6/27/2022: (Over)-Reactions to Dobbs

PLUS: BET Awards Winners, Ghislaine Maxwell Suicidal?, and QE2 Gets Back In The Saddle

Jun 27, 2022

Today is Monday, June 27, 2022.

It is the 178th day of the year.

187 days remain.

HIT LIST

The Supreme Court on Friday issued its ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson, which overturned the precedents that granted blanket federal rights to abortion in the United States.

Here’s what the ruling does, and does not, mean:

In all 50 states, legal provisions already explicitly permit abortion procedures to protect the life and health of the mother. This will not change as a result of the ruling. [EDITORIAL NOTE: We have created an index of each state’s exact statutory language and where to find the relevant statute, which you can find here >]
In the absence of a federal law, state legislatures will decide the extent to which abortions should be legal in their jurisdiction. The ruling is not a federal abortion ban.

MEANWHILE: A handful of corporations, including Bumble, Lyft, Citigroup, and Dick’s Sporting Goods, have promised to cover the travel expense of employees who seek abortions in other states.

(More political fallout in The Swamp)

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Two people are dead and at least 21 more injured in the aftermath of a shooting at the Pride festival in Oslo, Norway, on Saturday.

The suspect is named ZANIAR MATAPOUR, who’s a legal resident of Norway originally from Iran. He’s being held on multiple counts, including suspicion of murder, attempted murder, and terrorism.

The Associated Press reports that the head of Norway’s Police Security Service called the shooting an “extreme Islamist terror act.”

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Juul products will remain on store shelves just a while longer, despite an FDA mandate that the company stop selling them.

A federal judge put a temporary hold on the order, while Juul appeals it. Their filing called the order an “extraordinary and unlawful action.”

In the meantime, Juul has to prove that its products improve public health, namely by reducing incidents of cigarette smoking.

WORTH ASKING: Could Juul argue that nicotine consumption is proven to combat obesity?

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The Department of Energy has awarded three contracts to assist NASA’s plans to put a nuclear reactor on the Moon. The lunar power plants would be essential in establishing a permanent human presence there.

Lockheed Martin, Westinghouse, and IX (pronounced “Nine” … we think) will have 12 months to develop plans for power stations that produce the equivalent energy to power 30 households continuously over a decade.

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Sometimes inflation doesn’t mean you necessarily spend more; you just get less for the same price.

Here’s some common products being packaged in smaller quantities at a smaller price:

Small Kleenex boxes have shrunk from 65 to 60 tissues.
Chobani Flips yogurts were 5.3 ounces; now they’re 4.5 ounces.
A “Family Size” package of Keebler Chips Deluxe cookies went from 17.2 to 14.6 ounces.
Many milk cartons went from a half gallon to 59 ounces.
Wheat Thins Family Size boxes used to be a pound, now they’re 14 ounces.
Tillamook’s ice cream went from a 1.75 quart package to a 1.5 quart one.

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ANIMAL HOUSE

Gold miners in Canada discovered a remarkably well-preserved baby wooly mammoth in the Yukon last week.

Initial examination suggests the mammoth cub is around 30,000 years old. Its hair, skin, and tusks are all almost completely preserved. It’s similar in size to a similar find in Siberia that was dated to 42,000 years ago.

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BY THE NUMBERS

Stocks soared Friday … just about the time the Dobbs ruling dropped. Go figure.

The Dow picked up 823 points (2.68%), the S&P added 116 points (3.06%), and the Nasdaq added 375 (3.34%).

West Texas Intermediate and Brent Crude are both inching downward and are under $110 a barrel.

The average cost of a gallon of gas is down more than a whole dime from its peak, to $4.90 a gallon.

Bitcoin dipped on Sunday, losing $377.50 (1.76%).

