7/31/2023: Artemis II Rehearsals Underway! 🚀
PLUS: RIP Hugh the Manatee; Swiftquake; and You Got Markled!
Today is Monday, July 31, 2023.
It is the 211th day of the year.
154 days remain.
WHAT’S ON TAP
A post office hero saves a life and a Japanese man’s life goes to the dogs. More in HIT LIST.
CARDI B is sick of people throwing things at performers and KEVIN COSTER’s estranged wife has moved out. More in SHOWBIZ.
Award shows are the latest casualty of the ongoing actors’ and writers’ strikes. More in CASTING CALL.
KIM KARDASHIAN has sold off one of her Hidden Hills homes. More in KARDASH.
A global power couple has been ejected from MEGHAN MARKLE’s orbit. More in ROYALS.
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HIT LIST
NASA has begun simulations for the Artemis II mission, which will take humans around the Moon and back for the first time in more than 50 years.
Early projects include troubleshooting and practicing a variety of scenarios and potential issues. Problems with fuel sensors scrubbed the launch of Artemis I multiple times last year.
A dedicated training team creates scripted scenarios ahead of time that the crew and launch engineers then try to respond to in real-time as if it were the real thing. The entire countdown procedure for the Artemis rocket begins nearly 48 hours before launch, with plenty of things that need to go exactly right in perfect sequence.
The 10-day crewed mission is tentatively scheduled for November 2024. [via SciTechDaily]
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A veteran of the US Postal Service is credited with saving the life of an elderly woman on her route, after realizing her mail had started stacking up.
Seana Green has worked for the post office in Durango, Colorado for the last 15 years. During that time, she had gotten used to exchanging pleasantries with 89-year-old Marilyn Schmidt, so after a few days of not seeing Schmidt, Green grew worried. After about two weeks, the mail remained uncollected. So Green yelled through the screen door, only to hear a faint, whispered response. Green found Schmidt on the floor of the kitchen and called 911.
Schmidt is now being treated in the hospital – where she just turned 90. [via KOAT]
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In a plot out of some buddy-cop comedy, police in Huron, Ohio thwarted a bank robber whose getaway appeared to include a recycling bin.
Authorities responded in the middle of the night to an alarm at VacationLand Credit Union, where they heard someone walking on the roof over the bank’s drive-thru. Below, a big, blue recycling bin was positioned underneath a service door on the ceiling.
Bodycam footage shows the crook opening the door, jumping into the bin, and the officers quickly moving in to arrest him.
It’s not clear how the bin worked into the robber’s plans, but it sure made for a convenient way to contain him. [via CNN]
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A Japanese man has accomplished his goal of turning himself into a canine.
The animal enthusiast, who goes by Toco, paid over $14,000 for a custom-made collie costume, which he wears while playing fetch, doing tricks and lying around his home, on all fours.
Recently, he decided to take a little stroll around his neighborhood in the getup. A clip of his walk has gone viral, with over 1.7 million views.
As for what Toco’s friends, family and co-workers say about the odd hobby? Nothing. Toco says he is too embarrassed to tell them. [via Mirror]
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Employees at the Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium in Sarasota, Florida are mourning the death of Hugh the manatee.
According to the aquarium, Hugh died while engaging in coitus with his brother, Buffett. The official ruling from the USDA says he died after suffering a 14-centimeter rip in his colon from a sexual encounter with his larger brother.
The brothers lived together at the aquarium for 27 years. [via WTSP]
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DEATHS
Actress INGA SWENSON has died.
She passed away July 23 at a care facility in Los Angeles of natural causes, according to her son.
Swenson is best known for her role in the 1980s sitcom, “Benson.”
She was 90.
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Voice actor BILL CUNNINGHAM has died.
He passed away July 15 at his home in Los Angeles. No cause of death was shared.
Cunningham is best known for voicing the Ken doll in 1960s-era TV ads for the popular toy.
He was 96.
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RELATIONSHIPS
LENNY HOCHSTEIN is engaged to Austrian model KATHARINA MAZEPA.
The plastic surgeon popped the question on top of an ancient pirate cave in Es Vedra.
