Today is Friday, September 29, 2023.
It is the 272nd day of the year.
93 days remain.
WHAT’S ON TAP
UAW strikes are set to expand today and ELON MUSK announces some reforms heading into another vicious election cycle. More in HIT LIST.
HEINZ has jumped on the TAYLOR SWIFT-TRAVIS KELCE bandwagon and BABY PHAT is coming back. More in SHOWBIZ.
PAW PATROL is getting a three-quel. More in CASTING CALL.
KRIS JENNER forbade boyfriend COREY GAMBLE from accepting a role on “Yellowstone.” More in KARDASH.
HARRY and MEG found time to avoid his family and still vacation in Europe during their recent trip. Details in ROYALS.
###
HIT LIST
Without a deal in sight for striking auto workers, their union says the targeted strikes will expand today to intensify pressure on carmaker executives.
Late last week, United Auto Workers President SHAWN FAIN initiated broader strikes at parts distribution centers – but those only affected General Motors and Stellantis. Fain is expected to announce which companies and facilities will face the expanded strikes later this morning. [via ClickOnDetroit]
###
ELON MUSK said in a post on X that he’s gutted the company’s Election Integrity Team.
When an account reported that half of the staff in this division had been let go, Musk replied, “Oh you mean the ‘Election Integrity’ Team that was undermining election integrity? Yeah, they’re gone.”
WORTH REMEMBERING: A handful of journalists have reported over the last year the extensive efforts taken by Twitter (ne X) to coordinate messaging with the federal government regarding the censorship of information related to the release of a laptop owned by Hunter Biden just days before the November 2020 election. [via Morning Martini]
###
Personal finance company WalletHub has analyzed a list of factors, including residents’ emotional and physical well-being, employment, and community and environment to rank the unhappiest states in the US.
10. Oklahoma - low income growth
9. New Mexico - highest divorce rate in the US & low volunteer participation
8. Alaska - high suicide rate
7. Mississippi - second-lowest safety rating & poor sports participation
6. Alabama - poor sleep, sports participation, volunteering & safety
5. Kentucky - adult depression
4. Arkansas - concerning rate of adult depression & lack of safety
3. Tennessee - low rate for community and environment
2. Louisiana - second-worst work environment
1. West Virginia - worst rates of adult depression, emotional and physical well-being and adequate sleep.
[via WalletHub]
###
Add “wedgie risk” to reasons not to ride a waterslide.
A couple is suing Disney World after a ride resulted in a “painful wedgie” that caused bleeding.
The suit alleges that the speed of her descent made it impossible for her to safely keep her legs crossed, resulting in the unfortunate incident that led to multiple hospital visits and even internal organ damage.
They’re seeking $50,000 in damages. [via WESH]
###
Thirty-five-year-old Kuldeep Singh recently went to the Moga Medicity Hospital in Moga, Punjab complaining of severe stomach pain; what doctors found was shocking!
An x-ray showed lockets, chains, nuts, bolts, earphones, safety pins, magnets, shirt buttons, zips and many other inedible objects clumped together in the man’s stomach.
The hodge podge of items led doctors to a diagnosis of pica, a mental health condition where a person “compulsively swallows items that are not food.”
As for Singh’s physical condition, the last update had him listed as “critical”. [via NY Post]
###
DEATHS
Actor MICHAEL GAMBON has died.
He passed away on Wednesday at a hospital after a bout with pneumonia, according to his publicist.
Gambon is best known for his role as Albus Dumbledore in the “Harry Potter” films.
He was 82.
###
BY THE NUMBERS
📈 The DOW increased 115 points (0.35%) to close at 33,666 on Thursday. The S&P added 25 points (0.59%) to close at 4,299 and the NASDAQ increased 108 points (0.83%) to close at 13,201.
🛢 WEST TEXAS INTERMEDIATE closed at $91; BRENT CRUDE at $93.
⛽ The national average price of a GALLON OF GAS was $3.83 on Thursday.
₿ BITCOIN was up nearly 3% Thursday, trading around $27,100.
🛩 There were more than 2,605 FLIGHTS delayed within, into, or out of the United States on Thursday and more than 40 such cancellations.
💰Tonight’s MEGA MILLIONS drawing will be for a $267 million jackpot or a $123.6 million cash payout. Saturday night’s POWERBALL drawing will be for a $925 million jackpot or a $432.4 million cash payout.
###
SHOWBIZ NEWS
These albums drop today:
Addison Grace, “Driving Lessons”
Beverley Knight, “The Fifth Chapter”
Boy Named Banjo, “Dusk”
Ed Sheeran, “Autumn Variations”
Karen Harding, “Take Me Somewhere”
Pachyman, “Switched-On”
Ricky Montgomery, “Rick”
Steven Wilson, “THE HARMONY CODEX”
Thomas Rhett, “20 Number Ones”
Wilco, “Cousin”
###
HEINZ is jumping on the TAYLOR SWIFT-TRAVIS KELCE money-making bandwagon.
