Men's Journal's Blog, page 61

July 4th Boat Explosion Reported on Well-Known Lake

An explosion set a boat ablaze Friday on Lake Lanier during Fourth of July festivities in Hall County, Georgia.

Hall County Fire Rescue (HCFR) responded to a 7 p.m. distress call about a boat catching fire near Margaritaville while being towed in Landshark Cove near Margaritaville,. According to a report from local news outlet 11Alive, first responders arrived to see the boat with flames reached "about five feet high."

Five of the rescued passengers were transported to a nearby hospital, with one child needing to be airlifted off the vessel. The two other people were treated for minor injuries. All of them were reportedly in stable condition as they left the scene.

Captured footage from nearby boat goers showed the extent of the flames. 

Five people were rushed to the hospital after a boat exploded on Lake Lanier, officials said https://t.co/UNSsPGjYZF

pic.twitter.com/kKnuNFGPW8

— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) July 5, 2025

HCFR was able to successfully extinguish the fire using a portable pump, with some assistance from a Gainesville Fire Department rescue boat. The scorched vessel was later towed to shore.

The victims' ages ranged from five to 45 years old, according to Mark McKinnon of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.

It remains unclear what caused the explosion, with the Hall County Fire Marshal's Office still investigating the matter.

David Corenswet Picks Robin and Wonder Woman as Top Superman Future Team-Ups

The newest addition to the list of actors portraying the Man of Steel has knocked it out of the park in his media rounds ahead of the upcoming Superman movie release.

While the official reviews of David Corenswet's performance as Superman won't come until sometime after July 11, the movie's release date, it's hard not to be impressed with his demeanor during interviews. During a recent sit-down with Comicbook.com, Corenswet once again made a strong impression.

Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan (Lois Lane) and Nicholas Hoult (Lex Luthor) were asked about one DC character not in the upcoming Superman film that they hope to share the screen with in another movie.

Corenswet nearly gave the popular answer many Superman fans would likely expect with Batman, but hit the pause button and opted to pivot to two other names.

After Brosnahan picked Batman and Hoult made a unique selection of The Joker teaming up with Lex Luthor, Corenswet first agreed with his on-screen love interest before choosing an interesting alternate angle.

"I think Batman's gotta be my answer, but it just occurred to me that one of the Robins, one of the iterations of Robin, would be interesting," Corenswet stated.

"Because I think Superman has good 'dad energy' and although it's been explored—his relationships with his sons in certain iterations, I feel like it'd be interesting to have him as sort of an uncle figure to Batman's younger protege."

Corenswet also added a second selection that's top of mind, and makes a lot of sense considering DC's upcoming Wonder Woman film.

"And then also, Superman and Wonder Woman interests me," he said.

Corenswet joked to Brosnahan they could have a "love triangle" with Superman, Lois and Wonder Woman. The actress smirked and quickly replied, "I was about to say, Lois would have a lot to say about that."

While fans would certainly hold out hope for any of the pairings mentioned above, there's little question that the primary focus at this moment remains on the excitement surrounding Corenswet's superhero debut in Superman.

Related: 'Superman' Star Nicholas Hoult Floats Lex Luthor Villain Team-up He’d Love to See

Plans For $6 Billion 'Real-Life Wakanda' Hit With Reality Check

Grammy-nominated rapper Akon once had dreams of developing the African city of the future. Those dreams never got close to becoming a reality.

Plans for "Akon City," a futuristic metropolis modeled to be a "real-life Wakanda," made waves when the public first learned of the initiative in 2018. The ambitious project was said to have a $6 billion budget to be spent on 2,000 acres of land in the M'bour department in Senegal.

But seven years later, the initial project "no longer exists," according to Senegal's tourism head Serigne Madamou Mboup. The Senegalese official told the BBC this week that the plans have since been drastically downsized to a more "realistic" project.

"Fortunately, an agreement has been reached between Sapco (Senegal's tourism development body) and the entrepreneur Alioune Badara Thiam [aka Akon]. What he's preparing with us is a realistic project, which Sapco will fully support."

