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A weekday morning newsletter of cultural tidbits, celebrity gossip, and stuff that's good to know to get you through the day.

6/29/2022: Elmo Gets Vaccinated

PLUS: AirBNB Bans Parties, Ghislaine Gets 20 Years, and Shaq’s Magic Offer

Jun 29, 2022

Today is Wednesday, June 29, 2022.

It is the 180th day of the year.

185 days remain.

PROGRAMMING NOTE: There will be no Morning Martini on Monday, July 4th in honor of the holiday. Enjoy the day!

HIT LIST

Remember the rogue space junk that hit the Moon in early March – when analysts believed it was part of a Chinese rocket, but the Chinese said it had to be something else?

NASA has finally gotten satellite images of the impact, regardless of whose refuse caused it.

The impact created a double crater, suggesting it was heavy on both ends, whereas a rocket would be heaviest only on the end. Researchers will continue to study the information available to them to determine exactly what caused the impact.

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A new study commissioned by Chinet (the paper plates people) shows that a majority of Americans want to hang out with their friends at least four times a month, with 57% of respondents indicating as such.

Other findings include:

31% say they don’t see friends and loved ones enough
74% say spending time with pals is just as healing as a therapy session and 66% say hanging out with them reduces their stress
Typically, people hang out in groups of four
Common conversation topics include reminiscing on memories, discussing major life changes, and what people have seen recently on TV or at the movies

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A tree in Chile is in the running to be the oldest currently alive in the world.

The title currently goes to a bristlecone pine in central California’s White Mountains, believed to have first sprouted 4,850 years ago.

Now, a cypress in the Alerce Milenario region of Chile is being analyzed. It’s so wide that it’s nearly impossible to get a core sample that makes it all the way to the middle. But the researchers caring for it now have confirmed there are at least 2,465 rings. Statistical models that can help determine early growth rate suggest it’s at least 5,000 years old with 80% probability.

Based on what they know, researchers say it’s most likely 5,484 years old, the Wall Street Journal reports.

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Mensa has its youngest member ever: a 2-year-old toddler from Kentucky, USA Today reports.

The young girl, named Isla McNabb, was quick to pick up on reading words, her parents say. Soon, she was using plastic toy letters to identify things around the house – for example, spelling out C-H-A-I-R in front of the chair, or C-A-T by the cat.

Her folks took her in for an aptitude test, where she scored in the 99th percentile for her age, qualifying her for the genius society.

Her dad reportedly took a similar test when he was in the second grade that qualified him for Mensa, but he never formally joined.

BY THE WAY: Mensa clarified that there have been other two-year-olds in the organization, but none as young as her.

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AirBNB has made permanent their policy that bans parties at their units.

The measure was instituted in August 2020 amid covid restrictions and complaints that houses were being used to host gatherings that defied local government regulations. Bookings were also limited to 16 guests.

Now, it’s here to stay – with that caveat that a house can accommodate more than 16 guests if the house is big enough and has the beds for the job. The change no longer has anything to do with the pandemic, but instead is to limit the number of complaints over houses getting trashed when too many people come over.

Last year, more than 6,600 users were booted from their accounts for violating the policy.

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BY THE NUMBERS

The Dow lost 491 points Tuesday (1.56%) while the S&P 500 lost 78.56 (2.01%) and the Nasdaq lost 343.01 (2.98%).

Both West Texas Intermediate and Brent Crude are back over $110 a barrel.

The average cost of a gallon of gas nationwide fell again, to $4.88 a gallon.

Bitcoin fell $489 (2.36%) on Tuesday, trading for $20,234.10.

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CHARTS

Top 5 Fiction & Nonfiction Books Currently on the New York Times Best Sellers List:

FICTION:

“The Hotel Nantucket,” Elin Hilderbrand
“It Ends With Us,” Colleen Hoover
“Verity,” Colleen Hoover
“Where The Crawdads Sing,” Delia Owens
“Sparring Partners,” John Grisham

NONFICTION:

“Battle For The American Mind,” Pete Hegseth with David Goodwin
“I’d Like To Play Alone, Please,” Tom Segura
“James Patterson,” James Patterson
“Killing the Killers,” Bill O’Reilly & Martin Dugard
“The Body Keeps The Score,” Bessel van der Kolk

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DEATHS

MICHAEL STENGER has died.

The former Senate sergeant-at-arms, who was in charge of security during the January 6th protest at the Capitol, passed away on Monday. No cause of death has been revealed.

Stenger resigned from his position following the January 6 election integrity protest.

He was 71.

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MARY MARA has died.

The actress, known for her roles on “Law & Order” and “NYPD Blue,” passed away Sunday. According to her manager, she drowned while swimming in the St. Lawrence River, which is located in her hometown of Cape Vincent, New York.

