Today is Monday, September 23, 2024.
It is the 267th day of the year.
99 days remain.
WHAT’S ON TAP
Big tech goes nuclear and new entries to the Toy Hall of Fame. Details in HIT LIST.
DIDDY update and RFK’s affair rumor in SHOWBIZ.
ERIK MENENDEZ reacts to Netflix's series about his parents’ murder in CASTING CALL.
Totally twisted tentacles in today’s KARDASH.
FERGIE becomes a landlord. Details in ROYALS.
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HIT LIST
Senator JOSH HAWLEY announced last week his office received a whistleblower complaint alleging the US Secret Service ignored “known vulnerabilities” in its protection of DONALD TRUMP in the leadup to the recent second alleged assassination attempt.
In particular, Hawley describes “an individual who has in fact protected President Trump at [his golf course]” in West Palm Beach coming forward to allege that the Secret Service typically stations an agent near the fence line where the would-be shooter posted up for more than twelve hours, but there was no agent in that position on September 15.
In response, Hawley has issued a public letter to acting Secret Service Director RONALD ROWE, asking for answers to questions specific to Trump’s security detail. [via Sen. Josh Hawley]
MEANWHILE: In an unrelated news story that doesn’t do much to shore up confidence in the Secret Service, an agent accidentally shot himself while on duty in Washington D.C. Saturday night. No one else is injured and the agent is being treated for his injury. The agency's Office of Professional Responsibility says it plans to investigate. [via WUSA 9]
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MICROSOFT intends to work with Constellation Energy to restart the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant in Pennsylvania in a bid to power the tech company’s data centers as it ramps up its Artificial Intelligence research and product offerings.
A.I. requires a tremendous amount of energy at scale and Microsoft remains committed to various “climate pledges” to use energy from carbon-neutral sources. The head of Constellation said in a statement, “Nuclear plants are the only energy sources that can consistently deliver on that promise.”
The Three Mile Island reactor has been offline since a near-meltdown in 1979. Getting it back up and running would require local, state, and federal regulatory approval. So far, Constellation has not filed any paperwork, but the Nuclear Regulatory Commission tells Reuters they are prepared to work with the company. [via Reuters]
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A flight between Oslo, Norway, and Malaga, Spain, made an emergency landing last week after a passenger discovered a live mouse in their in-flight meal. Procedures typically require emergency landing in the extremely rare event of on-board rodents, primarily over fears that if left to scurry around they could chew through wiring.
One passenger who witnessed the incident told BBC that he saw the mouse run off when the woman next to him opened up her meal box. Despite the startling discovery, he said that other passengers “were not stressed at all.”
WORTH NOTING: That sounds implausible.
After landing in Copenhagen, passengers made it onto a new flight with only a few hours delay. [via BBC]
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FOLLOW UP: The American soldier who crossed the Demilitarized Zone into North Korea last year was sentenced to time served on Friday.
Travis King previously pleaded guilty to five charges related to the incident. Since being returned to American custody after being held by North Koreans for 63 days, King has served 338 days in detention. The military judge’s sentence included 12 months for his desertion charge and one month for each of the four separate counts.
The sentence concluded with a dishonorable discharge, allowing King to return home. [via NBC News]
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The Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, New York announced the 12 finalists for this year’s Toy Hall of Fame.
The items include:
Apples to Apples
Balloons
Choose Your Own Adventure Gamebooks
Hess Toy Trucks
My Little Pony
Phase10
Pokemon Trading Card Game
Remote-Controlled Vehicles
Sequence
Stick Horse
Trampoline
Transformers
The final inductees will be chosen by a combination of the Player’s Choice ballots and the top picks of the National Selection Advisory Committee. The inductees will be announced in November.
Voting runs through September 25. [via The SNMP]
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DEATHS
Actress KATHRYN CROSBY has died.
She passed away Friday night at her home in Hillsborough, California of natural causes.
Crosby is best known for her roles in “The 7th Voyage of Sinbad” and “Operation Mad Ball” and for marrying famed singer BING CROSBY.
She was 90.
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Football player MERCURY MORRIS has died.
He passed away Saturday, according to a statement from his family. No further details were shared.
Morris was a two-time Super Bowl champion with the Miami Dolphins, and part of the unbeaten 1972 team.
