels of a failed gun control bill in Congress that would have heavily regulated firearm sales in America.
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2020 - Global cases of COVID-19 reach 3.65 million.
Deaths in the US pass 70,000.
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BIRTHDAYS
Gabrielle Nevaeh Green - actress, “All That” - 18
Mitch Marner - hockey player - 26
Jax - pop singer - 27
Remington Leith - rock singer, Palaye Royale - 29
Younes Bendjima - model & ex of Kourtney Kardashian - 30
Chris Brown - R&B singer - 34
Adele - pop singer - 35
Henry Cavill - actor, “Man of Steel” & “The Witcher” - 40
Vanessa Bryant - model & wife of Kobe - 41
Danielle Fishel - actress, “Boy Meets Worlds” - 42
Craig David - pop singer - 42
Bill Ward - metal drummer, Black Sabbath - 75
Michael Palin - comedian, “Monty Python” - 80
Born On This Date
Ann B. Davis - actress, “The Brady Bunch” - 1926 (d. 2014)
Nellie Bly - journalist, “Ten Days in a Mad House” - 1865 (d. 1922)
Karl Marx - German philosopher, “Das Kapital” & “The Communist Manifesto” - 1818 (d. 1883)
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