7/7/2022: Bob the Bird’s Big Flight
PLUS: Oil For Others, Shaq’s Good Deed, and Kim Walks the Runway
Today is Thursday, July 7, 2022.
It is the 188th day of the year.
177 days remain.
TRENDING
Eric Holder Jr. was trending after being found guilty of murdering rapper Nipsey Hussle. More in Court Cases.
Baker Mayfield landed in Twitter’s Top 10 Trends after the QB was traded from the Cleveland Browns. More in Sports.
Tim Allen was trending after his former “Toy Story” co-star Tom Hanks questioned why he didn’t voice Buzz in the new “Lightyear” film.
#SwiftieSummerSongs was trending after Spotify shared a playlist of their favorite Taylor Swift hits.
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HIT LIST
Multiple social media accounts appear to show Dutch police firing guns at unarmed demonstrators who have been protesting environmental regulations that would put the nation’s cattle industry out of business.
Protests have included parking heavy machinery on freeways and dumping manure on government buildings.
MEANWHILE: The European Parliament has voted to classify nuclear energy as “green,” which would make it easier for such power plants to comply with onerous environmental regulations. It’s amazing what happens when pie-in-the-sky progressivism meets the harsh realities of not having enough power to survive when a bad actor like Russia controls all access to natural gas.
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Police say that the suspect in Monday’s parade shooting in Highland Park, Illinois – Robert Crimo III – has formally confessed to conducting the rampage.
Crimo reportedly also told police that he drove to Madison, Wisconsin after the Highland Park attack and considered another shooting, but returned to his home area.
Chicago’s NBC affiliate reports that Crimo drove to Madison to dump his phone and throw authorities off his trail, and that the phone was located in nearby Middleton, Wisconsin.
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A young, 2-year-old boy’s parents were murdered at Monday’s Highland Park shooting.
A GoFundMe has since raised over $2 million for the child and his family to help support and raise him without his mother and father.
Donations have raised from just a couple dollars, to a generous $18,000 single contribution.
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The Wall Street Journal reports that Moderna has destroyed 30 MILLION doses of its covid shot, and that the German government has disposed of nearly 4 million doses. In Canada, the government is set to throw out 13.6 million doses of AstraZeneca’s jab.
MEANWHILE: The United States has agreed to purchase 105 million variant-modified doses from Pfizer/BioNTech for a fall booster campaign to the tune of $3.2 BILLION – just in time for midterm elections and renewed outrage loud enough to convince people it’s not safe to vote in person. What could go wrong?
HERE’S WHAT: In quiet little Brookfield, Wisconsin, 2,400 voters received mail-in ballots that incorrectly listed a candidate’s party affiliation, sewing confusion and uncertainty.
BUT SURE: There is no evidence of there ever being anything wrong at all with vote-by-mail options.
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You, too, can own a piece of history: a fossilized dinosaur skeleton of the Gorgosaurus, an ancestor of the T. Rex by about 10 million years.
It’s about 22 feet long and 10 feet tall, and was discovered in 2018 in Montana. It’s the only such skeleton on sale for private ownership and not currently in a museum.
It’s expected to go for between $5 million and $8 million.
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NASA has regained communication with the Capstone satellite that went offline on Tuesday.
They’re planning a trajectory correction maneuver at 10:30 am today, but engineers are still trying to figure out what went wrong in the first place.
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BY THE NUMBERS
📈Stock were mostly flat Wednesday, with the Dow picking up 69.86 points (.23%) to close at 31,037; the S&P added 13.69 points (.36%) to close at 3,845, and the Nasdaq added 39.61 points (.35%) to close at 11,361.
🛢West Texas Intermediate settled at $99.50 a barrel while Brent Crude hovers just over the $100 mark.
⛽ The national average price of a gallon of gas dipped again to $4.78.
₿ Bitcoin added $154.60 and was trading at $20,310 Wednesday evening.
🛩 There were 3,007 flight delays for routes within, into, or out of the United States, and 332 such cancellations.
CHARTS
Meet Bob, a homing pigeon, who accidentally traveled 4,000 miles from its home in Gateshead, England to Mexia, Alabama last month.
The bird was found by a Mexia resident, who turned it over to the Monroe County Animal Shelter. The shelter is now working on returning Bob to his owner Alan Todd.
Todd was found thanks to a tracking number on a band on the bird’s leg and an inserted microchip, that led the shelter to the North of England Homing Union, a site for pigeon racing. Through the site, they were able to contact Todd.
While funds are being raised to send Bob home, he has been receiving lots of love and great care from the staff at the animal shelter.
Check out a clip of Bob’s time in Mexia here:
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DEATHS
ALEXANDER “AJ” JENNINGS has died.
