News Round-Up: August 12, 2019

Some news items you might have missed:

• InstaHunks: While I'm working at my desk all day, I take a few seconds to check in with Alex Abramov and Brett Miles (above) whose Fire Island weekend hasn't come to an end yet. How nice for them :)

• Billboard: Out rapper Lil Nas X continues his reign atop the Billboard Hot 100 as his "Old Town Road" notches its 19th week as number one.

• OUT: In 2015, there were 1,400 reported cases of Hepatitis A in the U.S. Over the past three years, the number has spiked to 23,000. Since type A can be transmitted via anal sex, the CDC recommends gay and bisexual men get vaccinated against the disease. Click here to find the nearest pharmacy or clinic that offers Hepatitis A vaccinations. If you've had it, you have built-in immunity now.

• Business Insider: A new study shows that as New York City raised the minimum wage to $15 this year from $7.25, its restaurant industry outperformed the rest of the US in job growth and expansion. Researchers found no negative employment effects due to the city increasing its minimum wage.

• Axios: The federal budget deficit is up 27% from the same period last fiscal year, which begins in October. Spending has continued to outpace revenue, with a 3% rise of revenue overshadowed by an 8% jump in spending. Remember how the Trump tax cuts were going to pay for themselves?

• HBO: In this parody of FX's POSE ball sequences, Bob the Drag Queen channels his version of Billy Porter's 'Pray Tell' as host of "The Basic Ball."

Instead of the kids showing off fabulousness, the categories here are “clinical depression,” “barbecue daddies,” and “running errands,” with competitors giving you neutral colors and family reunion t-shirts.

No 'extra' here, folks. It's all down to 'basic.' Watch below or on YouTube here.