7/13/2023: So Cheesy! 🧀
PLUS: A.I. Takeover; Wisconsin Watts Make History; and A Day at the Park at Windsor
Today is Thursday, July 13, 2023.
It is the 194th day of the year.
171 days remain.
WHAT’S ON TAP
Some ancient fossils hit the auction block and mortified tourists witness a maritime bloodbath. More in HIT LIST.
BRITNEY SPEARS has decided she isn’t done talking about the incident in Vegas and BARRY BONDS wants to be in the baseball Hall of Fame. More in SHOWBIZ.
EMMY nominations have been announced and EMILY BLUNT is taking a break from acting. More in CASTING CALL.
A celebrity psychic takes a deep dive into YE’s relationship with BIANCA CENSORI. More in KARDASH.
Locals near a park on the grounds of Windsor are bemoaning the price of a new park. More in ROYALS.
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HIT LIST
Add an artificial intelligence startup company to ELON MUSK’s portfolio of companies.
In a Wednesday announcement, Musk said the new endeavor, called xAI, will ultimately try to “understand the true nature of the universe.” He’s reportedly poached top A.I. minds from companies innovating the technology. More details are expected to roll out on Friday, when Musk does an audio livestream using TWITTER’s “Spaces” feature. [via CNBC]
MEANWHILE: A radio station in Portland is using A.I. technology to replace entire airshifts. They’ve used the voice of their real-life host, “Ashley Z,” to create “A.I. Ashley.”
The technology will allow producers to type up a copy that will turn into an audio file in the voice of the familiar host’s voice. So far, A.I. Ashley has done two complete shows. [via KATU]
SPEAKING OF BILLIONAIRES: Billionaire rocket rival JEFF BEZOS hasn’t had as much success as Musk when it comes to launching rockets. One of his Blue Origin rockets exploded during a test at the end of June, destroying not just the rocket but also the launch stand. [via CNBC]
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You, too, can own a piece of ancient history.
The fossilized skeleton of a pteranodon will hit the auction block at Sotheby’s on July 26. Officials expect the specimen to fetch up to $6 MILLION. It’s fairly complete, as far as ancient fossils go, with almost all of the original fossils intact.
The flying reptile lived about 85 million years ago in present-day Kansas.
But if that’s out of your price range, you might consider the 11-foot plesiosaur reconstruction that’s expected to fetch up to $800,000. [via ARTNews]
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During a typical cruise through the Norwegian Sea, tourists might spot a dolphin or look forward to an Arctic sunset.
In the case of a recent trip hosted by Ambassador Cruise Lines, guests were horrified when the ship sailed past the Faroe Islands as the locals were in the midst of slaughtering more than 40 whales using giant knives, as part of a ritual ceremony to feed the population.
WORTH NOTING: The pilot whales that are part of the event are technically a type of dolphin and are not an endangered species.
But that doesn’t mean people weren’t a little freaked out. In a statement, the company said, “We were incredibly disappointed that this hunt occurred at the time that our ship was in port.”
You can get an idea of what the literal bloodbath looks like here, from 2013 > [via The Messenger]
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BURGER KING-Thailand is offering a new meatless cheeseburger.
The “Real Cheeseburger” is a bun filled with about 20 slices of American cheese. And that’s it!
“This is no joke. This is for real,” BK tweeted along with the launch on Sunday.
Reactions to the cheesy-burger have been mixed. [via NBC4]
MEANWHILE: McDonald’s is getting rid of its sweet treats. Less than three years after they debuted, the eatery is removing McCafe bakery items, including apple fritters, blueberry muffins, and cinnamon rolls, from the menu. Mickey D’s says the items will be phased out next month. [via NBC40]
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The annual Snail Racing World Championship, described by Guinness as the longest humane snail-racing world championship, made its post-pandemic return to Congham, England last weekend.
For the race, a tablecloth gets covered by a damp cloth marked with two circles. The snails are placed inside the inner circle and whichever one makes it outside the outer circle wins. Participants can either select a snail from the Snail Master or bring their own.
This year’s winner was a snail named Evie, whose trainer, Lettie, is the youngest snail trainer that’s ever participated in the race at four-years-old.
HISTORY: The event first started in the 1960s when a man named Tom Elwes brought the idea to England after witnessing a snail race in France. The fastest snail on record is named Archie, who won the 1995 Snail Racing World Championship with a time of two minutes and 22 seconds. [via Metro]
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DEATHS
Former WWE wrestler MIKE HALAC has died.