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CHARTS

Weekend Box Office

10. The Bad Guys: $439k (down from 6)

9. The Bob’s Burgers Movie: $513k (down from 5)

8. Everything Everywhere All at Once: $533k (down from 7)

7. Jug Jugg Jeeyo: $725k (new)

6. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness: $1.7 million (down from 4)

5. Lightyear: $17.6 million (down from 2)

4. The Black Phone: $23.3 million (new)

3. Jurassic World Dominion: $26.4 million (down from 1)

2. Elvis: $30.5 million (new)

1. Top Gun: Maverick: $30.5 million (up from 3)

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DEATHS

LOREY SEBASTIAN has died.

The on-set still photographer, who worked on movies such as “Crash,” “Twilight,” “Wild Hogs” and “Blow,” passed away on May 9 in New Mexico following a brief illness.

She was 78.

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BABY NEWS

Actors PETER FACINELLI, 48, and LILY ANNE HARRISON, 33, are expecting their first child together.

Harrison announced the exciting news on Instagram over the weekend, sharing a photo of her baby bump.

While this is Harrison’s first child, Facinelli is already dad to three daughters, whom he shares with his ex-wife, actress JENNIE GARTH.

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WEDDINGS

Actor ADRIAN GRENIER, 45, eloped with fiancee JORDAN ROEMMELE in a desert ceremony in Morocco on Thursday while on vacation with friends.

“It wasn’t planned,” the “Entourage” star told PEOPLE magazine.

Despite the last minute nuptials, family members were able to fly out and attend.

It is unknown how long the couple has been together, though Roemmele first appeared on Grenier’s Instagram in December 2020.

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THE SWAMP

President JOE BIDEN will not take radical action to undo last Friday’s Dobbs ruling that ends the national right to abortion.

When asked about a remedy like packing the court – which would mean nominating and confirming a bunch more judges to the bench – Press Secretary KARINE JEAN PIERRE bluntly said, “That is not something that he wants to do.”

Former President DONALD TRUMP said in a statement the decision “is the biggest WIN for LIFE in a generation,” adding it was only possible because of the judges he nominated and got confirmed.

KEITH OLBERMANN had a totally normal weekend in response to the news, writing that “it has become necessary to dissolve the Supreme Court of the United States.” He later called for the Justices who voted to undo Roe v. Wade to “be approached and prosecuted” as domestic terrorists.

Rep. ALEXANDRIA OCASIO-CORTEZ on Twitter and in public statements called the sitting court “illegitimate.”

Rep. MAXINE WATERS said to a crowd of protestors, “The hell with the Supreme Court. We will defy them,” which sure sounds like open rebellion against our norms and institutions.

WORTH REMEMBERING: Friday’s news overshadowed Thursday’s groundbreaking Supreme Court ruling that Americans have an explicit right to carry handguns, and that states and municipalities cannot require citizens to pass a “needs test” in order to require a permit.

Already, California’s Department of Justice issued guidance to its bureaucrats to end any needs test requirements as they process gun applications.

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President JOE BIDEN skipped the beach in Delaware for once and headed over to Europe for a G7 meeting.

CNN reports that the agenda of world leaders includes tackling rising costs globally and supporting Ukraine in its defense against Russia’s ongoing invasion.

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LOTTERY

No winner for Friday night’s Mega Millions drawing. Tuesday night’s drawing will be for a $328 million jackpot or a $186.3 million cash payout.

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No winner for Saturday night’s Powerball drawing. Tonight’s drawing will be for a $346 million jackpot or a $196.7 million cash payout.

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SHOWBIZ NEWS

The 2022 BET Awards were held last night at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.

TARAJI P. HENSON returned as host of the event.