By the way -- Lenny is 57 and Katharina is 27. Also, he is still technically married to his estranged wife, “Real Housewives of Miami” star LISA HOCHSTEIN.
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SICK BAY
Actress AMANDA BYNES has checked into a new mental health facility.
Multiple outlets report that Bynes entered an “intensive inpatient mental health treatment center” on her own accord about a week after she was released from a facility she was placed into in June.
Bynes was taking part in outpatient programs following her release, but insiders say she felt that she needed more help, so she entered a more “therapeutic” environment.
No word on how long she will stay.
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WEEKEND BOX OFFICE
10. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse: $1.4 million (down from 8)
9. Insidious: The Red Door: $3.1 million (down from 6)
8. Elemental: $3.4 million (down from 7)
7. Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny: $4 million (down from 5)
6. Talk to Me: $10 million (new)
5. Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One: $10.7 million (down from 4)
4. Sound of Freedom: $12.4 million (down from 3)
3. Haunted Mansion: $24.2 million (new)
2. Oppenheimer: $46.2 million (stayed at 2)
1. Barbie: $93 million (stayed at 1)
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BY THE NUMBERS
📈 The DOW was up 176 points (0.5%) to close at 34,459 on Friday. The S&P added 44 points (0.99%) to close at 4,582 and the NASDAQ added 266 points (1.9%) to close at 14,316.
🛢 WEST TEXAS INTERMEDIATE closed at $80 on Friday; BRENT CRUDE at $84.
⛽ The national average price of a GALLON OF GAS was $3.75 on Sunday.
₿ BITCOIN was mostly flat over the weekend, trading around $29,200.
🛩 There were more than 4,620 FLIGHTS delayed within, into, or out of the United States on Sunday and more than 335 such cancellations.
💰Tuesday night’s MEGA MILLIONS drawing will be for a 1.05 BILLION jackpot or a $527.9 million cash payout. Tonight’s POWERBALL drawing will be for a $74 million jackpot or a $37.5 million cash payout.
SHOWBIZ NEWS
Another day, another celebrity hit while on stage -- but this time it was CARDI B, and she fought back.
After a fan tossed a drink at the rapper, who was performing at Drai’s Beachclub in Las Vegas, Cardi responded by hurling her microphone at the person.
Security intervened and the microphone was returned to Cardi, who then continued on with the show. No word on whether or not the fan is facing any criminal charges.
A video of the incident has racked up over 55 million views on Twitter (ne X). [via NY Post]
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Fans caused quite the ruckus at TAYLOR SWIFT’s concert in Seattle last weekend.
A seismologist determined that Swifties singing and dancing along at Lumen Field caused the seismic equivalent of a 2.3 magnitude earthquake; a new record.
The previous record was the equivalent of a 2.0 magnitude quake which happened during a Seattle Seahawks game after MARSHAWN LYNCH scored a touchdown. [via USA Today]
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JAMIE LEE CURTIS is convinced that if fentanyl was as available during the height of her drug addiction as it is now that she would “be dead.”
The actress, who has been clean for over two decades, opened up about her past addiction on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” saying she considers herself “incredibly lucky” to not have ended up in jail or dead.
She also spoke about losing her half-brother to an overdose in 1994, sharing the same story that so many others have: “He was clean and sober, and he went out and used [heroin] one time and died from an overdose.” [via Page Six]
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Actors DAX SHEPARD and KRISTEN BELL were booted from Logan Airport last week after dropping $600 on pillows, sheets and other bedding essentials to hunker down for an overnight layover.
Shepard documented the situation on Instagram, saying “After 7 hours of delays, the flight was kicked to the next day all together. ZERO vacancies in the greater Boston area.”
Despite preparing to wait it out -- and nowhere to stay -- Shepard, Bell & their kids were kicked out of the airport. They did end up crashing in the attic of a friend of a friend, though.
A spokesperson for Logan Airport addressed the incident, saying their policy “does not allow passengers to remain in the secure area overnight when there are no operations.” [via Boston.com]
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NASCAR driver JIMMIE JOHNSON opened up for the first time about the triple murder-suicide that rocked his family last month.