He passed away Tuesday in his sleep, according to a Facebook post from his daughter, Demi. While a cause of death was not shared, Halac did battle diabetes.
He was 55.
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Reality star DAKOTA FRED HURT has died.
He passed away Tuesday after a months-long battle with brain cancer, according to a statement from his family.
Hurt starred on Discovery’s “Gold Rush: White Water.”
He was 80.
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BABY NEWS
Actor ANTHONY MICHAEL HALL has welcomed his first child with wife, LUCIA HALL.
The baby boy, named Michael Anthony Hall II, arrived on June 1, according to social media posts from the couple.
By the way -- he is 55 and she is 32.
WORTH NOTING: The “Breakfast Club” actor was born Michael Anthony Hall, but changed his name when joining the Screen Actors Guild.
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Olympian SHAWN JOHNSON EAST is expecting her third child with husband, former NFL star ANDREW EAST.
The couple, both 31, announced the news on Instagram Wednesday, with a photo of the former gymnast’s baby bump.
The newborn will join big brother Jett, 2, and big sister Drew, 3.
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Former “Bachelorette” star CLARE CRAWLEY is expecting her first child with husband Mascot Sports CEO RYAN DAWKINS.
The couple announced the news Wednesday, while revealing that the baby is being carried by a surrogate.
She is 42 and he is 47.
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BY THE NUMBERS
📈 The DOW added 86 points (0.25%) to close at 34,347 on Wednesday. The S&P added 32 points (0.74%) to close at 4,472 and the NASDAQ added 158 points (1.15%) to close at 13,918.
🛢 WEST TEXAS INTERMEDIATE closed at $75; BRENT CRUDE at $80.
⛽ The national average price of a GALLON OF GAS was $3.54 on Wednesday.
₿ BITCOIN slid on Wednesday, down about 1% and trading near $30,300.
🛩 There were more than 3,610 FLIGHTS delayed within, into, or out of the United States on Wednesday and more than 450 such cancellations.
💰Friday night’s MEGA MILLIONS drawing will be for a $560 million jackpot or a $281.1 million cash payout.
SHOWBIZ NEWS
BRITNEY SPEARS may have no bad blood with VICTOR WEMBANYAMA, but the same can’t be said for his security detail.
Spears spoke out about the situation again this week after she heard a local radio host saying she “deserved” to be hit for trying to touch the basketball player.
While reminiscing, Spears said that she was hit so hard that she fell to the floor and had to be helped up, but circulating video of the incident proves that didn’t happen.
Now, Spears says that she wants a public apology from the security personnel and the San Antonio Spurs, who hired the guy. [via TMZ]
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JAMIE FOXX appears to be doing well on his road to recovery.
The actor was spotted playing pickleball with a couple of friends in the Windy City on Tuesday, just days after he was seen enjoying some sunshine on a yacht and hitting some balls at Topgolf.
Insiders told the Daily Mail that there was a party in Foxx’s honor Monday at the Chicago rehab center he has been recovering at, leading to speculation that he may be heading home soon.
Still no word on what medical emergency he suffered in April. [via Daily Mail]
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BARRY BONDS says he deserves to be in MLB’s Hall of Fame, especially after being vindicated from steroid use accusations.
During a recent appearance on the “Hollywood Swingin’” podcast, the 58-year-old opened up about being snubbed by the league, saying “I was vindicated. I went to court, I was in federal court, and I won my case, 100%. Where is the vindication of me in my own sport? That’s what bothers me.”
Remember, in 2007, Bonds was indicted on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice for allegedly lying under oath during an investigation into steroid use. A judge later declared a mistrial.
Despite being a seven-time National League MVP and having the all-time high 762 career home runs, Bonds said his career is tainted by the past allegations.
No longer eligible to be voted into the HOF via the Baseball Writers’ Association of America’s ballot, Bonds could still get in through a committee vote. [via NY Post]
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SHARON TATE’s sister, DEBRA TATE, is concerned about the recent release of CHARLES MANSON follower LESLIE VAN HOUTEN.
Remember, Manson ordered his cult followers to murder Sharon and several others in 1969, and while Van Houten was not a part of those murders Debra still doesn’t think she should be free.
“The victims’ families are outraged Van Houten gets to live out the rest of her life outside of prison [...] despite a life sentence they assumed would be imposed forever,” Debra said. She also added a warning to California residents, telling them to be mindful that “a monster is afoot.”
