9/27/2022: Cougar Attack!
PLUS: Deposing Elon, Baldwin Braces For Potential Charges, and King Charles New Monogram
Today is Tuesday, September 27, 2022.
It is the 270th day of the year.
95 days remain.
TRENDING
Edward Snowden was trending Monday after Vladimir Putin granted the former NSA contractor citizenship. More in Hit List.
#HurricaneIan landed in Twitter’s Top 10 Trends as the Category 3 storm barrels toward Florida.
#AsteroidImpactLIVE was trending Monday as NASA’s DART spacecraft collided with a small asteroid at more than 14,000 miles per hour. More than 1.3 million tuned in to watch the impact. More on the mission in Hit List.
NFL fans reacted to reports that Myles Garrett was in a single-car crash on Monday. More in Sick Bay.
###
HIT LIST
ELON MUSK is spending the first half of the week in a confidential deposition with Twitter’s lawyers ahead of a trial scheduled to start October 17 over whether to enforce his acquisition of the social media platform.
The trial will last only five days, given the original acquisition timeline was supposed to have things wrapped up by year’s end.
WORTH NOTING: This whole circus could be a ruse that forces Twitter to make public data it has carefully curated about how many accounts are real versus bots.
###
EDWARD SNOWDEN has been granted Russian citizenship.
WORTH REMEMBERING: Snowden was the NSA contractor who in 2013 leaked details of the global surveillance state and concerns about individual privacy.
He was granted asylum in Russia in 2013 and residency in 2020. Now, Russia is granting him a passport without requiring that he renounce his US citizenship. Snowden faces multiple espionage counts in the US.
###
Wildlife officials in Utah have euthanized a cougar after it attacked hikers over the weekend.
Two runners on the Pipeline Trail in Millcreek Canyon suddenly encountered the big cat Sunday morning. The cougar jumped at them, clawing one runner’s leg while the other threw a rock at it, which sent it running away.
The clawed victim was treated for puncture wounds and released.
Officials then used hounds to locate the cougar, and have followed the state’s Department of Wildlife Resources policy to put down any wild animal that injures humans.
Officials caution others that the cougar was likely just startled, and not looking for a fight.
###
Now that Hurricane Ian is official, Artemis almost certainly won’t see another launch window until November. The rocket is headed back to the Vehicle Assembly Building, and conditions won’t allow it to return to the pad for the October 2 potential launch date.
November dates have not yet been announced.
MEANWHILE: NASA’s DART mission – or Double Asteroid Redirection Test – successfully impacted Dimorphos Monday night, the 160-meter asteroid orbiting another asteroid nearly 7 million miles from Earth.
While the asteroid system poses no threat of impact to Earth, the program was a test of the theory to change the trajectory of a celestial rock that might cause catastrophic damage to the planet in the future. The farther out these asteroids can be identified, the more time NASA would have to change its path. Even a few miles per hour of speed and small changes in course can make a major difference in trajectory on a cosmic scale.
WORTH NOTING: Despite being the subject of countless sci-fi movies over the years, this is a first-of-its kind mission to actually play out. We really are living in the future!
BY THE WAY: While the impact was successful, it will take weeks, if not months, to measure the effect the impact had on changing the speed and direction of the asteroid.
###
There have now been multiple reports of strange sounds playing over the loudspeaker during several American Airlines flights originating out of LAX in recent weeks.
One Twitter user was able to grab audio of the incident over the weekend.
WATCH:
The weird sounds have been compared to animal growls, bodily functions, and sex moans.
An official statement by American Airlines blamed it on a technical malfunction, but security experts suggest someone likely hacked the intercom system in flight.
###
BY THE NUMBERS
📈 The Dow lost 329 points (1.11%) Monday to close at 29,260. It’s now down 20% from its last peak, formally putting the exchange in a bear market (no matter how hard Democrats try to redefine the term). The S&P lost 38 points (1.03%) to close at 3,655. The Nasdaq lost 65 points (0.6%) to close at 10,802.
