Discover more from Morning Martini
8/15/2022: Texas Residents Fund Migrant Relocation
PLUS: Sleepy Spiders; Toobin Out; and Ye’s Inspirational Post
Today is Monday, August 15, 2022.
It is the 227th day of the year.
138 days remain.
TRENDING
Saturday was National Left-Handers Day.
#TakeMeToATimeWhen was trending Saturday. Tweets included “it is cooler and easier to sleep,” “Americans felt TRULY proud of their country and came together to fight terrorism,” “everyone wasn’t staring at their phones” and “common sense and kindness were more prevalent.”
Steelers and #HereWeGo landed in Twitter’s Top 10 Trends Saturday as the Pittsburgh Steelers took on the Seattle Seahawks in the Preseason.
Sunday was National Creamsicle Day.
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HIT LIST
A man drove his vehicle into a barricade near the US Capitol on Sunday where it quickly became engulfed in flames.
He was able to exit the vehicle, which is when he opened fire into the street. As police officers approached, he fatally shot himself.
No one else was injured in the incident, according to Capitol Police.
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Over 150 Polish troops have been deployed to help clean up the 522-mile-long Oder River after an alarming amount of dead fish have washed up on shore.
Poland’s prime minister said in a podcast Friday that vast amounts of chemical waste were likely dumped into the river, “creating an ecological disaster that could take years to clean up.”
He vowed to find those responsible and make sure they pay for the damage caused.
The Oder River flows through Poland, Germany and the Czech Republic.
MORE CONTAMINATED WATER: Some Michigan residents were under a boil water advisory over the weekend after a leak was discovered in a water main that serves the Detroit area. Approximately 935,000 residents were affected, according to the Great Lakes Water Authority.
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Doritos is releasing two new chip flavors -- Ketchup and Spicy Mustard.
Doritos Ketchup, based on one of Canada’s best-selling flavors, is described as tangy and slightly sweet.
Doritos Spicy Mustard, inspired by Chinese hot mustard, has a tang of mustard, along with the classic spicy flavor of Doritos.
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Did you know that spiders sleep at night?
Daniela Roessler, an evolutionary biologist from the University of Konstanz in Germany, became curious about the sleeping habits of spiders after seeing them hanging from threads of silk on containers in her lab.
To appease her curiosity, Roessler trained cameras on baby jumping spiders at night to find out if they do in fact rest their eyes. What she found were patterns that looked a lot like REM sleep, with the spiders’ legs twitching and parts of their eyes fluttering.
In humans, REM (rapid eye movement) is an active phase of sleep when parts of the brain light up with activity. It is often linked with dreaming.
The findings have been published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
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Hundreds of thousands of recent graduates are heading to college this fall after having spent more than half of their high school years in the chaos of the pandemic.
Researchers claim that due to the lack of consistency, these students are “vastly unprepared for the demands of college-level work,” which can “raise the risk of dropping out.”
The setbacks are seen most sharply among Black and Hispanic students.
TEACHER SHORTAGE: As everyone prepares to head back to the classroom many districts across the country are facing a teacher shortage. Reasons cited for the shortage include: low pay, lack of respect for educators and the extra pressures placed on schools during the pandemic.
WORTH ASKING: Is it still all “for the children”?
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BY THE NUMBERS
📈 The Dow added 424 points (1.27%) on Friday to close at 33,761. The S&P rose 72 points (1.73%) to finish at 4,280 and the Nasdaq added 267 points (2.09%) to close at 13,047.
🛢 West Texas Intermediate closed just over $90 a barrel on Friday, at $92.09. Brent Crude was down to $98.01.
⛽ The national average price of a gallon of gas was $3.95 on Sunday.
₿ Bitcoin lost more than $160 on Sunday, trading around $24,419.
🛩 There were 1,877 delays within, into, or out of the United States on Sunday, and 185 such cancellations.
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CHARTS
Weekend Box Office
10. Fall: $2.5 million (new)
9. Elvis: $2.6 million (stayed at 9)
8. Bodies Bodies Bodies: $3.2 million (up from 15)
7. Where the Crawdads Sing: $3.9 million (stayed at 7)
6. Minions: The Rise of Gru: $4.8 million (down from 5)
5. Nope: $5.3 million (down from 3)
4. Thor: Love and Thunder: $5.3 million (stayed at 4)
3. Top Gun: Maverick: $7.1 million (up from 6)
2. DC League of Super-Pets: $7.2 million (stayed at 2)
1. Bullet Train: $13.4 million (stayed at 1)
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DEATHS
ANNE HECHE has died.
