Today is Wednesday, May 8, 2024.
It is the 129th day of the year.
237 days remain.
WHAT’S ON TAP
Ominous news for American savings habits and new space technology waits for its day in orbit. Details in HIT LIST.
HARVEY WEINSTEIN is back at Rikers and TOM SELLECK isn’t actually going to lose his ranch. More in SHOWBIZ.
Production on Season 2 of “Wednesday” has begun! Details in CASTING CALL.
Netflix edits out KIM’s boos. More in KARDASH
More details about PRINCE HARRY’s trip to England. Details in ROYALS.
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HIT LIST
Data from credit reporting agency TRANSUNION shows young Americans carrying record credit card balances.
In the last quarter of 2023, the average 22-to-24-year-old American had a $2,834 credit card balance. Ten years ago, adjusted for inflation, the same age group had a $2,248 average credit card balance. [via WSJ]
MEANWHILE: At the peak of the pandemic government-spending boom, Americans saved an aggregate $2.1 TRILLION — meaning in total, at the peak, Americans had $2.1 TRILLION more in assets than debts, or “excess savings.”
Now those excess savings are not only gone, but the number has turned negative, according to a report by the San Francisco Federal Reserve. [via CNN]
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TIKTOK isn’t going away without a fight.
After Congress jammed legislation that bans that app into a larger foreign aid package last month, the app’s Chinese parent company has filed suit calling the ban unconstitutional on First Amendment grounds.
Officials in Beijing have publicly said they will not sell the app but completely shut it down instead.
Next up, the company will likely seek an injunction to stop enforcement of the law, which requires it to be spun off or shut down by next January. If that fails, it almost certainly will shut down before the case will make its way through the court system. [via AP]
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A California Subway shop manager is recovering after an angry customer punched her in the face — because he didn’t get enough ham on his sandwich.
Monique Larios tells local media, “He comes around the corner, and I go, ‘What are you going to do, hit me over ham?’ And he hit me. He punched me, and all I could remember is just black.”
Larios says she was called in on her day off because staff at the store couldn’t get the irate customer to leave — and they even have the receipt to show he didn’t pay for the extra meat.
Fortunately, the cowardly 6’5”, 400 pound attacker was swiftly arrested. Larios says she’ll press charges and sue. [via KMPH]
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BOEING’s foray into commercial space technology hit a snag late Monday night when the planned launch of its Starliner crew capsule was scrubbed about two hours before its scheduled launch.
Officials say a problem with a valve on the rocket carrying the capsule was detected. The next launch window opens Friday, but no confirmation yet they’ll try again. [via NBC News]
TWIST THE KNIFE: ELON MUSK pointed out in a post on X, the social media platform he owns and operates, that while Boeing got $4.2 BILLION in federal government funding to develop an astronaut capsule, they took seven years to get it done, but SPACEX, the space travel company he owns and operates, successfully delivered a capsule four years sooner for only $2.6 BILLION. Musk said of his competitor, “Too many non-technical managers at Boeing.” [via @ElonMusk]
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Going forward the Boy Scouts of America will be known as simply Scouting America, in an effort to be more inclusive. In addition to allowing girls to join, the scouts have also opened up their doors to gay youth.
As for why -- after 114 years -- they are being more inclusive, it all comes down to numbers, with those in charge of the organization saying memberships are at an all-time low. [via AP News]
IN RELATED NEWS: The makers of the Swiss Army Knife are now getting rid of the only actual blade in the multi-tool. The reasoning behind this decision is due to stricter regulations on knives in many places and that customers simply aren’t using it as much as the other tools. [via CNN]
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DEATHS
Actor IAN GELDER has died.
He passed away Monday after a battle with bile duct cancer.
Gelder is best known for his role as Kevan Lannister in “Game of Thrones.”
He was 74.
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Actress SUSAN BUCKNER has died.
She passed away on May 2, with loved ones by her side, according to a statement from her family. No further details were shared.
Buckner is best known for her role as bubbly cheerleader Patty Simcox, who starred opposite OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN and JOHN TRAVOLTA in “Grease.”
She was 72.
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BABY NEWS
Actress HILARY DUFF welcomed her third child with husband, songwriter MATTHEW KOMA.
The newborn, named Townes Meadow Bair, arrived via water birth on May 3.
Townes joins big sisters 5-year-old Banks and 3-year-old Mae, as well as big brother, 12-year-old Luca, who Duff shares with her ex-husband, hockey player MIKE COMRIE.
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BY THE NUMBERS
📈 The DOW increased 31 points (0.082%) to close at 38,884 on Tuesday. The S&P ticked up 6 points (0.13%) to close at 5,187 and the NASDAQ lost 16 points (0.1%) to close at 16,332.
🛢 WEST TEXAS INTERMEDIATE closed at $78; BRENT CRUDE at $83.
⛽ The national average price of a GALLON OF GAS was $3.64 on Tuesday.
