8/17/2022: Jill Has Covid
PLUS: Scotland’s Period Product Act; MGK Day; and Markle vs. Markle
Today is Wednesday, August 17, 2022.
It is the 229th day of the year.
136 days remain.
TRENDING
In honor of National Tell a Joke Day, Twitter users shared some of their favorite jokes. Tweets included, “I accidentally drank a bottle of invisible ink last night. I’m now in the hospital, waiting to be seen…,” “Getting older is no problem. You just have to live long enough,” and “What’s the difference between Black Eyed Peas and Chick Peas? Black Eyed Peas can sing us a song. Chick Peas can hummus one.”
Jill Biden was trending after it was revealed she has covid. Her symptoms are mild…as they should be after approximately 302483949237023 vaccines.
Liz Cheney was trending Tuesday as Wyoming voters headed to the polls for the state’s primaries.
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HIT LIST
Hospital employees who were let go by Chicago’s NorthShore University Health System over the company’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate are finally getting some justice.
NorthShore has been ordered to pay $10.3 million to employees who were denied religious exemptions when it came to the vaccine.
Mat Staver, founder of Liberty Counsel, who was behind the settlement, told Fox News that the hospital systems’ “jab or job” policy was in direct violation of the federal employment law Title VII, which allows for religious accommodations.
Along with the hefty payout, all employees who were fired or left due to the policy will be allowed to return “with no loss of seniority or job status,” Staver said.
WAKING UP: This is a momentous ruling that will hopefully have a broad impact. So many Americans were denied personal choice throughout the pandemic and often berated for wanting to make their own healthcare choices. While this is a far cry from true justice for what many suffered, it is a start.
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A 19-year-old man was rescued at Yosemite National Park on Monday after falling more than 60 feet down a cliff.
California Highway Patrol’s Golden Gate Division Air Operations responded to the scene and lowered a rescuer to help the fallen climber who had landed on a ledge. He was then airlifted to a nearby medical center with major injuries.
It is unknown if he was able to call for help or if a passerby saw him fall.
An update on his condition has not been given.
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Residents of Oslo, Norway are divided over the recent euthanization of Freya, the walrus who gained national attention for boarding random ships and ultimately crushing them under her 1300-pound body.
The decision to put Freya down came after weeks of officials warning the public to stay away from the wild animal. As the advice continued to be ignored, and Freya became a threat to human safety, the Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries made the heartbreaking decision to euthanize her last weekend.
In response, wildlife experts and activists from around the world are outraged, with many taking to Twitter saying Freya’s death was “avoidable.”
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A school resource officer at a high school in Stockton, California disarmed a student who pulled out a loaded gun during a fight on campus this week.
As the officer and another staff member tried to separate the brawling individuals, the teen allegedly pulled out a gun from his waistband.
That’s when the officer tackled and disarmed him.
The 17-year-old student was booked on charges of battery, criminal threats, resisting arrest and weapon charges.
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Scotland’s new Period Product Act went into effect this week, making period products available free of charge to anyone who needs them.
The new law forces schools and local government bodies to have a range of period products such as tampons and sanitary pads available for free in their bathrooms.
There is also an app people can download to find a list of locations with free products.
WORTH ASKING: Can the same idea be applied to contraception?
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BY THE NUMBERS
📈 The Dow added 240 points (0.71%) on Tuesday to close at 34,152. The S&P 500 added 8 points (0.19%) to close at 4,305 while the Nasdaq lost 26 points (0.19%) to close at 13,103.
🛢 West Texas Intermediate was trading just under $87 a barrel Tuesday. Brent Crude was trading around $93.
⛽ The national average price of a gallon of gas was $3.95 on Tuesday.
₿ Bitcoin fell Tuesday, losing just over $215 and trading around $23,882.
🛩 There were 2,091 flight delays within, into, or out of the United States on Tuesday and 78 such cancellations.
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CHARTS
Top 5 Fiction & Nonfiction Books Currently on the New York Times Best Sellers List:
FICTION:
“Where The Crawdads Sing,” Delia Owens
“It Ends With Us,” Colleen Hoover
“Verity,” Colleen Hoover
“Ugly Love,” Colleen Hoover
“The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo,” Taylor Jenkins Reid
NONFICTION:
“The Body Keeps The Score,” Bessel van der Kolk
“Finding Me,” Viola Davis
“This Is Your Mind on Plants,” Michael Pollan
“Braiding Sweetgrass,” Robin Wall Kimmerer
“Educated,” Tara Westover
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DEATHS
WOLFGANG PETERSEN has died.
The “Air Force One” director passed away Friday after a battle with pancreatic cancer.
He was 81.
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DARIUS CAMPBELL DANESH has died.
The Scottish singer passed away unexpectedly last week. His cause of death is under investigation.
He was 41.
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BABY NEWS
ADRIENNE BAILON HOUGHTON, 38, is a mom!
The former co-host of “The Real” and her husband, gospel singer ISRAEL HOUGHTON, 47, welcomed a baby boy, named Ever James, via surrogate, she revealed on Instagram Tuesday.
