SAUDIS UNDER SCRUTINY
Taking it "very seriously." That's how Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says the U.S. is taking the October 2nd disappearance of U.S.-based Washington Post reporter Jamal Khashoggi. Pompeo is back from his overseas talks with Turkish and Saudi Arabian leaders and he briefed President Trump this morning. Reports say Pompeo wants Saudi Arabia -- and Turkey -- to have a few more days to wrap up their investigations into what happened to the journalist -- before the United States decides on a possible response. Turkish officials say they have proof Khashoggi was killed inside the Saudi Arabia consulate in Istanbul -- by a team of 15 Saudis who were deployed to murder him. The Saudi government denies any involvement. Meanwhile, a gruesome report today claims a Saudi government doctor -- who was part of that alleged hit-team -- told others in the room to listen to music while they decapitated and dismembered Khashoggi. That same published account says the hit squad was comprised of Saudi Arabian men -- most who hold roles in government. Read on.
MYSTERIOUS CHILDHOOD ILLNESS
Reports are coming in from around the country -- children coming down with what appears to be a polio-like condition that can cause paralysis. Centers for Disease Control officials are now investigating more than one hundred suspected cases of acute flaccid myelitis, or AFM. So far, no word on what's causing the uptick of this rare neurological condition. In the meantime, experts recommend keeping your kids up-to-date on vaccines, using insect repellant when necessary, and encouraging hand washing. They also want to remind parents that the condition is rare, affecting about one in a million people.
COMING OF AGE
Judy Blume's beloved teen novel, "Are You There God It's Me Margaret" is finally becoming a movie. (Remember? "We must, we must, we must increase our bust.") In the nearly 50 years since she wrote her much-loved book, 80-year-old Blume has turned down numerous offers to turn her popular novel into a film. At last, she's said yes to producer James L. Brooks' Gracie Films and Kelly Fermon Craig who worked together on "The Edge of Seventeen." While the content may seem tame by today's standards (bras, boys and periods), the book was ground-breaking in its time and there were calls over the years for it to be banned from libraries. Channel your inner sixth-grade girl and read on for more details here.
CANDY, CANDY CANES, CANDY CORN & SYRUP
Who could ever forget Buddy the Elf's version of the four food groups? Now you can add one more to that -- Pillsbury is paying tribute to the 2003 Christmas cult classic film "Elf" with a limited-edition ready-to-bake sugar cookie featuring Will Ferrell's iconic character. The Buddy cookie release commemorates "Elf's" fifteenth anniversary (Son of a Nutcracker... time sure does fly)!
A ROSE(ANNE) BY ANY OTHER NAME
Word is out that ABC's re-reboot of Roseanne (after Roseanne Barr herself got the, well, boot) drew fewer viewers without its former star. A little more than 10 million viewers tuned in for Tuesday's premiere of "The Conners" (compared with 18+ million back in March when it was still called "Roseanne"). It turns out, Barr was right last month when she announced how she'd be written out of the show. Speaking of getting written out, check out this list of stars -- Leo DiCaprio and Sharon Stone, for example -- who had brief stints on the show back in the day.
(MOM) SURVEY SAYS...
If you know you'd NEVER be caught saying this: "Hurry up and finish your snack so you can start your Fortnite practice," then you're among the majority of our subscribers who took yesterday's poll. We asked whether you thought the rise of high school gaming teams was a good idea. Turns out nearly 75% of you are against it. Take a look at the breakdown.
OH, WHAT A NIGHT!
Thank you to our friends at Boll and Branch for including us in their grand opening party at their flagship location at the Mall at Short Hills. The new space is AMAZING and the new, cozy Fall 2018 bedding collection makes us want to jump back into bed! For those of you in the tri-state area, mention TPL in-store and get $50 off your first sheet set purchase (minimum purchase $200). For those of you in other areas, we've got something special coming your way next month. Sit tight!
& see more on their awesome new store and launch party here!