Responding officers reported no signs of foul play. An autopsy will be conducted to get an official cause of death.

She was 61.

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MARLIN BRISCOE has died.

The legendary football player, and the first Black starting QB in the league, passed away after a battle with pneumonia at a hospital in California.

He was 76.

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NICK NEMEROFF has died.

The comedian passed away suddenly on Monday, according to a statement from his family. No cause of death has been shared.

He was only 32.

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DEBORAH JAMES has died.

The British podcast host, who worked for BBC, passed away Tuesday after a years-long battle with bowel cancer.

She was 40.

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RELATIONSHIPS

LANDON BARKER, 18, is dating TikToker CHARLI D’AMELIO, also 18.

A source confirmed the relationship to PEOPLE magazine this week, saying the two are in the “early stages” of dating.

Barker is the son of Blink-182 drummer TRAVIS BARKER, who’s now married to KOURTNEY KARDASHIAN.

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WEDDINGS

Famous mechanic and reality star JESSE JAMES, 53, tied the knot with former porn star BONNIE ROTTEN, (real name: Alicia Hicks) 29, on Saturday in Texas.

This is Hicks’ second marriage and James’ fifth; his most notable union was with actress SANDRA BULLOCK.

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THE SWAMP

President JOE BIDEN was so relieved when socialist Senator BERNIE SANDERS, who owns three homes, said he wouldn’t challenge him for the presidential nomination in 2024, that he invited him to the White House for dinner, the New York Times reports.

The Times says that Biden and his inner circle are “confounded” that Democrats would even whisper about a Plan B for the 2024 Democratic nomination, since Biden has explicitly said he plans to run again.

Progressives also fear that Biden is too moderate and “positions himself as a consensus builder” and “doesn’t have the temperament for partisan combat,” the Times says.

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Resentful, grief-ridden, angry old scold HILLARY CLINTON sat down with GAYLE KING on “CBS Mornings” on Tuesday.

In the wake of Friday’s Supreme Court ruling overturning Roe v. Wade, she said that she went to law school with Justice CLARENCE THOMAS and called him “a person of grievance” for as long as she’d known him, adding he was full of “resentment, grievance, anger…”

WORTH NOTING: Thomas has been described as a “dedicated black militant” and Malcolm X devotee during his college years, when he would’ve known Clinton. He described himself as a “radical” during that time, and protested the Vietnam War in Washington and demanded the release of Bobby Seale at Cambridge.

WORTH ASKING: What’s Hillary’s beef with a young black man being angry about racism?

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The assistant to former President DONALD TRUMP’s Chief of Staff testified before the Congressional January 6 investigation committee Tuesday.

Among her allegations, CASSIDY HUTCHINSON said that Trump forcibly tried to take control of his limousine over Secret Service protests in order to join protestors at the Capitol.

She also said Trump had a penchant for throwing his meals at the wall in anger.

Over on Truth Social, Trump commented on the testimony in real time and denied both of these claims, noting it would’ve been impossible for him to get behind the wheel of his escort vehicle.

Trump also added that he suggested deploying 10,000 troops to the Capitol on January 3, but was rejected. He didn’t specify by whom.

MEANWHILE: Later Tuesday, NBCNews (!!!) Chief White House Correspondent PETER ALEXANDER reported that Trump’s lead agent, BOBBY ENGEL, and the driver of Trump’s vehicle, are both “prepared to testify under oath that neither man was assaulted and that Mr. Trump never lunged for the steering wheel.” [emphasis added]

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LOTTERY

No winner for Monday night’s Powerball drawing. Tonight’s drawing will be for a $365 million jackpot or a $207.5 million cash payout.

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SHOWBIZ NEWS

Did you know muppets can get covid?

ELMO -- the furry red muppet who lives on Sesame Street -- got his first covid vaccine in a new public service announcement aimed at getting kids vaccinated.

“I learned that Elmo getting vaccinated is the best way to keep himself, our friends, neighbors and everyone else healthy and enjoying the things they love,” his dad, Louie, who is also a muppet, told the camera.

WORTH NOTING: What “science” shows kids need the shot?

WORTH ASKING: Why are the fact checkers not calling out the PSA over false claims that getting the jab keeps others safe?

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In an interview with “CBS Mornings,” JOHN HINCKLEY said he feels remorse for trying to assassinate former president RONALD REAGAN, now that he’s been released from supervision.

He explained that his mental illness was behind the attack -- which seems legit as a jury found him not guilty by reason of insanity.

Hinckley also voiced an apology to actress JODIE FOSTER, whom he was obsessed with and shot Reagan to get her attention.

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HOWARD STERN says he wants to run for President so he can “fix the country.”

