As Elon Musk became involved in politics last year, the world’s richest person worried his friends with his increasing drug use and erratic behavior, according to an explosive New York Times report published Friday.
“Mr. Musk’s drug consumption went well beyond occasional use,” according to the piece, which cited “people familiar with his activities.”
“He told people he was taking so much ketamine, a powerful anesthetic, that it was affecting his bladder, a known effect of chronic use. He took Ecstasy and psychedelic mushrooms. And he traveled with a daily medication box that held about 20 pills, including ones with the markings of the stimulant Adderall, according to a photo of the box and people who have seen it,” the report stated.
The Times said it was unclear whether Musk’s drug use continued when he began his White House job overseeing the Department of Government Efficiency in January.
The paper pointed out that one of Musk’s companies, SpaceX, has to maintain a drug-free workspace in order to keep its government contracts and issue drug tests to workers.
“But Mr. Musk has received advance warning of the tests, according to people close to the process,” the Times reported, adding that SpaceX declined to comment for its story.
Musk’s involvement in politics started last year as the 2024 presidential campaign heated up.
In July, he endorsed Donald Trump.
“Around that time, Mr. Musk told people that his ketamine use was causing bladder issues, according to people familiar with the conversations,” the Times reported.
The paper cites Musk’s erratic behavior, including “bouncing up and down” around Trump during an October rally and an appearance at the Conservative Political Action Conference in February.
At CPAC, Musk was handed a chainsaw by Argentinian President Javier Milei, a leader beloved by the MAGA movement.
“This is the chain saw for bureaucracy!” Mr. Musk shouted to the cheering crowd.
“Some conference organizers told The Times that they did not notice anything out of the ordinary about his behavior behind the scenes. But during an onstage interview, he spoke in disjointed bouts of stuttering and laughing, with sunglasses on. Clips of it went viral as many viewers speculated about possible drug use,” the Times reported.
The piece also delved into Musk’s “increasingly tumultuous” personal life, including fathering more than a dozen children and his effort to keep one of the pregnancies under wraps by offering the mother of one of his children $15 million and $100,000 a month.
The mother, the conservative influencer Ashley St. Clair, rejected the offer.
The long-running reality series Mama June: Family Crisis, otherwise known as Mama June: From Not to Hot, returns to We TV with its season seven premiere Friday, May 30 at 9/8c.
Those hoping to see what Mama June, Pumpkin, Alana and the rest of the gang are up to can stream the upcoming season through Philo (free trial), DirecTV (free trial) and Sling (50% off first month).
What is Mama June: Family Crisis?
For those completely unfamiliar with the series, since its start in 2017, the We TV reality series has provided a raw and unfiltered look at Mama June’s (June Shannon) life. Throughout the series, fans of the show have seen Mama June’s dramatic transformation and been witness to the family’s personal challenges.
The season seven premiere episode features appearances from Mama June, Pumpkin, Alana and more. This season’s drama kicks off with its debut episode as Pumpkin reveals a huge secret about her marriage to her family, and keeping up with the realness of the show, June’s fears about losing custody of Kaitlyn are explored.
Meanwhile, Alana returns to college, hoping she can put the stress of Dralin’s potential jail time and the recent feud with Mama June behind her.
Out of the three streaming services, Philo is the cheapest option at just $28 a month after its free trial concludes.
What is Philo?
Philo is considered one of the most affordable streaming platforms on the market. Known as an entertainment-focused streaming service, Philo offers its subscribers access to over 70 top-rated TV channels such as TLC, MTV, BET, AMC, CMT, Investigation Discovery and more.
New users can enjoy Philo’s 7-day free trial and continue to stream top channels, hit TV shows and movies on-demand for just $28 a month once the free trial expires.
Those looking to customize their flow of content even further on Philo can consider including add-ons such as MGM+, STARZ, and AMC+ in their subscription.
What is DirecTV?
