Rolling out the news you want

Welcome to the BLUNT Newsletter, your direct access to pop culture that is short and to the point.

CANNABIS

Ex-DEA and HHS officials say marijuana rescheduling may stall indefinitely unless President Trump prioritizes and personally advances the process.

CMS finalizes rules confirming marijuana products aren’t eligible for Medicare or Medicaid coverage due to their status as illegal under federal law.

Hawaii Senate passes bill allowing healthcare professionals to recommend medical cannabis for any condition they consider “appropriate,” expanding patient access.

New study finds patients more comfortable with physicians using marijuana off-duty than not, viewing medical use similarly to nicotine consumption.

US NEWS

President Trump’s sweeping tariffs trigger global retaliation, including 104% duties on Chinese goods. Markets plunge amid recession fears. Consumers face rising prices on essentials. China, EU, and others vow countermeasures, escalating trade tensions and threatening global economic stability and supply chains.

Mass shooting in Spotsylvania County, Virginia leaves 3 dead, 3 injured. Manhunt underway; public urged to stay indoors, share footage.

IRS Acting Commissioner Melanie Krause resigns after agency agrees to share taxpayer data with DHS. She’s the third to depart recently.

Elon Musk slams Trump adviser Peter Navarro as a “moron” over false tariff claims. Musk defends Tesla’s U.S. manufacturing dominance.

Judge rules White House violated First Amendment by limiting AP access over “Gulf of Mexico” usage; government has one week to appeal.

WORLD NEWS

Roof collapse at Dominican music venue kills 98, including governor Nelsy Cruz, merengue star Rubby Pérez, and former MLB players.

Prince Harry challenges UK court over reduced security, claiming procedural unfairness and risk after stepping back from royal duties.

Ukraine captures two Chinese nationals fighting for Russia in Donetsk. Zelensky urges Beijing to respond; U.S. calls report disturbing amid rising tensions.

SPORTS

Denver Nuggets fire head coach Michael Malone and general manager Calvin Booth amid four-game losing streak before playoffs. 

Grizzlies rookie Jaylen Wells hospitalized after hard fall on dunk attempt; shows movement, shares positive update, Simpson ejected for Flagrant 2.

Auburn coach Hugh Freeze, battling low-aggression prostate cancer, enters Year 3 with confidence in roster growth, staff stability, and quarterback reset.

POP CULTURE

Tom Cruise’s Mission: Impossible 8 will premiere out of competition at Cannes on May 14 with full lineup tomorrow.

Adolescence hits 114 million views, becoming Netflix’s fourth most-watched English-language show, surpassing Bridgerton and approaching Dahmer.

YouTube star Ms. Rachel welcomes daughter via surrogate, shares emotional post about motherhood, gratitude, and growing family with husband Aron.

BUSINESS

Stocks tumble as China retaliates against Trump’s sweeping tariffs; markets near bear territory, oil plunges, volatility surges, global recession fears grow.

President Donald Trump signed executive orders to boost coal mining by defining coal as a “mineral” and extending coal plants’ operations to meet AI-driven energy demand.

Delta warns of stalled growth and economic uncertainty, slashes revenue outlook and abandons record profit forecast amid rising recession fears.

Quote of the Day:

“O, wind, if winter comes, can spring be far behind?”

- Percy Bysshe Shelley

That's all for now! We hope you enjoyed this edition of the BLUNT Newsletter. Have a fantastic rest of your day!