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9/15/2023: Fire Sale 🔥

PLUS: We’re Doomed; “Better Place”; and Royal Hunting Lease Ends

Sep 15, 2023

Today is Friday, September 15, 2023.

It is the 257th day of the year.

108 days remain.

yellow fire digital wallpaper — Photo by Guido Jansen on Unsplash

WHAT’S ON TAP

“Toco” the “dog” is back and looking for friends and a stranded ship sets sail again. More in HIT LIST.

BIJOU PHILLIPS is standing by her man and LAUREN BOEBERT’s mystery man has been identified. More in SHOWBIZ.

BILL MAHER is heading back to work and says it's time for writers to do the same. More in CASTING CALL.

Is the Kardashian Curse to blame for AARON RODGERS’ season-ending injury? Find out why some think so in KARDASH.

The Royal Family loses out on historic hunting lands. More in ROYALS.

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HIT LIST

Remember the Japanese man who spent $14,000 to become a collie named Toco? Now he says he wants to meet other “dog” friends, and maybe a special “doggy” companion, who shares his love of being on all fours.

He told the NY Post that he would also love to take his new lifestyle and appear in some films. As a canine, of course.

BY THE WAY: Toco finally revealed why he chose to become a collie, explaining that the breed is one of his favorites and with its naturally large size, it “wouldn’t look unnaturally disproportionate when worn by someone as a costume.” [via NY Post]

Sure, yeah, totally natural.

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FOLLOW UP: The Ocean Explorer cruise ship that ran aground earlier this week has been freed ahead of schedule.

After it got stuck on Greenland’s coast during low tide, authorities estimated it would take at least until Friday morning (today) to reach the boat and figure out a solution. But a nearby research vessel managed to swoop in to help, under coordination by Danish authorities.

Management for the cruise company said in a statement, “There have not been any injuries to anybody onboard, no pollution of the environment and no breach of the hull.” [via Associated Press]

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A study published in science journal “Science Advances” suggests we – humanity – aren’t doing so hot. [Insert your own global warming joke here].

The researchers identified nine measurements to determine the safety of Earth as an “operating space for humanity.” Those metrics include: climate, biodiversity, land, freshwater, nutrient pollution, and manmade pollution making Earth a dangerous place to live.

THE GOOD NEWS: The level of ocean acidity is at an acceptable level and even the ozone layer is within safe boundaries!

THE BAD NEWS: Despite passing scores for air quality and levels of ocean pollution, both are trending in a dangerous direction, they say. [via Science.org]

###

The entire nation of Nigeria was without power for ten hours on Thursday when a fire knocked the entire grid offline.

Widespread power outages are common in the country. Many residents have instead turned to gas-powered generators to power their homes.

Analysts say Nigeria produces only one-eighth of the power needed for everyday use. [via Africa News]

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Some shoplifters brazenly walk out the front doors with their loot in municipalities where calling the police is a waste of time.

Others are more crafty – like the Los Angeles-area woman who started a fire in the clothing section of a Target store to create a distraction while she stocked up and stole baby formula.

No one was injured in the blaze, but customers noted flames and heavy smoke filling the store. All told, the fire caused half-a-million dollars in damage to the building and destroyed an estimated $1 MILLION in lost merchandise that was mostly damaged by the water from the sprinklers used to put the fire out.

The 40-year-old thief was arrested – but no other details have been released. [via CBS Los Angeles]

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BREAKUPS

ERIKA MONROE has filed for divorce from her former baseball player husband, MATT WILLIAMS.

She cites irreconcilable differences as the reason for the split, and is asking for spousal support.

The couple have one daughter, who is an adult, so there won’t be any child custody issues.

Monroe, a former news anchor, and Williams tied the knot in July 2003.

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RELATIONSHIPS

Reality star SAVANNAH CHRISLEY is dating ROBERT SHRIVER -- the former college football star whose wife tried to have him murdered.

Chrisley revealed the new relationship on the “Viall Files” podcast this week.

Shriver has three children and Chrisley is currently taking care of her younger brother and niece while her parents serve time in prison for tax evasion and bank fraud.

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BY THE NUMBERS

📈 The DOW was up 331 points (0.96%) to close at 34,907 on Thursday. The S&P was up 37 points (0.84%) to close at 4,505 and the NASDAQ added 112 points (0.81%) to close at 13,926.

🛢 WEST TEXAS INTERMEDIATE closed at $90; BRENT CRUDE at $94.

⛽ The national average price of a GALLON OF GAS was $3.85 on Thursday.

₿ BITCOIN continued to rally Thursday, adding 1.3% and trading over $26,500.

🛩 There were more than 4,090 FLIGHTS delayed within, into, or out of the United States on Thursday and more than 73 such cancellations.

💰Tonight’s MEGA MILLIONS drawing will be for a $162 million jackpot or a $77.8 million cash payout. Saturday night’s POWERBALL drawing will be for a $596 million jackpot or a $288.2 million cash payout.

