PETA calls to end Groundhog Day tradition, replace Punxsutawney Phil with 'vegan weather reveal cake'
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is calling to ax a beloved American tradition – and to replace it with what it calls a "delicious" vegan substitution.
The animal rights nonprofit organization is seeking to replace the Groundhog Day tradition with a vegan "weather reveal" cake. PETA announced the proposal in a news release on Jan. 20.
"PETA will deliver a delicious 'Weather Reveal' vegan cake each Groundhog Day in perpetuity if [the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club] agrees to let Punxsutawney Phil and his family retire to a reputable sanctuary, a move that will earn the outfit kudos from wildlife fans," the press release stated.
PETA also published pun-filled letter to the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club, arguing that the groundhog's annual duties were "no piece of cake" for him.
"Groundhogs are shy prey animals who, when allowed, actively avoid humans," the letter detailed. "Yet, year after year, Phil is transported to Gobler's Knob, whisked on stage, and subjected to a noisy announcer, screaming crowds, and flashing lights against all his natural instincts."
"If approached in his natural habitat, he would run away in fear, not volunteer to live year-round in captivity, unable to do anything that's natural and important to him like hibernate or burrow – just to be a town's once-a-year fake meteorologist."
In a statement, PETA president Ingrid Newkirk also called for Groundhog Day officials to "sprinkle some happiness" into Phil's life by letting him retire.
"When allowed to be themselves, groundhogs avoid humans, create intricate networks of underground burrows, communicate with one another, and even climb trees, but poor Phil is denied all of that for a tired old gimmick," Newkirk argued.
PETA told Fox News Digital that it has not received a response from the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club, and called for the organization to develop "kinder, innovative" traditions that make animals happy.
"Our letter suggests the groundhog club demonstrate true respect for Phil and set a wonderful example for how everyone can move beyond 'Groundhog' Day by replacing him with a delicious vegan 'Weather Reveal' cake that revelers can enjoy as an alternative to exploiting wild animals," a spokesperson explained. "The time is long overdue."
PETA has called for Groundhog Day alternatives in the past, including offering to send a giant gold coin to replace the animal in 2024.
Groundhog Day has been celebrated in the U.S. since 1887. Thousands of observers flock to Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, every year on Feb. 2 to see Phil predict the weather.
Tradition dictates that if Phil sees his shadow at daybreak and runs away, six more weeks of winter will follow. However, if he has no shadow, spring will arrive sooner.
In 2024, Phil announced that he did not see his shadow, marking a rare prediction for an early spring.
Fox News Digital reached out to PETA and the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club for comment.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Why Brian Wilson's Net Worth Before His Death Is Lower Than You'd Think
The leader of one of the greatest rock bands of all time has died. At the age of 82, Brian Wilson passed away. The exact cause of death has yet to be determined, but it appears he struggled with a neurocognitive disorder in his later years. He leaves behind an immortal legacy of incredible music, which, although it became popular in the 1960s, has a popularity and intense relevance beyond just one generation. If there was any band that could declare itself the American version of The Beatles, it was Wilson's Beach Boys. Because Wilson was not only a musician but also a writer, it stands to reason that his albums and songs netted him a ton of cash over the years. So, just how much was Brian Wilson worth before his death? What was his net worth?According to Celebrity Net Worth and Parade, Brian Wilson's net worth at the time of his death was $100 million dollars. While that sounds like a lot, just consider that currently, Paul McCartney is worth $1.3 billion. Similarly, Bob Dylan, another contemporary of Wilson's, is closer to $300 million, while Mick Jagger is around $318 million. Obviously, Wilson's net worth could have come from his various albums and the countless times that Beach Boys songs have been used in movies, TV, and commercials. But, when you consider the ubiquity of songs like "Good Vibrations," to say nothing of "California Girls," you'd think this number would be a little bit higher. Here's why it's songwriting royalties alone were certainly reflective of great wealth, but the truth is, it could have been much more. The reason why Wilson's net worth wasn't in the stratosphere is that in 1969, the vast majority of the rights to Wilson's songs were sold to Irving Alamo Music for just $700,00 dollars. This decision was made by Wilson's father, Murray Wilson, and resulted in the company that previously owned the music, Sea of Tunes, becoming very profitable. But not for Wilson. In the 1990s, it was revealed that shady business dealings allowed Wilson to sue for the return of his rights. That didn't happen, but he did get $25 million awarded in damages. Though a subsequent lawsuit from bandmate Mike Love divided up those payments a bit more Of course, $100 million is still nothing to shake a stick at. But, unlike some of his contemporaries, Wilson wasn't rolling in dough from passive income thanks to profits from his songs. Much of his fortune came from his extensive tours, as well as his prolific solo Brian Wilson's Net Worth Before His Death Is Lower Than You'd Think first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 11, 2025