DirecTV is a top streaming service perfect for those looking to access a plethora of live TV channels and enjoy helpful features. The base package starts at just $86.99 a month after its 5-day free trial and includes popular TV channels such as HGTV, ESPN, Bravo, CMT, CNBC, BET, CNN and more.
DirecTV has also recently introduced a lineup of genre packs, which allows subscribers to choose their favorite viewing options based on what genre they watch the most. With genre packs, users can get the channels and content they want without filler channel overload. Packs start at just $34.99 a month.
Those interested in comparing all DirecTV’s channel packages and the new genre packs can check them out here.
What is Sling?
Sling is another streaming service to consider if you want to stream popular live TV channels like We TV. Though no free trial is available to new subscribers, those who commit to a paid plan get half off the first month and one month free of AMC+.
Both the Sling Orange plan and the Sling Blue plan are normally $45.99 a month, but with the current promotion, Sling users will pay just $23 a month for the first month.
For those who wish to access channels from both the Sling Blue and Sling Orange plans can do so by signing up for the Orange + Blue plan, which combines the best of both plans for just $60.99 a month ($30.50 for the first month).
Comedian and actor John Mulaney recently gave an Alabama city a shout-out after being asked what cities he thinks are the best for performing stand-up.
During a recent episode of “The Town with Matthew Belloni” podcast, Belloni asked the former “Saturday Night Live” writer what cities he thought were the best for playing stand-up. While Mulaney first mentions Dublin, Ireland, he quickly turns the conversation to an Alabama city — Birmingham.
“You know where else was great was Birmingham, Alabama,” said Mulaney. “I did an arena in Birmingham, Alabama, that was great.”
When later asked to elaborate on what he liked about those cities and the audiences there, Mulaney went into more detail about his time in Alabama.
“Birmingham was just great,” said Mulaney. “I just walked around. I had, my son was probably 12 months old, I was pushing him around the city in a stroller, and everyone was like ‘we’re coming to the show tonight!’ and then everyone was at the show. It was that kind of town.”
The Alabama Crimson Tide play against the Miami Hurricanes in their NCAA Baseball Tournament Regional today. The matchup will begin at 2 p.m. CT on ESPN 2. Fans can watch this game for free online by using the free trials offered by DirecTV and Fubo TV. Alternatively, Sling offers a first-month discount to new users.
The Crimson Tide enter this matchup with an impressive 41-16 record, but they are coming off a 15-10 loss against Tennessee in the SEC Tournament.
In order to win this afternoon, the Crimson Tide will need a great performance from their star player Kade Snell. He currently leads the team with a .366 batting average and a .462 on-base percentage.
If Snell continues to find success at the plate today, then Alabama will be a difficult team to beat.
The Hurricanes enter this matchup with a 31-24 record, and they have lost back-to-back games. In their most recent game, the Hurricanes lost 12-2 against California in the ACC Tournament.
In order to bounce back today, the Miami squad will need to rely on their star player Daniel Cuvet. He leads the team with 16 home runs and 76 RBI this season.
Fans can watch the NCAA Baseball Tournament Regional for free online by using the free trials offered by DirecTV and Fubo TV. Alternatively, Sling offers a first-month discount to new users.
Huntsville police are investigating an early morning shooting that left one person dead and another injured.
According to police, the incident happened at around 4:30 a.m. in the 200 block of Binford Drive.
Officers called on a report of a shooting in progress found one person with fatal injuries, and one person with non-life-threatening injuries. Police have not yet identified the victims.
Peter Kwong, who starred in the cult classic “Big Trouble in Little China,” died Tuesday night.
Variety, citing the actor’s representatives, reports he died in his sleep. He was 73. No other details were given.
“He had a wonderful life and career,” Kwong’s longtime friend Peter R.J. Deyell told Deadline. “I watched him fight for the things he believed in, and I championed him for that. At the TV Academy, we were both very active and sometimes joked about being in the Pin Club as we always wore our pins. He was always a gentleman and willing to help.”
Kwong played Rain, one of the three martial arts warlocks, in the John Carpenter’s 1986 cult classic.
