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Overnight Briefing & General Reality Check - Jun 17, 2016
June 17, 2016
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Father's Day:
The National Retail Federation says Americans will spend more than ever on Father's Day this year --which is good news for dear old Dad! Of the record-high $14.3 billion dollars spent on the old guy, 47 percent of folks plan to shell out for a dinner, brunch or other types of a "fun activity/experience," while clothing and gift cards are a close second and third.
It must be noted, however, that people spent 50-percent more on Mom ($21.4 billion) this year, so we know who the household favorite is!
Twenty percent of people plan to give dad something electronic and nearly everybody will pop for a card for Dad as well. Other popular (but less frequently given) gifts include personal care, automotive accessories, books, music, home improvement/gardening supplies and sporting goods.On, off and way-off-Broadway:
It's official! LIN-MANUEL MIRANDA is leaving "Hamilton" after the July 9th performance. He'll be replaced permanently by JAVIER MUNOZ who has been his (quote), "alternate" since the musical started as a workshop, to Off-Broadway and now the big stage. Javier takes over on July 11th. He's been doing the show twice a week, usually the matinees, for a while now. Since the contracts of just about everyone in the cast have run out, there will probably be a lot of changes. But, Lin said he will be back every now and then. Also, Lin announced yesterday that the musical will be filmed with the original cast, so even if you can't get a ticket to see it in person, there will probably be a pay-per-view event, or a DVD/Blu-ray set. "Hamilton" opens in Chicago on September 27th and Lin said he might do a few performances there.
FYI: Also look for the "Hamilton Mixtape" this fall with songs that didn't make the show, and cover versions of some of the tunes that did. And, a 90-minute "Hamilton" documentary will premiere October 17th on the PBS series, "Great Performances." (Marino)Another Chalk Outline:
A man in Japan allegedly stabbed his own father to death using a chopstick.
Police in Osaka say 51-year-old MICHIKAZU IKEUCHI admitted to killing the 80-year-old Wednesday night after his mother and father began arguing. A police spokesman says Ikeuchi claimed the killing was an accident. He adds, "In his anger he waved the chopstick in front of his father but before he knew it, it got stuck in him." (Still)Risky South Pole Rescue Underway:
A rare and risky mission is currently underway to rescue sick scientists at the South Pole. The Washington Postsays two small bush planes are flying to the South Pole this week to evacuate workers at the Amundsen-Scott research station --a journey rarely attempted during the middle of the Antarctic winter. The station is run by the National Science Foundation. There are about 50 people stationed at Amundsen Scott over the winter to conduct atmospheric climate change research and study subatomic particles. At least one Lockheed Martin employee requires medical treatment unavailable at the station and will need to be flown out. A second worker may also need rescue. Not much information on their conditions is being released for privacy. (Bartha)
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