8/17/2023: Electric Fish Fry ⚡
PLUS: NorKo Update; Splitney Spears; and Think of the Grandchildren!
Today is Thursday, August 17, 2023.
It is the 229th day of the year.
136 days remain.
WHAT’S ON TAP
New damning evidence in the case against SAM BANKMAN-FRIED and astronomers glimpse an ancient star. More in HIT LIST.
A new snake species has been named after HARRISON FORD and TORI KELLY is heading out on tour. More in SHOWBIZ.
SANDRA BULLOCK has been dragged into the MICHEAL OHER drama. More in CASTING CALL.
An update on KIM KARDASHIAN’s 72-day husband. More in KARDASH.
There’s yet another path to slow, incremental reconciliation between the Sussexes and the monarchy. More in ROYALS.
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HIT LIST
A recording obtained by prosecutors shows SAM BANKMAN-FRIED’s ex-girlfriend told FTX employees that he was the one who made the decision to improperly spend customer funds.
CAROLINE ELLISON headed up Alameda Research, FTX’s internal hedge fund. In the recording, she was talking employees through the news that was about to break as FTX braced to announce its insolvency. At one point, an employee asked how it all happened, and she clearly said the illegal activity was greenlit by SBF.
She’s already pleaded guilty to wire fraud and money laundering charges and is believed to be working with prosecutors. [via NY Post]
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TARGET announced it missed its second quarter sales projections this year and is revising its annual forecast down heading into back-to-school season.
Company CEO Brian Cornell said that inflation focused on food and household essentials has caused customers to cut back on impulse purchases that make Target so successful. [via TPM]
MEANWHILE: Discount home goods chain TJ MAXX and its sister-stores showed a 7.7% jump in sales year-over-year that fueled a 23% profit increase. [via CNBC]
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North Korea’s state media reports that the Army private who ran across the DMZ last month did so to escape “inhuman maltreatment and racial discrimination within the U.S. Army.”
They added he was seeking refugee status either in North Korea or an unspecified third country. [via CNBC]
WORTH NOTING: There’s no doubt the North Koreans will exploit the incident for its own anti-American propaganda so all of its assertions should be taken with a whole salt lick.
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Astronomers have finally observed the most distant star ever detected at roughly 28 BILLION light-years away.
They estimate the star, dubbed “Earendel,” is nearly 14 billion years old. It was first detected in 2022.
These new observations suggest Earendel is a million times brighter than our own sun and twice as hot. [via CNN]
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Thousands of Sayreville, New Jersey residents were without power for about two hours on Saturday after a fish destroyed a transformer.
According to the Sayreville Police Department, a bird of prey -- most likely an osprey -- dropped the fish while flying over the transformer, causing the damage.
“Today’s power outage was a major inconvenience for so many of our residents. Please let us not forget the victim in this senseless death. Gilligan [the fish] was a hard working family man. He was a father to thousands of children,” the department quipped on Facebook.
To the public, the department noted that, “The suspect was last seen flying South. If you see him, do not try to apprehend him.” While instructing those with any tips to reach out to “Det. John Silver who handles all of [the] fish cases.” [via NY Post]
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DEATHS
Olympic swimmer HELEN SMART has died.
Details of her passing are not known, though one Facebook post from Worsley Mesnes Community Primary School, where she taught, said she died last weekend. Another post called her death “sudden.”
She was only 43.
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BREAKUPS
BRITNEY SPEARS and SAM ASGHARI have split.
After a huge blow-up over rumors that she cheated, insiders say Sam has moved out of the home and into a place of his own.
Apparently it's not the first ruffle in the relationship; sources claim there have been issues for months.
Neither have commented on the split or filed for divorce…yet. When that happens, which one source says “it’s only a matter of time,” Brit’s assets will be protected by a prenup.
RELATIONSHIP RECAP: Britney and Sam started dating in 2016 when he was her backup dancer. Despite Brit being under her father’s constant supervision at the time, Sam was allowed to become part of her inner circle. When it came time to fight to end the conservatorship, Sam was one of her biggest supporters. He popped the question in September 2021 and they tied the knot nine months later. Despite Britney’s erratic and odd behavior, the couple appeared to be happy.
You’re gonna want to stay tuned…
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BY THE NUMBERS
📈 The DOW lost 180 points (0.52%) to close at 34,765 on Wednesday. The S&P lost 33 points (0.76%) to close at 4,404 and the NASDAQ lost 156 points (1.15%) to close at 13,474.