He was 77.
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BABY NEWS
Comedian JOHN MULANEY and actress OLIVIA MUNN welcomed their second child, a daughter named Mei June Mulaney.
She arrived on September 14 via a surrogate, according to a post from the couple.
The pair are already parents to 2-year-old son, Malcolm.
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WEEKEND BOX OFFICE
10. Alien: Romulus: $1.3 million (down from 7)
9. Jung Kook: I Am Still: $1.4 million (new)
8. Reagan: $1.6 million (down from 5)
7. Am I Racist?: $2.5 million (down from 4)
6. The Substance: $3.1 million (new)
5. Deadpool & Wolverine: $3.9 million (down from 3)
4. Never Let Go: $4.5 million (new)
3. Speak No Evil: $5.9 million (down from 2)
2. Transformers One: $25 million (new)
1. Beetlejuice Beetlejuice: $26 million (stayed at 1)
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BY THE NUMBERS
📈 The DOW increased 38 points (0.09%) to close at 42,063 on Friday. The S&P lost 11 points (0.19%) to close at 5,702 and the NASDAQ lost 65 points (0.36%) to close at 17,948.
🛢 WEST TEXAS INTERMEDIATE closed at $71 on Friday; BRENT CRUDE at $74.
⛽ The national average price of a GALLON OF GAS was $3.21 on Sunday.
₿ BITCOIN was mostly flat on the weekend, trading around $63,200 Sunday evening.
🛩 There were more than 3,045 FLIGHTS delayed within, into, or out of the United States on Sunday and more than 70 such cancellations.
💰Tuesday night’s MEGA MILLIONS drawing will be for a $62 million jackpot or a $31 million cash payout. Tonight’s POWERBALL drawing will be for a $208 million jackpot or a $104.6 million cash payout.
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SHOWBIZ NEWS
While SEAN COMBS spent his first weekend behind bars on sex trafficking charges, these are some of the stories that emerged.
The music mogul was placed on suicide watch at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center.
Combs’ longtime PR chief, Nathalie Moar, resigns.
“Kim’s Lost Words: A Journey for Justice from the Other Side,” a memoir allegedly composed of diary entries from the late KIM PORTER, the mom of Combs’ twin daughters, lands on Amazon’s Bestseller’s list.
Past connections between Combs and KAMALA HARRIS and Combs and DONALD TRUMP made the rounds on social media.
A two-year-old clip resurfaced of Combs telling CONAN O’BRIEN how women were “locked in” during his parties, to “keep them there.”
Input on the matter came in from an unlikely celeb -- country singer MARK CHESNUTT wrote, “No pitty for Diddy,” on Instagram.
THAT’S ODD: Over the weekend USHER deleted all of his X posts. Combs’ was once his mentor.
[via The Mirror, Billboard, People, Fox News, Instagram]
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ROBERT F. KENNEDY JR. is denying claims that he was in a romantic relationship with New York Magazine correspondent OLIVIA NUZZI.
A spokesperson for the presidential candidate said the two had only met “once” for an interview, while Nuzzi claims that the two communicated often and things “turned personal” earlier this year.
RFK’s wife, actress CHERYL HINES, has not commented on the rumor, though insiders say she is “no pushover” and is likely “fuming.” [via Daily Beast]
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In a recent interview with The Guardian, JANET JACKSON was asked if she is excited to possibly have a Black woman in the White House.
To that she replied that she was told KAMALA HARRIS isn’t Black, and it was “discovered that her father was white.”
The interviewer shot down the claim, stating that Harris’ dad is Jamaican-American and the VP “identifies” as Black.
From there, Jackson said that no matter who wins this November there will be “mayhem.” [via The Guardian]
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Actor ERIC STONESTREET says living in the midwest “highlights everything great” about Hollywood and “all the douchebaggery” of it.
After “Modern Family” wrapped, Stonestreet moved from Los Angeles to Kansas City, where he says he now has “all these authentic, real moments” with people, which is not something he felt he encountered as often in Hollywood.
SPEAKING OF THE SHOW: While a total revival is not in the works, Stonestreet did speak on the possibility of there being a Christmas special. [via NY Post]
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The late DAVID BOWIE may soon return to the stage in hologram form.