The original plans for Akon City sound borderline silly in hindsight. The entire community was supposed to use Akon's eponymous cryptocurrency, Akoin, for daily transactions. The city was also planned to be run 100% on renewable energy. The bizarre architectural renderings for Akon City released in September 2020 were the stuff of nightmares.

In 2023, construction began for Phase 1 of the project. Apart from a few scrapped buildings, the only structure that was at least partially built was a "welcome centre" that would look completely out of place in Marvel's fictional city of Wakanda.

With the abandoned city sitting along Senegal's Atlantic Coast, the region still offers economic importance for the African nation. A more "realistic" approach may be all it takes to unlock its potential.

Related: Pioneering Rap Star Hints at Retirement After 20 Years

More Dogs Go Missing on the Fourth of July. Here's Why

If you have a dog, you're probably already aware that they can get very skittish around Fourth of July fireworks.

Fireworks are not a dog's best friend.

What you might not know, though, is that the Fourth of July holiday sees a "huge uptick" in missing dogs. That's according to Fox News, which reported that the increase in lost pets occurs "between July 4 and July 6," with some shelters reporting increases as high as 60 percent.

KHOU-TV reported a similar spike. "Animal control officials nationwide see a 30% to 60% increase in lost pets each year between July 4 and July 6," the television station reported. The culprit again is fireworks.

July 5 is "even considered one of the busiest days for animal shelters," Fox News reported, as shelters take in lost animals and people come looking for them.

But why?

According to Fox News, fireworks can so rattle dogs that they take off running and disappear.

The network advises keeping dogs "indoors and secure" during fireworks displays and putting the dog in a "quiet room" where he or she feels safe.

"The 4th of July is one of the busiest times for missing pet reports," said Houston's Precinct 4 Constable Mark Herman in an emailed news release to KHOU-TV. "A microchip or tracking device like an AirTag can make all the difference in bringing your pet home quickly and safely."

According to that television station, pets send off warning signs that they are disturbed by fireworks. 

They include "hiding, excessive licking, or pacing behavior."

Closing curtains so the pet can't see the fireworks and turning on background noise like a television to drown it out can be good strategies on July 4, according to KHOU.

According to News Nation, it's not advisable to bring pets to fireworks shows. 

Related: 'Heroic' Yellowstone Park Rangers Likely Saved Lives During 4th of July Shootout

TSA Warns Travelers About Stuffing Popular July 4 Item in Their Socks. Yes, Really

The Transportation Security Administration isn't your typical stuffy bureaucratic agency.

Just check out their X page, where whoever is running the page seems to be having a lot of fun while imparting useful tips to travelers.

First, TSA warned people not to stuff animals down their pants before navigating through security checkpoints (they probably meant stuffed animals, but it was a little hard to tell.)

And now, TSA is warning travelers not to try stuffing sparklers in their socks while traveling. TSA made the quip in a series of warnings on X about trying to travel with fireworks of any sort.

"Fireworks don’t belong in your bags. We’ve seen bottle rockets in backpacks and sparklers in socks (yes, really). If your bags start crackling, hissing, or chanting “U.S.A.” you’re doing it wrong. #PackSmart," TSA Admonished on July 3.

Fireworks don’t belong in your bags. We’ve seen bottle rockets in backpacks and sparklers in socks (yes, really).
If your bags start crackling, hissing, or chanting “U.S.A.” you’re doing it wrong. #PackSmart pic.twitter.com/Y6Tij925TC

— TSA (@TSA) July 3, 2025

TSA wasn't done there. "One of the best ways to avoid delays at the airport is to not pack anything that says 'WARNING EXPLOSIVE' on it (like this good catch at LAX). All fireworks are prohibited. Please, please, please, pack smart. Thank you," the agency wrote on July 3.

TSA also warned people to follow the rules on alcohol.

"Traveling with alcohol? Let’s break it down before things get shaken OR stirred. Mini bottles ≤ 3.4 oz – OK in carry-on liquids bag. Up to 5L of 24-70% ABV in checked bags Over 70% ABV? That’s a hard pass, too lit for takeoff," TSA wrote.

The agency weighed in one more time on sparklers on July 3.

"Ready to spark some family fun this summer? Fireworks, sparklers, & anything that goes  are a no-go in both carry-on and checked bags. Pack snacks, not sparks. Still not sure what flies?"