The baby is a first for the couple, while Israel has four children from a previous relationship.
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BREAKUPS
Actors FLORENCE PUGH, 26, and ZACH BRAFF, 47, quietly ended their three-year relationship earlier this year.
Pugh confirmed the split in the September 2022 cover story of Harper’s Bazaar, though she did not say what led to it.
Braff has yet to speak about it.
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THE SWAMP
Remember when President JOE BIDEN pulled out of Afghanistan, leaving behind billions of dollars worth of military equipment?
According to a new report from the Defense Department’s inspector general, some of the more than $7 billion worth of equipment is now in the hands of the Taliban. This includes about $923.3 million worth of military aircraft, $294.6 million in aircraft munitions, $4 billion in tactical ground vehicles and $511 million worth of rifles, sniper rifles, pistols, machine guns and rocket-propelled grenade launchers.
This seems like a major abuse of Americans’ hard-earned tax dollars -- maybe all the new IRS agents could start here?
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A new report from US Customs and Border Protection shows that agents arrested ten people on a terror watch list last month.
So far this year, CBP agents have tallied more than 1.8 million total encounters at the border and have apprehended 66 people who are on the Terrorist Screening Dataset, according to the report.
Those 66 are more than TWICE the number from the previous FIVE years combined. In 2017, there were two, six in 2018, three in 2019 and 2020 and then 15 last year.
DRUG BUST: Seizures of fentanyl at the border jumped over 200% in July -- marking the highest amount seized in the last four fiscal years.
BUILD BACK BETTER: Biden is failing Americans.
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LOTTERY
No winner for Monday night’s Powerball drawing. Tonight’s drawing will be for a $66 million jackpot or a $38.3 million cash payout.
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SHOWBIZ NEWS
Cleveland has honored rapper MACHINE GUN KELLY with his own holiday.
Last weekend, Mayor JUSTIN BIBB officially declared August 13 as “Machine Gun Kelly Day” in the Ohio town.
The honor came just hours before MGK wrapped the North American leg of his Mainstream Sellout Tour at FirstEnergy Stadium.
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TOM HOLLAND is taking a break from social media to protect his mental health.
The actor posted an Instagram video over the weekend announcing his hiatus, explaining that he finds social platforms to be “overstimulating” and “overwhelming.”
Fellow mental health advocate JUSTIN BIEBER commented on Holland’s post, writing “Love you man.”
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STEVEN AVERY’s attorney, KATHLEEN ZELLNER, filed a third motion for post-conviction relief yesterday.
She tweeted about the news, writing “Buckle Up.”
Avery, who became a household name after appearing in Netflix’s “Making a Murderer,” is serving a life sentence in a Wisconsin prison for the 2005 murder of Teresa Halbach.
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EDDY ARAGON, a conservative radio host from Albuquerque, is not a fan of BRYAN CRANSTON and AARON PAUL’s “Breaking Bad” characters being enshrined in the town.
Speaking with state representative ROD MONTOYA, Aragon said the statues may send people the wrong message about who should be glorified. For those unfamiliar, Cranston and Paul play meth dealers in the hit show.
Mayor TIM KELLER was ready for the criticism and said that the two were honored with statues because of the “cautionary tale they represented, and the jobs they gave NM.”
JUSTIFIABLE FRUSTRATION: Aragon has a point. Statues of actual people from our nation’s history have been torn down in recent years, so to see two fictional characters enshrined may seem a little backwards.
EDITOR’S OPINION: “Breaking Bad” is a phenomenal show. Check it out.
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JOANNA GAINES announced Tuesday that she will release her first solo memoir: “The Stories We Tell.”
The deeply personal memoir will hit shelves on November 8.
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EZRA MILLER is seeking treatment for “complex mental health issues.”
In a statement to Variety, the actor, who identifies as nonbinary and uses they/them pronouns, apologized for their recent behavior that has led to multiple arrests, including abuse and assault allegations.
“I am committed to doing the necessary work to get back to a healthy, safe and productive stage in my life,” they added.
No word on where or when Miller will seek treatment.
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CASTING CALL
VIOLA DAVIS is the latest star to join the cast of “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.”
She will take on the role of Head Gamemaker Volumnia Gaul.
The latest film in the “Hunger Games” franchise centers on Coriolanus Snow, played by TOM BLYTH, before he becomes President of Panem.
RACHEL ZEGLER also stars.
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“Black-ish” creator KENYA BARRIS will direct and write a remake of the 1939 classic “The Wizard of Oz.”
The news comes nearly a year after it was revealed that a remake of the film was in the works from New Line Cinema. Deadline notes that Barris’ project is separate, and will be produced by his own production company.
No further details were shared.
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A documentary centered on NBA player CARMELO ANTHONY is in the works.
“Seven,” a four-part docuseries will chronicle the life and career of the NBA All-Star, starting with his childhood and ending with the athlete he is today.
Anthony will executive produce, alongside his long-time business partner ASANI SWANN.
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Another “Saw” movie is in the works.
The latest installment will be number 10 in the franchise. The last one released was the “Saw” reboot, “Spiral,” starring CHRIS ROCK and SAMUEL L. JACKSON.