The actress passed away Friday, succumbing to injuries from her fiery car crash.
She was 53.
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ROBYN GRIGGS has died.
The soap opera star, known for her roles on “One Life to Live” and “Another World,” passed away Saturday after a years long battle with cervical cancer.
She was 49.
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DENISE DOWSE has died.
The actress, known for her roles on “Insecure” and “Beverly Hills 90210,” passed away Saturday after a battle with viral meningitis.
She was 64.
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TEDDY RAY has died.
The comedian passed away Saturday. A cause of death has not yet been revealed.
He was 32.
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BABY NEWS
JOYCELYN SAVAGE says she is expecting her first child with disgraced singer R. KELLY.
The 26-year-old revealed the news in her short tell-all (as in only 11 pages-short), saying she found out she was expecting months after Kelly sent an engagement ring to her home.
It is unclear how far along Savage is.
WORTH REMEMBERING: In June, Kelly was sentenced to 30 years in prison for racketeering and sex trafficking.
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BREAKUPS
Metallica’s JAMES HETFIELD, 59, has split from his wife of over two decades FRANCESCA HETFIELD, 52.
Sources close to the couple told TMZ that James filed for divorce earlier this year. No reason for the breakup has been revealed.
They share three adult children.
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THE SWAMP
Former President DONALD TRUMP wants some of the documents seized by the DOJ returned.
“Oh great! It has just been learned that the FBI, in its now famous raid of Mar-a-Lago, took boxes of privileged attorney-client material, and also ‘executive’ privilege material, which they knowingly should not have taken,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
DECLASSIFICATION: As for reports stating classified material was seized, Trump says he had declassified the documents.
DEMS DOUBLE-STANDARD: Several on the left are claiming Republicans’ “anti-FBI rhetoric” is putting agents in danger. Have they forgotten all about their anti-police chants, posts and “rhetoric”? Just another example of hypocrisy from the left.
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Texas Governor GREG ABBOTT is asking residents for donations to fund the transportation of migrants to DC and New York City.
A message on the website for the Office of the Governor reads:
“In the wake of President Biden’s decision to end Title 42 expulsions, Governor Abbott has directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management to charter buses to transport migrants to Washington, D.C. You can donate online now by credit card or donate by mail by sending a check to the address below.”
As of the end of July over $118,000 had been collected. That is a far cry from the $7 million Texas has been charged from busing and security contractors, according to the Washington Examiner.
STAY IN TEXAS: Despite NYC being a sanctuary city, Mayor ERIC ADAMS called the transportation of migrants to his city “horrific.”
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KARINE JEAN-PIERRE said Sunday that despite President JOE BIDEN’s low job approval numbers, he is their guy for 2024.
When pressed on the issue, Jean-Pierre just repeated, “He intends to run.”
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LOTTERY
No winner for Friday night’s Mega Millions drawing. Tuesday night’s drawing will be for an $82 million jackpot or a $47.1 million cash payout.
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No winner for Saturday night’s Powerball drawing. Tonight's drawing will be for a $56 million jackpot or a $32.5 million cash payout.
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SHOWBIZ NEWS
KEVIN FEDERLINE reportedly did an interview with the Daily Mail about his ex-wife BRITNEY SPEARS and her alleged estrangement from their sons.
A source close to Federline told Page Six that he only did the interview “because he and the boys are upset” and are “worried about the superstar’s mental health.”
In response, a Britney-source told the outlet that any claims of her ex doing the interview out of concern for her are “pathetic and inexcusable.”
DEFENDING BRIT: An ex-boyfriend of Spears told Page Six that “Kevin is a loser” and he is only speaking out to “stay relevant.” Her lawyer doubled down on the claim, calling KFed a “nobody.”
JLO SAYS: In light of all the drama, JENNIFER LOPEZ sent a message of support to Britney. “Stay strong,” she wrote on her Instagram stories as she reshared a post from Spears of the two of them at the 2001 VMAs.
BIG PICTURE: Britney not only grew up in the spotlight, but was also placed under a conservatorship for 13 years. She now has the ability -- for the first time really -- to say what she wants to say and do what she wants to do. It is no one’s place to judge her for taking advantage of her freedom.
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MARTHA STEWART, 81, responded to a meme claiming she is dating newly-single PETE DAVIDSON, 28.
“[He] is like the son I never had,” she told the Daily Mail. “He is a charming boy who is finding his way.”