The actor had stints in the 1970s and 1980s on TV shows like “The A-Team,” “Wonder Woman,” “Little House on the Prairie,” “Miami Vice,” “The Greatest American Hero,” “Cagney & Lacey” and “Dynasty.”
But it was “Big Trouble in Little China” that was his calling card. Starring alongside Kurt Russell and Kim Cattrall, the film became a cult classic.
He starred in other movies like Eddie Murphy’s “The Golden Child.”
To compare, Wayfair is selling the same exact griddle for almost $250 (and it’s on sale too). However, other retailers like Lowe’s or Academy Sports sell newer yet similar 2-Burner 28″ Omnivore Griddles for $250-$300 that come with a few extra features like a second side shelf.
Blackstone Original 2-Burner 28″ Propane Omnivore Griddle – $197
The Blackstone Original 2-Burner 28″ Propane Omnivore Griddle is less than $200 when purchased from Walmart.
“Making breakfast, lunch and dinner is a breeze with the Blackstone Original 28” Omnivore Griddle. Cook more efficiently when you use the two independently controlled heat zones to cook a few items at once,” Walmart’s product details state.
“The 524 square-inch griddle top boasts Omnivore Griddle Plate Technology that is tested to use less fuel to maintain high heat, have better thermal shock stability and heat more evenly across the griddle top. This griddle comes with a protective hard cover that helps prevent scratching and other damage to the griddle plate so you can enjoy your griddle longer.”
One helpful review states, “Compared to our charbroil grill, this is much better to maintain a consistent temperature. It’s easy to get a good sear on steaks and know when they are done. I like the fact that you can cook pancakes and eggs, and all kinds of things on it as well. Also, it takes up less space.”
An updated report was issued from the National Weather Service on Friday at 8:26 a.m. for strong thunderstorms until 9:15 a.m. for Marshall and DeKalb counties.
Residents can expect wind gusts of up to 40 mph.
“At 8:25 a.m., Doppler radar tracked a strong thunderstorm over Guntersville, moving east at 50 mph,” states the weather service. “Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects.”
Locations impacted by the alert include Fyffe, Fort Payne, Little River Canyon NP, Skirum, Lake Guntersville St Park, Pine Ridge, Painter, Rainsville, Union Grove and Peeks Corner.
The weather service states, “If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.”
When lightning looms: Expert safety tips for thunderstorms
Each year, lightning strikes the United States approximately 25 million times, with the majority of these electrifying events occurring during the summer months. Unfortunately, lightning is responsible for claiming the lives of approximately 20 people annually, as reported by the weather service. The threat of lightning becomes more pronounced as thunderstorms draw nearer, peaking when the storm is directly overhead and gradually waning as it moves away.
To ensure your safety during a thunderstorm, consider the following recommendations:
Lightning safety plan:
When venturing outdoors, it’s vital to establish a clear plan for seeking shelter in case of lightning.
Stay vigilant by monitoring the sky for ominous signs and listening for the telltale sound of thunder. If thunder is audible, it’s a clear indication of nearby lightning.
Seek shelter promptly in a safe location, preferably indoors.
Indoors safety measures:
Once you’re indoors, avoid using corded phones, electrical devices, plumbing fixtures, and stay away from windows and doors.
Lightning can follow conductive pathways, and these precautions reduce the risk of electrical surges.
Wait for the all-clear:
After the last lightning strike or thunderclap, wait at least 30 minutes before resuming outdoor activities.
Lightning can strike even when a storm has seemingly passed, so exercise caution.
When indoor shelter isn’t available:
If you find yourself outdoors without access to indoor shelter during a thunderstorm, take these steps to maximize your safety:
Avoid open fields, hilltops, or ridge crests, as they expose you to greater lightning risk.
Steer clear of tall, isolated trees and other prominent objects. In wooded areas, stay close to lower stands of trees.
If you’re in a group, ensure that individuals are spaced out to prevent lightning current from transferring between people.