The rocker’s name has been formally trademarked by a firm affiliated with his estate, meaning the team can move forward with plans, which include avatars, according to The Sun.
Bowie died from liver cancer in 2016. He was 69. [via The Sun]
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Actor SCOTT COHEN and his wife, ANASTASIA TRAINA, are lucky to be alive after being involved in a head-on-collision in Brooklyn.
The incident occurred over the summer, but Cohen recently spoke about it at the premiere of HBO’s “The Penguin,” telling Page Six, “We thought we were dead. My wife’s arm is all messed up. I have a broken sternum, which is supposed to be never-healing.”
The person who hit them was a suspect in a high-speed car chase, whose vehicle reportedly burst into flames after the collision. The driver fled on foot, while exchanging gunfire with police. No word on whether or not he was ever caught. [via Page Six]
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DAVID BECKHAM recently added to his impressive tattoo collection.
The 49-year-old showed off the new ink -- two hands in a prayer position on his leg -- on Instagram. He also tagged his go-to tattoo artist, London-based Certified Letter Boy, in the post.
FOR THE RECORD: The latest tattoo is #89 for Beckham. [via People]
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CASTING CALL
What could make “The View” less tolerable? Adding HILLARY CLINTON to the table.
While promoting her book on the show, Clinton was offered a seat at the table from co-host WHOOPI GOLDBERG.
“You sure you don’t want a gig? Like a part-time gig?” Goldberg asked.
Meanwhile, Clinton’s book, “Something Lost, Something Gained,” is out now. [via Deadline]
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“The West Wing” cast recently reunited for the show’s 25th anniversary at the White House, joining First Lady JILL BIDEN, who paid tribute to the Emmy-winning political drama.
Series creator AARON SORKIN spoke to reporters on the front lawn, commending President JOE BIDEN on his decision to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race. He also hinted at a possible series revival, telling Variety, “We’ll see what happens.”
The show, starring MARTIN SHEEN, RICHARD SCHIFF, DULE HILL, and others, ran for seven seasons. [via Variety]
SPEAKING OF FAKE PRESIDENTS: The cast of “Veep” is convening for a virtual table read of the season three episode “Crate” as a fundraiser for the Democrat Party of Wisconsin. Donors will be able to tune in to the livestream on Sunday, September 29. In the episode, the narcissistic, emotionally abusive vice president finds out the president is resigning and she’ll be elevated to the presidency as she campaigns for the very same office. STEPHEN COLBERT will host the event. [via WisPolitics]
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ERIK MENENDEZ doesn’t think Netflix correctly chronicled the story of his parents, JOSE and MARY LOUISE “Kitty” MENEDEZ’s murder, for which he and his brother LYLE MENEDEZ were convicted.
In a statement shared on his behalf, Erik states that the “lies and ruinous character portrayals” of his brother were “done so on purpose” and he cannot believe that creator RYAN MURPHY could be that “naive and inaccurate.”
He also slammed the streamer, calling the “dishonest portrayal of the tragedies [...] sad.” [via THR]
EDITOR’S NOTE: For more on this crime and the brothers’ current status be sure to check out our Saturday True Crime roundup – only for Top Shelf Premium subscribers.
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THE DAILY KARDASHOPUS
KIM KARDASHIAN, KHLOE KARDASHIAN and their mom KRIS JENNER chatted with inmates at the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego -- the same prison housing ERIK and LYLE MENENDEZ.
The ladies spoke with a group of about 40 men, including the brothers, about Greenspace, a reform idea about greening up prison yards in an effort to help inmates rehabilitate. The program is spearheaded by Lyle.
Also on the visit was actor COOPER KOCH, who played Erik in the Netflix series, “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story.” This is notable as Erik issued a statement on his disappointment about how the story was portrayed by the streamer and creator RYAN MURPHY, whom Kim is friendly with. [via TMZ]
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WE’LL NEVER BE ROYALS
SARAH FERGUSON has found tenants for her 4.25 MILLION-Pound London townhouse, suggesting she and ex-husband PRINCE ANDREW have no plans to vacate the Royal Lodge on the grounds of Windsor.