Stewart also revealed that she has invited Davidson to be a guest on her podcast. No word on if or when he will appear.
MOST ELIGIBLE BACHELOR: There has been lots of speculation over who Pete’s next leading lady will be.
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SHAKIRA is ready to move on from the drama.
Sources told Page Six that the Columbian hip-shaker wants to leave Spain -- and all the bad memories -- to live full-time in Miami.
The 45-year-old is currently in the midst of a contentious split and custody battle with the father of her children, soccer player GERARD PIQUE, and also facing up to eight years in jail for tax fraud.
Shakira’s parents and brother live in Miami.
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TAYLOR SWIFT’s 14-minute music video for her son “All Too Well” is eligible to be nominated for an Academy Award in the Best Live Action Short category, according to THR.
She may also be in the running for another nomination for an original song she wrote for the movie “Where the Crawdads Sing.”
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BROOKLYN BECKHAM has babies on the brain.
The 23-year-old told “Entertainment Tonight” that he wants to have “like 10 kids” with his wife NICOLA PELTZ.
“I would love to have a family soon, but whenever my wife is ready,” he added.
Beckham and Peltz tied the knot earlier this year.
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CARDI B has revealed the secret to her sleek and shiny hair.
Taking to Instagram, the 29-year-old rapper told followers that she lathers her hair in boiled onion water and then rinses it out with water.
To those asking about the potential smell, Cardi said “it’s odorless.”
IT WORKS!: According to an article from Healthline, onions “contain compounds that may help to enhance dry, damaged hair.” It can also “encourage hair growth, treat alopecia and reverse graying,” a haircare advocate told Page Six.
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MARIAH CAREY’s Atlanta home was broken into while she vacationed in Italy last month.
Authorities confirmed the incident to Page Six, but refused to share any details as the investigation is still open.
It is unknown what was taken.
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CASTING CALL
JEFFREY TOOBIN is leaving CNN.
His exit comes two years after he was seen masturbating on a Zoom call in front of his New Yorker colleagues.
Toobin was with the network for 20 years.
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CAMILLA BELLE and GUS HALPER have joined the cast of NBC’s “Law & Order: Organized Crime.”
The pair will play NYC power couple Pearl Serrano and Teddy Silas in the upcoming third season.
The show follows detective Elliot Stabler -- made famous on “Law & Order: SVU -- played by CHRISTOPHER MELONI. He returns to the NYPD as part of the Organized Crime Task Force after his wife’s murder.
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SIENNA MILLER and SAM WORTHINGTON will star in the KEVIN COSTNER-directed film, “Horizon.”
According to IMDb, the movie chronicles a 15-year span of pre- and post-Civil War expansion and settlement of the West. Told through the eyes of many, the film is filled with “peril and intrigue” and the “ruthlessness of those who sought to settle” the land.
WORTH NOTING: The project is why Costner did not take part in last week’s Field of Dreams game between the Cubs and Reds.
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CELEBRITY CELLBLOCK
MICHELLE BRANCH was arrested for domestic violence against her estranged husband, PATRICK CARNEY last week.
Police officers were called to Branch’s Nashville home early Thursday morning after calls came in about a potential domestic disturbance. According to court documents, she admitted to hitting Carney in “the facial area one to two times.”
Branch was “arrested without incident” and “released after posting a $1,000 bail,” according to the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office.
A hearing on the matter is set for November 7.
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THE DAILY KARDASHOPUS
KANYE WEST posted a black square on Instagram Friday, with text that read “Look to the children. Look to the homeless. As the biggest inspiration for all design.”
The inspirational post comes days after Ye posted a fake headline that read “SKETE DAVIDSON DEAD AT AGE 28,” following PETE DAVIDSON and KIM KARDASHIAN’s breakup news.
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WE’LL NEVER BE ROYALS
It is unlikely that PRINCESS BEATRICE and PRINCESS EUGENIE will be awarded any special roles when PRINCE CHARLES takes over the throne.
Royal correspondent RICHARD PALMER told The Sun that he does not see Charles giving the sisters larger roles once he becomes King.
ON THAT NOTE: Charles’ brother, PRINCE EDWARD, is likely to become the next Duke of Edinburgh once his brother assumes the throne.
SPEAKING OF EDWARD: Royal author MATTHEW DENNISON claims in his new book that Edward is QUEEN ELIZABETH’s favorite of her four children. He writes, “Prince Edward, seemingly a bit wet and tad irritating to the rest of us, was always his parents’ favorite.”
