Overnight Briefing & General Reality Check - May 9, 2011

Bin Laden fallout:

NY Democratic Sen CHUCK SCHUMER called yesterday for the U-S to set-up "no ride" lists --similar to "no fly" lists-- in an effort to protect the nation's passenger rail system from terrorist attacks. At a news conference, Schumer told reporters, "Circumstances demand we make adjustments by increasing funding to enhance rail safety and monitoring on commuter rail transit and screening who gets on Amtrak passenger trains, so that we can provide a greater level of security to the public."
Schumer's call comes as officials say they found evidence during last week's raid that killed OSAMA bin LADEN that there was chatter among terrorists about a possible attack on a U-S train this coming September 11, on the the ten-year anniversary of the New York and Washington attacks. (Pacelli)

Auto World /Gas Guzzlin' Update:

Average price of gas in the U-S is now $3.96 a gallon and going down --perhaps by as much as 50 cents a gallon by summer. A drop like that would save U-S drivers about $189 million a day.
However, oil analysts say the days of $3-a-gallon gas are probably over. The average price for gas a year ago this month was $2.79 a gallon.
The price of gas has gone up 91 cents since January. (Maiman)

Sucking the life out of the wire services:

CHARLIE SHEEN has the deal of a lifetime for kind-hearted sports fans. The "Rock Star from Mars" is pitching in to help victims in the storm-ravaged state of Alabama through a new website, TorpedosAgainstTornados.com. Everyone that donates a hundred-dollars or more will receive an autographed baseball just for helping out. (Lee)

Chic Sh*t:

Pole dancing has it's own magazine now.
The last couple of years, pole dancing has come out of seedy bars and strip clubs. Now it's a fitness and lifestyle trend. So to promote the pole's “life changing potential” a new magazine launched this month: Vertical Art & Fitness magazine.
All about “the sport and performance of pole,” its debut issue online has in-depth articles like “How the pole saved my life” and “Poling for charity.”
"With the pole, we have the opportunity to create a perfect union of male and female energy by uniting our kick-ass bodies with our dynamic minds and expansive spirits," says the magazine’s editor, T-S VALENZUELA. Vertical Art & Fitness is only online right now, but they plan to have a print version by 2012. (Bartha)

Reality Round-Up:

The other shoe officially dropped over the weekend when PAULA ABDUL announced she was joining SIMON COWELL's new show, "The X Factor," as a judge. And so it was no surprise, either, when she showed up for the first day of auditions Sunday at USC's Galen Center in Los Angeles.
If you've been locked in a closet for the past three months, Paula's addition rounds out the judges panel at four, including Simon and the other judges, CHERYL COLE and ANTONIO "L-A" REID.
Former PUSSYCAT DOLL NICOLE SCHERZINGER and British TV personality STEVE JONES will host "The X Factor," which premieres this fall on FOX.

Grace notes from Vinny Marino:

When the "Glee" cast hits the road later this month, there may be an additional cast member along for the ride. GWYNETH PALTROW was on the BBC's "Something For The Weekend" show and said she may make a surprise appearance or two on selected dates. She plays substitute teacher Holly Holiday on the show. The tour kicks off May 21st in Las Vegas. (Marino)