Camping in an open setting during a thunderstorm is strongly discouraged. If no alternative exists, set up camp in a valley, ravine, or other low-lying areas. Remember that a tent offers no protection against lightning.
Do not approach water bodies, wet objects, or metal items. Although water and metal do not attract lightning, they conduct electricity effectively and can pose significant risks.
In summary, when facing the threat of lightning, vigilance and preparedness are your best allies. By following these guidelines, you can significantly reduce the chances of lightning-related accidents and prioritize your safety.
Navigating rainy roads: Safety tips for wet weather
When heavy rain sets in, the risk of flooding and hazardous driving conditions rises. Whether it’s prolonged rainfall or rapid runoff, being prepared is essential. Here are some valuable safety tips from the weather service to ensure you stay safe in heavy rain:
Beware of rapid water flow:
Avoid parking or walking in close proximity to culverts or drainage ditches, as the swiftly moving water during heavy rain can potentially carry you away.
Maintain safe driving distances:
Adhere to the two-second rule for maintaining a safe following distance behind the vehicle in front of you. In heavy rain, allow an additional two seconds of distance to compensate for reduced traction and braking effectiveness.
Reduce speed and drive cautiously:
If it is raining and the roads are wet, slow down. Take your foot off the accelerator and let your speed drop gradually. Never use the brakes suddenly because this may cause the car to skid.
Choose your lane wisely:
Stick to the middle lanes to minimize the risk of hydroplaning. Outer lanes are more prone to accumulating water.
Prioritize visibility
Enhance your visibility in heavy rain by turning on your headlights. Watch out for vehicles in blind spots, as rain-smeared windows can obscure them.
Watch out for slippery roads:
The initial half-hour of rain is when roads are slickest due to a mixture of rain, grime, and oil. Exercise heightened caution during this period.
Keep a safe distance from large vehicles:
Large trucks and buses can reduce your visibility with tire spray. Avoid tailgating and pass them swiftly and safely.
Mind your windshield wipers:
Overloaded wiper blades can hinder visibility. If rain severely impairs your vision, pull over and wait for conditions to improve. Seek refuge at rest areas or sheltered spots.
If the roadside is your only option, pull off as far as possible, preferably past the end of a guard rail, and wait until the storm passes. Keep your headlights on and turn on emergency flashers to alert other drivers of your position.
In the face of heavy rain, these precautions can make a significant difference in ensuring your safety on the road. Remember to stay informed about weather conditions and heed guidance from local authorities for a secure journey.
Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service provided by United Robots, which uses machine learning to compile the latest data from the National Weather Service.
When lightning looms: Expert safety tips for thunderstorms
Each year, lightning strikes the United States approximately 25 million times, with the majority of these electrifying events occurring during the summer months. Unfortunately, lightning is responsible for claiming the lives of approximately 20 people annually, as reported by the weather service. The threat of lightning becomes more pronounced as thunderstorms draw nearer, peaking when the storm is directly overhead and gradually waning as it moves away.
To ensure your safety during a thunderstorm, consider the following recommendations:
Lightning safety plan:
When venturing outdoors, it’s vital to establish a clear plan for seeking shelter in case of lightning.
Stay vigilant by monitoring the sky for ominous signs and listening for the telltale sound of thunder. If thunder is audible, it’s a clear indication of nearby lightning.
Seek shelter promptly in a safe location, preferably indoors.
Indoors safety measures:
Once you’re indoors, avoid using corded phones, electrical devices, plumbing fixtures, and stay away from windows and doors.
Lightning can follow conductive pathways, and these precautions reduce the risk of electrical surges.
Wait for the all-clear:
After the last lightning strike or thunderclap, wait at least 30 minutes before resuming outdoor activities.
Lightning can strike even when a storm has seemingly passed, so exercise caution.
When indoor shelter isn’t available:
If you find yourself outdoors without access to indoor shelter during a thunderstorm, take these steps to maximize your safety:
Avoid open fields, hilltops, or ridge crests, as they expose you to greater lightning risk.
