Overnight Briefing & General Reality Check - Jun 26, 2018

Diseases and Dat Boid Flu:

Harvard University researchers say they think they may have discovered a way to deliver insulin in a pill... and it appears to work well --at least in lab rats. WebMD.com says their trials have shown that the insulin could be successfully delivered and would be safe in the intestines. Much more research is needed, but if it works as well in people, it could mean no more needles for hundreds of thousands of people who need daily insulin injections to keep their diabetes under control. (Bartha)

Stars and their movies:

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences --the Oscar folks-- has invited 928 people to become new members, in an ongoing effort uproar over the lack of African-American nominees in 2015 and 2016, which resulted in 2016's #OscarsSoWhite controversy.
If they are accepted, the new members will result in 16-percent of the Academy being made up of people of color, while the total representation of women will increase to 31-percent.

Broadcast, cable and video news:

The Showtime movie channel has picked up an eight-episode limited series about disgraced Fox News founder ROGER AILES.
TV Line reports Oscar winner RUSSELL CROWE will star as Ailes in the series, which will be based on GABRIEL SHERMAN's article in New Yorkmagazine and his book, "The Loudest Voice in the Room."

Grace notes from Vinny Marino:

Farm Aid is headed to the Northeast this year. The 2018 edition is booked for September 22nd at the XFINITY Theater in Hartford, Connecticut. Tickets go on sale Friday. As always, Farm Aid board members WILLIE NELSON, NEIL YOUNG, JOHN MELLENCAMP and DAVE MATTHEWS will perform, along with CHRIS STAPLETON, STURGILL SIMPSON, KACEY MUSGRAVES and many others. (Marino)