After a photo of Taylor dipping her chicken in a condiment concoction of Heinz Ketchup and Heinz Seemingly Ranch went viral, the company decided to bottle the two together for Swifties to enjoy at home.
“It’s a new Era for Heinz. Introducing Ketchup and Seemingly Ranch. Limited-edition bottles coming soon,” Heinz tweeted
JUST FOR THE RECORD: Red and white are also the Chiefs colors. [via TMZ]
JUST CURIOUS: Have fans decided on Taylor & Travis’ nickname? Tayvis? Traylor?
###
JAMIE LYNN SPEARS may not make it far on this season of “Dancing With the Stars,” but it won't be because of her dancing skills.
After the show’s debut this week, Jamie Lynn was criticized online by fans of her big sister, BRITNEY SPEARS, who trolled her for things that had nothing to do with the ballroom.
Her partner ALAN BERSTEN also caught some flack, even though his only offense is being partnered with Jamie Lynn. [via The Hollywood Gossip]
SPEAKING OF DANCING: A concerned insider -- not a fan -- called in a welfare check on Britney this week after she posted a video dancing with knives and a follow-up video of her with bandaids. Officers showed up at her home, but were assured by security that Britney was okay and did not wish to speak to them. [via TMZ]
###
NIPPLEGATE 2.0: During her recent concert in Minnesota, KELLY CLARKSON stopped singing and rushed off the stage after realizing she was accidentally flashing the crowd.
“Am I good? Wait, hold on! Should I fix it?” she asked her band, as they abruptly stopped playing so she could adjust her top.
After a quick fix, Clarkson returned to the stage and finished her set. [via Page Six]
###
We now know what JOE JONAS allegedly heard SOPHIE TURNER say on their home’s ring camera that prompted him to file for divorce.
While there was heavy speculation that Turner was caught in a compromising position -- perhaps with another man -- it turns out that she was overheard badmouthing Jonas to a friend.
“It wasn’t more than that, but that was the final straw,” an insider told Us Weekly. [via Us Weekly]
###
MICK JAGGER plans to give his millions to charity instead of his eight kids.
“The children don’t need $500 million to live well. Come on,” the 80-year-old rocker told The Wall Street Journal.
BY THE WAY: Jagger’s kids range in age from 52- to 6-years-old. [via WSJ]
###
BEYONCE has re-set the record for the “highest one-month gross” in the history of the Billboard Boxscore.
In July, Bey set a new record of $127.6 million, narrowly edging out BAD BUNNY’s $123.7 million from September 2022.
Then last month, Bey did it again, earning $179.3 million from her 14 “Renaissance World Tour” shows.
She also claimed the highest attendance total for the first time last month, with over 697,000 tickets sold across those 14 shows.
WORTH NOTING: The tour ends on October 1. With 10 shows left, it is expected to haul in nearly $560 million globally, making it one of Boxscore’s 10 highest grossing tours ever. [via Billboard]
###
KIMORA LEE SIMMONS is bringing back Baby Phat.
The 48-year-old model and mogul announced plans to debut a new fall collection of the iconic brand.
The collection will feature mini cargo skirts, crop tops, and the classic velour tracksuits with the Baby Phat cat.
All items are priced between $50 and $100 and are available on BabyPhat.com starting today! [via People]
###
THE 1975 announced an “indefinite hiatus of shows” after their current “Still…At Their Very Best” tour.
The news comes after a bit of controversy surrounding the pop rock band, including frontman MATTY HEALY kissing fans on stage and the group getting canceled in Malaysia after speaking out about the country’s anti-LGBTQ+ policies.
There is no word on how long the hiatus will be or why exactly it is happening. [via Insider]
###
CASTING CALL
As the sequel “PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie” hits theaters today, Nickelodeon announced a third “PAW Patrol” movie is officially in the works.
The movies are based on the children’s series, which features a group of brave pups -- Chase, Marshall, Rubble, Zuma, Rocky and Skye -- who are led by a boy named Ryder and whose mission is to protect Adventure Bay.
The show is currently in its 10th season on Nickelodeon. [via People]
BY THE WAY: The sequel features KIM KARDASHIAN, and two of her children, NORTH and SAINT WEST. Kim voices Delores, an opinionated, sassy poodle, while the two kids voice a pair of newbie pups. [via THR]
###
THE DAILY KARDASHOPUS
KRIS JENNER didn’t allow her boyfriend COREY GAMBLE to appear on the hit show “Yellowstone” because she was concerned he would have to be in some romantic scenes.