"Text “SPARKZ” to 275-872 and @AskTSA can shed a light on your travel questions," the agency wrote.

Related: U.S. Travel Warnings Urge 'Increased Caution' in Germany, Spain

'The Lincoln Lawyer' Star Manuel Garcia-Rulfo Admits He's Enjoyed Season 4 'The Most’

Manuel Garcia-Rulfo has kept a busy work schedule in recent years. But while he’s been plenty busy with the hit Netflix series The Lincoln Lawyer, it’s the release of his latest big-screen role that is drawing headlines in early July.

Garcia-Rulfo stars as Reuben Delgado in the newly released Jurassic World: Rebirth, working alongside the likes of Scarlett Johansson, Jonathan Bailey and Mahershala Ali, among others.

However, one noteworthy difference between the two is that while he's finished filming Season 4 of The Lincoln Lawyer, which is likely to debut in early 2026, Jurassic World: Rebirth's run at the box office is just now getting underway.

Fortunately for fans of The Lincoln Lawyer, Garcia-Rulfo offered up some teasers ahead of Season 4 during a recent interview with Variety.

Manuel Garcia-Rulfo attends Netflix's 'The Lincoln Lawyer' special screening & reception at The London West Hollywood.

Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for Netflix

Not only did Garcia-Rulfo, who plays Mickey Haller in the show, reveal to Variety that Season 4 is the "most emotional," but he also admitted that it's the season he's "enjoyed the most."

“It’s the most emotional season — heavy emotion — because of how we found him, and a lot of things happen, which I cannot say, but they’re very emotional for me,” Garcia-Rulfo says of Season 4. “I told the showrunners even reading them before we start shooting, it is the one that I’ve enjoyed the most. I’ve all enjoyed all of them, but this one is the one that I’ve enjoyed the most because it has the most heaviness.”

Season 3 of The Lincoln Lawyer ended with Mickey getting arrested after police found the dead body of Sam Scales in the trunk of his car. Not surprisingly, the drama-filled ending of the last season sets the stage for exactly what Garcia-Rulfo describes—a lot of emotion in Season 4.

However, it's certainly interesting to hear the show's star dub the upcoming stretch of the series as his favorite of the bunch, especially after its strong ratings through three seasons. Rotten Tomatoes has given The Lincoln Lawyer an average critic rating of 90 percent, and the fan-based Popcornmeter checks in at 86 percent.

Related: 'The Boys' Jack Quaid Recalls ‘Crazy’ Tom Holland Meeting: 'Spider-Man Knows Who I Am'

Tesla’s Future Tech Just Took an Unexpected Turn

Tesla’s ambitious plans for its humanoid robot, Optimus, have quietly hit pause.

AInvest reported that sources within the company’s Chinese supply chain say parts procurement for the robot was suspended in June while engineers overhaul the design. 

The delay, reportedly lasting at least two months, raises questions about whether CEO Elon Musk’s promise to deliver 5,000 units this year is still in play.

Optimus, which Musk once claimed would revolutionize labor and even help colonize Mars, is undergoing hardware and software revisions. Tesla has encountered technical hurdles, including overheating in joint motors, low payload capacity in the robot’s hands, and short battery life. 

In response, the company is testing multiple new hardware approaches and ramping up the use of synthetic data to refine the robot’s autonomous behavior.

This pivot comes just after Milan Kovac, the project’s original lead, exited Tesla. Ashok Elluswamy, Tesla’s VP of AI software and a key player behind Full Self-Driving, is now leading the Optimus initiative. Insiders say he’s taking time to fine-tune the robot’s performance before greenlighting mass production.

As of May, Tesla had built close to 1,000 Optimus units and had stockpiled parts for 1,200. But the gap between that and Musk’s 2025 production goal suggests the company may fall short. 

Related: Tesla's Robotaxis Hit With Federal Scrutiny After Troubling Videos Emerge

At an October event last year, Tesla showed off Optimus robots dancing and pouring drinks, but most of those actions were reportedly remote-controlled.

For now, Optimus is used only to transport batteries inside Tesla’s factories, and even then, it’s working at less than half the efficiency of human workers.