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SHOWBIZ NEWS

These albums drop today:

Barenaked Ladies, “In Flight”
Brothers Osborne, “Brothers Osborne”
Dan + Shay, “Bigger Houses”
Demi Lovato, “Revamped”
Diddy, “The Love Album: Off the Grid”
FIZZ, “The Secret to Life”
Kid Cudi, “Insano”
Madison Beer, “Silence Between Songs”
Mae Muller, “Sorry I’m Late”
Polo G, “Hood Poet”
Staind, “Confessions of the Fallen”
Steve Miller, “J50: The Evolution of The Joker”
Thirty Seconds to Mars, “It’s The End Of the World But It’s A Beautiful Day”
Tyler Booth, “Keep it Real” EP
Vic Mensa, “Victor”
Willie Nelson, “Bluegrass”

###

The song that brought the guys of NSYNC back to the studio is called “Better Place.”

It is teased in the latest trailer for the new “Trolls” flick, “Trolls Band Together.”

It's the first song the boy band has recorded together since 2002. [via YouTube]

WORTH REMEMBERING: Former NSYNCer JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE recorded the hit “Can’t Stop The Feeling” for the original “Trolls” flick in 2016 and has lent his voice to the character Branch in the movie’s multiple iterations since.

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BIJOU PHILLIPS is standing by her man, actor DANNY MASTERSON, as he serves his 30 year prison sentence.

“She loves Danny and has no plans to file for divorce. She will be by his side for it all,” an insider told People.

As previously reported, Masterson was sentenced last week after being found guilty of raping two women.

The couple -- who are both Scientologists -- tied the knot in 2011. [via People]

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SEAN PENN wants to know why he spent 33 days in jail for assaulting an extra on the set of “Colors,” yet WILL SMITH got to return to his seat after slapping CHRIS ROCK at the Oscars.

What’s more, Smith later was applauded after winning an Oscar for his role in “King Richard.”

Penn, of course, is still upset that VOLODYMYR ZELENSKY was not allowed to attend the 2022 Oscars, which he says would have set a different tone and perhaps kept Smith in his seat.

ON THAT NOTE: “Superpower,” Penn’s documentary about the war in Ukraine, hits Paramount+ on Monday. [via TMZ]

###

DREW BARRYMORE’s stalker has been arrested again, but this time for attempting to get to EMMA WATSON.

Chad Michael Busto stormed into a dressing room at a New York Fashion Week show and demanded to see the “Harry Potter” star.

Cops were called and he was arrested and charged with two counts of disorderly conduct and two counts of trespassing. It is unknown if Watson was even at the show.

Remember, Busto was arrested last month after making his way onto the property of Barrymore’s Hampton home and that was after he attempted to get to her during a panel in NYC. [via Patch]

###

The man who was kicked out of a Denver theater alongside Republican Rep. LAUREN BOEBERT, has been identified as Aspen bar owner Quinn Gallagher.

The divorced father-of-one has reportedly been dating the soon-to-be-divorced Congresswoman for months, much to the ire of his Democratic family members.

An insider told the NY Post that their relationship has “scandalized” his family. [via NY Post]

###

CASTING CALL

BILL MAHER announced his intentions to restart production on his HBO show, despite the ongoing writers’ strike.

“‘Real Time’ is coming back [...] It has been five months, and it is time to bring people back to work,” he noted.

As for the ongoing strikes, Maher said that he hopes their issues are addressed, but “they are not the only people with issues, problems and concerns.”

WORTH NOTING: He is the first late-night host to return. [via Variety]

###

WHOOPI GOLDBERG abruptly stopped a conversation on Thursday’s episode of “The View” to ask co-host ALYSSA FARAH if she is pregnant.

After picking her jaw up off the floor, Farah replied, “No.”

It gets worse…

“Do I look pregnant?” Farah asks, to which Goldberg replies, “Yes, I just got a vibe.” [via Decider]

###

Singer RITA ORA will appear on “The Masked Singer” panel alongside KEN JEONG, JENNY MCCARTHY WAHLBERG and ROBIN THICKE for Season 11.

She is taking over for NICOLE SCHERZINGER, who will be in London, starring as Norma Desmond in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical, “Sunset Boulevard.”

Season 10 of “The Masked Singer” returns September 27. [via Variety]

###

ASHTON KUTCHER and MILA KUNIS owe the SEC $1 million in fines after the government agency found they were misleading investors of their new animated series “Stoner Cats.”

According to court documents, the couple violated the Securities Act of 1933 “by offering and selling crypto asset securities to the public in an unregistered offering that was not exempt from registration.” Basically they were selling “Stoner Cat” NFTs and telling investors they could sell them at a higher value once the show became a hit.

“Stoner Cats,” starring Kutcher, Kunis, CHRIS ROCK and JANE FONDA, tells the story of a group of cats who attempt to take care of their pot-smoking owner who suffers from Alzheimer’s disease. [via NY Post]

###

THE DAILY KARDASHOPUS

Salacious celebrity gossip site Deux Moi recently insinuated that KIM KARDASHIAN is (or was) dating Jets QB AARON RODGERS.