“The problem with most presidents is they have too big of an agenda,” he said on his SiriusXM radio show this week.

“The only agenda I would have is to make the country fair again,” he continued.

Stern also blasted former president DONALD TRUMP, the Supreme Court’s recent ruling, and said he would get rid of the Electoral College.

WORTH NOTING: In 1994 Stern ran for New York governor, but dropped out after being required to share his personal finances. Tossing his name in the ring for the 2024 election would require sharing that and more.

ALSO WORTH NOTING: The president has no ability to abolish the Electoral College. Doing so would require changing the Constitution, which would be a years-long process.

FINALLY WORTH NOTING: Nothing is stopping Stern from making things more fair for the have-nots by donating as much of his estimated $650 million personal net worth as he wants to.

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WENDY WILLIAMS is moving on from TV and into the world of podcasting.

Her manager, WILL SELBY, told TMZ that there have already been discussions with SNOOP DOGG, FAT JOE, a member of the TRUMP family and even some of the KARDASHIANS to sit down for a chat on Wendy’s new podcast.

At this time, it is unknown whether Wendy will try to partner with a platform or just release it independently.

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CHRIS MARTIN serenaded a pair of soon-to-be newlyweds at a pub in England over the weekend.

The couple, who were at the bar for a catering meeting for their big day, sparked up a conversation with the Coldplay frontman. While chatting, the pair shared that their first dance would be to his band’s hit “A Sky Full of Stars.”

“Do you want me to play it for you,” Martin asked. And that’s just what he did.

Martin was in town with his girlfriend, actress DAKOTA JOHNSON. He had recently performed at the Glastonbury Festival.

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BRITNEY SPEARS’ ex-husband JASON ALEXANDER will face charges of felony stalking and more after he allegedly broke into her home during her wedding to SAM ASGHARI.

A judge ruled this week that there is enough evidence against Alexander to proceed with a trial.

The other charges include misdemeanor trespassing and refusing to leave private property, vandalism, and battery, per his booking sheet. He is still currently behind bars with a $100,000 bail.

Spears was granted a restraining order against her ex following the incident.

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CARDI B’s newest single “Hot [S—]” will drop this Friday.

The song comes ahead of her long-awaited second album.

Cardi’s last album, “Invasion of Privacy,” was released in 2018.

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BAM MARGERA has been found after escaping from rehab for the second time.

The “Jackass” star was located by police officers and a crisis intervention team that included Bam’s mom and dad, a source told TMZ.

He is now staying at a new treatment center, his rep told the outlet.

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MANDY MOORE has canceled her remaining 2022 tour dates.

The 38-year-old apologized to fans in a social media post on Tuesday, explaining that continuing with the tour is just “too challenging” amid her pregnancy.

Moore revealed earlier this month that she is expecting her second child with her husband singer-songwriter, TAYLOR GOLDSMITH, 36. The couple are already parents to 15-month-old son August Harrison.

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CASTING CALL

JOHNNY DEPP may not be returning as the swashbuckling Captain Jack Sparrow after all.

A spokesperson for the actor told PEOPLE Magazine Tuesday that rumors of Depp’s return to future “Pirates of the Caribbean” projects are “false.”

A Disney rep also confirmed the rumors are not true, while adding that “the future is yet to be decided.”

Rumors started swirling this week that Depp had rejoined the franchise for a payday of over $300 million.

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CNN anchor CHRISTI PAUL is leaving the network after almost 20 years.

The 53-year-old shared that she is moving back home to Ohio, where she plans to join a local news network. She also wants to be more “present” for her family.

“Nobody else is going to be my kids’ mom. And nobody else is going to be my husband’s wife or my parents’ children, and I need to be fully, fully present there,” she said when announcing her exit.

Paul co-anchored CNN’s “New Day Weekend” for nine years and also hosted on CNN-owned network HLN.

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NBC has ordered an eight-episode series titled “Surviving Earth.”

The series will focus on mass extinctions that have occurred over Earth’s lifespan, as well as the creatures that have survived them.

“Surviving Earth” will take “viewers to meet the bizarre and amazing creatures and breathtaking landscapes of a vibrant lost world” through the use of cutting-edge digital effects, the show’s tagline reads.

The series will premiere in 2024.

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COURT CASES

GHISLAINE MAXWELL has been sentenced to 20 years in a federal prison and given a $750,000 fine for her role in luring underage girls for JEFFREY EPSTEIN and his pedo pals.

Maxwell addressed the court, saying she “empathized” with the victims, but did not take responsibility for their suffering.

She also said meeting Epstein was her “greatest regret.”

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CRIB NOTES

JOHNNY CASH’s former home has hit the market.

The 4,500-square-foot pad, located in Ventura, California, was built for the country legend in 1961.