He released a statement on Instagram, writing how “humbled” he and his wife are “by the outpouring of love and support.”
As previously reported, Johnson’s mother-in-law allegedly shot her husband and 11-year-old grandson in their Oklahoma home before turning the gun on herself. [via Instagram]
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CHRISTINE BAUMGARTER moved out of the home she shared with estranged husband KEVIN COSTNER over the weekend -- just days before a court-ordered deadline.
Several vehicles, including U-Hauls, were spotted outside the ocean-front estate, along with Baumgartner who was reportedly on hand with a specific list of items to move. As previously reported, Costner filed a detailed list of things she was allowed to take from the home, which was approved by a judge.
Costner and the kids were in Aspen during the moving process. [via TMZ]
WORTH NOTING: Baumgartner didn’t move far. She is now said to be living in a smaller home located on the same property as Costner’s estate. [via Page Six]
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DRAKE has come forward as the buyer of TUPAC SHAKUR’s iconic crown ring.
The rapper showed off his newly-acquired blind on Instagram, while promoting fellow artist TRAVIS SCOTT’s new album “Utopia,” which he’s featured on.
Last week, Sotheby’s Auctions revealed that the ring had been sold for just over $1 million, blowing the $200,000-$300,000 expectation out of the water, and making it the most valuable hip-hop artifact ever sold at auction. [via XXL Magazine]
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The exact date and cause of SINEAD O’CONNOR’s death is unknown, according to a spokesperson from the Coroner’s Court.
As reported last week, the 56-year-old was found at her London home by Metropolitan Police on Wednesday. Despite the lack of information, officials said they do not consider her death suspicious.
Just days before her passing, Sinead told fans she was working on a new album and was planning a world tour. [via Daily Mail]
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CASTING CALL
The 2023 Emmy Awards have been postponed amid the ongoing writers’ and actors’ strikes.
Insiders told the New York Times that the show could be pushed out as far as January, but an exact date is expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
The Golden Globes, SAG Awards and Oscars are also set for January 2024, but might be postponed, too. [via NYT]
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A Minnesota company is suing Lucasfilm after one of their bags appeared in the new “Indiana Jones” film without their permission.
Despite their logo allegedly being removed, Frost River owner Christian Benson says he is “confident” that the Geologist Pack used in the movie is from their handcrafted collection.
The company has hired a team to oversee the legal process. As for damages, Benson says that will be determined if the suit makes it to court. [via Duluth News Tribune]
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CELEBRITY CELLBLOCK
Reality star TODD CHRISLEY is not adjusting well to his new prison digs at FPC Pensacola.
According to his attorney, Todd believes he is being treated “like sh*t” because of his celebrity status and that the plumbing sucks, there is mold, no air conditioning and he believes someone took a photo of him while he was sleeping.
On top of all that, Todd says his wife JULIE CHRISLEY is fairing no better at FMC Lexington.
As previously reported, the “Chrisley Knows Best” star is serving a 12-year sentence and Julie is serving seven years -- both for bank fraud and tax evasion. [via Hollywood Life]
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THE DAILY KARDASHOPUS
KIM KARDASHIAN has sold one of her Hidden Hills homes for just over $3.5 million.
The four-bedroom, four-bathroom, ranch-style house sits on about 1.5 acres. It includes a four-car garage, lagoon-style pool, a spa, several gardens, a grilling area and a four-stall facility for horses.
Kim bought the pad in 2019 for just under $3 million.
Another bonus (or maybe not?) is that the buyer will live next door to Kim in the megamansion she kept after her divorce from YE. The former couple bought the place in 2014 for $20 million; today it is worth about $60 million. [via SFGate]
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WE’LL NEVER BE ROYALS
DAVID and VICTORIA BECKHAM are the latest victims of MEGHAN MARKLE’s paranoia and suspicions, one insider tells the DailyMail.
The Beckhams have been friends with PRINCE HARRY and Meg for years and attended their 2018 wedding. But the source suggests that Meghan called them up recently to accuse them of leaking stories about her to the media, leaving David “absolutely bloody furious” and taking any reconciliation off the table.
