Today is Tuesday, May 28, 2024.
It is the 149th day of the year.
217 days remain.
WHAT’S ON TAP
A happy ending for one American detained abroad and souring attitudes on college. Details in HIT LIST.
A judge rules on ALEC BALDWIN’s motion to dismiss and MORGAN WALLEN’s bar delays its opening. More in SHOWBIZ.
Soap star SUSAN LUCCI was offered a chance to appear on a reality dating show. Details in CASTING CALL. NORTH WEST
PRINCE WILLIAM and PRINCE GEORGE take in a football match. Details in ROYALS.
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HIT LIST
UPDATE: One of the five Americans arrested in Turks and Caicos for illegally bringing ammunition into the country returned home on Friday after a judge levied a 52-month suspended sentence and $6,500 fine.
Bryan Hagerich got on a flight immediately after the ruling and returned to his family in Pennsylvania.
Four more Americans await court dates, all of which say they accidentally had ammunition in their luggage, which runs afoul of a strict new law in the country. American lawmakers say they’re hopeful the remaining cases will be handled promptly with similar results. [via Fox News]
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When the USS Harder sunk in battle on August 29, 1944, in the waning days of World War II, it held the title for taking out the most Japanese warships in the Pacific Theater.
Since then, it remained lost to the deep, along with its 79 crewmen — until now. The Lost 52 Project is a private effort to find the 25 US Navy submarines that were lost during the Second World War. Since 2005, it has successfully found 13 of these subs, including the Harder, which was located near the northernmost Philippine islands at a depth of 3,000 feet.
Survey of the wreckage shows the ship largely in tact except for damage incurred by a depth charge. [via BBC]
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SHMOLLEGE: Americans are increasingly souring on the value of a college education.
A Pew Research study shows only 22% of adults think a degree is worth the cost, even when having to pay back student loans, but 47% say a degree only makes sense if it’s completed debt-free.
Another 29% say it’s not worth the trouble at all. [via Pew Research]
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A record number of Americans took flights on Friday, with the Transportation Security Administration logging 2.95 MILLION security checks.
The number barely edged out the record set around Thanksgiving last year, when 2.91 million people flew, but there’s already been a healthy appetite for travel. The TSA reports that five of the 10 busiest travel days ever recorded have been in the last two weeks.
Airlines expect a more than 5% increase in average daily travel this summer over last year. [via Reuters]
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A pet monkey named Bradley spent much of the long weekend on the lam in South Carolina after escaping from the private home where it was kept.
The unnamed owner reportedly called authorities to help round up the 15-year-old macaque and local animal control intervened with an assist from the Sheriff’s Office — though no word yet exactly how they cornered and recaptured it. Locals got involved with the search, posting photos of sightings and relaying its latest location to police.
One local TV station reported that the monkey attacked a dog in a neighborhood backyard.
While state law in South Carolina prohibits the purchase and possession of great apes like chimps, gorillas, and orangutans, there is nothing against keeping smaller monkeys like Bradley. [via CNN]
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DEATHS
Professional golfer GRAYSON MURRAY has died.
He passed away Saturday, in what his parents say was an act of suicide.
Murray was only 30.
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Actor JOHNNY WACTOR has died.
He was fatally shot in downtown Los Angeles early Saturday by three men who were allegedly trying to steal a catalytic converter.
Wactor is best known for his role in “General Hospital.”
He was only 37.
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BABY NEWSSee AlsoDenim Mythbusting: Did chinos really only become popular after WW2?Storms kill at least 22 in 4 states as spate of deadly weather continues - WSAA Task Automation 2 - IllinoisAUSTIN COUNTY JAIL REPORT: MONDAY, MAY 13, 2024, TO SUNDAY, MAY 19, 2024Johnny Football does it again as Texas A&M ends Louisiana Tech's BCS hopes
STEPH CURRY and wife AYESHA CURRY welcomed their fourth child earlier this month. In a Sunday instagram post, Steph announced that Caius Chai was born on May 11 — a bit premature.
”Our sweet baby boy decided to make an early arrival!! He’s doing great and we are finally settling in at home as a family of 6!” he wrote.
Caius joins siblings Riley (11), Ryan (8), and Canon (5).
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WEDDINGS
MILLIE BOBBY BROWN and JAKE BONGIOVI tied the knot in a private ceremony the weekend before last, People exclusively confirmed over the weekend.
She’s 20, he’s 22. Close friends and family were on hand for the nuptials, including Jake’s dad JON BON JOVI. One insider called it “a very low-key, romantic affair.”
