Today is Wednesday, August 28, 2024.
It is the 241st day of the year.
125 days remain.
WHAT’S ON TAP
A shocking admission from a tech titan and an animal enthusiast faces charges. Details in HIT LIST.
Lots of celebrity style tips in SHOWBIZ.
The KELCE brothers ink a new deal for their “New Heights” podcast. Details in CASTING CALL.
More info on YE’s recently offloaded Malibu mansion revealed in KARDASH.
One new theory behind KING CHARLES’ renewed fight over the Royal Lodge. Details in ROYALS.
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HIT LIST
MARK ZUCKERBERG published an extensive statement acknowledging, and apologizing for, his role in censoring major political stories on Meta’s social media platforms in recent years, particularly Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram.
The letter is addressed to the House Judiciary Committee, which is actively investigating Big Tech’s role in censorship, particularly at the demands of the Biden-Harris Administration.
In the letter, Zuck acknowledges that the White House “repeatedly pressured our teams for months to censor certain COVID-19 content, including humor and satire, and expressed a lot of frustration with our teams when we didn’t agree.” He adds, “I regret that we were not more outspoken about it.”
He admits the FBI warned his company, and others, that news about HUNTER BIDEN’s laptop in 2020 was Russian disinformation, and that he wrongly censored information about the story. Records have since vindicated that the FBI was fully aware the laptop was both authentic and belonged to Hunter Biden but told tech companies otherwise at the time.
Zuck also said that money he donated to get-out-the-vote initiatives in 2020 were intended to be nonpartisan but ended up propping up one party over the other. He has committed to not spending money similarly in 2024. [via Morning Martini]
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The American soldier who tried to defect to North Korea last year will plead guilty to related charges at a hearing next month.
In July 2023, TRAVIS KING had just completed a two-month hard labor sentence in South Korea for unrelated assault charges. Instead of catching his scheduled flight back home, he joined a tour group visiting the demarcation line between North and South Korea, then ran across the border, where he was instantly captured, only to be released three months later.
The US Army has since charged him with desertion and other unrelated offenses, including attempts to solicit sexual images from a minor on Snapchat, assaulting a staff sergeant in October 2022, and unauthorized alcohol consumption.
NOW: King will plead guilty to five of his fourteen original charges: three counts of disobeying an officer and assault on a noncommissioned officer when he appears for his court martial at Fort Bliss, Texas, on September 20. [via Franklin Rosenblatt]
MEANWHILE: A North Korean soldier reportedly crossed into the South last week. Officials for South Korea only confirm they took a “North Korean individual” into custody and passed him or her along to “relevant authorities.” [via The Guardian]
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Add LOWE’S to the list of American corporations scaling back its DEI investment.
The company will no longer participate in surveys for the Human Rights Campaign, an LGBTQ-rights organization. It will also end sponsorships for Pride-related events.
Lowe’s joins companies like Harley-Davidson, Tractor Supply, and John Deere in announcing similar changes in recent weeks. [via NBC News]
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When a 9-year-old boy didn’t show up to school on Thursday in New York City, his panicked parents called the police, who put out a description of the kid – including the bright orange tie he had on as part of his school uniform.
New York’s CBS affiliate sent its traffic helicopter to the scene – where they promptly spotted the boy on the roof of his family’s apartment building playing on an iPad. Fortunately, he was just playing hooky.
The reporters got in touch with law enforcement and kept an eye on the boy until cops appeared on the roof. As the boy quickly went along with the cops, the officers on the ground gave the chopper crew a thumbs-up thank-you for their efforts. [via AP News]
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The woman who jumped a fence to get closer to a tiger at a New Jersey zoo last week has been identified as 24-year-old Zyair Dennis.
She now faces charges of defiant trespassing and violating two city ordinances. According to the arrest record, she also reportedly hopped a fence at the nearby bear enclosure that same day.