The unexpected pivot underscores broader turbulence at Tesla. Several top executives have left, and Musk is contending with investor concerns and political battles. Still, he’s expected to unveil the next-generation Optimus at the upcoming shareholder meeting in a bid to regain momentum and reassure stakeholders.

Tesla’s big bet on robots isn’t canceled, but the road ahead may be longer and bumpier than Musk first imagined.

Related: First Autonomous Tesla Delivery Sparks Backlash Over Illegal Move

Fever's Sophie Cunningham Backtracks on Detroit, Cleveland WNBA Expansion Comments

For as much praise as Indiana Fever and WNBA fans had for Sophie Cunningham after stepping in to defend Caitlin Clark earlier in the season, she took just as much criticism for her recent comments regarding league expansion.

Following the WNBA's announcement that it was moving to Cleveland in 2028, Detroit in 2029 and Philadelphia in 2030, Cunningham didn't hold back her candid opinion of the news. As Yahoo Sports revealed, the Fever guard admitted she would have preferred somewhere like Miami, Nashville or Kansas City.

Unsurprisingly, her pushback, specifically on the likes of Cleveland and Detroit, didn't sit well with a few professional athletes, nor with the cities themselves.

"You want to listen to your players, too. Like where do they want to play?" she said. "Where are they going to get excited to play and draw fans? I think Miami would have been a great one. Nashville is an amazing city. Kansas City, amazing opportunity. There’s a huge arena downtown that nobody is using."

Sophie Cunningham #8 of the Indiana Fever talks to the media after the game against the New York Liberty during a 2025 Commissioner's Cup.

A.J. Mast/NBAE via Getty Images

“I’m not so sure what the thought process is there, but at the end of the day, you want to make sure that you’re not expanding our league too fast. I think that that’s also another thing. It’s kind of a hard decision-making situation. But man, I don’t know how excited people are to be going to Detroit or [Cleveland].”

Two days after the initial comments, Cunningham attempted to clarify her response, as Forbes reporter Tony East highlighted.

“First of all, I know the history behind the WNBA. I know both of those cities had teams before and they got us where we’re at, so I’m thankful for that,” Cunningham said initially.

“All I was really getting at is Broadway, the off-court lifestyle, so I think that is really intriguing. I think Miami is intriguing. That’s all I was getting at. I’m thankful for what they’ve done for our history of the sport. I think it’d be fun to get some teams outside the NBA market. I do think there’s benefits when you do have an NBA team, but that’s all I was getting at.”

Cunningham continued by adding that she believes people "misread the situation" regarding her comments.

Fever wing Sophie Cunningham offers clarifying thoughts about her comments on WNBA expansion from earlier this week: pic.twitter.com/pkXuXywI6E

— Tony East (@TonyREast) July 3, 2025

"I think people totally misread that situation," Cunningham said. "I would never speak down upon middle-class, blue-collar working people. That's where I come from, I'm from Missouri, I get I'm in Indiana."

Finally, Cunningham was asked how she felt about the response she received over her comments, and the 28-year-old gave an even-keeled response.

"The people that hype you up are going to be the same people who shoot you down. So for me, I always just kind of stay right here in the middle. I think that was my personal opinion ... people are going to love me, people are going to hate me, I think that's with anyone," she concluded.

Following Cunningham's initial comments, the City of Detroit replied on X with a blunt statement.

"The last time we were home to a WNBA team (Detroit Shock) we ranked top five in attendance for five straight seasons, No. 1 in attendance for three straight seasons and set a single-game attendance record of 22,076 fans at Game 3 of the 2003 WNBA Finals," the post reads. "Additionally more than 775,000 people were excited to come to Detroit for the 2024 NFL draft. Detroit is a sports town. We’re sure we’ll see the same excitement for the WNBA returning."

The City of Cleveland fired off a response of its own on X, even citing Cunningham's teammate and WNBA star Caitlin Clark's previous comments.

"Sophie, your teammate doesn’t seem to think Cleveland is too bad!" the City of Cleveland's X account wrote. "We’re proud to have been chosen to host a WNBA team and any player who comes here will feel that legendary passion Cleveland sports fans show our teams!"

Sophie, your teammate doesn’t seem to think Cleveland is too bad!