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
‘If you're a fascist, then get a Tesla': Neil Young's new album takes potshots Elon Musk
After weighing in behind Bruce Springsteen in his internationally reported takedown of President Trump's government onstage at Manchester Arena last month, this other left-leaning giant of American rock from the 1970s voiced fears that he, having been a consistent critic of Trump, chiefly over the issue of climate-change denial, may face problems regaining entry to his home nation following his European tour this summer. At this febrile moment, one might've expected Young, now 79, and as outspoken as ever – he made headlines last year after apparently refusing to sign up for Glastonbury 2025 on account of its BBC-driven corporatisation (he now appears to be headlining on Saturday night!) – to fill his latest long-player, his 46th studio outing, with polemical rantings, but as any long-standing fan knows, Young remains creatively wilful, and rarely serves up what might be expected of him at a given time. In recent years, he has been deluging the collector's market with archival releases, many of them 'new' old albums which he shelved years ago. In amongst all that, however, interested parties may be forgiven for not having noticed that Young had found a productive groove with a reconstituted line-up of his beloved, amps-on-11 backing band, Crazy Horse, releasing three new records with them, culminating with 2022's Rick Rubin-produced World Record. There, on Chevrolet, this unflagging automobile enthusiast wrung his hands about lusting after a vintage gas-guzzler. Further back, around his investment in a hybrid-electric model Lincoln, he wrote at length about the driver's responsibility to their children's health and survival on 2009's Fork In The Road, and perhaps the most immediately ear-catching moment on Talkin To The Trees arrives on Let's Roll Again, where, against clanging electric guitar chords, he urges America's automobile manufacturing giants, by name – Ford, GM and Chrysler – 'to build us something useful, something that won't kill our kids – come on America, let's roll again…on down the highway'. Alongside that responsible, depoliticised messaging, Young suddenly seems to find it hard to avoid needling at the Trump administration. 'China's way ahead, they're building clean cars,' he adds, knowing the mention of China will not be music to the president's ears. 'C'mon America, let's cover our backs, protect our children,' he goes on, before taking a clear potshot at Elon Musk. 'If you're a fascist, then get a Tesla: if it's electric then it doesn't matter. If you're a democrat: then chase your freedom, get whatever you want and taste your freedom.' Behind those words, of course, Young easily could've ramped up explicit themes of political dissent. Instead, his mind seems to be focused on enjoying the natural wonders of his ranch in Northern California, as well as, in the track Family Life, the domestic happiness he finds surrounded by his children and grandkids as he writes songs, and sings them for their approval, ' and also 'singing for my best wife ever, the best cook in the world' – a great review, indeed, for Darryl Hannah, the movie actor and activist, whom he married in 2018. Though second track Dark Mirage finds his 'new' band The Chrome Hearts – a mutation of his other one of late, Promise of the Real, with master soul keyboardist Spooner Oldham added – squalling into fierce feedback, as Young momentarily dips into lingering anger from his mid-'10s divorce – by and large, The Chrome Hearts are entrusted with summoning the kind of golden country-rock sound usually associated with Young's Harvest series – rustling acoustic guitars, blissful ivory-tinkling topped with Neil's wheezing harmonica, which light up rustic gems like First Fire Of Winter, the exquisite title track and the warm-hearted Thankful, As such, there's so much to enjoy here for long-standing fans – a mellow soundtrack perhaps for the four-wheel pilgrimage down to Glastonbury, with some fittingly thought-provoking messaging on automotive responsibility going forwards. In a week that has seen the passing of two of Young's West Coast peers, it's great to hear him sounding invigorated, domestically happy and creatively on song. Andrew Perry Prior to a brace of covers albums in 2023, it's fair to say that Belfast singer Van Morrison was in his 'late life super-grumpy' phase. Railing against everything from lockdown to scientists, he didn't hold back. My personal favourite from this era was a 2021 song called Why Are You on Facebook?, which contained the lines 'Why do you need second-hand friends? … Get a life.' And this from the sage who gave us Into The Mystic. Well, Van the Man is back doing what he does best. Remembering Now, his 47th album, is 14 songs of beautiful and reflective music addressing aging, romance and a sense of yearning for the landscapes and landmarks that made us who we are. It's 64 minutes of soulful blues and country folk, augmented by string arrangements by Fiachra Trench, who wrote the string parts for The Pogues' Fairytale of New York and worked with Morrison on his 1989 classic Avalon Sunset, to which Remembering Now can easily be compared. Folk star Seth Lakeman adds violin to three tracks. The album opens with Down to Joy, which soundtracked Kenneth Branagh's 2021 film Belfast and was nominated for a 'best original song' Oscar (Morrison lost out to Billie Eilish's Bond theme). Once In A Lifetime Feelings is one of three tracks with lyrics by Don Black, who's written for everyone from Meat Loaf to Michael Jackson. The song finds Morrison driving down to Monte Carlo with 'so much to say' to a loved one. It's fantastic. Stomping Ground sees the 79-year-old pleading to return to Belfast, while the closing nine-minute Stretching Out is simply swooning. The highlight is Haven't Lost My Sense of Wonder, which has touches of the awe that late songwriter Bill Fay saw in the world as he aged. 'Had my fill, 'cause I've been through the mill/ Now I'm saying 'Peace, be still,'' Morrison sings over lavish gospel-tinged soul. Under (hopefully) sunny skies, these songs will sound a treat when Morrison supports Neil Young in Hyde Park next month (along with Yusuf/ Cat Stevens). A lush return to form. James Hall Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
