Tens of thousands of attendees are finally leaving Burning Man.

Burnt Out

The Story

Tens of thousands of attendees are finally leaving Burning Man.

What do you mean?

Yesterday, more than 70,000 people were allowed to leave after being stuck in the mud in the middle of the desert for days. Since 1990, partygoers known as “burners” have flocked to Nevada’s Black Rock Desert for nine days of music and art installations. This year those plans got washed away as the remote area about 100 miles from Reno was hit with two to three months' worth of rain in 24 hours. The rainfall led to flooding, trapping people in ankle-deep mud too thick to drive on in the area’s flooded two-lane road out. Some, like Diplo and Chris Rock, managed to walk miles to reach a main road. A majority were told to shelter in place and conserve food and water.

What happens now?

Hundreds of vehicles left yesterday and many more are hoping to leave today — though there’s a slight chance rain and traffic jams could delay the exits. Local police said one person died and are investigating the cause. A couple of the symbolic burnings which signal the end of the festival were also postponed to today. President Biden said he was aware of the situation and was in touch with local authorities. The festival’s CEO said she did not see it “as an evacuation situation.”

theSkimm

Burning Man prides itself on self-reliance and rejection of capitalism (with a $575 price tag). This year, though, it was the ticket out of the festival that was most in demand.

Who could be kicking out one of their own…

Texas Republicans. Today, the state’s GOP-led Senate is set to begin the impeachment trial for Attorney General Ken Paxton (R). He is accused of abuse of office, bribery, and improper influence. In May, the GOP-led House impeached Paxton and suspended him from his duties. Now, a 19-12 majority Republican Senate will decide whether to permanently remove and bar him from office. Paxton, who once served on the State Senate, still has conservative allies there. Among them is Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (R), who is presiding over the trial and has received $3 million from a Pro-Paxton PAC. The woman whom he's apparently acknowledged having an extramarital affair with will also be a witness. If all 12 Democrats vote to convict him, they would still need at least nine Republicans to kick him out. Paxton has denied all claims and called the impeachment a “politically motivated sham.”

…Oh and speaking of impeachments, House Republicans are eyeing an impeachment inquiry into President Biden over the financial dealings of his son, Hunter. The White House is reportedly already prepared to challenge.

Who’s raising eyebrows…

Ruby Franke. Last week, Utah police arrested the YouTube momfluencer and charged her with aggravated child abuse. Franke ran the now-deleted channel “8 Passengers” with more than 2 million subscribers. Momfluencers post content of their life often curated to appear aspirational while cashing in through brand deals. Franke was arrested after her 12-year-old son escaped out a window of her business partner’s home and ran to a nearby house for help. Police said the boy asked a neighbor for food and water and was seen with duct tape on his ankles and wrists. Officers said they also found Franke’s 10-year-old daughter malnourished. The arrest comes two years after viewers pushed for CPS to open an investigation. Franke faces up to 15 years in prison and $10,000 in fines if convicted.

Who’s being remembered…

Steve Harwell. Yesterday, the lead singer of Smash Mouth died of liver failure. He was 56. Harwell is most recognized for his voice on his band’s smash hits “All Star” and “I’m a Believer.” Both songs went platinum after they were featured in the 2001 “Shrek” soundtrack. In 2021, Harwell left the band after he drew controversy for apparently giving a Nazi salute at a live show. NSYNC members — whom Smash Mouth once toured with — said Harwell was “an amazing soul and will be deeply missed.”

What turned out to be tragic…

A gender reveal party. Yesterday, a pilot died after the plane he flew as part of the reveal crashed. A video captured the plane releasing pink smoke over a couple in Mexico when the plane’s left wing appeared to separate from the aircraft. No other injuries were reported and the cause of the crash remains unclear.

Who we’re all worried about...

Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner.

Which hot girls are reuniting...

Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion.