Today is Wednesday, July 10, 2024.
It is the 192nd day of the year.
174 days remain.
WHAT’S ON TAP
More bad news for BOEING and lawyers seek a massive payday for their anti-TESLA suit. Details in HIT LIST.
Day 1 of ALEC BALDWIN’s manslaughter trial was uneventful. More in SHOWBIZ.
JOE ROGAN returns to stand-up and a ‘60s western gets a remake. Details in CASTING CALL.
Find out who KIM’s wingwoman is in KARDASH.
PRINCE WILLIAM tours his old RAF base. Details in ROYALS.
###
HIT LIST
While most 4-year-olds are learning to count to 10 and sing their ABCs, Lydia Pearson is scaling mountains in her home state of New Hampshire, becoming the youngest person to summit 48 of the state’s highest peaks.
After years of piggybacking on her mom, Lydia tried out a climb with her own two feet last year, reaching the summit of Mount Cannon, which has an elevation of 4,000 feet.
Last month Lydia reached the top of Mount Washington (elevation of over 6,200 feet), completing the NH48, and cementing her name in the history books. [via Outside Magazine]
###
The lawyers who successfully blocked ELON MUSK’s compensation package from TESLA want the judge to compensate them handsomely for their services.
WORTH REMEMBERING: The nuisance suit was brought by a Tesla shareholder after the Board had approved Musk’s performance-based compensation package that was worth more than $55 BILLION -- because Musk hit the very aggressive milestones the Board laid out.
AND SO: The lawyers say they want $7 BILLION (with a B!) in fees, in the form of Tesla stock, no less.
BY CONTRAST: Lawyers who helped put the nail in Enron’s coffin in 2008 earned a then-record-setting $688 MILLION legal fee payout -- one-tenth of what these guys seek.
FOR WHAT IT’S WORTH: Law firms commonly receive one-third of the sum recovered in suits like this, so the 11%-or-so they’re seeking in this case is technically a discount.
No word yet on a timeline for the judge to make the ruling. [via AP]
###
Don’t drink and drive. And really don’t drink and drive then pass out behind the wheel in the Taco Bell drive-thru line.
Police in central Florida responded to this very scene last week -- at 10:00 am! -- when they found 34-year-old Marcus Jamar asleep behind the wheel of his car while it idled in the drive-thru lane. Officers described Jamar as sweating profusely, reeking of alcohol and weed, with bloodshot eyes. He also had someone else’s ID card, a stick of gum, and a receipt from his food order -- oh, and an open bottle of Crown Royal and fentanyl pills.
Jamar was arrested for DUI and charged with a handful of felonies and misdemeanors. [via ABC]
SPEAKING OF DRUGS: A Detroit man has been arrested after running from cops and throwing bags of cocaine onto the roofs of a Red Lobster and Texas Roadhouse while on foot. The bags, with about 20 grams of blow total, were recovered and the man was eventually caught with more than $1000 in cash. [via CBS Detroit]
###
The hits keep coming for BOEING.
A United Airlines jet leaving Los Angeles on Monday lost a main landing gear wheel during takeoff. Fortunately, the plane successfully landed in Denver and no one was injured. The wheel was promptly recovered. [via NBC News]
IT GETS WORSE: In the month of May, Boeing shipped just three 737 Max jets, one of which went to Alaska Airlines to replace the plane whose door plug blew out earlier this year. Boeing ended the first half of the year with gross sales down 70% year over year. [via CNN]
###
Archeologists in Indonesia believe they’ve found the oldest known cave painting that could be over 50,000 years old.
The art uses a red pigment to depict a three-foot-wide wild pig next to three human figures. One researcher explains, “Two of these figures are holding objects of some kind, and at least one figure seems to be reaching towards the pig’s face. Another figure is positioned directly above the pig’s head in an upside down position.”
If it checks out, it would be older than previously-discovered cave paintings by about 10,000 years. [via ARTNews]
####
DEATHS
Actress JOAN BENEDICT has died.
She passed away on June 24 at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles of complications from a stroke.
Benedict is best known for her role on “General Hospital.”
She was 96.
###
Musician JOE BONSALL has died.
He passed away Tuesday from complications of ALS.
Bonsall is best known as being the tenor in THE OAK RIDGE BOYS.
He was 76.
###
Former Oklahoma Senator JAMES INOFE has died.
He passed away Tuesday, surrounded by his family, per a statement from his former aide.
Inofe was Oklahoma’s longest-serving senator from 1994 to 2023.
He was 89.
###
BABY NEWS
GYPSY ROSE BLANCHARD is expecting her first child with current-boyfriend (and former-fiancee) KEN URKER.
She’s 32. No word on his age.
The news comes just three months after Blanchard filed for divorce from RYAN ANDERSON, whom she wed while in prison, serving time for second-degree murder for the 2015 homicide of her mom.
