Today is Tuesday, August 27, 2024.
It is the 240th day of the year.
126 days remain.
WHAT’S ON TAP
The family of the July 13 shooter lawyers up and Americans kick a bad habit en masse. Details in HIT LIST.
BEN AFFLECK is not dating a KENNEDY and OJ SIMPSON’s kids get cremation jewelry. More in SHOWBIZ.
DREW BARRYMORE will practice “self-distancing” and KATE WINSLET lands her next big role. Details in CASTING CALL.
What is in KOURTNEY’s Lemme supplements? Find out in KARDASH.
PRINCE ANDREW spends his time with an odd hobby. Details in ROYALS.
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HIT LIST
The parents of the shooter who murdered COREY COMPERATORE and grazed DONALD TRUMP’s ear in July have retained a high-powered Pittsburgh lawyer.
An unnamed family member tells the Daily Mail, “The FBI still very much has questions about how much they knew and how [the shooter] slipped through the net.”
While federal agencies have not given much public information about their investigation, the parents of the shooter could also face civil liability from families of the other victims of the shootings, like wrongful death and personal injury.
ANOTHER DETAIL: The shooter’s remains were apparently cremated ten days after the shooting. [via DailyMail]
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On the heels of the weekend’s news that SPACEX would bail out astronauts stranded by BOEING’s defective Starliner capsule, financial news site Benzinga points out a past statement by Boeing’s former CEO that now haunts the company.
In 2017, then-Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg told CNBC, “Eventually we’re going to go to Mars and I firmly believe the first person that sets foot on Mars will get there on a Boeing rocket.”
When the news was reported and posted on X at the time, ELON MUSK replied to the story with a taunt of his own: “Do it.”
Seven years later, Musk’s SpaceX technology will save two astronauts who will end up spending months on board the International Space Station after what was supposed to be a mere week-long test flight. [via Benzinga]
MEANWHILE: Tech and science blog Ars Technica points out that Boeing won a $4.2 BILLION contract from NASA to develop technology to ferry astronauts to and from the I.S.S. up to six times before the space station is decommissioned in 2030.
SpaceX has already flown twelve crewed missions to the I.S.S. – and its contract with NASA was only $2.6 BILLION. [via Ars Technica]
It’s almost as if more government money doesn’t necessarily equate to better outcomes.
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A new labor law has gone into effect in Australia that protects workers who unplug after hours.
The new law prevents employers from punishing staff for not reading or responding to messages and calls when they’re not working a predefined shift.
BUT WAIT: The law does have wiggle room for emergencies, which will be up to the individual employee to determine whether it’s a big enough problem to respond to. Disputes will be managed by Australia’s Fair Work Commission. [via NPR]
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A community in Iowa is on the lookout for a water buffalo that escaped its pen and ended up wandering through the neighborhood.
Rumors about the animal on the loose quickly spread between neighbors until it was spotted by law enforcement in a central area of Pleasant Hill. Police tried to guide it back to its owner’s property, but the animal soon grew aggressive.
One officer fired a shotgun round, striking the buffalo, but not enough to incapacitate it, causing it to run off. As of Monday afternoon, the Sheriff’s Office joined local police with an aerial drone search and deployed officers on ATVs to search on nearby trails.
In a news release, local officials said they don’t have tranquilizers to put down an animal of this size, adding, "With a dangerous animal loose in our community, we are using all resources available to keep our community safe and attempt to return the animal to its owner, if possible."
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The number of Americans who smoke is at an all-time low.
A Gallup poll from July shows that only 11% of U.S. adults reported smoking cigarettes in the previous week. For those under the age of 30 it's even less, with only 6% saying they’ve had a cigarette in the past seven days. For those 18 to 29-year-olds, 18% reported vaping in the past week, however.
The drop in cigarette smoking could be correlated to its negative health effects, with 80% of those surveyed saying they are “very harmful.” Only 57% said the same about vaping. [via Gallup]
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DEATHS
Baltimore Ravens offensive line coach JOE D’ALESSANDRIS has died.
He passed away early Sunday, according to a statement from the team. No further details have been shared.
D’Alessandris was in his eighth season with the team.
He was 70.
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Wrestling legend SID VICIOUS has died.
He passed away Monday after a battle with cancer.
Vicious wrestled under several other names in his career, including Sycho Sid and Sid Justice.
He was only 63.
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BY THE NUMBERS
📈 The DOW gained 65 points (0.16%) to close at 41,240 on Monday. The S&P lost 17 points (0.32%) to close at 5,616 and the NASDAQ lost 152 points (0.85%) to close at 17,725.
🛢 WEST TEXAS INTERMEDIATE closed at $77 on Monday; BRENT CRUDE at $80.
⛽ The national average price of a GALLON OF GAS was $3.35 on Monday.
₿ BITCOIN tumbled 1.7% on Monday, trading around $63,100.
