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

Legal experts disagree on Supreme Court review of marijuana businesses’ challenge to federal prohibition - some say it's ripe; others believe alternate plaintiffs have stronger odds.

GOP senators propose harsher penalties for marijuana edibles resembling candy or drinks if there's reason to believe minors might access them.

Review finds medicinal cannabis may reduce anxiety symptoms, but long-term effects and overall quality of life impact remain uncertain.

Study in mice finds CBD reduces brain inflammation and improves age-related cognitive decline, suggesting potential therapeutic benefits for aging brains.

US NEWS

Trump demands Iran surrender, claims US knows Khamenei’s location; no direct US strikes on Iran’s leader planned yet.

DHS reverses last week’s pause—ICE now ordered to resume raids on farms, hotels, and restaurants under renewed mass deportation mandate.

New York City Comptroller and mayoral hopeful Brad Lander was arrested by ICE at Manhattan immigration court for allegedly impeding officers; released hours later.

Sen. Mike Lee deleted controversial posts about Minnesota shootings after backlash, with lawmakers warning of rising threats and political violence.

WORLD NEWS

At least 21 people—including one U.S. citizen—killed and over 100 wounded in Russia’s largest drone and missile barrage on Kyiv overnight.

Indonesia raised its highest volcanic alert as Mount Lewotobi Laki‑Laki erupted massive ash plumes (~32,800 ft), prompting evacuations and flight disruptions.

At least 59 killed and over 200 wounded in Khan Younis, Gaza, when Israeli tanks shelled civilians waiting for aid; IDF investigating.

SPORTS

Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton hasb, will undergo MRI; determined to play Game 6 despite injury and limited mobility.

Florida Panthers win second straight Stanley Cup, defeating Oilers 5-1. Sam Bennett named MVP. Canadian Cup drought continues.

Indiana Fever clinch Commissioner’s Cup final berth after 88-71 win over Sun, game marred by scuffles and three player ejections.

POP CULTURE

Jungsik Yim of NYC’s Jungsik earned Outstanding Chef, and Boulder’s Frasca Food and Wine was named Outstanding Restaurant at the 2025 James Beard Awards.

R. Kelly hospitalized after near-fatal prison overdose, alleges staff purposely overmedicated him; serving 30 years on sex trafficking charges.

Anne Burrell, beloved Food Network chef and host of Worst Cooks in America, died at 55 at her Brooklyn home.

Doctor Salvador Plasencia to plead guilty to four counts of illegally distributing ketamine to Matthew Perry in weeks before actor’s fatal overdose.

BUSINESS

S&P 500 fell 0.8%, Dow dropped 0.7%, and Nasdaq declined 0.9%. Markets reacted to rising oil prices—up ~4%—as investors priced in “tail risks” from the Middle East conflict

Kraft Heinz will eliminate artificial dyes from US products by 2027, responding to FDA pressure and health concerns about synthetic colorings.

Streaming overtook combined U.S. broadcast and cable viewing for first time in May, commanding 44.8% share, led by YouTube’s 12.5%.

OpenAI secured a $200M Pentagon contract to develop prototype AI tools for defense applications, partnering with Anduril since December.

Quote of the Day:

“Basically, the first half of life is writing the text, and the second half is writing the commentary on that text.”
— Richard Rohr

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