As reported yesterday, Van Houten was granted parole this week after four decades behind bars for the murder of a couple in 1969; just one day before Sharon Tate was murdered. She will live in a halfway house until she is ready to be reintegrated into society. [via Mirror]
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MORGAN FREEMAN was noticeably missing from a media tour promoting his new film “Special Ops: Lioness” in the UK this week.
His rep issued a statement on his absence saying the actor came down with a nasty -- and contagious -- infection.
Co-stars ZOE SALDANA and NICOLE KIDMAN were on hand at the event.
“Special Ops: Lioness” is part of “Yellowstone' ' creator TAYLOR SHERDIAN’s extensive portfolio of shows for Paramount. It follows a female Marine who is tasked with befriending the daughter of a suspected terrorist who is being surveilled by the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency. It debuts on Paramount+ on July 23. [via Evening Standard]
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Comedic-actress TIFFANY HADDISH revealed that she used to sneak into weddings to eat and drink when she was first trying to make it as a comedian.
“I’ve crashed weddings before, given a speech and didn’t know anybody there,” she told People Magazine. “That’s when I was homeless and hungry.”
Now, Haddish, who is worth an estimated $6 million, says she tries to “stay grounded.” [via People]
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Longtime MMA fan DONALD TRUMP was welcomed with open arms by the crowd at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas this week.
While walking to his seat, alongside UFC president DANA WHITE, the crowd erupted in applause; especially as Trump shook hands with Las Vegas Raiders star MAXX CROSBY.
Even some of the fighters shared their appreciation for DJT being in the house. After his match, JALIN TURNER was heard asking the former president, “Mr. Trump, are you winning again? Are you winning again? Yes! Please! We need it!” [via TMZ]
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Wisconsin natives JJ WATT and TJ WATT are making history as the first brothers to appear side-by-side on Wheaties iconic orange cereal box.
They are also the first duo to share the front of the box since 1934, according to the company.
As for the other Watt, DEREK WATT, who plays with TJ on the Pittsburgh Steelers, he will appear on the back of the box alongside his brothers.
The boxes are set to hit shelves next month. [via NBC15]
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CASTING CALL
Nominations for the 75th annual Primetime Emmy Awards were announced Wednesday.
“Succession” led the pack with 27 nominations. “The Last of Us” came next with 24 total nods, while Season 2 of “The White Lotus” earned 23 nominations. In the Supporting Actor in a Drama Series category, all of the eight nominees appeared in either “Succession” or “White Lotus,” four each.
And while MARTIN SHORT was nominated for Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for “Only Murders in the Building,” his co-star and real-life pal STEVE MARTIN was not.
Max (formerly HBO Max) led all platforms with 127 total nominations. Next up was Netflix with 103.
The event will be broadcast live from Los Angeles’ Peacock Theater on September 18. [via Variety]
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EMILY BLUNT is taking a year off to focus on her family.
The British actress spoke about her acting-hiatus during a recent appearance on the “Table for Two” podcast, explaining that she “needs to be there for all of them. For a good stretch.”
Blunt is mom to two-daughters, Hazel and Violet, who she shares with fellow actor JOHN KRASINSKI.
Her most recent project, “Oppenheimer,” hits theaters on July 21. [via CBS News]
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THE DAILY KARDASHOPUS
Celebrity psychic and body language consultant Inbaal Honigman has shed some insight into YE and BIANCA CENSORI’s relationship.
Starting out by analyzing the rapper, Inbaal told The Mirror that being a Gemini, Ye is “greatly misunderstood, forward thinking, creative and too chatty for his own good.”
Next up, a tarot reading showed Ye’s “love life is the High Priestess, a card of intuition and spirituality.” Meaning “he feels spiritually connected to [Censori] and he can’t explain why they belong together, he just feels that they do.”
As for their relationship as a whole, Inbaal noted that “they can absolutely last, but it’s not a gooey love relationship, it’s a practical life arrangement that suits them both.”
Remember, Censori worked for Ye’s YEEZY company for years. Perhaps she has always been his muse? [via Mirror]
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WE’LL NEVER BE ROYALS
A new playground opened near the grounds of Windsor and has some parents bemoaning the admission fee and accusing PRINCE WILLIAM and PRINCESS KATE of being out-of-touch.
WORTH REMEMBERING: The Royal Family largely makes money from the land held in the Crown Estate. As the Prince of Wales and heir apparent, William and Kate play a role in managing these operations.