The rumor started with a photo Kim posted on social media of her in what appears to be an elevator during New York Fashion Week. Eagle-eyed celebrity sleuths zoomed in and found what some believe to be Rodgers’ reflection in a mirror positioned behind her.

The story made its way to TikTok where followers blew it up, with some blaming the “Kardashian Curse” for Rodgers’ season-ending achilles injury.

Remember, the “Kardashian Curse” was coined to describe the bad luck that seems to follow anyone who gets too intimate with Kim, KHLOE or KOURTNEY. It has also been extended to include their half-sisters KYLIE and KENDALL JENNER. [via Deux Moi]

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WE’LL NEVER BE ROYALS

The Royal Family no longer has access to more than 11,000 acres of hunting land next to its own Balmoral estate in Scotland.

The Abergeldie estate abuts Balmoral, and the Royals leased the land for hunting and stalking since 1852. But now it’s under new ownership, and the land is scheduled to be updated and opened for commercial hunting outings.

WORTH NOTING: GB News reports that KING CHARLES and co. aren’t upset about the change. Maybe hunting just isn’t their thing anymore. [via GB News]

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DAY OF THE YEAR

National Cheese Toast Day

National Double Cheeseburger Day

National Online Learning Day

Make a Hat Day

Raspberry Day

National Felt Hat Day

Greenpeace Day

National Linguine Day

World Afro Day

International Grenache Day

National Tradesmen Day

International Dot Day

Butterscotch Cinnamon Pie Day

National Concussion Awareness Day

4pm Finish Day

National Creme de Menthe Day

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ON THIS DATE

1789 - George Washington signs a law that makes some tweaks to the Department of Foreign Affairs.

It would from then-on be called the Department of State. Its initial responsibilities included managing the U.S. mint and taking the census, though these duties have been funneled to other federal organizations through time.

John Jay was serving as the interim secretary of the department, until Washington appointed Thomas Jefferson to the slot later that month.

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1835 - Charles Darwin arrives at the Galapagos Islands, on board the HMS Beagle.

Darwin's observations made on the island chain impelled his theories of evolution and natural selection.

Darwin also proved himself as a knowledgeable geologist and popular author. His published journal from the time he spent on the Beagle became popular in Britain and elsewhere.

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1857 - The first trans-continental mail service begins. Two stage coaches each leave from St. Louis and San Francisco. Along with the mail and packages, each coach held six passengers. A one-way fare cost $200.

The trip usually took just under 25 days.

The Butterfield Overland Mail Company owned the stage coaches. They had been awarded a $600,000 government contract to provide the service.

When the trans-continental railroad was completed in 1869, their contract expired.

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1884 - Surgeon Carl Koller's research that cocaine works as a local anesthetic is presented at a medical conference in Germany.

Koller had proven that cocaine dissolved in water worked to numb nerve endings. It became particularly useful for early eye surgeries.

One doctor started injecting cocaine as a local anesthetic. Though it worked, the recipients of the drug suddenly wanted more and more of it.

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1914 - Allied and German forces build trenches for the first time during World War I during the Battle of the Marne.

The trench strategy would continue throughout the war, prolonging bloody battles.

Laid end-to-end, the trenches stretched 25,000 miles -- that's about the circumference of the Earth.

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1954 - The iconic photo of Marilyn Monroe giggling while a subway vent lifts her skirt is shot while she filmed “The Seven Year Itch.”

The pic ticked off her husband, Joe DiMaggio, who thought it was rather un-ladylike.

The pair soon divorced.

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1968 - Soviet spacecraft Zond 5 launches.

It would fly around the Moon and successfully return to Earth -- the first to do so. On board were two turtles, flies, and other insects and bacteria. Most of the critters survived, proving that life could survive a trip to the moon and back.

The mission was a precursor to planned manned Soviet missions to the Moon, which never got off the ground.

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2008 - The reality of the American mortgage crisis starts sinking in when Lehman Brothers files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy.

It was the largest company to go under in American history. The Dow Jones lost 500 points that day.

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2021 - Elon Musk’s SpaceX launches the first all-civilian spaceflight.

The three-day orbit around Earth blasted off from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, with four non-professional astronauts aboard.

The amateur astronauts were: Jared Issacman, Hayley Arceneaux, Chris Sembroski and Dr. Sian Proctor.

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BIRTHDAYS

Dennis Schroder - basketball player - 30

Chelsea Kane - actress, “Baby Daddy” - 35

Heidi Pratt - reality star, “The Hills” - 37

Prince Harry - royal - 39

Tom Hardy - actor, “Venom” & “Warrior” & “Lawless” - 46

Jimmy Carr - comedian - 51

Dan Marinio - football player - 62

Lisa Vanderpump - reality star, “Vanderpump Rules” - 63

Tommy Lee Jones - actor, “Men in Black” & “The Fugitive” - 77

Born On This Date

Gaylord Perry - baseball player - 1938 (d. 2022)

Agatha Christie - novelist, “Murder on the Orient Express” - 1890 (d.1976)

William Howard Taft - 27th POTUS - 1857 (d. 1930)

Marco Polo - explorer - 1254 (d. 1324)