8/1/2022: A Real-Life Loch Ness Monster
8/1/2022: A Real-Life Loch Ness Monster
PLUS: Kentucky Flooding, T-Swift’s Carbon Footprint, and Bin Ladens’ Royal Donation
Today is Monday, August 1, 2022.
It is the 213th day of the year.
152 days remain.
TRENDING
Saturday was National Cheesecake Day.
#TrumpWasRightAboutEverything was trending Saturday. No explanation needed here.
Sunday was National Mutt Day.
George Jetson was trending Sunday after a Twitter user pointed out the cartoon dad’s birthdate is listed as July 31, 2022.
Social media users reacted to reports that Prince Charles accepted payments from the family of Osama bin Laden. More in Royals.
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HIT LIST
Windy thunderstorms quickly spread a wildfire in Northern California over the weekend, which has scorched more than 51,000 acres.
The inferno has caused an evacuation of 2,000 residents so far. Officials say it is 0% contained.
MEANWHILE: At least 26 people have died from severe flooding in Kentucky, where heavy rains caused rivers, creeks, and streams to swell. More showers Sunday into Monday could bring flash floods, with 2 inches of rain falling every hour.
One section of the Kentucky River reached 20.9 feet last week, breaking the previous record by more than six feet. More rain is expected this week and possibly through the weekend.
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Seven people have been hospitalized following a shooting in Orlando, Florida, all of whom remain in stable condition.
They were shot in the early hours Sunday after a large fight broke out in the city, and multiple gunshots were heard.
No suspect has been named.
MEANWHILE: A 52-year-old man in northern Wisconsin has been arrested as a suspect in a stabbing spree that killed one teenager and injured multiple others.
The man apparently attacked a group of friends, aged 17 to 24 years old, who were floating on innertubes on the Apple River. The 17-year-old has died; four more have been treated for stab wounds to their torso and chest.
The suspect was arrested without much of a fight, local news reports. Charges and his identity are pending. No word yet on what caused the incident.
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Sheep farmers in rural Australia believe they’ve discovered a charred piece of a SpaceX Dragon rocket that fell to Earth on re-entry earlier this year.
Local witnesses say on July 9 they heard a loud bang shortly before the nine-foot-tall piece was found. Based on photos, analysts think it’s a fin from the rocket that aids with aerodynamics during launch.
Amateur trackers say the junk’s location lines up with the rocket’s reentry path. SpaceX has not confirmed the scrap’s authenticity.
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A Japanese researcher says the next Mass Extinction Event on Earth is still centuries away, if it happens at all.
He looked at average global temperature change during the last five known mass extinction events, which killed off most of the Earth’s animal life each time. During those events, Earth cooled by 7 degrees Celsius or warmed by 9 degrees Celsius.
The research notes that even the most dire global warming predictions have the globe warming by 4.4 degrees Celsius by the year 2100.
WORTH NOTING: The largest mass extinction event -- 250 million years ago -- happened over the course of 60,000 years – so it wasn’t a singular catastrophe, either.
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A new article in scientific journal Cretaceous Research makes the case that the Loch Ness monster could be real, after all.
The study shows that a dinosaur called the plesiosaur could have lived in a freshwater lake similar to those found in Scotland where the mythical beast has been reportedly spotted over the years.
Researchers found such fossils in Morocco, at the site of what used to be a freshwater river system 100 million years ago. The plesiosaur was previously believed to only live in saltwater environments.
The plesiosaur had a long neck, just like the shadowy silhouette of the Loch Ness monster.
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BY THE NUMBERS
📈 The Dow added 315 points (0.97%) on Friday to close at 32,845. The S&P added 57 points (1.42%) to close at 4,130 and the Nasdaq added 228 (1.88%) to close at 12,390.
🛢 West Texas Intermediate closed at $98 on Friday. Brent Crude is back well over $100 a barrel, trading at $104.
⛽ The national average price of a gallon of gas was $4.22 on Sunday.
₿ Bitcoin was flat on Sunday, picking up $82.20 and trading around $23,700.
🛩 There were 3,975 flights delayed within, into, or out of the United States on Sunday, and 467 such cancellations.
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CHARTS
Weekend Box Office
10. Vengeance: $1.7 million (new)
9. Jurassic World Dominion: $2 million (stayed at 9)
8. The Black Phone: $2.4 million (stayed at 8)
7. Elvis: $5.8 million (down from 6)
6. Where the Crawdads Sing: $7.5 million (down from 4)
5. Top Gun: Maverick: $8.2 million (stayed at 5)
4. Minions: The Rise of Gru: $10.8 millon (down from 3)
3. Thor: Love and Thunder: $13 million (down from 2)
2. Nope: $18.5 million (down from 1)
1. DC League of Super Pets: $23 million (new)
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DEATHS
NICHELLE NICHOLS has died.