The stand-in for Netflix series “Outer Banks” was struck and killed in a hit-and-run accident early Wednesday morning in Charleston, South Carolina. No charges have been filed in connection to his death.
He was only 22.
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BABY NEWS
ELON MUSK, 51, welcomed twins with SHIVON ZILIS, 36, a top exec at his neurotechnology firm Neuralink, in November of last year.
They were born just weeks before he welcomed his second child, via surrogate, with his on-again, off-again partner, musician GRIMES, according to court documents obtained by Business Insider.
No details about the babies were shared.
Musk has nine children (that we know of).
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BREAKUPS
HGTV star SABRINA SOTO, 46, has called off her engagement to chef DEAN SHEREMET, 41.
Soto announced the break up on Instagram, writing how she has never been “more proud” of herself.
Sheremet also alluded to the split, writing about “challenging times.”
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RELATIONSHIPS
WOLF VAN HALEN, 31, is engaged to his longtime girlfriend, software engineer ANDRAIA ALLSOP, also 31.
The musician, and son of EDDIE VAN HALEN, announced the news on social media Wednesday.
Wolf’s mom, VALERIE BERTINELLI, shared her ecstatic reaction in the comment section of his post.
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THE SWAMP
A majority of Americans – 60% – think President JOE BIDEN is mentally unfit for office. Even more – 64% – say he’s too old for the job, according to a new Harvard-Harris survey.
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Longtime Biden adviser KATE BEDINGFIELD is leaving the White House.
She’s been serving as White House communications director, but has been with Biden since he was Vice President.
In a statement, White House Chief of Staff RON KLAIN credited Bedingfield for playing “a huge role in everything the President has achieved.”
BY THE WAY: In the statement, Klain also misspelled the name of Supreme Court Justice KETANJI BROWN JACKSON, erroneously adding an “N” before the T. Is that White Supremacy or…?
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In today’s edition of “Dumb Things That Commie, Left-wing Government Boobs Who’ve Never Had a Real Job Say”: Socialist Senator BERNIE SANDERS, who owns three homes, has a simple solution for flight delays and cancellations: Just fine the airline if they’re late!
Here’s what Sanders proposed to Transportation Secretary PETE BUTTIGIEG:
Fine an airline $55,000 per passenger for flights canceled because of staffing shortages (while government regulations make it nearly impossible to keep flights staffed).
$27,500 fine per passenger who has to sit in the plane on the tarmac for more than two hours and $15,000 fine per passenger who has to wait inside the airport.
Forced refunds for flights delayed more than an hour.
(No fines when it’s due to weather).
WORTH ASKING: Does Sanders think airlines do this just to toy with passengers? Does he not realize that airlines are for-profit organizations who are battling for profits amid unpredictable market conditions and wildly fluctuating fuel prices?
WORTH NOTING: All Sanders knows is government work, where he and his staff get a paycheck and benefits week after week no matter what’s happening in the larger economy. This is his frame of reference for all work. The simplistic thinking that threatening fines will move the needle – since that’s just about the only way to sanction a lazy and inefficient government employee – betrays his complete and total misunderstanding of how private enterprise functions.
WORTH REMEMBERING: The government is largely to blame for these delays and staffing crunches, after raising the flight-hours requirement sixfold for pilots, from 250 hours to 1500 hours in 2013.
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Reuters reports that 5 million barrels released from the US Strategic Petroleum Reserve were ultimately exported to Asia and Europe.
WORTH ASKING: How does exporting oil from our country’s reserves to other countries decrease oil prices here? How can this not be intentional sabotage?
When pressed on this, White House Media Commissar KARINE JEAN-PIERRE said she hadn’t heard of this report.
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LOTTERY
No winner for Tuesday night’s Mega Millions drawing. Friday night’s drawing will be for a $400 million jackpot or a $231.7 million cash payout.
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SHOWBIZ NEWS
NBCUniversal is suing Jay Kennette Media Group for alleged fraudulent trademark registration of Dunder Mifflin, the name of the fictional paper company featured in “The Office.”
The suit alleges that Jay Kennette trademarked Dunder Mifflin in 2016 in order to sell clothing items with the name on it. NBCUniversal says it tried to trademark the name in 2020, but the application was rejected; they are appealing that decision.
NBCUniversal is seeking to end Jay Kennette’s use of the Dunder Mifflin name and to destroy all remaining merchandise. NBC is also seeking unspecified damages.
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Podcaster JOE PARDAVILA reveals in his new book, “Good Listen: Creating Memorable Conversations In Business And Life,” how JENNIFER ANISTON once went out of her way to grant him an interview.
Just an intern at the time, Pardavila says he was stopped by Aniston’s security when sent to her trailer to ask her a few questions.
Leaving with his tail between his legs, Pardavila was shocked to find that the actress heard the commotion and called the radio station, agreeing to sit down for an interview.
“She talked for twenty minutes with us about the movie she was making, her time on ‘Friends,’ everything you’d want to talk about with Jennifer Aniston,” Pardavila wrote in his book, which drops on July 12.
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Actress HAYDEN PANETTIERE spoke to PEOPLE Magazine about a previous addiction to alcohol and opioids, saying she spiraled so far “out of control” that she “couldn’t live without” them.
First given “happy pills” at the age of 15 to be “peppy during interviews” and prior to walking red carpets, Panettiere says she had no idea that it “was not an appropriate thing.”
Then, after having her daughter, Kaya, she says she turned to alcohol to cope with the hardships of parenthood.
Rock bottom came when Panettiere was hospitalized for jaundice because her liver was beginning to fail. Following her health scare, she entered rehab for eight months.
Today, Panettiere says her sobriety is “an everyday choice.”
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BETTE MIDLER is firing back at those criticizing her tweet about the trans community.
On Monday, she tweeted: “WOMEN OF THE WORLD! We are being stripped of our rights over our bodies, our lives and even of our name! They don’t call us ‘women’ anymore; they call us ‘birthing people’ or ‘menstruators,’ and even ‘people with vaginas!’ Don’t let them erase you! Every human on earth owes you.”
She was quickly criticized for excluding transgender individuals, with one user calling her a TERF -- trans-exclusionary radical feminist.
In an effort to defend herself, Midler retweeted an opinion piece from the New York Times, writing, “PEOPLE OF THE WORLD! My tweet about women was a response to this fascinating and well-written piece in the NYT on July 3rd. There was no intention of anything exclusionary or transphobic in what I said; it wasn’t about that.”
Here is the article for reference >
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CARLOS SANTANA is taking it easy after passing out on stage this week.
The legendary guitarist thanked fans for their “precious prayers” after a video of him fainting Tuesday night sparked concern.
Santana explained that he collapsed from heat exhaustion after “forgetting to eat and drink water.”
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SHAQUILLE O’NEAL covered the bill for a young couple looking to buy a washing machine and a 70-inch TV.
While shopping at Best Buy, Shaq started chatting with a couple who was looking for a new washing machine. After talking for a bit, he decided to treat them to a few new appliances.
When asked about the good deed, Shaq told Page Six, “I just want to make people happy.”
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“Minions: The Rise of Gru” set a new record this week for highest-grossing Illumination Entertainment film at the domestic box office on a Tuesday, ever.
At $17.53 million, it beat the studio’s 2016 film “Sing,” which earned $17.51 million on Tuesday December 27.
The flick also bested “Minions” which earned $16.8 million on Tuesday, July 14, 2015.
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Another bad month for CNN: The network had its worst month in June since 2015, with average 24-hour viewership under 500,000 people.
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CASTING CALL
Bravo has paused filming on “Million Dollar Listing New York” after nine seasons.
The news comes after FREDERIK EKLUND and RYAN SERHANT, the broker duo featured on the show, announced they are both leaving the franchise. Eklund also appeared on “Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles.”
The future of the show is unknown.
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BETHENNY FRANKEL opened up in a recent TikTok video about why she left the “Real Housewives of New York City.”
Squashing the rumor that she left the show because of money, the 51-year-old said that had she stayed it “would have been because of the money,” but left because she “was ready to leave.”
Frankel appeared on the first three seasons of “RHONY” as a main cast member. After a few seasons off, she returned for Season 7 and stayed through Season 11.
She now spends her time focusing on her daughter, her philanthropy and producing shows that “represent a shift in the conversation for women.”
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Amazon has landed the rights to the yet-to-be-titled wedding comedy, starring WILL FERRELL and REESE WITHERSPOON.
Plot details are being kept under wrap, as are casting details.
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After MACY GRAY told PIERS MORGAN she doesn’t believe a surgery can turn a man into a woman, the online mob came for her. But she isn’t having it.
She tweeted on Wednesday, “all of you coming on my page, threatening me and calling me names - just becuz i said something you don’t agree with - be whatever you wana be, and [F] off.”
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COURT CASES
ERIC HOLDER, 32, was found guilty of first-degree murder on Wednesday in the death of rapper NIPSEY HUSSLE.
Holder shot the rapper and activist in broad daylight in 2019.
During the crime, Holder also shot two others. He was found guilty of two counts of attempted voluntary manslaughter, guilty of two counts of assault with a firearm and guilty of possession of a firearm by a felon.