🛢 West Texas Intermediate fell to $76. Brent Crude closed at $82. These price slides indicate increasing fears of global recession heading into a winter with great energy insecurity.
⛽ The national average price of a gallon of gas is edging upward, increasing to $3.73.
₿ Bitcoin added more than $290 on Monday, trading just over $19,000.
🛩 There were 2,894 flights delayed within, into, or out of the United States on Monday and 115 such cancellations.
###
CHARTS
Top 5 Songs on iTunes:
Sam Smith & Kim Petras, “Unholy”
David Guetta & Bebe Rexha, “I’m Good (Blue)”
Kane Brown & Katelyn Brown, “Thank God”
OneRepublic, “I Ain’t Worried”
Jelly Roll, “Son Of A Sinner”
Top 5 Songs on Spotify:
Sam Smith & Kim Petras, “Unholy”
David Guetta & Bebe Rexha, “I’m Good (Blue)”
Nicki Minaj, “Super Freaky Girl”
BLACKPINK, “Shut Down”
Post Malone & Doja Cat, “I Like You (A Happier Song)”
###
DEATHS
CHRIS DAVIDSON has died.
The former professional surfer passed away Saturday after he was allegedly punched in the face during a fight outside a bar in Australia. The man who punched Davidson has been arrested and charged with assault causing death. It is unknown what caused the altercation.
He was 45.
###
SICK BAY
NFL player MYLES GARRETT and a female passenger were taken to the hospital Monday with non-life-threatening injuries after the Porsche he was driving flipped several times after going off the road.
The accident occurred after Garrett left the Cleveland Browns practice facility in Berea, Ohio.
While the cause of the crash is unknown, officials told a local news station News 5 that Ohio State Highway Patrol does not suspect he was under the influence. Both were wearing their seatbelts at the time of the crash.
###
WEDDINGS
Former MLB player JIM EDMONDS, 52, tied the knot with KORTNIE O’CONNOR, 37, in Lake Como, Italy on Sunday.
Only 32 guests were in attendance.
Edmonds was previously married to “Real Housewives of Orange County” alum MEGHAN KING. They share three kids. Before that he was married to LEANNE EDMONDS-HORTON, who he shares two daughters with. After they split, he married ALLISON RASKI and they had a daughter and a son.
Edmonds shared his excitement over the union, telling PEOPLE magazine, “For the first time in my life, I finally understand true happiness.” Apparently the fourth time's the charm.
###
THE SWAMP
Remember on Sunday when former White House Media Commissar JEN PSAKI threw her former colleagues under the bus and said if the midterms are a referendum on Biden and his crime policy that the Democrat Party is toast?
Those former colleagues want you to know that’s not actually what she said at all!
WATCH: Psaki’s replacement gives a masterclass in word-salad-tossing and ends a question about Psaki’s statement by accusing Republicans of going after Medicare.
###
REMEMBER WHEN the Biden White House estimated that its student loan forgiveness program would cost $24 billion a year?
Turns out it’s going to cost about 66% more than that.
The Congressional Budget Office reports that the program will cost at least $400 billion over the next decade.
This includes the refund program that will reimburse those who made student loan payments since the start of the pandemic, up to the $10,000 or $20,000 threshold.
WORTH NOTING: The Washington Times reports that since making the announcement on August 24, Biden had only mentioned the Executive Order forgiving debt once across 13 public markets through September 13, and doesn’t even bring it up in private fundraisers.
WORTH ASKING: Why? Is it really that unpopular? And if so, why do it?
ALSO WORTH NOTING: The federal government is spending FOUR HUNDRED BILLION-WITH-A-B DOLLARS and not a single legislative vote was cast to authorize it.
###
LOTTERY
No winner for Friday night’s Mega Millions drawing. Tonight’s drawing will be for a $325 million jackpot or a $172.4 million cash payout.