The actress, known best for her role as Lt. Uhura in “Star Trek,” passed away Sunday from natural causes.
She was 89.
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PAT CARROLL has died.
The actress, known for voicing Ursula in “The Little Mermaid,” passed away Saturday at her home in Cape Cod, Massachusetts. No cause of death was shared.
She was 95.
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JIMY SOHNS has died.
The lead singer of The Shadows of Knight rock band passed away after suffering a stroke last week. No further details were shared.
He was 75.
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BILL RUSSELL has died.
The legendary Celtics player passed away Saturday. No cause of death was shared.
He was 88.
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BABY NEWS
Actors GINA RODRIGUEZ, 38, and JOE LOCICERO, 35, are expecting their first child.
The couple announced the news Saturday, which was also Rodriguez’s 38th birthday.
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WEDDINGS
Actress JODIE SWEETIN, 40, tied the knot with clinical social worker MESCAL WASILEWSKI, 52, in Malibu over the weekend.
Several of her “Full House” castmates, such as JOHN STAMOS and CANDACE CAMERON BURE, were in attendance for the nuptials.
The couple, who have been together for five years, got engaged in January.
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THE SWAMP
President JOE BIDEN has “rebound covid,” testing positive for the virus after a few days of testing negative. He reportedly has no symptoms, but will quarantine until testing negative again.
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Remember how last week the economic numbers were bad so the White House changed the definition of a recession?
Now, in a tweet via the official US State Department account, Secretary ANTONY BLINKEN says this about Russia: “Moscow has been cherry-picking economic data to support President Putin’s insistence that everything is fine and the Russian economy is going strong. It’s simply not true.”
WORTH NOTING: Takes a pinko to know a pinko, apparently.
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Another poll demonstrates that the Democrat party has squandered its support from Hispanic voters.
For the 2022 generic ballot – meaning respondents were asked generally which party they’d support for midterms – Hispanic likely voters were essentially tied, with 45% preferring Democrats and 42% preferring Republicans.
WORTH NOTING: In the 2018 wave, Democrats had a 40-point advantage with that voting bloc.
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The Department of Homeland Security says it will complete more of the border wall construction project started by former President DONALD TRUMP.
They say it’s not to secure the border, so much as preventing illegals from slipping down a dangerous slope or drowning while attempting to cross the Colorado River.
Oh, and it’s also the third-busiest crossing area.
WORTH REMEMBERING: President JOE BIDEN campaigned on not completing another inch of border wall.
MEANWHILE: On Friday, White House Media Commissar KARINE JEAN-PIERRE spun this news like a hamster on a wheel (jump to 1:05):
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LOTTERY
An Illinois resident is the big winner of Friday’s $1.28 BILLION Mega Millions drawing -- the second largest MM jackpot ever.
Tuesday night’s drawing will be for a $20 million jackpot or a $11.6 million cash payout.
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No winner for Saturday night’s Powerball drawing. Tonight’s drawing will be for a $187 million jackpot or a $110.6 million cash payout.
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SHOWBIZ NEWS
BRITNEY SPEARS says her tell-all is finally done, but she is unable to release it because of a paper shortage.
Sources close to the pop princess told TMZ she recently finished the memoir, but a supply shortage has caused a delay in the publishing timeline.
Since there is “no clear idea for when paper will be available again, there is no firm release date,” the insiders added.
WORTH NOTING: Publishers Weekly recently pointed out what is behind the paper shortage -- more people reading during the pandemic, and fewer employees at paper plants.
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BRYAN CRANSTON and AARON PAUL were on hand as statues of their “Breaking Bad” characters were revealed Friday in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
The bronze sculptures feature Cranston’s character Walter White holding his signature Heisenberg hat, while standing next to Paul's Jesse Pinkman.
The 500-pound statues were created by sculptor Trevor Grove and donated by Sony, the production company behind the hit AMC series.
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JENNIFER LOPEZ took a break from her honeymoon in Paris to perform at a UNICEF concert aimed at helping the Ukrainian relief effort.
JLo took the stage at a monastery in Capri in a zebra-print outfit complete with feathers and glitz. Later she changed into a nude thong bodysuit.
Other performers included DIPLO, SOFIA CARSON and DJ CRUZ.
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TAYLOR SWIFT has been named the celebrity with the worst private jet CO2 emissions.
According to marketing firm Yard, Swift produced the most emissions this year by taking 170 flights since January.