And the winners are…

Album -- “An Evening With Silk Sonic,” Silk Sonic
Video -- “Smokin’ Out The Window,” Silk Sonic AND “Family Ties,” Kendrick Lamar
Collaboration -- Wizkid ft. Justin Bieber & Tems, “Essence”
Female Hip-Hop Artist -- Megan Thee Stallion
Male Hip-Hop Artist -- Kendrick Lamar
Female R&B/Pop Artist -- Jazmine Sullivan
Male R&B/Pop Artist -- The Weeknd
Group -- Silk Sonic
New Artist -- LATTO
Gospel/Inspirational Award -- Lil Baby X Kirk Franklin, “We Win”
BET Her -- Mary J. Blige, “Good Morning Gorgeous”
International Act -- Tems (Nigeria)
Movie -- “King Richard”
Actress -- Zendaya, “Euphoria” & “Spider-Man: No Way Home”
Actor -- Will Smith, “King Richard”
Youngstars Award --Marsai Martin
Sportswoman of the Year -- Naomi Osaka
Sportsman of the Year -- Stephen Curry

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The 49th annual Daytime Emmy Awards were held on Friday live from the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in California.

The event was hosted by “Entertainment Tonight’s” KEVIN FRAZIER and NISCHELLE TURNER.

And the winners are..

Daytime Drama Series -- “General Hospital”
Culinary Series -- “Barefoot Contessa: Modern Comfort Food”
Culinary Host -- Frankie Celenza, “Struggle Meals”
Game Show -- “Jeopardy!”
Game Show Host -- Steve Harvey, “Family Feud”
Legal/Courtroom Drama -- “Judy Justice”
Lifestyle Program -- “Sparking Joy with Marie Kondo”
Travel, Adventure and Nature Program -- “Penguin Town”
Instructional and How-To Program -- “Home Work”
Arts and Popular Culture Program -- “First Film”
Informative Talk Show -- “Turning the Tables with Robin Roberts”
Informative Talk Show Host -- Tamron Hall, “Tamron Hall”
Entertainment Talk Show -- “The Kelly Clarkson Show”
Entertainment Talk Show Host -- Kelly Clarkson, “The Kelly Clarkson Show”
Entertainment News Series -- “Entertainment Tonight”
Daytime Special -- “Shelter Me: Soul Awakened”
Short Form Daytime Program -- “Cornerstones: Founding Voices of the Black Church”
Interactive Media For A Daytime Program -- “You vs. Wild: Out Cold”
Lead Actor In A Daytime Drama Series -- John McCook, “The Bold and the Beautiful”
Lead Actress In A Daytime Drama Series -- Mishael Morgan, “The Young and the Restless”
Supporting Actor In A Drama Series -- Jeff Kober, “General Hospital”
Supporting Actress In A Drama Series -- Kelly Thiebaud, “General Hospital”
Guest In A Drama Series -- Ted King, “The Bold and the Beautiful”
Young Performer In A Drama Series -- Nicholas Chavez, “General Hospital”
Daytime Program Host -- Bear Grylls, “You vs. Wild: Out Cold”
Casting -- “The Young and the Restless”
Writing Team -- “Days of Our Lives”
Directing Team -- “General Hospital”

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BILLIE JOE ARMSTRONG is “renouncing” his US citizenship and moving to the UK in light of the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade.

The Green Day frontman made the declaration during his concert in London on Friday, calling the US a “miserable [effing] excuse for a country.”

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J-HOPE, of BTS, announced his first solo project -- an album titled “Jack in the Box.”

The full album will be released on July 15, with the first single dropping on July 1.

The news comes after the K-Pop group released their compilation album, “Proof,” which topped the Billboard 200 Chart.

ALSO: J-Hope will headline Lollapalooza on July 31, replacing DOJA CAT, who is recovering from tonsil surgery.

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EMINEM and SNOOP DOGG have joined forces for a new track, titled “From the D 2 the LBC.”

The single, which represents the rappers’ hometowns of Detroit, Michigan and Long Beach, California, dropped Friday.

The collaboration marks the first time the two have worked together in more than two decades.

It comes just four months after Em and Snoop performed alongside one another during the Super Bowl 56 halftime show.

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HENRY WINKLER will not dance to any songs on TikTok that contain vulgar language.

“I am only a TikTok star because my granddaughter India said, ‘Papa, you have to make a video,’” the actor told Page Six.

His other granddaughter Lulu is in charge of the music for his videos, which is why Winkler says he will not appear in any video “that has the f-word.”