ANYWAY: It costs about between $15 and $20 to get in, depending on the age of the kid, and parents and chaperones have to shell out as well. But the playground does include an impressive structure with multiple bridges and slides – but that’s still not enough to assuage those scoffing at the entrance cost, especially because it limits play to two hours at a time.
SUPPLY AND DEMAND: As a rep for the park tells the New York Post, “The prices set allow us to limit visitor numbers for the allocated session times to ensure all guests can enjoy the experience in a fully relaxed and un-congested way.” [via New York Post]
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DAY OF THE YEAR
International Rock Day
Beef Tallow Day
Embrace Your Geekness Day
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ON THIS DATE
1787 – Congress continues to organize the geographical structure of the new American nation, with the Northwest Ordinance.
This policy set up rules for claiming and settling lands in the West. At first, ironically, claimed land became colonies of the existing states, and adopted the parent-state's constitution. When the colony reached 20,000 inhabitants, it could be considered for statehood. The fear was states would create many of these colonies to influence voting power.
The Northwest Ordinance called for three or five new states in this region, first as territories with their own legislatures, then as candidates for full statehood when the population reached 60,000.
Slavery would also be banned in these new states.
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1865 - P.T. Barnum’s museum burns down.
The blaze was allegedly caused by a broken gas line in a neighboring restaurant.
Lions, pythons, and other creatures not native to New York fled into the streets, to the shock of onlookers. The majority of the animals were shot and clubbed to death by firefighters and other residents.
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1943 – The largest tank battle in world history ends at the Battle of Kursk.
More than 6,000 German and Soviet tanks clashed in the first days of July, supported by two million infantry and 5,000 aircraft.
Ultimately, the Soviets were victorious, pushing back a German offensive. By the end of July gains made by the Nazis were erased on the Eastern front.
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1955 – The last woman is hanged in Britain, following a murder conviction.
Her name was Ruth Ellis and she was convicted of killing her boyfriend.
The jury took less than a half hour to find her guilty, and she was automatically given the death penalty for the severity of the crime.
Ten years later, the last man would be executed by the state in Great Britain.
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1960 – JFK gets the nomination from the Democratic Party to run for president. LBJ would be named his running mate.
The pair won with just shy of 50% of the vote. It was one of the closest races in presidential history, beating Richard Nixon by a fraction of a percent.
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1985 – President Reagan's physicians discover polyps on his colon, and advise for immediate surgery.
Vice President George Bush became president for the day, while Reagan underwent the operation and recovered.
Nothing noteworthy happened.
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1995 – The first manmade object impacts Jupiter's atmosphere, when the Galileo spacecraft launches a small probe toward the planet.
The probe would measure temperatures and pressures in the planet for almost an hour, while parachuting through the gaseous atmosphere. Eventually, gravity 22-times stronger than on Earth and temperatures exceeding 153 degrees Celsius crushed the probe.
Later, the Galileo Probe would have the same fate, when it was deliberately piloted into the planet to avoid a collision with the moon Europa. That moon is thought to possibly harbor life, and scientists did not want to contaminate it for possible future missions.
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2013 – #BlackLivesMatter is created in response to the acquittal of George Zimmerman.
Zimmerman was on trial for the murder of teenager Trayvon Martin.
Over the years, the movement would garner more support and focus mostly on protesting police brutality against African-American people.
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2018 - Protests erupt in the UK as President Donald Trump meets with Queen Elizabeth II at Windsor Castle.
A blimp depicting Trump as a diaper-wearing baby was erected in Parliament Square.
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BIRTHDAYS
Wyatt Oleff - actor, “Guardians of the Galaxy” & “It” - 20
Leo Howard - actor, “The Rise of Cobra” - 26
Cody Bellinger - baseball player - 28
Rich the Kid - rapper - 31
Colton Haynes - actor, “Teen Wolf” & “Arrow” - 35
Steven R. McQueen - actor, “The Vampire Diaries” - 35
Yadier Molina - baseball player - 41
Ken Jeong - actor, “The Hangover” films & “Community” - 54
Mark Mendoza - bassist, Twisted Sister - 67
Cheech Marin - actor, “Cheech & Chong” - 77
Harrison Ford - actor, “Indiana Jones” & “Star Wars” films - 81
Patrick Stewart - actor, “Star Trek” - 83
Born On This Date
Tyler Skaggs - baseball player - 1991 (d. 2019)
John Jacob Aster IV - richest passenger aboard the Titanic - 1864 (d. 1912)
Julius Caesar - Roman leader - 100 (d. 44 BC)
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