###
BY THE NUMBERS
📈 The DOW lost 52 points (0.13%) to close at 39,291 on Tuesday. The S&P ticked up 4 points (0.07%) to close at 5,576 and the NASDAQ increased 25 points (0.14%) to close at 18,429.
🛢 WEST TEXAS INTERMEDIATE closed at $81; BRENT CRUDE at $82.
⛽ The national average price of a GALLON OF GAS was $3.51 on Tuesday.
₿ BITCOIN continued to rebound Tuesday, up 2% and trading around $57,800.
🛩 There were more than 4,880 FLIGHTS delayed within, into, or out of the United States on Tuesday and more than 445 such cancellations.
💰Tonight’s POWERBALL drawing will be for a $41 million jackpot or a $19.4 million cash payout.
###
SHOWBIZ NEWS
Adria English, the most recent of SEAN COMBS’ accusers, is ready to tell her story, but for a price.
Before she will agree to an interview, English wants several things promised to her, including: two first-class flights from L.A. to NYC for herself and her husband, plus two additional flights for her attorneys. She also wants a two-night stay in a four-star hotel, and for hair, makeup, and wardrobe services to be provided ahead of the interview.
No word yet on whether anyone has agreed to the list, but should someone bite, they would get an earful from English, who claims she endured “emotional trauma, including intimacy issues and painful memories” at the hands of Combs, who allegedly sex trafficked her. [via TMZ]
###
ALEC BALDWIN was spotted outside a Santa Fe courthouse on Tuesday for Day 1 of his manslaughter trial. He was joined by his wife HILARIA BALDWIN, who cradled their youngest child, 1-year-old daughter Ilaria Cataline Irena Baldwin.
Baldwin’s brother, STEPHEN BALDWIN, was also later spotted in the courtroom.
The goal of the day was to begin jury selection. Jurors are expected to get the case after a nine day trial.
If convicted, Baldwin faces up to 18 months in prison.
For a refresh on case details click here>
###
A haunted New Orleans mansion once owned by NICOLAS CAGE is on the market for $10.25 MILLION.
The 10,000-square-foot, eight-bedroom, 10-bath home is currently owned by a man named Michael Whalen, who bought the place for about $2.1 million in 2010 after Cage lost it in foreclosure.
In the past 14 years, Whalen says he has spent about $4 million on renovations, including adding a speakeasy off the primary bedroom.
HISTORY LESSON: The home was originally built in the 1830s, but suffered a devastating fire in 1834, which revealed the horrors within; the owners were abusing and torturing slaves. The land was sold in 1837 and the current residence -- replicating the original -- was built on the spot. [via WSJ]
###
VIOLA DAVIS is teaming up with author JAMES PATTERSON on a novel.
The not-yet-titled book is set in “the present-day rural South” and follows a “dynamic and brilliant female judge who is on the brink of making a decision with seismic repercussions to her small county,” per the synopsis.
No word on a release date. [via People]
WORTH NOTING: Davis is already a published author, having released her memoir, “Finding Me” in 2022.”
###
SHABOOZEY’s song of the summer “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” has the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100.
That, plus his No. 1 spot on the Hot Country Songs chart, makes him the first Black male artist to top both charts. He is also the second Black artist overall to do so, following BEYONCE’s “Texas Hold ‘Em.” [via Billboard]
###
CASTING CALL
JOE ROGAN is returning to Netflix with his third standup special, titled “Burn the Boats.”
Marking his first special in six years, it will also be his first to be recorded live.
Rogan’s past specials on the streamer include 2018's “Joe Rogan: Strange Times” and 2016’s “Joe Rogan: Triggered.”
“Burn the Boats” will premiere on August 3. [via The Wrap]
###
A sequel to 2006’s “The Devil Wears Prada” is in the works.
While several people who worked behind the camera on the original will return for the sequel, no word yet on casting. The original starred ANNE HATHAWAY, MERYL STREEP, EMILY BLUNT, STANLEY TUCCI and ADRIAN GRENIER.
Plot details are also unknown.
The film grossed over $326 million at the global box office and earned Streep her 14th Oscar nomination. [via Puck News]
###
GLENN CLOSE and HALLE BERRY have joined the cast of Hulu’s forthcoming legal drama, “All’s Fair,” alongside KIM KARDASHIAN.
The series centers on an all-female law firm in Los Angeles. No word on the ladies’ roles, though all three will serve as co-executive producers. [via Variety]
###
RANDY MOSS is host of Netflix’s new series, “Receiver,” taking over the reins from PEYTON MANNING, who hosted the first installment, “Quarterback.”
“Receiver” follows five NFL receivers -- GEORGE KITTLE, DEEBO SAMUEL, JUSTIN JEFFERSON, DAVANTE ADAMS and AMON-RA ST. BROWN -- through the 2023 season.