IN FACT: She could be using revenue from landlording – about 16,000 Pounds a month – to help maintain the property she shares with her ex, amid monthslong pressure from KING CHARLES to vacate the premises.
Andrew has a lease on the Royal Lodge that is likely to survive him, provided he keeps up with maintenance, which alone costs about 400,000 Pounds a year. Beginning in November, Andrew will also lose his personal security detail, which would cost north of 3 MILLION Pounds a year to replace out of his own pocket. [via DailyMail]
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DAY OF THE YEAR
International Day of Sign Languages
National Great American Post Pie Day
National Snack Stick Day
Redhead Appreciation Day
National Checkers Day
Restless Legs Awareness Day
Education Technology Day
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ON THIS DATE
1642 - An audience in Massachusetts enjoys Harvard College's first commencement ceremonies, six years after the institution opened its doors for the first time.
Nine men were recognized for graduating -- though "commencer" was more likely the term used at the time. They read orations in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin, and later debated philosophy and religion as a spectacle for the audience.
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1779 - American naval hero John Paul Jones defeats British ships Serapis and Countess of Scarborough near the English coast.
On board the Bonhomme Richard, Jones began an attack on the British warships, which were escorting merchant ships.
At first, the American ship suffered severe damage. The British commander implored Jones' surrender, but the American did not quit.
Fighting lasted three more hours, until the Brits raised their colors of surrender.
Jones and his crew boarded the Serapis, and the Bonhomme Richard sank the next day.
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1806 - Lewis and Clark arrive in St. Louis after resting near La Charette on the Missouri River.
It marked the completion of their journey from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Coast. They're the first explorers on record to do so.
Their journey also amassed a great deal of information about the newly-acquired Louisiana Purchase.
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1846 - Johann Gottfried Galle discovers Neptune.
The German astronomer was aided by French astronomer Le Verrier, who used complex math equations and astrophysics to estimate the planet's location.
Neptune orbits the sun once every 165 years.
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1949 - President Truman issues a statement saying that the Soviets have detonated a nuclear weapon.
It came as a surprise to the administration and the country, which thought the Soviets to be years behind technologically.
The news quickened American research into developing an even more powerful hydrogen bomb.
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1994 - “The Shawshank Redemption” hits the big screen for the first time.
It's based on a short story by Stephen King called "Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption."
The flick earned seven Oscar nominations, but lost Best Picture to “Forrest Gump.”
The movie was also Tim Robbins' breakout role.
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2002 - Mozilla releases its first browser, called Phoenix.
Its customizable toolbar and quick search feature would become staples of any mainstream browser.
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2009 - “Modern Family” premieres on ABC starring Ed O’Neill and Sofia Vergara.
In its 11 seasons, the mockumentary would win 22 Emmy awards and receive 75 nominations.
It holds the record for ABC’s longest-running comedy series.
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2018 - New Orleans Saints QB Drew Brees throws a 17-yard pass to Michael Thomas, making him the NFL career pass leader.
Brees stole the crown from Brett Favre, who ended his career with 6,300 completions.
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BIRTHDAYS
Jordyn Woods - frenemy of the KarJenners - 27
Skylar Astin - actor, “Pitch Perfect” films - 37
Hasan Minhaj - comedian - 39
Anneliese Van der Pol - actress, “That’s So Raven” - 40
Anthony Mackie - actor, “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” - 46
Layzie Bone - rapper, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony - 50
Matt Hardy - wrestler - 50
Jermaine Dupri - rapper - 52
Sean Spicer - White House Press Secretary - 53
John Harbaugh - football coach - 62
Jason Alexander - actor, “Seinfeld” - 65
Patti Weaver - actress, “Days of Our Lives” - 75
Bruce Springsteen - rock singer - 75
Born On This Date
Tom Lester - actor, “Green Acres” - 1938 (d. 2020)
Ray Charles - soul singer - 1930 (d. 2004)
Mickey Rooney - actor, “A Family Affair” - 1920 (d. 2014)
Typhoid Mary - 1st person in the US to be immune to typhoid & a carrier - 1869 (d. 1938)
Victoria Woodhull - civil rights activist & presidential candidate (1872) - 1838 (d. 1927)
Augustus Caesar - 1st Roman Emperor - 63 BC (d. 14 AD)
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