We’re proud to have been chosen to host a WNBA team and any player who comes here will feel that legendary passion Cleveland sports fans show our teams! https://t.co/FVQ2NjkmdO pic.twitter.com/dVTCud6w7x

— City of Cleveland (@CityofCleveland) July 1, 2025

While Cunningham did backtrack on her initial comments and attempted to defend what she had said, she also did her best to clarify that she wasn't trying to put down either Detroit or Cleveland.

Regardless of her feelings or those of any other player, the WNBA's expansion continues to progress rapidly.

Related: LeBron James Achieves Rare NBA Feat After Lakers' Deandre Ayton Signing

TSA Loophole Lets You Keep Your Water Bottle

If you’ve ever tossed a full water bottle into the trash before airport security, you’re not alone. But it turns out there’s a legal way around the TSA’s 3.4-ounce rule, and it’s simpler than you think.

According to the Transportation Security Administration, travelers can bring frozen liquids through security, as long as they’re solid at the time of screening. That means if you freeze a full bottle of water and it stays frozen solid when you hit the checkpoint, you’re good to go.

“Frozen liquid items are allowed through the checkpoint as long as they are frozen solid when presented for screening,” a TSA spokesperson told CNN via email. “If frozen liquid items are partially melted, slushy or have any liquid at the bottom of the container, they must meet 3-1-1 liquids requirements.”

The 3-1-1 rule allows liquids, gels, and aerosols in containers smaller than 3.4 ounces, all packed into a single quart-sized bag. But a frozen bottle, fully solid, sidesteps that entirely.

The loophole isn’t new, but it’s gone viral again this summer as TikTok users share airport hacks to beat the heat and avoid overpriced concessions. While most airports now offer refilling stations post-security, they’re not always easy to find or convenient if you’re in a rush.

If your bottle starts to thaw before you reach the checkpoint, you’ll need to drink it or toss it. “The final decision rests with the TSA officer on whether an item is allowed through the checkpoint,” according to the TSA website.

It’s also worth noting that the frozen bottle trick only works in the United States. In Canada, for instance, “frozen liquids, such as ice, are permitted in quantities of 100 ml (3.4 oz) or less,” according to the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority.

Still, for U.S. travelers flying during summer’s peak heat, this hack is a smart, legal workaround — and a solid way to stay hydrated without shelling out $6 at the gate.

Related: Major U.S. Airport Cancels Nearly 400 Flights Amid Busy July 4th Travel

Supporters Mourn Loss of a Popular Flavor From Legendary Soda Brand

Mountain Dew has a variety of soda flavors to choose from. Besides the original, the company also has popular products such as Code Red, LiveWire and Baja Blast (which is common at Taco Bell restaurants). 

Another popular flavor is VooDEW, which is a mystery-themed flavor that is always released around the Halloween season. 

However, Mountain VooDEW will not be released this year, marking the first time since its official debut in 2019. 

The VooDEW flavors included candy corn, fruity candy explosion, fruit chews, sour candy, cherry airheads and pink starburst ever since the release. 

In its place, Mountain Dew will release a Trolli Cherry Lemon flavor that will drop in September. 

View the original article to see embedded media.

"Coming soon is a new Mountain Dew that is Cherry Lemon Trolli flavored in zero sugar. This will be available in both 12pks of cans and 20oz bottles and is going to replace VooDoo this year," the post read. 

Fans were not thrilled that the VooDEW drink is disappearing, as a number commented on the post. 

"Noooooo…. I love voodoo!!!" said one user. "Aw, man! No VOODEW??? That was so fun waiting for the surprise mystery Halloween flavor. Way to drop the ball, Mountain Dew," wrote another. 

"No. We want Voo-Dew," said another. "Voodew was the best. Idk why they would replace it," another replied. "Poor sub for VooDEW," replied another. 

"Wait this is replacing voodoo," another wrote with a crying emoji face. 

As for the new Trolli flavor, some users were upset that it only comes in a zero-sugar flavor, so there are some negative remarks about Mountain Dew's newest release and the removal of the VooDEW drink. 

Related: Dr Pepper Fans Are Upset Despite Return of ‘Best Flavor’