FOR THE RECORD: Moss played 14 seasons in the league with the Vikings, Raiders, Patriots, Titans and 49ers.
“Receiver” is now streaming. [via People]
###
CLINT EASTWOOD’s western flick “A Fistful of Dollars” is getting a remake.
The 1964 film follows a gunfighter with no name who plays two rival families against each other in a town torn apart by greed, pride and revenge. Not only did the original help launch Eastwood’s career, it also spawned two sequels, “For a Few Dollars More” and “The Good the Bad and the Ugly.”
No word on production details -- or if Eastwood, who is now 94 -- will have a role. [via Deadline]
###
THE DAILY KARDASHOPUS
KIM KARDASHIAN and MARIAH CAREY have each other’s backs when it comes to dating.
An inside source recently told Life & Style magazine that the two single ladies -- who became close friends through their kids -- are helping each other when it comes to finding love.
“Mariah’s got loads of boy toys she’s offered to link Kim up with, and Kim’s planning to send some hotties Mariah’s way,” the insider said.
As for their taste, the women seem to be on the same page in that regard, as both previously dated NICK CANNON. Kim was with him from 2006 to 2007, while Mariah was married to him from 2008 to 2016, and shares twins Monroe and Moroccan with him. [via Life & Style]
###
WE’LL NEVER BE ROYALS
PRINCE WILLIAM on Tuesday toured the Royal Air Force base in Anglesey, Wales, where he served over a decade ago as a Search and Rescue pilot.
While a pilot, William notoriously drank tea from a mug with “Big Willy” printed on it -- but this time, soldiers presented him with a more dignified mug with “Prince of Wales” printed on it. He later personally tested a fire truck with a hose, which he joked he wanted to use to soak the media looking on.
###
DAY OF THE YEAR
National Kitten Day
National Pina Colada Day
Global Energy Independence Day
Chronic Disease Awareness Day
Don’t Step on a Bee Day
Teddy Bear Picnic Day
Pick Blueberries Day
###
ON THIS DATE
1850 - One day after Zachary Taylor dies, Millard Fillmore is sworn in as president.
His nickname quickly became "His Accidency," since he was not elected to the office.
He would lose to Franklin Pierce in the 1952 presidential race. Fillmore would run in the following two elections, but lose both times.
###
1962 - The first geosynchronous communications satellite is launched into space.
It would communicate live signals across the Atlantic Ocean. Most notable: a presidential press conference with JFK airing in France and England and a changing of the guard at Buckingham witnessed by American audiences.
###
1985 - Greenpeace loses a ship near the New Zealand coast after operatives of the French government sink it using planted bombs.
The Greenpeace mission was to protest French bomb tests in the South Pacific.
Officially, the government denied any involvement. Francois Mitterand, the Prime Minister at the time, would be implicated in authorizing the detonation mission in a report released 20 years later.
###
1990 - Mikhail Gorbachev is re-elected as head of the Soviet Communist Party.
He would be the last Soviet dictator, before the power structure collapsed in 1991.
Under his rule, freedoms and liberties were expanded, at least by Communist standards. As such, he wasn't a favorite of the Communist party, but as the world modernized, change in his own country seemed inevitable.
The Soviet Union and communist regime fell shortly thereafter.
###
1995 - Hugh Grant appears on “The Tonight Show” just days after being caught knocking boots with a hooker in L.A.
Leno famously opened with the question, "What the hell were you thinking?"
Grant replied, "I did a bad thing." He went on to apologize and explain the situation.
He was initially scheduled to be on the show to promote one of his first major movies, "Nine Months."
###
2018 - Drake surpasses The Beatles’ record of most singles on the Billboard Hot One 100.
He reached the milestone with seven hits from his album “Scorpion.”
The Beatles had held the record at five.
###
2019 - Taylor Swift is named the world’s highest paid entertainer by Forbes.
Reportedly earning $185 million in 2018.
###
BIRTHDAYS
Ryan Curry - daughter of Steph & Ayesha - 9
Harper Beckham - daughter of David & Victoria - 13
Lily Brooks O’Briant - actress, “The Big Show Show” - 18
Perrie Edwards - pop singer, Little Mix - 31
Will Smith - baseball player - 35
Antonio Brown - football player - 36
Jessica Simpson - pop singer - 44
Jackie Chung - actress, “The Summer I Turned Pretty” - 45
Sofia Vergara - actress, “Modern Family” - 52
Erika Jayne - reality star, “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” - 53
Phyllis Smith - actress, “The Office” - 73
Born On This Date
Angus Cloud - actor, “Euphoria” - 1998 (d. 2023)
Stefan Karl Stefansson - actor, “Lazytown” - 1975 (d. 2018)
Nikola Tesla - inventor of the electric motor & AC power - 1856 (d. 1943)
###