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WEEKEND BOX OFFICE
10. Babes: $1.06 million (up from 18)
9. Back to Black: $1.1 million (down from 6)
8. Challengers: $1.3 million (down from 5)
7. Sight: $2.6 million (new)
6. The Strangers: Chapter 1: $5.6 million (down from 3)
5. The Fall Guy: $5.9 million (down from 4)
4. Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes: $13.3 million (down from 2)
3. IF: $16.1 million (down from 1)
2. The Garfield Movie: $24.7 million (new)
1. Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga: $25.5 million (new)
WORTH NOTING: This weekend’s Memorial Day Box Office numbers are down 22% from last year and 41% from 2019. [via Variety]
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BY THE NUMBERS
📈 The DOW ticked up 4 points (0.01%) to close at 39,069 on Friday. The S&P increased 36 points (0.7%) to close at 5,304 and the NASDAQ increased 184 points (1.1%) to close at 16,920.
🛢 WEST TEXAS INTERMEDIATE closed at $78 on Friday; BRENT CRUDE at $82.
⛽ The national average price of a GALLON OF GAS was $3.59 on Monday.
₿ BITCOIN climbed over the weekend, trading around $69,700.
🛩 There were more than 5,430 FLIGHTS delayed within, into, or out of the United States on Monday and more than 450 such cancellations.
💰Tonight’s MEGA MILLIONS drawing will be for a $489 million jackpot or a $226.4 million cash payout.
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SHOWBIZ NEWS
MORE FALLOUT: America’s Best Contacts & Eyeglasses has removed SEAN COMBS’ Sean John frames from their shelves and website.
While the company didn’t formally announce the reason for the move, it’s safe to assume the decision is in response to the multitude of allegations against him -- and the video of him assaulting then-girlfriend CASSIE. [via TMZ]
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Police in Amsterdam busted NICKI MINAJ for possessing marijuana on Saturday, forcing her to postpone a scheduled concert in Manchester, England.
Minaj live-streamed most of the incident on Instagram, showing officers demanding to inspect her luggage. Minaj claims she was setup by previous managers who were embezzling money from her by overbilling for private jet flights and pocketing the difference.
After being released, Minaj announced the location of her hotel and invited fans to join her. At one point she did greet the gathered crowd and said, “I love you and I’m sorry this happened.”
That show has been rescheduled for Thursday. [via PageSix]
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Judge Mary Sommer denied ALEC BALDWIN’s motion to dismiss the manslaughter charges against him in connection to the fatal shooting of “Rust” cinematographer HALYNA HUTCHINS.
The ruling stated that the grand jury and prosecutors were not biased against the actor, meaning he will still head to trial this July.
If convicted, Baldwin faces up to 18 months in prison. [via THR]
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BRADLEY COOPER joined PEARL JAM on stage in Napa Valley over the weekend singing “Maybe It’s Time” from the movie “A Star Is Born.”
Fans will recognize the tune as one Cooper sang in the film while playing Jackson Maine.
By the way -- Pearl Jam’s EDDIE VEDDER and Cooper have been friends for years. Cooper has previously said that Vedder was his inspiration for his “Star Is Born” character. [via TMZ]
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MADONNA fan Tara Berry set a new Guinness World Record for the female with the most body art of the same musician with 18 tattoos of the Material Girl.
The previous record was held by Nikki Patterson who has 15 tattoos of EMINEM. [via NY Post]
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MORGAN WALLEN’s Nashville bar did not open over the holiday weekend as initially planned.
No word on what led to the delay, though insiders say the bar is awaiting final inspections before opening its doors.
A new opening date has not been announced. [via Billboard]
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After several big improvements, the house from “Home Alone” is now on the market.
In a video of the home, located in Winnetka, Illinois, listing agents call it a “piece of American history” and “one of the most famous houses in the world.”
It has a $5.25 million asking price. [via ET]
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CASTING CALL
Soap opera star SUSAN LUCCI says she was initially asked to be the inaugural “Golden Bachelorette,” but despite the show being a “new addiction” for her, she turned down the offer.
“It wasn’t for me, but I do love watching. I’m a fan. I love watching,” she told People Magazine.
The role ultimately went to Joan Vassos, who fought for Gerry Turner’s love on the “Golden Bachelor.” [via People]
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PATRICIA RICHARDSON says “Home Improvement” ended because she wanted a bigger salary — sort of.
Speaking to the L.A. Times, she claims ABC offered her $1 million per episode to do a ninth season, while her co-star TIM ALLEN was offered $2 million per episode.
Richardson said she told the network she wanted the same amount as Allen and an executive producer credit to do another season. They declined — but Richardson added that she was ready to be done with the role and knew she was making demands the network would never meet.
The series ended with its eighth season in 1999.
While there was initially some bad blood over the conclusion of the show, Richardson would later reunite with Allen on his show “Last Man Standing.” [via Deadline]
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“Goodfellas” actor FRANK SIVERO says the message added by AMC warning viewers about the portrayal of stereotypes is misguided.