🛩 There were more than 3,550 FLIGHTS delayed within, into, or out of the United States on Monday and more than 120 such cancellations.
💰Tonight’s MEGA MILLIONS drawing will be for a $575 million jackpot or a $285.5 million cash payout.
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SHOWBIZ NEWS
No, BEN AFFLECK is not dating RFK JR.’s daughter, KICK KENNEDY.
Despite multiple reports of the two hanging out, insiders say there is nothing romantic happening. [via TMZ]
MEANWHILE: Still no buyers for the $68 million Beverly Hills mansion Affleck briefly shared with estranged wife JENNIFER LOPEZ. [via Fox Business]
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QUENTIN TARANTINO believes some of the blame for the shooting death of “Rust” cinematographer HALYNA HUTCHINS should be on ALEC BALDWIN.
Speaking with BILL MAHER, the famed director said he feels “90% is on the armorer” and the “rest of the blame” should be put on Baldwin. Tarantino continued on explaining that he thinks actors should know about the weapons they are handling and be checking them before filming with them.
MEANWHILE: Baldwin is suing Special Prosecutor Kari Morrissey and Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza, who his attorneys allege “intentionally concealed evidence of live ammo.”
WORTH ASKING: Isn’t it enough that his manslaughter case got dismissed? Why drag this out even more? [via Express Tribune]
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Dallas Cowboys receiver CEEDEE LAMB’s holdout ended Monday with a record contract extension.
The four-year, $136 million deal -- with a $38 million signing bonus -- makes Lamb the second-highest-paid non-QB in NFL history. His contract also includes $100 million guaranteed.
Minnesota Vikings receiver JUSTIN JEFFERSON is the highest-paid non-QB with a $35 million annual average value. [via X]
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OJ SIMPSON’s ashes were made into cremation jewelry for his four surviving kids: 55-year-old Arnelle, 54-year-old Jason, 38-year-old Sydney and 36-year-old Justin.
The former NFL player died in April after a battle with cancer. He was 76. [via Page Six]
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Drone footage shows renovations at MATTHEW PERRY’s Pacific Palisades Cottage, where he passed away last October.
Some of the work, which started before Perry’s death, appears to have continued after. The renovations include new roofing over an outside sitting area, located next to the pool and hottub Perry was found in.
It is unknown if anyone currently lives there, though the home is now in the name of Lisa Ferguson, the trustee of Perry’s estate. [via The Mirror]
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ED KELCE, dad of TRAVIS and JASON KELCE, claims he received a lifetime ban on X after sharing a Newsmax article about Yemen-based weapons dealers selling their wares on the platform.
On Facebook, Ed said he got the ban for a “generic ‘Terms of Service’ violation,” which he says is BS because the violation allegedly occurred when he wasn’t super active on the platform.
No word on whether or not ELON MUSK is aware of the ban. [via TMZ]
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LILY ALLEN says she received death threats after returning a dog she adopted.
The severe backlash came after Allen revealed that they adopted and returned the pup after it ate her kids’ passports, causing them to be unable to visit their dad, Allen’s ex-husband, who lives in England.
Wanting to share the full story, Allen explained on Instagram that the pup, named Mary, had “severe separation anxiety” and “couldn’t be left alone for more than 10 minutes.” After working with the shelter, a behavioral specialist and a personal trainer, it was determined by all that their family was not a good fit.
“The person that she was rehomed with was known to us and that rehoming happened within 24 hours of her being returned,” she continued.
WORTH NOTING: Animals rights org PETA even joined in the verbal backlash, without knowing the full story. Allen gave them a shoutout in her post, writing “Also thank you to @peta for adding fuel to the fire. Very responsible of you.” [via The Sun]
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CASTING CALL
Several iconic items from the set of “Friends” will be auctioned off in honor of the show’s upcoming 30th anniversary.
Items include, a replica of the orange Central Perk couch, clothing worn by stars COURTENEY COX, JENNIFER ANISTON, and LISA KUDROW, a Central Perk sign, furniture from DAVID SCHWIMMER’s apartment and one of MATTHEW PERRY’s signature sweater vests.
Hosted by Julien Auctions, the event is scheduled for September 23.
“Friends” debuted on September 22, 1994. [via TMZ]
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DREW BARRYMORE says she will practice “self-distancing” during the new season of her self-titled talk show, after some critics felt she encroached too much on guests.
The actress acknowledged that she often gets too up-close and personal with guests, but she can’t help it because she is a “people person.”
Season 5 of “The Drew Barrymore Show” premiered Monday -- the same day the show received a two-season renewal. [via Deadline]
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KATE WINSLET wil star in a new drama for Hulu, titled “The Spot.”
The show centers on a successful surgeon whose schoolteacher husband suspects she might be responsible for a child’s hit-and-run death. His quest for the truth spirals into dark secrets that test the couple’s resolve and relationship as they confront the possibility of hidden guilt and betrayal, per the official synopsis.