It features glitter-painted ceilings, a wall-mounted turntable, custom kitchen, and Cash’s famous black toilets.

It is currently listed for $1.795 million.

WORTH NOTING: The listing agents claim Cash’s spirit “looms large” in the home.

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THE DAILY KARDASHOPUS

Multiple outlets reported last week that KENDALL JENNER and NBA player DEVIN BOOKER had called it quits, but those reports may be fake news.

The pair were spotted getting cozy at Soho House in Malibu over the weekend.

WHAT’S MORE: Booker left a flirty comment on a photo Kendall posted on Instagram of her lounging poolside completely nude.

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WE’LL NEVER BE ROYALS

Could OPRAH be concocting another bombshell interview with PRINCE HARRY and MEGHAN MARKLE?

The royal couple were spotted driving to O’s $100 million Montecito mansion over the weekend, where they spent about an hour, a source told the Daily Mail.

It is unknown whether the visit was for business or just for fun.

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SPORTS

SHAQUILLE O’NEAL wants to buy the Orlando Magic.

He tossed out his offer during a recent segment on “The Big Podcast,” telling current team owners -- the DeVos family -- that when they are ready to sell, he is ready to “take [the team] to the next level.”

The DeVos family bought the team for $85 million in 1991.

O’Neal was drafted by the organization in 1992.

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DAY OF THE YEAR

National Parchment Day

National Almond Buttercrunch Day

National Camera Day

National Waffle Iron Day

International Mud Day

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ON THIS DATE

1613 - A staged cannon blast during a performance of "Henry VIII" at Shakespeare's Globe Theater sets the whole building on fire. It would eventually burn to the ground.

The three-story facility had room for 3,000 guests and was built entirely from lumber, complete with a straw roof -- a prime fire hazard.

By the following summer it was rebuilt.

In 1642, Parliament issued an order closing all London theaters on the grounds that plays expressed "lascivious Mirth and Levity" in a time that called for general "Repentance, Reconciliation, and Peace with God, which probably may produce outward Peace and Prosperity."

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1929 - The Bird of Paradise plane completes the first flight from mainland California to Hawaii.

The tri-motor Atlantic-Fokker C-2 aircraft was developed for the US Air Corps. It was capable of carrying two tons of crew and cargo 2,500 miles.

The whole trip took 25 hours and 50 minutes, landing at 6:29 am local time in Hawaii, where the crew was greeted by thousands of spectators.

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1958 - Brazil wins its first World Cup soccer title, besting Sweden 5-2.

International star Pele led the team to victory, though only 17 years old.

Brazil won again in 1962, 1970, 1994, and 2002.

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1995 - The Space Shuttle Atlantis docks with Russia's Mir space station, marking only the second time foreign ships joined in space. The move created the largest man-made satellite in history.

Previously, a Soyuz and Apollo capsule docked in 1975.

American commander Robert Gibson completed the maneuver, just two seconds before the scheduled completion time and using 200 pounds of fuel less than had been anticipated.

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2007 - Apple releases the first-generation iPhone.

While in development under the watchful eye of Steve Jobs, the project, code-named "Project Purple," was initially supposed to create a new type of tablet -- but Jobs redirected the team to work on a phone. An iPad did eventually come out of the project.

Since then, the various models have sold billions of units worldwide. After reporting 2.2 billion-unit sales in 2018, Apple has been relatively mum on just how many it's sold.

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2020 - Golden State Killer and former police officer Joseph DeAngelo Jr pleads guilty to 13 counts of first-degree murder and more than 50 rapes, which he committed in the 1970s and ’80s throughout the state of California.

DeAngelo was arrested in 2018, after DNA from a crime scene matched genetic material from a relative registered on a genealogy site.

He would later receive 11 consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole, another life sentence and an additional 8 years.

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BIRTHDAYS

Michael Porter Jr. - basketball player - 24

Camila Mendes - actress, “Riverdale” - 28

Oliver Tree - rock singer - 29

Kawhi Leonard - basketball player - 31

Lily Rabe - actress, “American Horror Story: Asylum” - 40

Colin Jost - comedian, “SNL” - 40

Nicole Scherzinger - pop singer - 44

Colton Dunn - actor, “Superstore” - 45

Charlamagne Tha God - radio host, The Breakfast Club - 44

Richard Lewis - comedian - 75

Gary Busey - actor, “The Buddy Holly Story” & “Rookie of the Year” - 78

Born On This Date

Little Eva - pop singer, “The Loco-motion” - 1943 (d. 2003)

Robert Evans - producer & actor, “Love Story” & “The Godfather” - 1930 (d. 2019)

Nellie Tayloe Ross - 1st female Governor (Wyoming 1925-1927) - 1876 (d. 1977)

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