₿ BITCOIN ticked down, trading just over $63,000 Tuesday evening.
🛩 There were more than 4,325 FLIGHTS delayed within, into, or out of the United States on Tuesday and more than 190 such cancellations.
💰A Florida resident won Monday night’s $215 million POWERBALL jackpot. The winner can also choose the $100.1 million cash option. Tonight’s drawing will be for a $20 million jackpot or a $9.3 million cash payout.
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SHOWBIZ NEWS
HARVEY WEINSTEIN is back behind bars after a cushy hospital stay.
The disgraced movie mogul was sent back to Rikers Monday after it was made apparent that he had been given special amenities while receiving medical care, including having access to a phone, private bathroom and a TV.
Weinstein was hospitalized just hours after his conviction and 23-year sentence for rape and criminal sex act was overturned last month. He was ultimately diagnosed with pneumonia, which required him to stay hospitalized. [via NY Post]
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A member of DRAKE’s security team was injured in a drive-by shooting at the rapper’s Toronto home early Tuesday morning.
A description of the suspect(s) or vehicle have not been made public. It is also unknown if Drake was home at the time of the incident.
After news broke about the shooting, questions were raised if it is somehow connected to the ongoing beef with fellow rapper KENDRICK LAMAR. Both men recently released diss tracks, with Drake calling Lamar a “woman beater” and Lamar saying Drake lives with sex offenders.
As of Tuesday afternoon neither had publicly commented on the shooting. [via TMZ]
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CHARLI XCX says she did in fact work on new music for BRITNEY SPEARS.
She cleared the air on a recent episode of “Watch What Happens Live,” explaining that the rumor is true, despite Spears saying she doesn’t “have random people write” for her.
Fans may recall that news of Charli -- and others -- lending their talent to Spears’ forthcoming album broke last year, though the pop princess later denied it.
No word on whether there is even an album still in the works. [via ET]
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It turns out TOM SELLECK got everyone all worked up for nothing when it comes to his finances.
After saying in a recent interview that he is possibly at risk of losing his 63-acre California ranch -- due to the cancellation of “Blue Bloods” -- it turns out that’s not really the case.
Selleck later addressed his statement, explaining that what he said was more of an “example” of his “hunger” to want to keep working than a reflection on the current state of his finances.
ON THAT NOTE: He already has his next acting gig all lined up, though didn’t reveal what that is. [via TMZ]
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For her 40th it seems CHERYL BURKE threw herself a pity party.
The “DWTS” alum took to TikTok to complain about how she is planning her own birthday bash because her friends don’t “[effing] care” about her.
“I’m doing this all by my lonesome self. You would think I would have friends that would [effing] care -- I don’t. They just care to have free food, a chef, a yacht, and free liquor ‘cause they’re all drunks.”
Geez. It sure is a wonder why her friends don’t seem to care…[via TikTok]
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LAINEY WILSON will soon have her very own bar in downtown Nashville.
According to Billboard, Wilson will open a three-story restaurant and bar, called Bell Bottoms Up, this summer. It will feature two stages, four bars and a bar lounge overlooking the stage and dining area.
The menu will feature Cajun-inspired dishes and typical bar food. [via Billboard]
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JANA KRAMER shared her thoughts on TRAVIS KELCE and TAYLOR SWIFT’s budding romance on her “Whine Down” podcast.
She started off pointing out Kelce’s party boy ways, saying, “Every time I’ve ever seen a video he’s just always drunk.” Kramer then added she hopes Swift doesn’t try to keep up with him.
Later in the episode, Kramer said she thinks their relationship is “more PR than real” at this point, and Kelce is the “one who’s really benefiting” from it. [via TMZ]
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KEVIN SPACEY now faces a civil trial in the UK.
He is being sued by a man who claims he “suffered psychiatric damage and other financial loss” after being sexually assaulted by the actor in August 2008.
The civil trial follows last summer’s criminal trial -- for these same accusations plus those of three other men. Spacey was found not guilty.
A date has not been set for the civil case. [via Variety]
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CASTING CALL
MICHELLE YEOH will star in “Blade Runner 2099,” a Prime Video limited series follow up to the 2017 flick “Blade Runner 2049.”
No word on what her role will be or what storyline the show will follow.
The franchise kicked off in 1982 with “Blade Runner.” [via Deadline]
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Production on the Netflix series “Wednesday” is officially underway in Ireland.
JENNA ORTEGA will return as the titular character, and will be joined by guest stars CHRISTOPHER LLOYD, JOANNA LUMLEY, FRANCES O’CONNOR, HALEY JOEL OSMENT, HEATHER MATARAZZO, and JOONAS SUOTAMO throughout the season.
Lloyd has history with the “Addams Family,” having played Uncle Fester in two films that came out in the ‘90s.