Steer clear of tall, isolated trees and other prominent objects. In wooded areas, stay close to lower stands of trees.
If you’re in a group, ensure that individuals are spaced out to prevent lightning current from transferring between people.
Camping in an open setting during a thunderstorm is strongly discouraged. If no alternative exists, set up camp in a valley, ravine, or other low-lying areas. Remember that a tent offers no protection against lightning.
Do not approach water bodies, wet objects, or metal items. Although water and metal do not attract lightning, they conduct electricity effectively and can pose significant risks.
In summary, when facing the threat of lightning, vigilance and preparedness are your best allies. By following these guidelines, you can significantly reduce the chances of lightning-related accidents and prioritize your safety.
Navigating rainy roads: Safety tips for wet weather
When heavy rain sets in, the risk of flooding and hazardous driving conditions rises. Whether it’s prolonged rainfall or rapid runoff, being prepared is essential. Here are some valuable safety tips from the weather service to ensure you stay safe in heavy rain:
Beware of rapid water flow:
Avoid parking or walking in close proximity to culverts or drainage ditches, as the swiftly moving water during heavy rain can potentially carry you away.
Maintain safe driving distances:
Adhere to the two-second rule for maintaining a safe following distance behind the vehicle in front of you. In heavy rain, allow an additional two seconds of distance to compensate for reduced traction and braking effectiveness.
Reduce speed and drive cautiously:
If it is raining and the roads are wet, slow down. Take your foot off the accelerator and let your speed drop gradually. Never use the brakes suddenly because this may cause the car to skid.
Choose your lane wisely:
Stick to the middle lanes to minimize the risk of hydroplaning. Outer lanes are more prone to accumulating water.
Prioritize visibility
Enhance your visibility in heavy rain by turning on your headlights. Watch out for vehicles in blind spots, as rain-smeared windows can obscure them.
Watch out for slippery roads:
The initial half-hour of rain is when roads are slickest due to a mixture of rain, grime, and oil. Exercise heightened caution during this period.
Keep a safe distance from large vehicles:
Large trucks and buses can reduce your visibility with tire spray. Avoid tailgating and pass them swiftly and safely.
Mind your windshield wipers:
Overloaded wiper blades can hinder visibility. If rain severely impairs your vision, pull over and wait for conditions to improve. Seek refuge at rest areas or sheltered spots.
If the roadside is your only option, pull off as far as possible, preferably past the end of a guard rail, and wait until the storm passes. Keep your headlights on and turn on emergency flashers to alert other drivers of your position.
In the face of heavy rain, these precautions can make a significant difference in ensuring your safety on the road. Remember to stay informed about weather conditions and heed guidance from local authorities for a secure journey.
Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service provided by United Robots, which uses machine learning to compile the latest data from the National Weather Service.
It would be a stunning blow to college basketball if Bruce Pearl, at the height of his power, suddenly walked away from the sport he loves to be a full-time politician.
Please no.
Not now.
Not after everything we’ve witnessed at Auburn over the last 10 years, the transformation of Auburn hoops and the birth of the best home-court atmosphere in the SEC.
Auburn is a basketball town thanks to Pearl. Think about that. Even now, it takes a minute to process it all. Is there a better story of program building in college sports than the transformation of The Jungle?
Alabama football was already established when Nick Saban came along.
Florida basketball had Billy Donovan and multiple national championships long before current national champ coach Todd Golden.
Pearl is Auburn basketball. He created it from nothing. And yet these hints of a political agenda won’t go away.
Please, make them stop.
Don’t we have enough coaches playing politics for one state?
Pearl’s name came up this week when news dropped that coach-turned-statesman Tommy Tuberville would likely run for governor. Tuberville will be a better governor than a U.S. Senator — because how could he possibly be worse — but I hate the idea of Pearl leaving Lee County for Washington without a national championship ring on his finger.
Auburn was so close last season. If only Johni Broome, Dylan Cardwell and Chad Baker-Mazara could have stayed healthy.