🛢 WEST TEXAS INTERMEDIATE closed at $79; BRENT CRUDE at $83.
⛽ The national average price of a GALLON OF GAS was $3.87 on Wednesday.
₿ BITCOIN ticked down Wednesday, trading around $29,100.
🛩 There were more than 2,475 FLIGHTS delayed within, into, or out of the United States on Wednesday and more than 85 such cancellations.
💰Friday night’s MEGA MILLIONS drawing will be for a $20 million jackpot or a $9.6 million cash payout.
SHOWBIZ NEWS
A newly discovered species of snake has been named after HARRISON FORD.
Found in the Andes Mountain in Peru, the 16-inch pale, yellowish-brown reptile has been named Tacymenoides harrisonfordi by researchers, according to Conservation International, which the actor serves as vice chair.
In response to the honor, Ford said “these scientists keep naming critters after me, but it’s always ones that terrify children.” [via People]
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ED SHEERAN addressed rumors that he and TAYLOR SWIFT have re-recorded their collaboration “End Game,” which was featured on her 2017 album “Reputation.”
ANDY COHEN asked about the song while chatting with Sheeran on his “Deep & Shallow Podcast,” to which the British musician said, “No, I haven’t.”
Sheeran has re-recorded his other songs with Swift, including “Everything Has Changed” and “Run” which are featured on her album “Red (Taylor’s Version).” [via ET]
As previously reported, Swift’s next re-recorded album will be “1989 (Taylor’s Version).”
SPEAKING OF SWIFT: Ghent University in Belgium is offering a new literature course focusing on Swift’s songwriting. “Literature: Taylor’s Version” examines the singer’s themes, imagery and use of language while comparing them to other writers, such as SYLVIA PLATH, CHARLES DICKENS and WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE. [via CNN]
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Grammy-winning singer TORI KELLY is heading out on tour.
The news comes just weeks after she was hospitalized with serious blood clots after passing out while dining with friends.
“The Take Control Tour” will kick off next month in Toronto. After that Kelly will head to several U.S. cities including NYC and Los Angeles. [via Uproxx]
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Another day, another performer taking a tumble on stage.
NICK JONAS fell into an opening on stage while performing alongside his brothers at TD Garden in Boston.
A video of the fall has gone viral, in which Jonas can be seen mouthing “ouch!” He was able to bounce back up and finish singing the song, however.
Concerned concert goers were relieved to see that he was okay and able to continue on with the show. [via Daily Mail]
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KROY BIERMANN and KIM ZOLCIAK are trying to make their marriage work, but their ongoing financial struggles continue to take a toll.
Insiders say the couple are “fine one day, and then at each other’s throats the next.”
As previously reported, the couple allegedly owe over $1 million to the IRS. They are also being sued by several companies, like Target and BMW, for overdue payments.
Remember, the pair called off their divorce last month after both filing in May. [via TMZ]
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BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN & THE E STREET BAND canceled their show in Philadelphia last night after the singer said he had fallen ill.
Both last night’s show and tomorrow night’s show will be rescheduled for a later date, according to a statement on Springsteen’s X (formerly Twitter) page.
This is the second time he has postponed shows since the tour kicked off in February due to an unspecified illness. [via Billboard]
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CASTING CALL
SANDRA BULLOCK, who played LEIGH ANNE TUOHY in “The Blind Side,” is being drawn into the real life drama surrounding MICHAEL OHER and the Tuohy family.
She “should give her Oscar back,” sportscaster BRANDON WALKER posted on X (formerly Twitter) in response to Oher’s claims that the family used him for their own financial gain.
Most on social media, however, came to Bullock’s defense saying all she did was take a job and is not responsible for anything beyond that. [via NY Post]
SANDRA SAYS: On Wednesday, a source close to the actress told the Daily Mail that she is “heartbroken” over the “disturbing allegations” made by Oher. [via Daily Mail]
MEANWHILE: Actor QUINTON AARON, who played Oher in the film, shared his thoughts on the matter, telling TMZ, “Sandra Bullock didn’t have anything to do with the real story that we’re reading as of now. She gave a brilliant performance and that shouldn’t be tarnished for something that had nothing to do with her.” [via TMZ]
Oher claims the Tuohy family made millions off the film, but he didn’t see any of it. The family says they each only made around $40,000 -- Oher included.