Her rep told Insider that “Taylor’s jet is loaned out regularly to other individuals. To attribute most or all of these trips to her is blatantly incorrect.”
Joining Taylor on the list are Floyd Mayweather, Jay-Z, Alex Rodriguez and Blake Shelton.
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Netflix is suing the creators behind “Bridgerton: The Musical” for infringement rights.
The adaptation of the hit Netflix series, created by ABIGAIL BARLOW and EMILY BEAR, got the ok from the streamer when it was just going to be a “free online homage,” but once it expanded into a money-making show issues arose.
The lawsuit states that the streamer “owns the exclusive rights” to all things “Bridgerton” and the defendants “cannot take that right -- made valuable by others’ hard work -- for themselves.”
Barlow and Bear have not commented on the suit.
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RIC FLAIR says he prepared for his final fight by “drinking every night leading up to it.”
The 73-year-old wrestled for the very last time Sunday night, teaming up with his son-in-law, ANDRADE EL IDOLO, and fighting JAY LETHAL and JEFF JARRETT.
“I don’t do good when I don’t drink,” Flair told TMZ Sports on Friday.
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Due to an autoimmune disorder called immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), singer and actress MANDY MOORE will undergo an unmedicated birth when she welcomes her second baby this fall.
Moore opened up about not being able to receive an epidural in a recent interview in “Today Parents,” explaining that she delivered her first child, Gus, without medication due to the condition.
According to Mayo Clinic, the disorder can “lead to easy or excessive bruising and bleeding,” which “occurs because of unusually low levels of platelets.”
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CASTING CALL
“Anvil! The Story of Anvil” is getting a theatrical re-release this fall.
Directed by a former roadie for the band, the film focuses on guitarist STEVE “Lips” KUDLOW and drummer ROBB REINER, the founding members of the Canadian heavy metal band.
The doc features appearances by LARS ULRICH (Metallica), SLASH (Guns N’ Roses), LEMMY (Motorhead), SCOTT IAN (Anthrax) and TOM ARAYA (Slayer).
The re-release is in honor of the film’s 13-year anniversary.
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MARTIN SCORSESE will direct LEONARDO DICAPRIO in another new Apple Original film.
Just as the two wrapped filming on “Killers of the Flower Moon,” Apple announced the pair will reunite for an adaptation of New Yorker journalist David Grann’s upcoming nonfiction book “The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder.”
“The Wager” tells the story of the 1700s British naval ship of the same name that embarked on a secret mission in search of Spanish treasure. The crew ended up shipwrecked on a desolate island off the coast of Patagonia and chaos ensued.
The book is set to be published in April. No word on a date for the film.
WORTH NOTING: Grann also wrote “Killers of the Flower Moon.”
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HBO Max has canceled “Gordita Chronicles” after only one season.
The coming-of-age comedy series was cut due to “changing priorities” at Warner Bros, a spokesperson told Variety.
In response to the cancellation, producers EVA LONGORIA and ZOE SALDANA released a statement sharing how “heartbroken” they are by the “programming changes at HBO.”
The show followed a teen girl who moves to Miami, along with her family from Santo Domingo.
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THE DAILY KARDASHOPUS
Instagram is pausing its latest campaign to appear more like TikTok after criticism from users, including mega-influencers KIM KARDASHIAN and KYLIE JENNER.
The app recently rolled out plans to change its algorithm so users would see more video content than photos. In response, a message against the change went viral. It read: “Make Instagram Instagram Again. Stop trying to be TikTok.”
Jenner and Kardashian shared the message with their combined 686 million followers.
In response to the outrage, Instagram’s head honcho Adam Mosseri told Platformer that they are going to “take a big step back and regroup.”
WORTH NOTING: Meta (formerly Facebook) is behind Instagram. So, does this mean Kim and Kylie have more power than Mark Zuckerberg?
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WE’LL NEVER BE ROYALS
PRINCE CHARLES’ charity received a donation of 1 million euros from the family of Osama bin Laden, according to a new report from the Times of London.
The publication states that in 2013 the Prince of Wales’ Charitable Foundation received a donation from Bakr bin Laden and Shafiq bin Laden -- half-brothers of the deceased terrorist.
Charles’ royal advisors suggested he not accept the funds in light of the 9/11 attack in the US, where thousands were killed, including 67 Brits.
A spokesperson at Clarence House told Vanity Fair that “no such suggestion” was made, while confirming that the donation was indeed accepted. The insider also said Charles did not have the final say and the decision was made by trustees of the organization.
The Palace has not commented on the report.
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SPORTS
DEANDRE HOPKINS will miss the first six games of the upcoming NFL season after testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance.