It was a special group and it played Bruce Pearl Basketball, with love and daring and maximum passion.
When it comes to politics, Pearl says what he thinks. When it comes to his heart, he has strong convictions about the safety of Israel. I have respect for all those things, but does that mean Pearl should suddenly change careers after reaching the Final Four with the best team in the history of Auburn basketball?
When put that way, it almost seems laughable.
Pearl avoided reporters on Wednesday at SEC spring meetings after his name was linked to Tuberville’s seat in the U.S. Senate. He didn’t need to say anything, though. His actions spoke volumes.
On the same day, Auburn landed two major pieces to its new roster. Returning starter Tahaad Pettiford will be one of the best players in the country next season and 6-9 Serbian forward Filip Jović has all the makings of a college star from the moment he steps on the court.
Pearl is positioning Auburn for another run at the Final Four. That’s a fact. Everything else is rumor and hearsay.
I messaged Pearl earlier this week, joking that Sen. Pearl had a nice ring to it. He responded, but it wasn’t about that. Let’s just say that he was focused on basketball.
Two years ago, I caught Pearl off guard at SEC basketball media day when I asked him about a future in politics. It was a fair question. The context was based on Pearl’s use of social media in questioning the previous administration in the White House.
Pearl is a public figure and Auburn, let’s face it, has this weird history of turning coaches into politicians.
Pearl said he just wanted to talk about basketball, and that he was only concerned about the existential threats to Israel’s statehood. Has anything changed?
Pearl used his platform at the NCAA Tournament to advocate for the return of U.S. hostage Edan Alexander, who was kidnapped by Hamas when it declared war on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. More recently, Pearl was named chairman of the U.S. Israel Education Program.
Personally, I believe it would be incorrect to connect a line between Pearl’s involvement with the USIEP and a future in politics. Pearl has been involved with Hillel International for decades. He regularly volunteers his time to support Jewish students. There’s nothing politically motivated about that.
He does it because Pearl loves young people and he knows he has the ability and talent to affect change in a positive way through education. Politics? That’s something completely different.
Pearl’s energy as a basketball coach is infectious and it’s the reason why Pettiford is returning to Auburn and the reason why players like UCF transfer Keyshawn Hall chose the Tigers.
Pearl’s son, Steven, is going to be a great head coach. He’s next in line at Auburn. But King Bruce can’t walk away yet. We’re entering the best era in the history of college basketball and Auburn’s coach is at the top of the game.
History is here and Auburn is making it.
For Pearl and for Auburn, the national basketball spotlight is all that should matter. Everything else can wait.
BE HEARD
Got a question for Joe? Want to get something off your chest? Send Joe an email about what’s on your mind. Let your voice be heard. Ask him anything.
Strong to severe storms will again be possible on Friday in Alabama, but drier weather is on the horizon, according to forecasters.
NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center is forecasting a Level 2 out of 5 risk for severe weather for parts of east and south Alabama today. A Level 2 risk means scattered severe storms will be possible.
Some of the areas in the Level 2 risk are Auburn, Troy and Dothan.
The rest of eastern Alabama, part of central Alabama and all of the rest of south Alabama will have a Level 1 severe risk today.
A Level 1 risk means isolated severe storms will be possible.
Areas in the Level 1 risk area include Gadsden, Birmingham, Talladega, Montgomery, Greenville and Mobile.
The strongest storms today could have damaging wind gusts, hail and heavy rain. There is also a low risk for a tornado, according to the National Weather Service.
Rain and storms will be possible throughout the day today, but the most likely time for severe weather will be this afternoon and into the evening hours.
Storms are expected to develop along and ahead of cold front that will push through the state today.
But that front will also bring a change to drier weather on Saturday, with slightly cooler temperatures and lower humidity levels, according to the weather service.
A showers and storms will be possible later on Sunday in parts of north Alabama, but the rest of the state could remain rain-free until the middle of next week, when the next system is expected.