###
SHOWBIZ NEWS
ALAN RICKMAN, best known for his role as professor Severus Snape in the “Harry Potter” films, wanted to leave the franchise after the release of “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets,” but would ultimately stay on for six more films.
The revelation was written by Rickman in his diary, of which, excerpts will be published in a book titled “Madly, Deeply: The Diaries of Alan Rickman.”
In an entry, dated December 4, 2002, the late actor wrote: “Talking to Paul Lyon-Maris about HP exit, which he thinks will happen. But here we are in the project-collision area again. Reiterating no more HP. They don’t want to hear it.”
As many may recall, Rickman passed away in 2016 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 69.
###
BRETT FAVRE’s SiriusXM show has been placed on hold amid allegations of fraud.
The former QB has been sued by the Mississippi Department of Human Services over “misspent welfare dollars,” according to ESPN. The lawsuit claims that the defendants -- Favre and several others -- “squandered” more than $20 million from the state’s Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program.
He has denied any wrongdoing.
Favre has hosted “The SiriusXM Blitz With Brett Favre and Bruce Murray” since 2018.
ALSO: His weekly appearances on ESPN Milwaukee have been suspended.
###
ALEC BALDWIN could soon face charges in connection with the fatal shooting of cinematographer HALYNA HUTCHINS on the set of “Rust.”
New Mexico D.A. MARY CARMACK-ALTWIES recently filed an emergency request, seeking more funds from the New Mexico Board of Finance to assist her office in bringing about four possible criminal cases, according to a report from the Santa Fe New Mexican.
While Carmack-Altwies has not named any names, she did note in official court documents that “one of the possible defendants is well known movie actor Alec Baldwin,” per the outlet.
Baldwin, meanwhile, has referred to the shooting as an accident, placing blame on crew members.
DEFENDING BALDWIN: Baldwin’s attorney LUKE NIKAS called the report “irresponsible,” adding that the “DA’s office must be given the space to review this matter without unfounded speculation and innuendo.”
WORTH ASKING: Does his client speaking to GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOUS about the incident help or hurt the case?
###
Despite several cheating allegations, ADAM LEVINE still plans to perform with his Maroon 5 bandmates at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on October 1.
The band is currently on tour, and insiders told TMZ that Levine has “no plans to let the scandal stop him from performing.”
As previously reported at least five women have come forward with claims that Levine, who is married to former Victoria Secret model BEHATI PRINSLOO, was sending them flirty messages on social media, with one claiming they had a “physical” affair.
###
CHRISTINA RICCI is the latest celeb to admit to co-sleeping.
Speaking to PEOPLE magazine, the actress revealed that her 8-year-old son FREDDIE still sleeps in her bed, while her 9-month-old daughter CLEOPATRA sleeps in her own crib.
Ricci explained that sleeping training with her eldest did not go well, and he was much more comfortable in bed with her. As for her daughter, Ricci said that there has been no issues with her falling asleep in her own bed.
Other A-listers who co-sleep include, actors KRISTEN BELL and DAX SHEPARD, and actress ALICIA SILVERSTONE.
###
Country singer KELSEA BALLERINI changed the lyrics to two of her songs during a recent concert to better relate to her current status in life; aka a messy divorce from Australian singer-songwriter MORGAN EVANS.
At the first stop of her “Heartfirst Tour,” Ballerini changed a line of her new song “What I Have” from “I got a warm body in my bed” to “I got my own body in my bed.”
She also changed a lyric in her 2018 hit “Get Over Yourself” from “I’m the crazy ex that wrecked your life” to “I’m the crazy b**ch that wrecked your life.”
Ballerini announced her divorce from Evans on Instagram on August 29.
###
Diners were shocked when actor ROB SCHNEIDER handed out their orders at Raising Cane's drive thru in Scottsdale, Arizona last week.
In addition to passing out meals, Schneider also handed out tickets to the world premiere of his new film “Daddy Daughter Trip,” which was filmed in the area.