Sivero tells TMZ he and his co-stars improvised many scenes, especially in the aftermath of a murder, so the behavior and language was often very accurate and not a mere stereotype. Sivero himself is even from Sicily. [via TMZ]
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THE DAILY KARDASHOPUS
NORTH WEST played young Simba in a live production of “The Lion King” at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles over the weekend.
The 10-year-old earned a standing ovation after belting out “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King.”
Others in the show included Broadway star HEATHER HEADLEY, and franchise originals BILLY EICHNER, BRADLEY GIBSON, ERNIE SABELLA, JASON WEAVER, JEREMY IRONS and NATHAN LANE.
The two-night concert event was held in celebration of the animated film’s upcoming 30th anniversary. The performance will air on Disney+ at a later date. [via Billboard]
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WE’LL NEVER BE ROYALS
With elections coming up in July, the Royal Family has scaled back its public engagements to let the political process play out without their involvement -- but PRINCE WILLIAM isn’t just holing up in some palace.
Wills brought PRINCE GEORGE to Wembley Stadium in London on Saturday for a match between Manchester City and Manchester United as part of England’s Football Association Cup finals.
An enthusiastic George was spotted shaking hands and meeting players from both teams.
The outing marked the first time William was spotted with George in public since the announcement of PRINCESS KATE’s cancer diagnosis in March. [via People]
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DAY OF THE YEAR
National Hamburger Day
Menstrual Hygiene Day
World Hunger Day
Thales Day
National Multiple Births Awareness Day
World Passion Fruit Martini Day
National Brisket Day
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ON THIS DATE
1588 - King Philip II dispatches the Spanish Armada under the Duke of Medina-Sidonia from Lisbon, Portugal to invade England.
The Spanish fleet consisted of about 130 ships with 8,000 seamen and about 19,000 soldiers.
The enterprise would ultimately fail, saving England and the Netherlands from possible absorption into the Spanish empire.
Historically, it is the first documented major naval gun battle.
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1754 - In the first shots of the French and Indian War, a Virginia militia kills 10 French soldiers and takes 21 prisoners.
For the Virginians, only one was killed -- under the command of a young Lieutenant Colonel named George Washington.
This was the last major conflict for Britain with colonial citizens allied to their cause, just a few years before rising tensions led to the Revolutionary War.
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1830 - President Andrew Jackson signs the Indian Removal Act.
The law forced the removal of Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek and Seminole tribes from Georgia and surrounding states.
It set the stage for the Cherokee Trail of Tears.
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1957 - The National League authorizes the New York Giants and Brooklyn Dodgers to move to San Francisco and Los Angeles.
The league owners did have stipulations, though: Either both teams moved, or neither did, and an announcement would have to be made before October that year.
Both eventually did.
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1961 - The foundation for Amnesty International is established when The London Observer publishes an article by lawyer Peter Benenson.
The editorial called for the release of those who were imprisoned for expressing their beliefs peacefully, focusing specifically on two students who were jailed in Portugal while under the rule of Antonio de Oliveira Salazar.
Benenson's article caught fire worldwide, and appeared in print across the globe. The following year, representatives from countries including Belgium, UK, France, US, Germany, Ireland, and Switzerland gathered to establish the organization Amnesty International.
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2004 - Ayad Allawi is chosen by the Iraqi Governing Council to serve as interim prime minister.
Allawi had been in exile, cast out of the country by since-deposed dictator Saddam Hussein, a seat he held until May 2005.
Allawi would serve two terms as the country's Vice President from 2014 to 2018.
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2020 - Minnesota Governor Tim Walz declares a State of Emergency in Minneapolis and activates the Minnesota National Guard after protests over the death of George Floyd.
Businesses were looted and more than a dozen buildings were burned by protestors in the days after Floyd’s death.
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BIRTHDAYS
Lukas Gage - actor, “Euphoria” - 29
Alec Benjamin - pop singer - 30
Kyle Walker - soccer player - 34
Seth Rollins - wrestler - 38
Michael Ohr - football player - 38
Colbie Caillat - pop singer - 39
Carey Mulligan - actress, “The Great Gatsby” - 39
Jep Robertson - reality star, “Duck Dynasty” - 46
Jake Johnson - actor, “New Girl” - 46
Kylie Minogue - pop singer - 56
Rudy Giuliani - politician - 80
Gladys Knight - soul singer - 80
Jerry West - basketball player - 86
Born On This Date
Cameron Boyce - actor, “Jessie” & “Descendants” - 1999 (d. 2019)
T-Bone Walker - blues guitarist - 1910 (d. 1975)
Jim Thorpe - Olympian, won gold in the decathlon in 1912 - 1887 (d. 1953)
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