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SPORTS
Waiting for a decade for his shot in the big league, WYNTON BERNARD finally got his chance.
The 31-year-old made his MLB debut for the Colorado Rockies on Friday after 10 seasons of affiliated ball.
During the game, Bernard got a hit and stole a base -- making him the oldest player in the league to do so since 1907, according to Stats Perform.
The Rockies beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 5-3.
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DAY OF THE YEAR
National Relaxation Day
National Lemon Meringue Pie Day
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ON THIS DATE
1534 - Saint Ignatius of Loyola gathers 6 students near Paris to form the Company of Jesus, which would become what is known today as the Society of Jesus -- whose members are called Jesuits.
The Catholic sect was founded on vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience. It remains one of the stricter Catholic groups in existence today, whose members work in an array of professions, and communally share their resources.
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1877 - Thomas Edison writes a memo to AT&T encouraging the term "Hello" as a telephone greeting for the emerging technology.
His counterpart Alexander Graham Bell preferred "Ahoy, ahoy," which didn't make the cut. Edison said that "hello" could be distinctly understood, even when heard from a distance.
Phone operators were even known for a while as "Hello Girls."
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1914 - A deranged servant of Frank Lloyd Wright sets fire to the architect's home in Spring Green, Wisconsin.
The Barbadian servant then axe-murdered seven people, including his lover and her children, among other house workers. The arsonist tried to kill himself by drinking acid, but would survive for seven weeks, and eventually die of starvation.
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1914 - The SS Ancon passes through the Panama Canal; it's the first ship to do so.
The Canal was finished two years ahead of schedule, with the original completion date set for June 1, 1916.
But the fast construction did not come without cost. 5600 workers died during the last 10 years of construction of the canal, which is actually fewer than was expected.
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1965 - More than 55,000 fans pack Shea Stadium in New York for the kickoff of the Beatles' North American tour.
With so many people and rudimentary acoustics, it was virtually impossible for anyone to hear anything. 100-watt speakers blared the band's familiar tunes, but the amplified sound was no match for the roaring crowd.
The whole concert lasted a mere 30 minutes.
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1969 - Woodstock opens in Bethel, New York.
The 4-day hippie shindig featured a who's-who lineup of peacenik bands of the day, including Arlo Guthrie, The Grateful Dead, CCR, Janis Joplin, Jefferson Airplane, The Who, and Jimi Hendrix.
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1973 - President Nixon publicly denies any involvement with the Watergate break-in. Of course, the scandal would culminate in his resignation from the nation's highest office one year later.
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1991 - Hundreds of thousands of people turn up in New York's Central Park for a free Paul Simon concert.
The music showcased his albums “Graceland” and “Rhythm of the Saints.” A recording of the concert was later repackaged as a Live CD.
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1995 - The first woman enters The Citadel military college as a student.
Shannon Faulkner had won a lawsuit that forced the military to admit her.
After four hours of training, she entered the school's infirmary. She would drop out completely within the week.
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2018 - A record 72,000 Americans died due to drug overdoses in 2017 according to new figures from the CDC.
That number is a 10% increase from 2016.
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2019 - Disney Studios becomes the first to have five films earn over $1 billion each in one year.
The films are: “Toy Story 4,” “Avengers: Endgame,” “Captain Marvel,” “Aladdin” and “The Lion King.”
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BIRTHDAYS
Tones and I - pop singer - 22
Chief Keef - rapper - 27
Tristan Evans - drummer, The Vamps - 28
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain - soccer player - 29
Jennifer Lawrence - actress, “Hunger Games” & “Silver Linings Playbook” - 32
Carlos PenaVega - actor, “Big Time Rush” - 33
Belinda - pop singer - 33
Joe Jonas - pop singer - 33
Boban Marjanovic - basketball player - 34
Natalia Kills - pop singer - 36
Emily Kinney - actress, “The Walking Dead” - 37
Donald Mustard - game designer, “Fortnite” - 46
Ben Affleck - actor, “Armaggeddon” & “Argo” - 50
Anthony Anderson - actor, “Black-ish” - 52
Debra Messing - actress, “Will & Grace” - 54
Matt Johnson - rocker singer, THE THE - 61
Princess Anne - daughter of QE2 - 72
Born On This Date
Nipsey Hussle - rapper - 1985 (d. 2019)
Julia Child - chef - 1912 (d. 2004)
Napoleon Bonaparte - emperor - 1769 (d. 1821)
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