Along with his new found TikTok fame, Winkler is also working on a memoir.

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LIZZO, along with Live Nation, has pledged $1 million from her upcoming Special Tour to Planned Parenthood and Abortion Funds in light of Roe v. Wade being overturned.

She opened up about her donation Friday during her acceptance of the Fearlessness Award at the Hollywood Unlocked Impact Awards.

WORTH ADDING: A day after Lizzo made her pledge, Rage Against the Machine made similar plans -- pledging half a million dollars to reproductive rights organizations in Wisconsin and Illinois.

WORTH ASKING: Why don’t these uber-rich celebs donate to these organizations on a regular basis if it's such a passionate matter? Why wait until there is outrage?

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POST MALONE is getting into the clothing biz.

The rapper, who recently became a dad to a little girl, has created a line of children’s clothing called PostyCo Kids.

“The items are cute clothes for little rockstars with sizes ranging from baby and toddler to youth styles,” according to a press release.

It is set to hit shelves this August.

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CASTING CALL

PETER BERGMAN has inked a new five-year deal to continue as Jack Abbott on “The Young and the Restless.”

The deal is notable because contracts for daytime soaps typically only range from one to four years.

Bergman has starred as Abbott on the soap since 1989.

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Actress DANIELLE FISHEL has teamed up with producer MARC BLUTMAN to develop a new comedy, titled “I’m With Her.”

The show follows middle schoolers Ali and Atlas, an unlikely pair who team up on a popular stream, titled “3 Minutes With Ali.”

The project retunites Fishel and Blutman, who previously worked together on “Boy Meets World.”

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“Top Gun: Maverick” has soared past $1 billion at the global box office.

It is TOM CRUISE’s first time hitting the milestone in his 40+ year acting career.

Domestically, the flick has hit $521.7 million.

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CELEBRITY CELLBLOCK

GHISLAINE MAXWELL, 60, has been placed on suicide watch just days before she is to be sentenced for her role in assisting JEFFREY EPSTEIN sexually abuse girls.

Her attorneys claim the cause for concern is unwarranted as she is “not suicidal.”

Maxwell is set to be sentenced on Tuesday. Prosecutors are seeking 30 to 55 years.

WORTH ASKING: Why has Maxwell’s Little Black Book of clients not been released? Those who donated to the Trucker Convoy this summer were identified and crucified for standing up for their medical freedom, yet disgusting human beings who sexually abuse young girls are being protected?! MAKE IT MAKE SENSE!

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THE DAILY KARDASHOPUS

KIM is widening the crotches of her SKIMS bodysuits after her sister KHLOE complained about the lack of material in the area.

The reality star showed off a wider crotch prototype in a recent Instagram video, saying “Just for you, Khlo. Widening it.”

FYI -- SKIMS is worth about $3.2 billion.

SPEAKING OF KHLOE: Her ex, TRISTAN THOMPSON, is reportedly not happy about her “dating again.” A source told Us Weekly that the NBA player -- who cheated on the reality star multiple times -- “isn’t thrilled” but knows there is “nothing he can say or do.”

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WE’LL NEVER BE ROYALS

The Sunday Times reports that between 2011 and 2015, PRINCE CHARLES “personally accepted” shopping bags and suitcases stuffed with millions of dollars from SHEIKH HAMAD BIN JASSIM BIN JABER AL THANI, the former prime minister of Qatar.

The funds -- totaling about 3 million euros -- were delivered to Charles during “off-the-books meetings at Clarence House,” per the report.

The payments were deposited into the Prince of Wales’ Charitable Foundation (PWCF). A spokesperson from Clarence House told The Sunday Times that “all the correct processes were followed” when it came to obtaining the funds.

WORTH NOTING: The report comes just months after a former aide to Charles was booted from Clarence House after he allegedly used his position to help a Saudi billionaire land a golden visa and high royal honors.

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QUEEN ELIZABETH is back in the saddle – literally.