A court date has not yet been set. [via NY Post]
CRIME AND PUNISHMENT: Maybe the punishment should match the crime; if she wants to be up close to wild animals…let her. She can be given community service hours at the zoo, doing things like cleaning up animal enclosures, prepping meals, etc.
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BABY NEWS
BRANDON JENNER, son of CAITLYN JENNER, and his wife, CAYLEY STOKER, welcomed their third child together.
He’s 43 and she’s 38.
The baby girl, named Joan Almond Jenner, arrived at home, weighing 9 lbs 2 oz and measuring 21 ½ inches long.
The couple are already parents to 4-year-old twins Bo and Sam, while Jenner is also dad to Eva, whom he shares with ex-wife, Leah Felder.
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BREAKUPS
“Vanderpump Rules” alum BRITTANY CARTWRIGHT has filed for divorce from her husband of five years, fellow reality star JAX TAYLOR.
She’s 35 and he’s 45.
Cartwright cited irreconcilable differences as the reason for the split, and is seeking primary legal and physical custody of their 3-year-old son, Cruz. She also asked the court to block the ability for either to get spousal support.
No word on how the breakup will affect Season 2 of their new Bravo show, “The Valley,” -- if at all.
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BY THE NUMBERS
📈 The DOW gained 9 points (0.02%) to close at 41,250 on Tuesday. The S&P increased 8 points (0.16%) to close at 5,625 and the NASDAQ gained 29 points (0.16%) to close at 17,754.
🛢 WEST TEXAS INTERMEDIATE closed at $75 on Tuesday; BRENT CRUDE at $78.
⛽ The national average price of a GALLON OF GAS was $3.35 on Tuesday.
₿ BITCOIN slid on Tuesday, down 3.8% and trading around $60,400.
🛩 There were more than 2,275 FLIGHTS delayed within, into, or out of the United States on Tuesday and more than 85 such cancellations.
💰Tonight’s POWERBALL drawing will be for a $54 million jackpot or a $26.8 million cash payout.
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SHOWBIZ NEWS
PATRICK MAHOMES SR., dad of star QB PATRICK MAHOMES, pleaded guilty to a felony DWI charge from an incident earlier this year.
He faces 10 years behind bars and a fine of up to $10,000 -- as it is at least his third offense. Sentencing is scheduled for September 23. [via TMZ]
FOR THE RECORD: The younger Mahomes will face off against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday night, September 22 -- hopefully the elder Mahomes doesn’t party too hard.
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ADAM SANDLER’s laid-back and comfy style has become a sensation with Gen Z.
When asked about “Sandlercore,” the “Happy Gilmore” star said his clothing choice is based on “whatever is in the closet.”
As for the essentials, Sandler said he “can not live without” some “nice socks,” “goofy shirts” and “sneakers that fit.” [via TikTok]
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Actor CHANNING TATUM revealed that he once avoided doing laundry for a year by simply buying new clothes.
“I hate doing laundry. Like I hate it more than I could possibly say,” he told GQ in a recent interview.
He also disclosed that his T-shirt of choice is a “simple Hanes white tee or ribbed tank top,” which he calls a “classic” style. [via GQ]
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At 4-foot-8 SIMONE BILES says it can be a struggle to find clothing that fits her, but when she does find something she buys it in bulk.
“Before y’all complain that nothing fits y’all, I want y’all to see my struggle. So hard to find bottoms that fit me. But when I find them🫶🏾🫶🏾💯💯🙌🏾🙌🏾😍😍 my heart” she captioned an Instagram photo of a pair of high rise jeans, size 23/000.
At least her gymnastic leotards come custom made. [via Instagram]
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JEREMY ALLEN WHITE was trending Tuesday after the release of his new spread in Calvin Klein’s Fall 2024 campaign.
Just like in the spring edition, White showed off his spectacular physique while posing in several different looks, including a pair of black jeans and a sleeveless jean jacket.
