Men's Journal's Blog, page 94
June 1, 2025
'70s Music Icon Debbie Harry Shares Poignant Plan For 80th Birthday
Debbie Harry doesn’t want a huge party for her upcoming 80th birthday. The Blondie frontwoman told People magazine that she hopes to spend her milestone day on July 1 honoring her late drummer and friend, Clem Burke.
“I hope to be with my friends and to celebrate the life of my drummer, Clem Burke, who recently passed, and celebrate my own life," Harry said when asked about her birthday plans.
Burke, the longtime drummer for Blondie, died on April 6, 2025, at the age of 70 following a battle with cancer, Rolling Stone reported. The legendary drummer was part of Blondie for 50 years, joining founding members Harry and Chris Stein in 1975. The new wave pioneers went on to record a long list of hit songs, including “One Way or Another,” “Heart of Glass,” and “Call Me.”
In a statement issued by the group in April, Burke was described as “the heartbeat of Blondie.” “His talent, energy, and passion for music were unmatched, and his contributions to our sound and success are immeasurable,” Harry and Stein said in the statement. “Beyond his musicianship, Clem was a source of inspiration both on and off the stage. His vibrant spirit, infectious enthusiasm and rock solid work ethic touched everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.”
While Harry will spend her big birthday celebrating Burke’s life, three months before his death, she told The Sunday Times she planned to have "have a whopping great party with everyone there” to mark her 80th. But she added, "Though one of the bad things about aging is everyone’s gone already."
Southwest CEO Calls Ending Free Bags 'Low Risk'
Last week, Southwest Airlines officially began charging passengers for checked bags, ending its longstanding "bags fly free" policy. While the change has led to warnings from multiple experts and Southwest's own data suggests it will not be profitable, CEO Bob Jordan recently used two words to defend the move: "low risk."
The Southwest Airlines CEO recently spoke at the Bernstein Strategic Decisions Conference, where he broke his silence, issuing his first public comments since the airline began charging fees for its checked baggage.
Despite concerns that ending free bags could erode consumer trust and damage the Southwest brand after the airline literally trademarked "bags fly free," Jordan seems to think the move is "low risk," simply because every other airline is already charging for checked bags.
"This stuff is coming online right now," Jordan said of the changes during his public appearance. "And I think that's the biggest thing that is underappreciated by our plan as it is happening right now, that. And number two, there is low risk because we're putting in things that the industry has done forever. So there's low risk implementation, there's low risk in the financial benefit paying-off."
It's worth noting that this line of thinking is completely antithetical to consumer psychology, which suggests there is a significant risk of Southwest alienating its customer base.
Regardless, it doesn't sound like Southwest is done changing its brand, either, as Jordan claimed, "we aren't stopping here."
"So putting in the things that I've described isn't the end of the journey for Southwest. We will continue to pursue the consumer. And if the consumer wants other types of premium, they want us to fly other long-haul destinations, which could lead to aircraft questions. I'm totally making all this up. This is not a plan. But the consumer demand in certain cities for us for a lounge is super high. My point is rather than say, no Southwest Airlines does not do that. You must follow the consumer or if you are forever vulnerable to others that can offer that to the consumer," Jordan said.
"Even in cities that we are very strong, and we are the largest in roughly half of the 50 largest cities in the United States, even there in Nashville and in Austin as an example, people love us, but we also can't -- for many of our folks that love Southwest, we can't do things that -- we can't provide products that you want like a first class, we can't get you to long-haul international destinations. If a lounge is important to you, we don't have a lounge. I'm not predicting any of those things. What I'm telling you is rather than be forever vulnerable, we're going to follow the consumer and what the consumer needs."
It will certainly be interesting to see how this all works out for the airline.
May 31, 2025
FDA Issues High-Risk Alert on Cookie Recall Over Allergen Concerns
A recent cookie recall has escalated, with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) now designating it as a Class I recall, which is the highest risk level. This move comes after New Grains Gluten Free Bakery identified that several of its baked goods, including four types of cookies, may contain undeclared allergens such as eggs, soy, or milk.
According to Newsweek, the Class I designation signals that there’s a reasonable chance the affected products could cause serious health consequences or even death. Millions of Americans live with food allergies or sensitivities, and undeclared allergens can trigger severe reactions, from mild discomfort to life-threatening anaphylaxis.
The recall involves gluten-free varieties of Chocolate Chip, Frosted Sugar, Coconut Macaroon, and Brownie Chocolate Chip cookies, sold in clear plastic bags with net weights of four ounces, containing six or eight cookies per package. The packaging issues didn’t just stop with missing allergen warnings. Lot codes and date codes were also unreadable or absent, complicating efforts to identify affected batches.
