Good as gold

Cheesy as it was, we know you enjoyed catching the occasional episode of Solid Gold. Those dancers had some crazy outfits and their routines were, um, let’s call them interesting. But hey, it was a countdown and a great way to stay on top of the hits.

If you want to see some real solid gold, you might want to check out Spanish artist SpY’s latest installation in Lille, France. He’s converted simple shipping containers into surprisingly beautiful gold columns in the city’s streets. 

Doesn’t it fill your heart? ;)

(Love nostalgia? Play today’s trivia below for a chance to win a $25 Amazon eGift Card!)

IN THE NEWS

SCOTUS grants DOGE access to Social Security data

The Trump administration filed an emergency application with the Supreme Court to lift an injunction ordered by a Maryland federal judge halting the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from accessing data from the Social Security Administration (SSA).

In a decision that was split across the court’s 6-3 partisan divide, it granted the White House’s request on Friday, and DOGE employees may now access SSA data, including Social Security numbers, medical records, and tax and banking information.

The original lawsuit was filed by advocacy group Democracy Forward on behalf of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, and the American Federation of Teachers.

“The agency is obligated by the Privacy Act and its own regulations, practices, and procedures to keep that information secure—and not to share it beyond the circle of those who truly need it,” Democracy Forward’s lawyers wrote in court papers.

After U.S. District Judge Ellen Hollander ruled DOGE had no need or claim to access the records, the White House appealed with the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which declined to hear the appeal, leading President Trump’s lawyers to file with the Supreme Court, which ultimately yielded the result they were looking for.

MONEY MONDAYS

Car prices slightly down in May

Despite a series of intense tariffs imposed on automobiles made outside the United States, Americans buying a new car in May spent 0.2% less to do so than in April, with the average sticker price of $48,334, according to automobile aggregator Edmunds.com.

Those planning on buying a new car in the near future can breathe a sigh of relief. Most anticipated tariffs would require auto manufacturers to raise sticker prices and raise them considerably in order to offset the duties. While this may still happen, most assumed in would have happened in May after 25% tariffs were implemented on autos on April 3.

Economists have speculated one reason for prices not only failing to rise, but actually slightly falling, was lower demand and reluctance on the part of consumers not wanting to spend big money while remaining gripped by pervasive economic uncertainty.

Another reason may simply be that most foreign cars purchased in May were shipped ahead of tariffs kicking in, allowing manufacturers to keep prices stable ahead of what experts still believe will be an economic slowdown and possible recession.

HEALTH

Coffee promotes healthy aging in women

A new study conducted by researchers at Harvard University and the University of Toronto analyzed data collected on 47,513 women over the course of 32 years, and found moderate coffee consumption from middle-age onward promotes healthy aging in women.

"While past studies have linked coffee to individual health outcomes, our study is the first to assess coffee's impact across multiple domains of aging over three decades," says Sara Mahdavi, a nutrition scientist at Harvard and U of T.

The data was collected for the Nurses’ Health Study, which ran from 1984 to 2016, and collected information that could impact nurses’ health long-term. Among that data was each nurse’s daily coffee consumption.

Mahdavi and her team assessed healthy aging based on several factors, including living past 70 without developing any of 11 chronic conditions or cognitive decline.

The data revealed 80% of the 3,706 healthy agers consumed three small cups’ worth of coffee on average every day. It also showed drinking tea or decaf coffee had a neutral impact on aging, and soda had a negative one.

"These results, while preliminary, suggest that small, consistent habits can shape long-term health,” said Mahdavi. “Moderate coffee intake may offer some protective benefits when combined with other healthy behaviors such as regular exercise, a healthy diet, and avoiding smoking.”

COLLECTIBLES

Ferris Bueller’s sweater vest hits auction

Sotheby’s has officially listed the sweater vest Ferris Bueller wore during his infamous day off.

That vest was there for it all—it was there when Ferris ditched school, caught a foul ball at Wrigley Field, marched in the Von Steuben Day Parade before performing Twist and Shout, got the girl, and got away with everything.

The cult classic turns 40 next year, and the vest’s current owner, ESPN reporter Darren Rovell, has asked Sotheby’s to list it until 2:01 p.m. ET on June 24.

“Sweater vest composed of camel and dark brown acrylic yarn, with corded collar and waistband in dark brown acrylic yarn. Closure via 3-plastic dark brown buttons affixed to corded band at left lapel. Vest features interlocking geometric pattern in camel and dark brown throughout,” the listing reads.

“Raw edges of arm holes stabilized internally with overlock stitching in white thread and secured with hand-sewn stitches in black thread. Minimal pilling and loose threads consistent with age and production-use.”

At least $130,000 has already been bid on the vest, and Sotheby’s expects it to go for as high as $600,000.

MUSIC

Ozzy farewell show to be streamed worldwide

For the first time since 2005, all four original members of Black Sabbath will share the stage on July 5 as Tonny Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward send off their frontman Ozzy Osbourne in his last ever concert.

The show was announced earlier this year, and will take place in Birmingham, U.K. where the band got its start, and the other day, it was announced that it will also be available to stream online for US$29.99.

Ozzy has been fighting Parkinson’s disease since at least 2020, and is also extremely fragile after falling and requiring extensive surgery, essentially to reassemble his whole body.

The Prince of Darkness and Godfather of Heavy Metal refuses to tap out, though, and says he’ll leave it all out there at the show. While he’s not expected to perform the entire set with Sabbath, he said on a recent episode of SiriusXM’s Ozzy Speaks that he’ll do what he can when he feels comfortable.

Other acts performing at what’s become a full blown festival include Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, Pantera, Slayer, Anthrax, Alice in Chains, and more. Singers from some of the other bands are expected to slot in for Ozzy when he’s not singing, including Sammy Hagar, who says he’ll join Sabbath for Flying High Again and Diary of a Madman.

STAKE TRIVIA

Here’s to the young’uns

We all had our special talents when we were youngsters, but some kids are simply born to be stars 😎 

Throughout the ‘70s and ‘80, there were plenty of iconic child stars crushing it on stage or on the silver screen, and we’ll be quizzin’ you on them with today’s trivia! Complete the game and earn a shot at a $25 Amazon eGift Card ;)

Winner will be notified tomorrow afternoon—keep an eye on your inbox!*

Have a great day ahead Staker!

Today’s issue written by Michael Cowan, Joey Cowan, and Maureen Norman.


*SEE FULL STAKE TRIVIA CONTEST RULES HERE.