MEANWHILE: White is preparing to start filming Season 4 of his hit Hulu show “The Bear.” A premiere date has not yet been shared. [via People]
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CASTING CALL
JASON and TRAVIS KELCE signed a $100 million deal with Amazon’s Wondery for their hit podcast, “New Heights.”
News of a potential deal came out this spring, though at the time multiple factors were in play.
FOR THE RECORD: Not including what he will get from the new deal, Travis has an approximate net worth of $70 million -- closely inching his way closer to girlfriend TAYLOR SWIFT’s $1.1 BILLION net worth. [via NY Post, Cosmo]
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“Inside Out 2” is the first animated film to surpass $1 BILLION at the international box office.
The Disney-Pixar sequel is also the highest-grossing film of the year with $1.649 BILLION globally.
FOR COMPARISON: “Deadpool & Wolverine” has grossed around $634 million internationally -- though being R-rated, it is limited to those 18 and older. [via Variety]
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After 21 years of playing Sam McCall on “General Hospital,” KELLY MONACO is reportedly getting the boot.
According to Soap Opera Network, Monaco’s character will be killed off this fall; something the actress was apparently “blindsided” by.
A final air date for her is not yet known.
ELSEWHERE: Monaco was crowned the champion on the first season of “Dancing With the Stars” in 2005. [via SON]
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A new three-part documentary about the late PRINCESS DIANA is in the works.
“Who Killed Diana?” will shed new light on the circumstances of her death on August 31, 1997. It will feature rare interviews -- some of which have never been released before -- from key sources connected to the accident.
The doc is the first in a new franchise aimed at investigating the shocking deaths of iconic figures.
No word on an air date. [via Deadline]
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“Lost” alum MATTHEW FOX will star in TAYLOR SHERIDAN’s new series, “Madison,” which is set in the “Yellowstone” universe.
Fox will play Paul, a “self-reliant bachelor who loves the outdoors,” according to the official cast description.
MICHELLE PFEIFFER also stars in the series.
“Madison” and fellow spinoff “1944” will continue the story after “Yellowstone” wraps in November. [via Decider]
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THE DAILY KARDASHOPUS
The buyer of YE’s gutted, eyesore of a mansion in Malibu is real estate crowdfunding firm Belwood Investments.
The company outed themselves in a statement, which also revealed they scooped up the pad for $21 million; a huge drop from the $53 million asking price.
Ye bought the home for $57.3 million in 2021, with plans to strip it down and turn it into a bomb shelter. After gutting it, he apparently changed his mind and has been trying to offload it ever since.
Meanwhile, Belwood plans to invest $5 million to restore the place back to interior designer Tadao Ando’s original vision. [via TMZ]
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WE’LL NEVER BE ROYALS
For a few weeks last year, it seemed PRINCE ANDREW would be safe to retain residence at the Royal Lodge on the Windsor estate, after PRINCE WILLIAM decided he didn’t want to move his family into the home.
In recent weeks, rumors that KING CHARLES wants his disgraced brother out have re-emerged, especially as the siblings spend more time together among other Senior Royals at Balmoral this summer. Royal observer Kinsey Schofield tells Britain’s TalkTV that the King has the future in mind for the Royal Lodge, and wants QUEEN CAMILLA to be able to retire there, assuming he dies before she does.
WORTH ASKING: Is the King’s cancer prognosis worse than he’s let on that he’s picking another fight within his family to secure his lifelong love’s future? [via The News International]
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DAY OF THE YEAR
National Red Wine Day
National Cherry Turnover Day
National Bow Tie Day
Crackers Over the Keyboard Day
Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day
Radio Commercials Day
Race Your Mouse Around The Icons Day
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ON THIS DATE
1609 - Henry Hudson discovers and explores the Delaware Bay.
He had landed in North America on a mission to find a rumored Northwest Passage to Asia on behalf of the Dutch East India Company.