No word on when Season 2 will premiere. [via Variety]
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THE DAILY KARDASHOPUS
KRIS JENNER must have gotten on the horn with Netflix because all of the booing hurled at KIM KARDASHIAN in the live broadcast of TOM BRADY’s roast has been edited out.
As previously reported, the reality star was met with a chorus of “boos” after taking the stage. While she took it all in stride at the time, it seems that the negativity may have bugged her more than she let on. [via TMZ]
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WE’LL NEVER BE ROYALS
No, PRINCE HARRY wasn’t working at the Met Gala on Monday. Observers thought one of the staff who helped starlets climb the stairs in their flowy dresses looked just like Harry — but it certainly was not him.
MEANWHILE: As Harry does head to England for events connected to his Invictus Games Foundation, insiders have confirmed there will be no reunion with him and KING CHARLES, no matter how brief.
The official story is that the King is just too busy to make the time. A rep for Harry said in a statement, “The Duke” — meaning Harry — “of course is understanding of his father’s diary of commitments and various other priorities and hopes to see him soon.” [via DailyMail]
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DAY OF THE YEAR
World Donkey Day
Golf Day
National Have a Coke Day
National Third Shift Workers Day
World Facilities Management Day
Iris Day
National Coconut Cream Pie Day
Free Trade Day
National Receptionists Day
No Socks Day
World Ovarian Cancer Day
Donate a Day’s Wages to Charity Day
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ON THIS DATE
1541 - Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto becomes the first documented European explorer to reach the Mississippi River.
De Soto and his men would construct makeshift rafts to cross the rushing waters that night, under the cover of darkness, to evade capture or an attack from Native Americans.
The crew, in search of treasure, would come up empty-handed.
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1927 - A pair of French aviators take off from Paris in a biplane named, “The White Bird.”
They sought to be the first men to fly across the Atlantic non-stop.
It never showed up in New York. Conjecture concludes the pilots were taken in a storm.
Charles Lindbergh would be the first man to accomplish the trans-Atlantic feat - though in the other direction - two weeks later.
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1945 - A day after world powers signed peace accords, citizens of the Allied countries erupt in celebration.
As Germans surrendered to Soviets in the East, those in the Western theaters fled to escape being taken prisoner by the communists. Still, the Soviets captured nearly 2 million. At the same time, European and American Prisoners of War were released en masse.
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1980 - The World Health Organization officially declares smallpox eradicated.
A group of doctors and scientists wrote a paper five months earlier claiming that medicine and infrastructure worldwide had helped beat the ugly disease.
By the mid-1970s, the disease was sequestered to portions of Africa distanced from civilization for lack of roads and constant warring.
The last detected case to occur naturally was found in a girl in Bangladesh in 1975.
The U.S. and Soviets each retained a strain of the disease for research and study.
An interesting fact: Joseph Stalin suffered from smallpox when he was 7 years old. He had photos of himself retouched to diminish the appearance of the scars left behind.
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1984 - The Soviets declare they would not compete in the 1984 Olympics, to be held in Los Angeles.
This came after Americans refused to participate in the 1980 Moscow games.
On paper, Soviet officials feared violent and public riots in opposition to the arrival of their athletes. Thirteen other bloc countries followed suit.
Without the threat of the rival Soviet athletes, the U.S. won 83 gold medals that year.
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2010 - The last piece of Yankee Stadium falls in the Bronx, New York, marking the end of a two-year demolition project.
It was home to the team from 1923 to 2008 and was eulogized as “the Cathedral of Baseball.”
The Yankees moved to an adjacent new stadium for the 2009 season.
The old stadium is now home to a public park named Heritage Field.
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2019 - Georgia governor Brian Kemp signs the “heart-beat bill.”
The new law bans abortions after six weeks of pregnancy, which is when a fetal heartbeat can be detected.
Georgia is the fourth state to enact such a law.
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BIRTHDAYS
Ethan Wacker - actor, “Bizaardvark” - 22
Nikki Roumel - actress, “Ginny & Georgia” - 24
Michael Penix Jr. - football player - 24
Corey Mylchreest - actor, “Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story” - 26
6IX9INE - rapper - 28
Olivia Culpo - Miss USA 2012 & Miss Universe 2012 - 32
Iyo Sky - wrestler - 34
Kemba Walker - basketball player - 34
Nyle DiMarco - model - 35
Stephen Amell - actor, “Arrow” - 43
Matthew Davis - actor, “Legally Blonde” - 46
Enrique Iglesias - pop singer - 49
Melissa Gilbert - actress, “Little House on the Prairie” - 60
David Attenborough - TV show host, “Planet Earth” - 98
Born On This Date
Ricky Nelson - singer - 1940 (d. 1985)
Don Rickles - comedian - 1926 (d. 2017)
Robert Johnson - guitarist known as the King of the Delta Blues - 1911 (d. 1938)
Harry S. Truman - 33rd POTUS - 1884 (d. 1972)
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