The bakery’s website states its mission is to “create and deliver high-quality, healthy, and delicious gluten-free products,” but this incident has raised concerns over labeling and quality control. Compounding the issue, earlier this month, New Grains Gluten Free Bakery recalled several other products, including breads, bagels, and croutons, also due to undeclared allergens.
Despite the scale of the recall, no illnesses have been reported as of now. Consumers who purchased the affected cookies are advised to return them to the point of sale for a full refund. For further information, New Grains Gluten Free Bakery can be reached at 801-980-5751 between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. MST, Monday through Friday.
This recall serves as a critical reminder that food manufacturers must maintain stringent labeling standards, particularly when catering to consumers with allergies. As companies expand into gluten-free and specialty markets, the need for accurate and visible labeling is more important than ever.
Related: Southwest Egg Supply Shaken as Major Producer Shuts Down
Amazon’s Latest Move to Reduce Waste Could Change Online Shopping
Amazon is taking a big step to reduce packaging waste amid rising criticism of its environmental practices. The e-commerce giant announced plans to install hundreds of automated box-making machines across European fulfillment centers by 2025, aiming to minimize excess packaging and cut carbon emissions.
According to Amazon, these custom box-making machines use sensors to measure product dimensions and create made-to-fit boxes. Instead of relying on plastic padding, the machines pack items in recyclable paper, saving an average of 26 grams of packaging per shipment. The cool down reported that Pat Lindner, Amazon’s vice president of mechatronics and sustainable packaging, called the move “a significant step forward in reducing the environmental impact of deliveries for our European customers.”
The initiative comes at a critical time. While Amazon has claimed it avoided 3 million metric tons of packaging since 2015 and co-founded The Climate Pledge in 2019 with a goal of reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2040, environmental concerns persist. Recent reports highlighted Amazon’s plans to invest $87 billion in data centers by 2030—projects that could generate an estimated 2.5 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide-equivalent emissions.
In 2023, Business Insider revealed the environmental costs of Amazon’s sprawling data center operations. Critics argue that the company’s efforts to boost sustainability are undermined by its growing carbon footprint. Earlier this year, a class-action lawsuit accused Amazon of greenwashing, claiming that its paper products contribute to deforestation despite being labeled eco-friendly.
Amazon’s European packaging initiative is part of a broader push to balance customer demand with sustainability. The company plans to have 100,000 electric delivery vans on the road by the end of the decade and has ramped up its zero-emission transportation efforts.
Whether these efforts are enough to offset the environmental impact of its vast logistics and data operations remains to be seen. But for now, Amazon’s investment in automated packaging technology marks a clear shift toward a more sustainable model at least on paper.
Southwest Egg Supply Shaken as Major Producer Shuts Down
Hickman’s Family Farms, the largest egg producer in the Southwest, is grappling with a devastating crisis that has forced a partial shutdown of its operations. The farm, based in Arizona, has lost around 6 million chickens, 95 percent of its flock, forcing layoffs and halting its longstanding inmate rehabilitation program.
“Our hens began showing symptoms on May 15 and were confirmed the next day,” CEO Glenn Hickman said at a recent news conference. Despite containment efforts, the issue spread across all of the farm’s west-side facilities. Hickman noted that the company has ordered baby chicks and expects to house its first new hens in about five months, but full recovery will likely take two years, Newsweek reported.
Founded in 1944, Hickman’s Family Farms operates several facilities in Arizona and Colorado and is ranked among the top 20 egg producers in the country. The partial shutdown will impact not only the regional egg supply but also thousands of workers, including those participating in the farm’s inmate rehabilitation initiative.
Related: New Data Reveals How Much Egg Prices Fell in April
The crisis has rippled across an already fragile food supply chain. Food economics experts warn that the shutdown of a key egg supplier in the Southwest could drive up egg prices and increase regional shortages, adding pressure to an industry already under strain. “This is a very unfortunate situation and a stark reminder of how vulnerable our food system remains,” said David Ortega, a professor of food economics and policy at Michigan State University.
Hickman has called for faster access to solutions that could help stabilize operations, including the rollout of a poultry vaccine. However, competing industry interests and regulatory hurdles are slowing progress.
For now, Hickman’s Family Farms faces a long road to recovery. Whether the company and the broader egg industry can bounce back will depend on how quickly biosecurity measures and supply chain reinforcements can be implemented in the months ahead.
Netflix Just Confirmed 'Stranger Things' Season 5 Release Schedule. And It's Perfect
We finally know when the end of Stranger Things is coming. At the 2025 Tudum event, Netflix confirmed that Stranger Things Season 5 will be released in three distinct parts. A new announcement trailer, which flashes back to the very beginning of Season 1, makes it clear that Season 5 will be broken up into sections at the end of the year. But don't worry, all of Stranger Things season 5 will be streaming before February 2026.
Here's the release schedule and the new teaser for Stranger Things Season 5.