Hudson named the body of water South Bay, and despite not coming ashore, deemed the area good for settlement. The following year Samual Argell would name it Delaware Bay in honor of his employer, Virginia governor Lord DeLaWarr.
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1830 - The first American-built locomotive, “Tom Thumb,” races a horse-drawn car from Stockton and Stokes stage coach company from Baltimore to Ellicott Mills.
Due to mechanical issues with the locomotive the horse won!
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1884 - The first known photograph of a tornado is taken near Howard, South Dakota by F.N. Robinson.
The tornado, an estimated F4, was part of a family of storms that resulted in the death of six people.
There is debate over whether or not that is in fact the first photo of a tornado. Some believe the first photo was actually taken by A.A. Adams in Garnett, Kansas a few months earlier.
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1917 - Woman suffragists boldly protest outside the White House seeking their right to vote.
President Wilson was not believed to be personally in favor of giving women the right to vote, but alluded to throwing in his support mostly for political purposes.
He had been, after all, a professor at a women's college before his days in politics -- and had two daughters.
By January 1918 Wilson would support the movement, and the corresponding 19th amendment became law in 1920.
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1963 - Martin Luther King, Jr. gives his famous "I have a dream" speech on the steps of the National Mall.
Speaking at the Lincoln Memorial to a crowd of 250,000, King encouraged racial equality and the end of discrimination.
The complete speech lasted only 16 minutes -- relatively short by today's standards.
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1968 - Hippies turn out en masse in Chicago to protest the Democratic Platform toward the Vietnam War during the Democratic National Convention.
The very public and highly visible riots helped reverse the American unity against communism during the Cold War. The protestors in Chicago were staunchly in favor of Eugene McCarthy getting the nomination for president, having run on a public anti-war platform.
Instead, Hubert Humphrey got the nod, and was demolished by Richard Nixon in November.
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1993 - The Galileo spacecraft discovers the first known asteroid to have its own moon.
The asteroid Ida is only about 32 miles long, and shaped like a giant potato. The moon was named Dactyl, and is less than a mile in diameter.
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1996 - Royals Charles and Diana formally end their marriage after 15 years.
Nearly one-sixth of the world tuned in to see their nuptials in 1981. Things went downhill quickly and they stopped living together in 1992. In June 1996 the Queen encouraged them to divorce.
Diana gave up her royal title, but was able to keep a home in Kensington Palace for the sake of her sons, the older of whom was heir to the throne.
She would die in a car accident one year later.
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2018 - Aretha Franklin lies in state at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit in a 24-carat coffin. Thousands of fans came to say their good-byes.
Her funeral would be held three days later.
The “Queen of Soul” died on August 16 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. She was 76 years old.
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BIRTHDAYS
August Maturo - actor, “Girl Meets World” - 17
Honey Boo Boo - reality star, “Here Comes Honey Boo Boo” - 19
Aiden Kroll - pop singer - 23
Talia Jackson - actress, “Family Reunion” - 23
Kyle Massey - actor, “That’s So Raven” & “Corey in the House” - 33
Florence Welch - rock singer, Florence + The Machine - 38
Armie Hammer - actor, “The Social Network” & “The Lone Ranger” - 38
Kayla Ewell - actress, “The Bold and the Beautiful” - 39
LeAnn Rimes - country singer - 42
Jason Priestley - actor, “Beverly Hills, 90210” - 55
Jack Black - actor, “School of Rock” & “King Kong” - 55
Shania Twain - country singer - 59
Jennifer Coolidge - actress, “Legally Blonde” & “White Lotus” - 63
Born on This Date
Anna Cardwell - reality star, “Here Comes Honey Boo Boo” - 1994 (d. 2023)
Jack Kirby - cartoonist, X-Men, Spider-Man, Hulk - 1917 (d. 1994)
Elizabeth Ann Seton - 1st American Catholic Saint - 1774 (d. 1821)
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