The movie follows the story of a little girl who wants to go on a vacation that the family cannot afford, but decide to take anyway. Schneider’s real-life daughter MIRANDA SCARLETT SCHNEIDER makes her acting debut in the flick.
###
CASTING CALL
The upcoming season of Netflix’s “The Crown” has Buckingham Palace on edge.
According to The Telegraph, the palace has “moved to protect” KING CHARLES’ reputation as the new season will drop just two months into his reign.
A royal source reminded The Telegraph -- and its readers -- that “The Crown” is “a drama not a documentary,” while a friend of Charles called the show “exploitative.”
Even with the recent passing of QUEEN ELIZABETH, the streamer decided against delaying Season 5, which focuses on the year when Charles, PRINCE ANDREW and PRINCESS ANNE all divorced their respective spouses. The season will also touch on PRINCESS DIANA’s bombshell interview, as well as Charles admitting to cheating.
“The Crown” returns on November 9.
###
More “Jeopardy” spinoffs may be in the works.
After the success of “Celebrity Jeopardy,” executive producer MICHAEL DAVIES is considering a “masters league that features the show’s winningest players,” the New York Times reports.
An insider also told the outlet that a spinoff centered on sports and/or pop culture trivia could be in the works as well.
###
Comedian HANNAH GADSBY has signed a multi-title deal with Netflix despite less than a year ago slamming the streamer, calling it an “amoral algorithm cult.”
The deal includes a new hour-long special and multi-comic special.
Gadsby’s two previous Netflix specials were both Emmy nominated.
WORTH NOTING: Apparently there is a price tag worth putting one’s foot in one’s mouth.
###
THE DAILY KARDASHOPUS
KHLOE KARDASHIAN is not dating actor MICHELE MORRONE (“365 Days”) despite her fans loving the idea.
A rep for Morrone told TMZ that the two met for the first time at KIM KARDASHIAN’s fashion show with Dolce & Gabbana over the weekend.
As for the sultry photo of the two that has been circulating the web, his rep said D&G asked the two to pose for a quick pic.
Nothing to Keep Up With here.
###
KANYE WEST expressed his condolences to the British people over the death of QUEEN ELIZABETH on Instagram, sharing that he knows how they feel as he “lost his queen too,” presumably referring to KIM KARDASHIAN.
The post comes after Ye sat down for an interview with “Good Morning America,” where he apologized for the stress he has caused and said he has “new respect” for Kim as the mother of his children.
During the interview, Ye also shared that he has expressed his wishes for the future to his eldest daughter NORTH WEST, telling her “Never let anyone take anything from you. Protect your little brothers and sisters. Protect the family.”
WORTH ASKING: Is that a bit much to put on a 9-year-old?
###
WE’LL NEVER BE ROYALS
KING CHARLES has “zero” plans to include PRINCE ANDREW in the monarchy’s future, one royal expert told Fox News Digital.
“We won’t be seeing very much of him in the coming weeks and months,” NICK BULLEN, co-founder of True Royalty TV stated.
Bullen has produced programs focusing on the Royal Family for over 20 years and has worked closely with Charles for about a decade.
WORTH REMEMBERING: Even prior to QUEEN ELIZABETH’s passing, Andrew had been forced into the background after accusations of sexual assault and his connection to sex offender JEFFREY EPSTEIN came to light.
###
KING CHARLES has a new emblem.
Buckingham Palace revealed His Majesty’s new royal cypher on Monday, which was also the official end of the royal mourning period for QUEEN ELIZABETH.
###
SPORTS
JIMMIE JOHNSON is leaving the racetrack.
On Monday the 47-year-old revealed that he is retiring from racing full-time, telling the Associated Press that he is “choosing to spend more time with [his] family.”
Johnson ends his career with seven NASCAR Cup Series championships and 83 trips to Victory Lane.
###
DAY OF THE YEAR
National Chocolate Milk Day
National Crush a Can Day
National Corned Beef Hash Day
World Tourism Day
Morning Show Hosts Day
National No Excuses Day
Ancestor Appreciation Day
###
ON THIS DATE
1779 – John Jay is appointed by the Continental Congress to be the minister to Spain. His mission was to rally the Spanish behind the cause of the American Revolution and to get Spain to acknowledge his new country's independence.