In response, the Cardinals wide receiver told ArizonaSports.com that he wishes the “rule wasn’t so black and white” when it comes to PEDs.
“It’s hard to know when something gets contaminated at a trace amount when you’re not working at the manufacturing company,” he added.
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DAY OF THE YEAR
National Raspberry Cream Pie Day
National Girlfriends Day
National Minority Donor Awareness Day
Respect For Parents Day
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ON THIS DATE
1798 - FRENCH REVOLUTIONARY WARS - Fighting between France and Britain at the Battle of the Nile begins at Aboukir Bay in the Mediterranean, near Egypt.
Napoleon planned the battle as a stepping-stone for invasion into Egypt. He hoped to marginalize Britain’s support role to France’s enemies.
Defending the British was Rear-Admiral Horatio Nelson, tasked with defeating and eliminating Napoleon’s naval force. Nelson had been on the French’s tail for months, but always missed it.
Finally, a French fleet under command of Francois-Paul Brueys D’Aigalliers anchored at Aboukir Bay in a fortified position. When Nelson finally came onto it, he immediately ordered an attack, trapping the French in a crossfire.
After three hours of fighting, the British destroyed 13 French ships, while four more were able to escape. The French commander was killed. The victory established the British force in the Mediterranean.
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1831 - A new London Bridge opens, connecting the city over the River Thames.
Haytor granite was used in its construction.
King William IV and Queen Adelaide enjoyed a banquet on the bridge to commemorate its opening.
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1842 - Riots over slavery break out on Lombard Street in Philadelphia.
It started as a parade of 1,000 marchers from the Young Men’s Vigilant Association, commemorating the anniversary of the abolition of slavery in the British West Indies.
A mob of Irish Catholics started attacking the marchers. Subsequently, the marchers were arrested but the attackers were not. Fires were set to the homes of abolitionists and the buildings that housed their organizations.
The Philadelphia militia ultimately quelled the uprising.
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1876 - Colorado is admitted as the 38th state of the Union.
Parts of Colorado had been bought in the Louisiana Purchase. The rest was disputed between the U.S. and Spain until a series of treaties clarified what land belonged to whom.
After the civil war, as Colorado became a useful hub for routing railways herding treasure hunters out to California and the West Coast, Congress took action to admit the territory to the union.
When it became a state, it was known as the Centennial State, since it was entered into the Union just 28 days after the U.S. Centennial.
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1941 - Anne Frank records the last entry in her diary.
Three days later, Anne and her family were captured by Nazi police. Records indicate the Frank family was sent to concentration camps, where all the women in the family died.
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1980 - Vigdis Finnbogadottir (fin-BO-zha-dotter) becomes the first democratically-elected female head of state when she becomes President of Iceland. With 16 years in office, she holds the record for the longest-serving female head of state in history.
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1981 - MTV hits the airwaves.
The first video: “Video Killed the Radio Star” by The Buggles
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2007 - The I-35 Bridge that crosses the Mississippi River near Minneapolis collapses.
13 died and 145 were injured.
A replacement bridge was erected in 48 days.
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2021 - Dr. Anthony Fauci says “things are going to get worse” as cases of COVID-19 double in 10 days.
The surge is caused by the Delta variant.
Also on this day, the US passes 35 million cases of the virus. California becomes the first state to hit 4 million cases.
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BIRTHDAYS
JJ Hannon - pop singer - 21
Scottie Barnes - basketball player - 21
Khamani Griffin - actor, “Daddy Day Care” - 24
Chyphonique Miller - rapper - 26
Van McCann - rock singer, Catfish and the Bottleman - 30
Jack O’Connell - actor, “Skins” - 32
Max Carver - actor, “Desperate Housewives” & “Teen Wolf” - 34
Elijah Kelley - actor, “Hairspray” - 36
Ashley Parker Angel - pop singer, O-Town - 41
Jason Momoa - actor, “Aquaman” & “Game of Thrones” - 43
Emily Jones - journalist, Fox Sports - 45
Tempestt Bledsoe - actress, “Cosby Show” - 49
Sam Mendes - stage director - 57
Coolio - rapper - 59
John Carroll Lynch - actor, “Shutter Island” & “Big Sky” - 59
Joe Elliott - rock singer, Def Leppard - 63
Born On This Date
Jerry Garcia - rock singer, Grateful Dead - 1942 (d. 1995)
Herman Melville - author, “Moby-Dick” - 1819 (d. 1891)
Francis Scott Key - composer of “Star-Spangled Banner” - 1779 (d. 1843)
William Clark - explorer, half of Lewis & Clark duo - 1770 (d. 1838)
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