The plot for the new flick is being kept under wraps, but Lionsgate did reveal it is set to hit theaters in October 2023.
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THE DAILY KARDASHOPUS
KHLOE KARDASHIAN has full custody of her newborn son with ex-boyfriend TRISTAN THOMPSON.
An insider told The Hollywood Reporter that Khloe has full physical and legal custody of the child, but will continue to coparent with Tristan, just like they do with their 4-year-old daughter TRUE THOMPSON.
The parents have yet to reveal the name of their baby boy.
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WE’LL NEVER BE ROYALS
A trial date has been set in SAMANTHA MARKLE’s lawsuit against her estranged sister MEGHAN MARKLE.
Samantha is suing Meghan in federal court for emotional stress suffered after claims that were made in Meghan and PRINCE HARRY’s bombshell interview with OPRAH WINFREY.
She is also suing for damages for a book Meg contributed to that alleges Sam lost custody of her kids.
The trial is scheduled for October 2023, unless a settlement is reached beforehand.
DAUGHTER vs DAUGHTER: The girls’ dad, THOMAS MARKLE, has previously stated that he will testify on Sam’s behalf.
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SPORTS
Hall of Fame QB BRETT FAVRE says he likely suffered “thousands” of concussions over his 20-year career.
One of his most notable hits happened in 2004 when threw a 28-yard touchdown pass that he later admitted to having no memory of throwing. He believes the lapse in his memory was due to a hit he suffered earlier in the game.
Last year, Favre took part in a PSA for the Concussion Legacy Foundation, urging parents to keep their kids out of tackle football until they are 14 because of the lasting impact head injuries can have.
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DAY OF THE YEAR
National Thrift Shop Day
National I Love My Feet Day!
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ON THIS DATE
1862 – Sioux Indians begin attacking American settlements along the Minnesota River.
The attacks were in response to federal policies that encroached on their territory. They were also unhappy with American traders who wouldn't give them free food.
The battling began after four young Sioux tried stealing eggs from an American settlement. They picked a fight with the hen’s owner and the encounter turned tragic, with the Sioux killing five members of the family. Sioux leaders used the opportunity to wage war.
When word of the fight reached Washington, President Lincoln organized a military department for the northwestern American territories. The American army swiftly squashed the fighting.
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1943 – The Americans get credit for their conquest of Sicily, when George Patton and the 7th Army arrive in Messina. He beat Montgomery by just a few hours.
It was during the campaign in Italy that Patton famously excoriated a soldier suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder of being a coward.
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1969 – The Woodstock Music Festival ends in upstate New York.
The hippie love fest featured historic acts, including Janis Joplin, Arlo Guthrie, Joe Cocker, Joan Baez, CCR, the Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane, and more.
Ultimately more than half a million people entered the grounds, and the promoters had no choice but to let everyone in for free. There simply was not the organizational infrastructure to accommodate that many ticket-takers and other security.
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1993 – Random House Publishing signs the largest advance for an autobiography in history.
It goes to ... Colin Powell, for the book that would become "My American Journey."
Another American General, Norman Schwarzkopf, reportedly got $5 million for his memoirs.
The big chunk of money to Powell was a good investment, as it became the fastest-selling book in Random House's history.
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1998 – Bill Clinton becomes the first sitting president to be the subject of a grand jury investigation.
Following the closed testimony, Clinton addressed the nation, explaining why he lied to the country about his “improper relationship” with White House intern Monica Lewinsky.
He was later impeached, and then acquitted five weeks later.
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2016 – Prolonged rainfall in Louisiana results in catastrophic flooding with thousands of homes and businesses left submerged.
Gov. John Bel Edwards called the disaster a “historic, unprecedented flooding event” and declared a state of emergency. Approximately 7.1 trillion of gallons of rain hit the state over a week. By comparison Hurricane Katrina dumped about 2.3 trillion gallons of rainwater.
The flood was the worst US natural disaster since Hurricane Sandy in 2012, with 13 deaths attributed to the rising waters.
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2020 - The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is the first college to send students home and convert to online classes after 135 cases of COVID-19 are reported on campus.
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BIRTHDAYS
The Kid Laroi - rapper - 19
Lil Pump - rapper - 22
Thomas Headon - pop singer - 22
Elijah Hewson - rock singer, Inhaler - 23
Gracie Gold - Olympic figure skater - 27
Phoebe Bridgers - pop singer - 28
Paige - wrestler - 30
Austin Butler - actor, “Elvis” & “The Carries Diaries” - 31
Lil B - rapper - 33
Thomas Henry - soccer player - 45
Tammy Townsend - actress, “Preacher’s Kid” - 52
Donnie Wahlberg - singer, New Kids On The Block & actor, “Blue Bloods” - 53
Sean Penn - actor, “Milk” & “Fast Times at Ridgemont High” - 62
Robert De Niro - actor, “Raging Bull” & “Goodfellas” - 79
Born On This Date
Mark Salling - actor, “Glee” - 1982 (d. 2018)
Helen McCrory - actress, “Peaky Blinders” - 1968 (d. 2021)
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