As the Netflix Tudum date announcement trailer reveals, and as some rumors suggested, this season won't drop all in one go, but instead, be spread into three parts. Here's how that shakes out.
Stranger Things Season 5 Release DatesVolume 1: November 26, 2025Volume 2: Christmas Day (December 25, 2025)Volume 3: New Year's Day (January 1, 2026)Although Stranger Things will continue as an animated anthology series, called Stranger Things: Tales From ’85, this upcoming release is the end of the road for the regular series. Earlier this year, actor Finn Wolfhard told Men's Journal that everyone should expect a "melancholy" but epic end for the show.
Previously, it had been rumored that the finale of Stranger Things would be pushed to 2026. This has proven to be true. Though, just barely.
Stranger Things streams on NetflixNetflix's 'Frankenstein' Reboot Finally Reveals Its Release Date and an Incredible Trailer
For years, Mary Shelley's immortal novel Frankenstein has been slightly misrepresented in the world of cinema. But now, with a new film from director Guillermo del Toro, we could finally be getting a version of this story that actually feels like the wonderful book upon which the legend is based.
During Netflix's live Tudum event on May 31, the streamer finally unveiled the first trailer for the 2025 version of Frankenstein, which will star Jacob Elordi as the Monster and Oscar Isaac as Victor Frankenstein. Watch the new trailer below and be amazed, and terrified!
What's with all the stuff with a ship in the Arctic? Well, you probably forgot that in the novel, the entire story is framed that way, with Dr. Frankenstein telling this story while trying to capture the creature. Clearly, by focusing on this all-important element of the book, del Toro is set to deliver a Frankenstein like no other version we've seen before.
And yes, the monster is supposed to talk, not just grunt. The whole point of the book was that the creature speaks and has a very specific relationship with its creator.
The film also stars Mia Goth as Victor's fiancée, Elizabeth, as well as Christoph Waltz as Dr. Pretorious.
What is the release date for the 2025 Frankenstein?Netflix has not pinned down an exact date, but the new trailer makes it clear the film will hit streaming sometime in November 2025.
Related: One Underrated Netflix Action Movie is Quietly Releasing a Sequel
Sydney Sweeney's 3-Word Response to New Relationship Status
Sydney Sweeney is single and ready to mingle.
After months of speculation regarding her relationship status since calling off her wedding to longtime partner Jonathan Davino, Sweeney has officially broken her silence on her love life. In a new interview with The Times, the Anything But You star confirmed that she is indeed a single woman.
Related: Sydney Sweeney Explains Why She's Selling Used Bath Water Soap
Sweeney and Davino, a producer who has worked alongside Sweeney on several projects, first sparked dating rumors in late 2018 when they were spotted attending several industry events together. The couple made their relationship official, but Sweeney has shied away from sharing too many details about her personal life as her star has risen. The couple got engaged in 2022, but rumors began swirling earlier this year that there might be trouble in their relationship. In February, Sweeney’s ever-present engagement ring was suddenly missing.
When asked about this by The Times, and whether she was still in the process of planning her wedding, the 27-year-old star simply said “No.” When pressed further and asked whether she was currently single, Sweeney confirmed the news. And said that she is “learning a lot about myself, [and] spending more time with my friends” as a result of her relationship status change.
Perhaps most telling was Sweeney’s final comment on no longer being engaged: “I’m loving it.”
Related: Sydney Sweeney Turns Heads With New Puppy Photos
Sweeney has also been incredibly busy with a number of projects, including filming the long-awaited season of Euphoria, and a new guy in her life: an adorable puppy named Sully.
But Sweeney knows that finding a balance is important. As she told The Times, she is trying to learn how to be better about slowing down and taking time off. “I hear it more from my family than myself,” she said: “‘Sydney, you’re going to burn out. Sydney, you need to slow down. Sydney, you need to take a break.’”
Southwest Airlines Projected to Lose Money After Ending Free Bags
Earlier this year, Southwest Airlines made the controversial decision to end its longstanding policy of allowing two free checked bags for each customer. However, as the airline implements the policy change this month, it sounds like they will have a major problem on their hands going forward.
As Roger Dooley of Forbes points out, before Southwest officially decided to ditch its policy of free checked bags, the airline conducted its own research that indicated the change would lead to about $1.8 billion in market share compared to at best $1.5 billion in annual bag fee revenue.
"Southwest projected $1.5 billion in annual bag fee revenue. But if its own research about losing $1.8 billion in market share proves accurate, this could become a textbook case of how short-term financial pressure can destroy long-term brand value," Dooley wrote for Forbes.
Related: Delta Responds to Moana Girl's Viral Singing During Hours-Long Flight Delay
Simple math indicates that the change is a losing proposition in the long run as they are losing more potential revenue in market share than they are gaining from the bag fees.