Hollywood insiders have coined the term getting “Markled” for when Meg discards a friend and moves on to a different social circle. [via DailyMail]
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DAY OF THE YEAR
National Avocado Day
Black Tot Day
World Ranger Day
National Raspberry Cake Day
Uncommon Instrument Awareness Day
National Mutt Day
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ON THIS DATE
1498 - Christopher Columbus discovers the island of Trinidad.
The find was made on his third voyage in the name of the Spanish Crown.
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1715 - Spanish galleons holding treasure off the coast of Florida are sunk in a hurricane that also kills a thousand people. The gold and silver that went down with the ships would stay underwater for another 250 years.
Ships were commonly used to store treasure, since they were better protected on water than on land. Though the ships and the crews were close to land, the crews stayed onboard and went down with the ships.
One ship, the Grifón, managed to survive. Some of the treasure was salvaged, but the last of it would remain underwater for more than two centuries.
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1941 - Nazi Leader Herman Georing issues the cruel "final solution" memo, calling for the expulsion of Jews and what he called other “undesirables” from German-occupied Europe.
As a result of this evil plan, the Jewish population was moved to ghettos and others were secretly moved to concentration camps.
Even Joseph Stalin called this an "immoral" government act.
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1964 - NASA captures the first close-up pictures of the Moon.
Ranger 7 was an unmanned probe sent to the Moon. There was no plan to keep it in orbit, but rather impact the surface.
The images returned were 1,000 times clearer than images taken from terrestrial satellites.
The mission followed Ranger 6, which had the same goal a year earlier, but failed to deploy the cameras as it reached the surface of the Moon.
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1975 - Labor leader Jimmy Hoffa disappears from Detroit, Michigan.
It's widely believed he was assassinated by the Mob, though his body has never been found and there's no conclusive evidence they were behind a hit.
Hoffa expanded the Teamsters Union as president beginning in 1957. Meanwhile, he got caught up with racketeering and embezzlement with the Mafia, and used high-level contracts within organized crime to push his union agenda.
He went to prison for a 15-year term in 1967, but President Nixon commuted his sentence in 1971.
After his release, he was fighting a court order that barred him from union activities for 10 years -- until he disappeared from a restaurant parking lot.
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1990 - Major Leaguer Nolan Ryan wins his 300th game as his Texas Rangers beat the Milwaukee Brewers.
He would finish his career 324-292, with a 3.19 career ERA, having pitched for 27 years with four different teams.
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2012 - Michael Phelps becomes the greatest medal winner in Olympic history.
Phelps was part of the winning American 4 x 200m freestyle relay team in London.
It would be his 19th career Olympic medal and 15th overall gold medal.
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2022 - Al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri, who helped plan the 9/11 attacks is killed in a CIA drone strike in Kabul, Afghanistan.
President Joe Biden calls the strike the “biggest blow” to Al Qaeda since Osama bin Laden was killed.
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BIRTHDAYS
Sean Kyer - actor, “Odd Squad” - 22
Rico Rodriguez - actor, “Modern Family” - 25
Blake Michael - actor, “Lemonade Mouth” - 27
Lil Uzi Vert - rapper - 28
Kyle Larson - race car driver - 31
Alexis Knapp - actress, “Project X” - 34
Charlie Carver - actor, “Desperate Housewives” - 35
AJ Green - football player - 35
Matt Shadows - metal singer, Avenged Sevenfold - 42
BJ Novak - actor, “The Office” - 44
Will Champion - drummer, Coldplay - 45
Zac Brown - country singer, Zac Brown Band - 45
J.K. Rowling - author, “Harry Potter” - 58
Wesley Snipes - actor, “Major League” & “Rising Sun” - 61
Mark Cuban - Dallas Mavericks owner & investor on “Shark Tank” - 65
Michael Biehn - actor, “Rampage” & “Hog Wild” - 67
Born On This Date
Jose Fernandez - baseball player - 1992 (d. 2016)
Kevin Greene - football player - 1962 (d. 2020)
Ted Cassidy - actor, “Addams Family” - 1932 (d. 1979)
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