Though Spain never offered wholesale military support, the country did give America loans and occasional war provisions. The Spanish government did not want to encourage revolution among its holdings in the Americas.
###
1854 – 322 ship passengers die in a collision off the coast of Newfoundland.
The ship called the Arctic collided with the Vesta. Heavy fog didn't help the situation that night, but the Arctic's captain refused to slow down or toot the ship's horn to alert other boats in the area.
Upon impact, the Arctic's crew sent lifeboats to those on the Vesta, which was an iron-hulled ship. But the iron provided good protection, and more damage was actually done to the Arctic.
Soon the Arctic's crew realized this, but many of the lifeboats had already been sent off. Many had capsized in the waters. The Arctic's captain tried to beach the sinking boat, and in doing so crushed the remaining lifeboats.
Only 1 person reportedly survived the sinking.
###
1869 – Wild Bill Hickok shoots his second ruffian since starting as Sheriff in Hays City, Kansas, five weeks earlier.
His lack of restraint was certainly effective, but troubled the city's government.
The good people of Hays City stripped Hickok of his deputization and he moved West, where he did serve again as a successful law enforcer.
###
1956 – Captain Mel Apt pilots the Bell X-2 rocket plane, making him the first to exceed Mach 3. The plane eventually reached 2,094 miles per hour.
When Apt attempted a banking turn, the jet spiraled out of control.
Apt fired his ejection chair, but never made it out.
The Air Force retired the X-2. It was replaced by the X-15 three years later.
###
1959 – Nikita Khrushchev ends his two-week trip to the United States, which was riddled with confusion and embarrassment.
Among the blunders were his verbal sparring match with a Twentieth Century Fox executive while visiting Hollywood. He was also denied access to Disneyland due to concerns over his safety.
Vice President Nixon took the premier to the airport, where a military band played America's and the Soviet Union's anthems.
###
1995 – The defense in the O.J. Simpson murder trial makes its closing arguments.
Lead defense attorney Johnnie Cochran poked holes in the prosecution's case and pleaded that the jury treat Simpson with dignity.
On October 3rd, the jury would find Simpson not guilty of murdering Nicole Simpson and Ron Goldman.
###
1997 – NASA loses communication with the Mars Pathfinder probe.
The mission was only expected to last between a week and a month, but instead lasted three.
Pathfinder sent more than 16,500 pictures back to Earth and made millions of measurements of the Red Planet's atmosphere.
Fun fact: Pathfinder's on-board computer boasted a whopping 512 kilobytes of RAM and 176 Kilobytes of flash memory storage!
###
2018 - The US Securities and Exchange Commission files a lawsuit against Elon Musk.
The lawsuit accused the SpaceX founder of securities fraud for a series of false and misleading tweets about a potential transaction to take Tesla private.
The issue is that Musk had not discussed deal terms with potential financing partners.
He would settle the suit two days later.
###
BIRTHDAYS
Jenna Ortega - actress, “Stuck In The Middle” & “Wednesday” - 20
Astro - actor, “Earth to Echo” & “See You Yesterday” - 26
Austin Carlile - metal singer, Of Mice & Men - 35
Avril Lavigne - pop singer - 38
Anna Camp - actress, “Pitch Perfect” - 40
Lil Wayne - rapper - 40
Shep Rose - reality star, “Southern Charm” - 42
Francesco Totti - soccer player - 46
Trick Daddy - rapper - 49
Gwyneth Paltrow - actress, “Shallow Hal” & “Iron Man” - 50
Steve Kerr - basketball coach - 57
Liz Torres - actress, “Gilmore Girls” - 75
Born On This Date
Meat Loaf - rock singer - 1947 (d. 2022)
Samuel Adams - politician - 1722 (d. 1803)
###