"The real test isn’t whether Southwest can collect $35 per bag. It’s whether it can keep collecting anything at all from long-term, loyal customers who now have plenty of motivation to look elsewhere. It’s too soon to tell how all this will shake out, but it’s clear Southwest has placed a high-risk bet that it will retain most of its customers despite the changed brand experience," Dooley wrote.
We'll have to see how the airline adapts after making the controversial change, but the initial projections seem to indicate that this could work for Southwest Airlines in the short term, it does not seem to be sustainable in the long run unless something else changes.
'Stranger Things' Season 5 Cast, Teaser Trailer Announced by Netflix
Fans have been eagerly awaiting the fifth season of Stranger Things for three years.
There have been teases, including a lengthy Instagram post by the show's co-creator last December, and Netflix's revelation that the show will be released in 2025.
With Netflix Tudum 2025 streaming live on May 31, 2025, anticipation was rising that major announcements will be made about Stranger Things Season 5, including possibly a trailer release and formal release date.
Netflix delivered, releasing a teaser trailer and release dates for season 5 on the evening of May 31. The streaming giant revealed that the final season will be released in three phases.
The fight isn’t over yet. Get ready for the epic series finale of Stranger Things.
— Netflix Tudum (@NetflixTudum) June 1, 2025
Volume 1: November 26, 5pm PT*
Volume 2: Christmas, 5pm PT*
The Finale: New Year's Eve, 5pm PT*
*releasing worldwide all at once, date may vary based on your local timezone #TUDUM pic.twitter.com/HladehlYiE
"The fight isn’t over yet. Get ready for the epic series finale of Stranger Things."
Volume 1: November 26, 5pm PT* Volume 2: Christmas, 5pm PT* The Finale: New Year's Eve, 5pm PT* *releasing worldwide all at once, date may vary based on your local timezone"Stranger Things 5 will release this fall: four episodes on Nov. 26, three episodes on Christmas, and the finale episode on New Year’s Eve," Netflix revealed. "Each volume releases at 5:00 p.m. PST. For global release times, keep scrolling to find out when the final season will debut around the world. And you can watch the new video announcement below for a look at what’s in store."
Netflix added: "Here’s a look at the full synopsis for Stranger Things 5: 'The fall of 1987. Hawkins is scarred by the opening of the Rifts, and our heroes are united by a single goal: find and kill Vecna. But he has vanished — his whereabouts and plans unknown. Complicating their mission, the government has placed the town under military quarantine and intensified its hunt for Eleven, forcing her back into hiding. As the anniversary of Will’s disappearance approaches, so does a heavy, familiar dread."
The statement continues: "The final battle is looming — and with it, a darkness more powerful and more deadly than anything they’ve faced before. To end this nightmare, they’ll need everyone — the full party — standing together, one last time."
The cast of Stranger Things 5 includes, according to Netflix: Winona Ryder (Joyce Byers), David Harbour (Jim Hopper), Millie Bobby Brown (Eleven), Finn Wolfhard (Mike Wheeler), Gaten Matarazzo (Dustin Henderson), Caleb McLaughlin (Lucas Sinclair), Noah Schnapp (Will Byers), Sadie Sink (Max Mayfield), Natalia Dyer (Nancy Wheeler), Charlie Heaton (Jonathan Byers), Joe Keery (Steve Harrington), Maya Hawke (Robin Buckley), Priah Ferguson (Erica Sinclair), Brett Gelman (Murray), Jamie Campbell Bower (Vecna), Cara Buono (Karen Wheeler), Amybeth McNulty (Vickie), Nell Fisher (Holly Wheeler), Jake Connelly (Derek Turnbow), Alex Breaux (Lt. Akers), and Linda Hamilton (Dr. Kay).
In December, Netflix confirmed the fifth season was done filming and will come out in 2025, but an official date was not released then. "Production on the fifth and final season of Stranger Things has officially wrapped, set to premiere in 2025," the streaming giant wrote at that time.
“We’ve been telling this story for nearly a decade now,” wrote Stranger Things co-creator Ross Duffer in the lengthy Instagram post. “Many of our cast members joined us when they were kids, just ten or eleven years old. It wasn’t just a show for them — it was a defining part of their childhood. They’ve grown up before our eyes, becoming more than actors—they’ve become family."
He added: "But it’s not just the cast we consider family. Our crew — many of whom have been with us from the very beginning — holds a special place in our hearts. Their dedication and passion have been the backbone of this journey. Everyone involved was determined to bring this story to a satisfying conclusion. They poured their hearts and souls into it, and we couldn’t be more proud of what they’ve accomplished. We can’t wait to share it with you all next year. Until then — over and out.”
Related: 'Dexter: Resurrection' Teaser Trailer Turns Heads With Beloved Character's Return
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