The topic came up on a recent episode of “The Kardashians” when Jenner told her daughters, “I’m just so excited to watch the next episode of ‘Yellowstone.’”
To which Gamble added, “If it wasn’t for you, I would be a ‘Yellowstone’ star.”
KHLOE KARDASHIAN -- who has always been quick to tease the momager -- said, “But if they wanted you to star and kiss with [‘Yellowstone’ star] Kevin Costner, I’m sure you would take it.”
“Oh, that’s a hard yes,” Jenner quipped. [via NY Post]
###
WE’LL NEVER BE ROYALS
PRINCE HARRY’s people said he and MEGHAN MARKLE didn’t have time to get to Scotland to visit KING CHARLES while he was in Europe earlier this month for the Invictus Games in Germany – but they did spend some time at a ritzy resort in Portugal that’s a favorite of PRINCESS EUGENIE.
Harry and Meg kept their getaway under wraps, but the vacation was leaked by Portuguese magazine Nova Gente. Eugenie’s husband, JACK BROOKSBANK, works in the sales and marketing department at another nearby resort in the area, and they’re believed to split their time between Portugal and London. [via The Sun]
###
DAY OF THE YEAR
German Butterbrot Day
International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waster
National Coffee Day
International Happy Goose Day
National Starbucks Day
Ask a Stupid Question Day
World Heart Day
Confucius Day
Save the Koala Day
National Biscotti Day
###
ON THIS DATE
1780 – John André is found guilty of espionage against the Continental Army.
Andre was the British officer to whom Benedict Arnold surrendered secret plans. He was captured six days prior by Americans, who found Arnold's plans hidden in Andre's boot.
###
1864 – General Grant organizes an attack against Robert E. Lee's defenses around Richmond, Virginia -- which fails to break through.
Though the Union troops could not get through the Confederates' heavy fortifications, there was some good news: the attack distracted Lee from reinforcing Confederate General Jubal Early elsewhere in Virginia.
The fighting would continue on and off for months.
###
1913 – Rudolf Diesel disappears from a ship en-route to England.
Diesel is the inventor of his namesake engine. He was to oversee the groundbreaking ceremony for a construction factory that made diesel engines and discuss installing his invention on submarines with the British Navy.
But he was suddenly gone from the boat. Eleven days later, a Belgian sailor saw a body floating in the water, which was identified as Diesel's. Officially his death was a suicide, probably because he was headed to financial ruin.
###
1962 – Canada launches its first satellite into space, using NASA's resources at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.
Alouette 1 studied the upper atmosphere for 10 years. After that, mission control shut it down intentionally.
It remains in orbit.
###
1963 – Pope Paul VI opens the second period of the Second Vatican Council.
In the meeting Catholic officials sought to find ways to reconnect the Catholic church with the rest of the modern world.
Another big step forward was granting permission to celebrate Mass in local languages. Previously, Catholics had to participate in Mass performed in Latin.
###
1988 – Space Shuttle Discovery takes to the skies and into space. It's the first manned NASA mission since Challenger exploded on liftoff in January 1986.
The ceremonial mission only lasted four days as a reminder to the country and the world that the shuttles were fit to fly.
On the mission, the crew conducted standard tests and also put a satellite into orbit.
###
2008 – The Dow Jones Industrial Average loses 777.68 points in one day. It's the greatest single-day loss in the stock market's history.
It followed the collapse of banking powerhouse Lehman Brothers and Washington Mutual.
Two weeks later, on October 13th, the Dow Jones would see its biggest single-day gain ever, with the market gaining 936.42 points.
###
2018 - Kanye West announces on Twitter that he is changing his name to Ye.
At the time, only those close to the rapper used the moniker.
Three years later he would file to legally change his name.
###
BIRTHDAYS
Lauren James - soccer player - 22
Julien Baker - rock singer - 28
Halsey - pop singer - 29
Nicholas Galitzine - actor, “Chambers” & “Purple Hearts” - 29
Jojo Simmons - reality star, “Run’s House” - 34
Kevin Durant - basketball player - 35
Calvin Johnson - football player - 38
Kelly McCreary - actress, “Grey’s Anatomy” - 42
Zachary Levi - actor, “Chuck” & “Heroes Reborn” - 43
Chrissy Metz - actress, “This Is Us” - 44
Les Claypool - rock singer, Primus - 60
Born On This Date
Stephen “Twitch” Boss - dancer & DJ - 1982 (d. 2022)
Jerry Lee Lewis - rock singer - 1935 (d. 2022)
Bum Phillips - football coach - 1923 (d. 2013)
###