The 96-year-old monarch was spotted riding her pony at Windsor Castle last week.

Her Majesty has been an avid horse rider since she was a child, but had to stop as of late due to “discomfort” she felt from her “episodic mobility problems,” a source told PEOPLE magazine.

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SPORTS

The Lakers have signed SHAREEF O’NEAL, 22, and SCOTTY PIPPEN JR., 21, to two-way contracts.

Shareef is the eldest son of Laker legend SHAQUILLE O’NEAL and Scotty is the son of six-time NBA champion SCOTTIE PIPPEN (despite being a Jr. the 21-year-old’s name is spelled differently than his dad’s.)

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DAY OF THE YEAR

National Orange Blossom Day

National PTSD Awareness Day

National Sunglasses Day

Pineapple Day

Industrial Workers Of The World Day

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ON THIS DATE

1778 - The Liberty Bell returns home to Philadelphia after the British leave.

The symbol had been hidden in a church until it could be safely returned to the State House.

The bell, sent from London’s Whitechapel Bell Foundry, originally arrived in Philadelphia in August 1752.

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1898 - Adventurer Joshua Slocum completes the first solo circumnavigation of the globe.

He departed Boston in his tiny sloop Spray, a gaff rigged sloop oyster boat, on April 24, 1895. He landed — on this date — in Newport, Rhode Island.

Slocum’s travels are documented in the book, “Sailing Alone Around the World.”

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1940 - The Engima code system is put into place by Nazi Forces in French territory.

It was a tremendously effective sophisticated coding process that called for rotating codes on different days, using modified typewriter-like devices.

While the messages stumped many who intercepted it, Allied intelligence had a handle on the codes for the duration of the war, and were intercepting and decoding much of the messages.

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1950 - President Truman formally orders American air and naval forces to South Korea.

The military involvement was to support the United Nations’ efforts to prevent escalating conflict and curb the influence of communism in the region.

In the ensuing days, it became clear that the Soviet Union was orchestrating the North’s invasion. The USSR was not participating in UN Security Council negotiations, either.

Ultimately, all United Nations forces would be under the command of the United States and General Douglas MacArthur.

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1985 - Route 66 is decommissioned as a US Highway.

Following the widespread implementation of the interstate highway system, the historic road became obsolete. It had previously been a main thoroughfare across much of the nation, running from Chicago to the West Coast.

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2007 - British Prime Minister Tony Blair resigns office.

His popularity had taken a beating after the Iraq War, which he aggressively supported. His own Labour Party pressured him to resign.

Taking the office was Gordon Brown, the Chancellor of the Exchequer — sort of like the UK’s Treasury Secretary.

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2017 - Mark Zuckerberg announces Facebook has reached 2 billion monthly users.

The platform hit 1 billion users less than five years prior.

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BIRTHDAYS

Chandler Riggs - actor, “The Walking Dead” - 23

H.E.R. - R&B singer - 25

Shannan Purser - actress, “Stranger Things” - 25

Lauren Jauregui - pop singer - 26

Mitchell Hope - actor, “Descendants” - 28

Oliver Stark - actor, “Luther” - 31

Matthew Lewis - actor, “The Syndicate” - 33

Kimiko Glenn - actress, “Orange Is the New Black” - 33

Alanna Masterson - actress, “The Walking Dead” - 34

Ed Westwick - actor, “Gossip Girl” - 35

Sam Claflin - actor, “The Hunger Games” - 36

Drake Bell - actor, “Drake & Josh” - 36

Khloe Kardashian - reality star - 38

Tobey Maguire - actor, “Spider-Man” & “The Great Gatsby” - 47

Jo Frost - reality star, “Supernanny” - 52

JJ Abrams - director, “Lost” & “Star Wars” - 56

Vera Wang - fashion designer - 73

Born On This Date

Ross Perot - businessman, billionaire & presidential candidate - 1930 (d. 2019)

Helen Keller - activist & author; first deaf-blind person to earn a BA - 1880 (d. 1968)

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