The family also says that Oher previously tried to “shake them down” for $15 million, saying if they didn’t pay he would “plant a negative story about them in the press.” [via TMZ]
FOR THE RECORD: The Tuohy family doesn’t need money from Oher or deals associated with him as they have their own wealth from SEAN TOUHY’s career as a former NBA player, businessman, and author. Also, he has made a fortune with his more than 80 fast-food restaurants, real estate investments and co-ownership of an NBA team. [via Celebrity Net Worth]
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Some of reality TV’s favorite villains are taking part in a new competition series called “House of Villains.”
The series features 10 “villains” who will live together as they try to “outsmart, out-manipulate and out-scheme each other through a series of challenges.” The winner will receive $200,000 and the title of “America’s Ultimate Supervillain.”
The cast includes, ANFISA ARKHIPCHENKO (“90 Day Fiance”), JOHNNY BANANAS (“The Challenge”), JONNY FAIRPLAY (“Survivor”), JAX TAYLOR (“Vanderpump Rules”), “Bachelor” stars BOBBY LYTES and CORINNE OLYMPIOS and others.
“E!” personality JOE MCHALE will host the show, which premieres on October 12. [via ET]
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TODD CHRISLEY is “thrilled” that his family is getting back into reality TV.
An insider told TMZ that Todd hopes the new show will share the “devastation” his family has been facing while he and his wife JULIE CHRISLEY are behind bars.
Todd and Julie will not appear in the show due to their current living situation. [via TMZ]
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“Barbie” has become the biggest Warner Bros. movie ever, beating CHRISTOPHER NOLAN’s “The Dark Knight.”
As of Tuesday, the doll-inspired film had grossed a total of $537.4 million domestically, topping the Batman flick, which earned a total of $536 million domestically.
At the worldwide box office “Barbie” is on the heels of fellow Warner flick, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows -- Part 2,” which grossed $1.34 BILLION. As of Tuesday, “Barbie” had crossed the $1.2 BILLION mark. [via The Hollywood Reporter]
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THE DAILY KARDASHOPUS
Remember KRIS HUMPHRIES? No? That’s okay, most don’t; he was the guy that KIM KARDASHIAN was married to for just 72 days, years ago.
Anyway, the 38-year-old retired basketball player was recently spotted hanging out at Surf Lodge in Montauk, New York, where he was surrounded by a horde of women.
While he appeared to be trying to blend in on the back deck, at 6’9” he is a hard guy to miss.
Humphries and Kardashian’s nuptials were featured in a “Keeping Up With the Kardashians” special in August 2011. It drew in over 10.5 million viewers.
After their very public breakup, which he called “brutal,” Humphries took some time to reflect. Now, he owns a restaurant called Dave’s Hot Chicken in Minnesota and a handful of Five Guys. [via Page Six]
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WE’LL NEVER BE ROYALS
A royal biographer says not to rule out PRINCE HARRY and MEGHAN MARKLE attending KING CHARLES’ birthday celebration in November, if for no other reason than letting their kids spend time with their grandfather.
Angela Levin says the monarch would be thrilled to see Archie and Lilibet but there’s also no chance that the Sussexes will get any kind of apology. Levin speculates Harry might attend on his own and bring one or both of the kids along. [via The Sun]
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DAY OF THE YEAR
National Thrift Shop Day
National Black Cat Appreciation Day
National Vanilla Custard 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 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 - 20
Lil Pump - rapper - 23
Phoebe Bridgers - pop singer - 29
Saraya Bevis - wrestler - 31
Austin Butler - actor, “Elvis” & “The Carrie Diaries” - 32
Thierry Henry - soccer player - 46
Tammy Townsend - actress, “Preacher’s Kid” - 53
Donnie Wahlberg - actor, “Blue Bloods” & singer “New Kids on the Block” - 54
Sean Penn - actor, “Milk” & “I Am Sam” - 63
Belinda Carlisle - pop singer, Go-Go’s - 65
Robert De Niro - actor, “Goodfellas” & “Raging Bull” - 80
Born On This Date
Mark Salling - actor, “Glee” - 1982 (d. 2018)
Helen McCrory - actress, “Peaky Blinders” - 1968 (d. 2021)
Marcus Garvey - civil rights leader - 1887 (d. 1940)
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