How to Watch FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Live Online
Ahead of the World Cup in 2026, the United States hosts the FIFA Club World Cup across 11 cities, including Miami Gardens, Pasadena, Seattle, Nashville, Atlanta, Charlotte, Cincinnati and others. The men's soccer tournament features the best 32 clubs in various leagues from all around the world, like Inter Miami CF, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, LAFC, Auckland City and more. It starts on Saturday, June 14. Advertisement More from The Hollywood Reporter At a Glance: How to Watch FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Online Watch FIFA Club World Cup 2025 on DirectV FIFA Club World Cup takes place in 12 venues throughout the United States, such as MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Georgia, Rose Bowl Stadium in California and others. On Saturday, the first match of the tournament features Al Ahly vs. Inter Miami CF at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida with a start time of 5 p.m. PT/8 p.m. ET. The match airs on TBS. Check out a complete list of cities and stadiums here. You can watch FIFA Club World Cup 2025 on DAZN, TNT, TBS and truTV. For a complete schedule for the FIFA Club World Cup, click here. How to Watch FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Online As mentioned above, the best way to watch the FIFA Club World Cup online is to stream the soccer tournament on DAZN. Advertisement However, since select matches are broadcast on TNT, TBS and truTV, the FIFA Club World Cup is available on web-based streaming cable services, some of which even offer free trials, like DirecTV, Hulu + Live TV and Sling TV. Eligible new subscribers can watch matches online for free if they act fast and sign up. Ahead, you'll find options for how to watch stream matches online without cable. DAZN DAZN Packages from $64.99 per month Get DAZN DAZN is the home to international sports, including FIFA, Glory Kickboxing, National League, UEFA Women's Championship League, Riyadh Season boxing, NFL Game Pass International and other American and international sports leagues. Advertisement You can stream matches online for free, but you can also go with DAZN's premium plan starting at $13.99 per month (reg. $19.99 per month) for an annual plan. Learn more about DAZN's offerings and pricing here. FIFA Club World Cup 2025: How To Watch Men's Soccer Online Livestream DirecTV Packages from $64.99 per month Get Directv free trial You can watch FIFA Club World Cup on TNT, TBS and truTV with DirecTV. All the cable alternative packages offer those networks, while the streamer's Choice package comes with more than 125 channels, such as AMC, Bravo, CNBC, Disney Channel, ESPN and others. In addition, the streamer has a five-day free trial available, but that's more than enough time to catch a few matches. You can either cancel or keep the service after the free trial is over, with signature package prices starting at $59.99 for the first month ($89.99 per month afterward). Hulu - Live TV's logo. Hulu + Live TV Packages from $76.99 per month Advertisement get Hulu + Live TV A Hulu + Live TV subscription includes TNT, TBS and truTV for the FIFA Club World Cup. The streaming service has access to more than 95 channels — like ESPN, BET, CNN, Bravo, Food Network and more — starting at $82.99 per month. It also comes with Hulu's entire streaming library, as well as Disney+ and ESPN+. The streaming service includes unlimited cloud DVR and a three-day free trial to try before you commit for the rest of the month. FIFA Club World Cup 2025: How To Watch Men's Soccer Online Livestream Sling Packages from $20 for the first month Get Sling Sling might be a good fit to watch the FIFA Club World Cup. It's the least-expensive cable alternative, with prices discounted at up to half off for the first month of service. The Sling Orange + Blue package includes TNT, TBS and truTV for FIFA Club World Cup. It also has ESPN, AMC, BET, CNN, Food Network, HGTV and other channels. Advertisement Please note: Prices and channel availability vary from TV market-to-TV market. How to Watch FIFA Club World Cup 2025 With Cable In the U.S., the FIFA Club World Cup is broadcast on cable networks TNT, TBS, and truTV. You can watch through your cable TV provider or with the TNT, TBS, and truTV mobile apps with your account login. Where to Buy FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Tickets Online Want to watch matches in person? Last-minute tickets are available for the FIFA Club World Cup at StubHub and GameTime — prices depend on the city and seat location. For more info, visit Some of the best deals on tickets are at Vivid Seats, where you can save $20 with code THR30, or at SeatGeek, where you can use promo code HOLLYWOOD10 to save $10 on eligible purchases of $250 and up. Click here for last-minute tickets to FIFA Club World Cup matches. Advertisement Buy FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Tickets at Vivid Seats Best of The Hollywood Reporter Sign up for THR's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