No word on when the series will premiere. [via THR]
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THE DAILY KARDASHOPUS
Class action litigation firm Zimmerman Reed has launched an investigation into KOURTNEY KARDASHIAN’s supplement brand, Lemme, over claims of deceptive advertising.
The firm is looking into allegations that the gummies and supplements “violated consumers’ rights by misleadingly and deceptively marketing its products.” The products in question include: Lemme Purr Gummies, Lemme Curb Capsules, Lemme Debloat Gummies, and Lemme Matcha Gummies.
This isn’t the first inquiry into Kourt’s products; in 2023 Women’s Health Magazine found the Lemme Debloat gummies contain three grams of sugar per serving, which can actually contribute to bloating. Also, the Lemme Matcha supplements contain 100mg of matcha, which experts say is too low to provide effective energy-boosts -- as advertised.
No word from Lemme, or Kourt, on the investigation. [via Independent, Women’s Health]
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WE’LL NEVER BE ROYALS
Royal insider Richard Kay reveals a quirky new hobby of PRINCE ANDREW’s as he spends most of his time holed up in the Royal Lodge: the disgraced brother of the King loves to watch a live flight tracker he projects onto a screen from his computer, depicting air traffic in real time. He watches in real time as little dots representing airplanes taking off from airports around the globe and follows their path in the air.
One visitor tells Kay that Andy is “obsessed” with the app that allows him to follow along. Andrew did spend time as a helicopter pilot, notably during the Falklands War. Apparently he’s maintained his interest in aviation. [via DailyMail]
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DAY OF THE YEAR
International Lottery Day
National Banana Lovers Day
World Rock Paper Scissors Day
The Duchess Who Wasn’t Day
National Tug of War Day
International Bat Night
National Petroleum Day
National Pots De Creme Day
National Just Because Day
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ON THIS DATE
1783 - The first hydrogen-filled balloon ascends from Paris, reaching almost 3,000 feet. One of the spectators was American ambassador Ben Franklin.
The balloon landed 15 miles away in a nearby town, where the farmers attacked the balloon with pitchforks and axes.
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1859 - Edwin Drake strikes gold -- black gold, that is.
In Titusville, Pennsylvania, an oil well 69 feet deep runs into a black film floating on the water below. It's the first commercially successful oil well in the U.S.
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1896 - The UK and Zanzibar end their war after fighting for 45 minutes.
Following the death of their sultan, the Zanzibarians did not anoint the pro-British monarch that the UK preferred. Three cruisers, two gunships and 150 marines under British control surrounded Zanzibar Town's harbor, and opened fire at 9:02 a.m.
The royal palace was weakly defended, and quickly destroyed. By 9:40, all resistance from the palace ended. Britain installed its puppet government.
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1928 - 15 countries sign on to the Kellogg-Briand Pact, a multinational agreement outlawing war.
Signatories included Germany, Italy, Japan, as well as the U.S., France, and UK, who oddly enough all ended up fighting each other just more than 10 years later.
If only someone had told Hitler.
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1991 - As the Soviet Union collapses, Moldova declares its independence from the communist empire. Soviet loyalists had tried to overthrow the democratic government established in February 1990, but to no avail.
Today, Moldova has a booming wine industry.
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2003 - Earth and Mars pass within 35 million miles of each other. It's the closest they'll be for the next 60,000 years.
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2008 - Barack Obama becomes the first African-American to be nominated by a major political party for President of the United States.
That November he would be elected as the 44th POTUS -- and the first African-American to hold the job.
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2017 - Former five-weight world champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. defeats MMA fighter Conor McGregor in his debut match in Las Vegas.
The fight lasted 10 rounds, with Mayweather winning with a technical knockout.
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2020 - Hurricane Laura makes landfall in Louisiana as a Category 4 storm.
Winds exceeded 150 mph.
At least 16 people died.
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BIRTHDAYS
Ariana Greenblatt - actress, “Stuck in the Middle” - 17
Rod Wave - rapper - 25
Breanna Stewart - basketball player - 30
Blake Jenner - actor, “Glee” & “Supergirl” - 32
Kim Petras - pop singer - 32
Adam Met - bassist, AJR - 34
Alexa PenaVega - actress, “Spy Kids” films - 36
Mario Barrett - R&B singer - 38
Patrick J. Adams - actor, “Suits” - 43
Aaron Paul - actor, “Breaking Bad” - 45
Demetria McKinney - actress, “House of Payne” - 45
Mark Webber - race car driver - 48
The Great Khali - wrestler - 52
Colt Ford - country singer - 54
Cesar Millan - dog trainer - 55
Chandra Wilson - actress, “Grey’s Anatomy” - 55
Tom Ford - fashion designer - 63
Born On This Date
Paul Reubens - actor, “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure” & “Matilda” - 1952 (d. 2023)
Lyndon B. Johnson - 36th POTUS - 1908 (d. 1973)
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