No word on a sentencing date.
WORTH NOTING: There’s no immediately obvious family connection between this Eric Holder and the former Attorney General, who also has a son of the same name, but who’s an Eric Holder III.
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“Cheer” star JERRY HARRIS has been sentenced to 12 years in prison.
The former cheerleader, pleaded guilty to one count of receipt of child pornography and one count of traveling with the intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct.
He was first charged in September 2020.
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THE DAILY KARDASHOPUS
KIM strutted her stuff on the runway Wednesday during Paris Haute Couture week.
She hit the catwalk in a plunging, black gown with built in gloves.
Cheering her on in the front row were her mom, KRIS JENNER, and eldest daughter NORTH WEST.
The reality star said walking in her first Paris Fashion show was “ a dream come true.”
Other celebs that walked for the fashion house, were NICOLE KIDMAN, DUA LIPA and CHRISTINE QUINN.
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WE’LL NEVER BE ROYALS
MEGHAN MARKLE and PRINCE HARRY’s popularity hit an all-time low, according to a new survey.
YouGov asked 1,692 adults whether they held a positive or negative opinion of the Duke and Duchess. The findings show that Harry’s favorability score dropped 26 points -- meaning just 32% of the people see him in a positive light. Meghan’s score also dropped, with only 23% of the population holding a positive outlook toward her.
QUEEN ELIZABETH remains the most popular royal, with more than 8 in 10 Brits holding a positive opinion of her.
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SPORTS
BAKER MAYFIELD has been traded from the Cleveland Browns to the Carolina Panthers for a conditional fifth-round pick in 2024.
According to the NFL Network, the Browns are picking up the $10.5 million of Mayfield’s contract. The Panthers are paying him about $5 million.
Mayfield has been seeking a trade since the Browns signed QB DESHAUN WATSON.
WORTH NOTING: The Panthers host the Browns in Week 1.
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DAY OF THE YEAR
National Strawberry Sundae Day
National Father Daughter Take A Walk Day
National Macaroni Day
World Chocolate Day
Global Forgiveness Day
Tell The Truth Day
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ON THIS DATE
1865 – Four people connected to the plot to assassinate Abraham Lincoln are hanged at Old Arsenal Penitentiary.
The death of Mary Surratt marked the first time the US government executed a woman -- her connection to the plot is much less clear than the other three men who were executed.
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1930 – After thirty years of planning, designs, and preparation, construction begins on the Hoover Dam in Nevada.
Over 21,000 workers contributed to the construction, which finished in five years -- two years ahead of schedule, and even came in under budget despite being a government operation.
It is the second-highest dam in the US.
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1981 – Court of Appeals judge Sandra Day O'Connor is nominated by President Ronald Reagan for the U.S. Supreme Court, becoming the first woman tapped for the bench.
Her appointment was unanimously approved two months later.
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2005 – Al-Qaeda coordinates bombings across London's mass transit system just before 9:00 am local time during the morning commute. Three suicide bombers attacked subways and another hit a bus.
In total, 52 victims were killed and at least 700 more were injured, marking the worst attack in Great Britain since World War II.
The attack occurred during a meeting of the G8 countries. Prime Minister Tony Blair's remarks in the aftermath of the attack doubled down on his country's alliance with the United States for its war efforts in Iraq.
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2019 – The U.S. women's team brings home its second consecutive and record-breaking fourth overall World Cup win.
Only Germany has won more than one title.
The win sparked a nationwide debate over the gender pay gap. Lawsuits brought to light that the women's national team averaged less per game between 2015 and 2019 than their male counterparts -- but it's worth noting that the women's team was more successful.
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BIRTHDAYS
Sky Brown - skateboarder - 14
Dylan Sprayberry - actor, “Man of Steel” & “Teen Wolf” - 24
Ashton Irwin - drummer, 5 Seconds of Summer - 28
Ally Brooke - pop singer, Fifth Harmony - 29
Alesso - music producer - 31
Jack Whitehall - actor, “Fresh Meat” & “Bad Education” - 34
Sevyn Streeter - R&B singer - 36
Synyster Gates - guitarist, Avenged Sevenfold - 41
Kirsten Vangsness - actress, “Criminal Minds” - 50
Cree Summer - pop singer - 53
Jim Gaffigan - comedian - 56
Shelley Duvall - actress, “The Shining” - 73
Ringo Starr - drummer, The Beatles - 82
Born On This Date
Satchel Page - HOF pitcher - 1906 (d. 1982)
Otto Frederick Rohwedder - inventor of bread-slicing machine - 1880 (d. 1960)
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