Rolling out the news you want

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

The Lunar New Year begins today, welcoming the Year of the Wood Snake with global celebrations, family traditions, and the world’s largest migration.

CANNABIS

A major study on cannabis and brain function found that heavy use significantly impacts working memory and decision-making. Researchers analyzed 1,003 individuals, revealing that 63% of heavy users experienced reduced brain activity, affecting short-term information retention and cognitive processing.

Government watchdog sues HHS for withholding marijuana rescheduling records, seeking communications with DOJ and DEA under Freedom of Information Act.

Congressional Research Service report says Trump’s marijuana policy is unclear, with cannabis rescheduling proposal’s finalization still uncertain.

US NEWS

A federal judge temporarily blocked Trump’s funding freeze, delaying cuts to education, healthcare, and small business aid until a Monday hearing.

OpenAI launches ChatGPT Gov, an AI chatbot designed for government agencies, offering AI capabilities while maintaining internal security and compliance measures.

The White House confirms mystery drones seen along the U.S. East Coast were FAA-authorized for research and recreational use last year.

President Trump’s Medicaid freeze blocks coverage for 72 million Americans, causing widespread shutdowns of Medicaid payments across the U.S., lawmakers report.

WORLD NEWS

Hackers from China, Iran, and other nations are leveraging AI technology to enhance cyberattacks against U.S. and global targets, increasing security concerns.

A crowd crush at India’s Maha Kumbh Mela festival killed multiple people as millions gathered for a holy dip, prompting safety concerns.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un inspects a nuclear facility, urging arsenal expansion amid tensions with the U.S. following Trump’s inauguration.

SPORTS

The NFL’s AFC Championship Game set a new record with 58 million viewers, making it the most-watched conference championship ever.

Brittney Griner joins Atlanta Dream, while Phoenix Mercury acquire Alyssa Thomas in a major WNBA shakeup reshaping team rosters for 2025.

Sacramento Kings explore De’Aaron Fox trade before deadline as All-Star guard eyes future options, with San Antonio Spurs a preferred destination.

POP CULTURE

Dolly Parton’s autobiographical stage musical debuts in Nashville ahead of its planned 2026 Broadway release, celebrating her legendary life and career.

Dave Franco acknowledges widespread comparisons to Luigi Mangione but confirms no official offers have been made for him to play the role.

Justin Baldoni apologizes to Blake Lively in a leaked voice memo amid their ongoing legal battle over alleged harassment and creative disputes.

BUSINESS

U.S. stocks rebounded as the S&P 500, Dow, and Nasdaq rose, with Nvidia surging 9% after a tech sell-off recovery.

Elon Musk’s X partners with Visa to launch real-time payments, allowing users to transfer funds from debit cards or bank accounts.

JetBlue shares plummet 26% following a disappointing Q1 report and a weaker-than-expected full-year outlook, signaling financial challenges ahead.

General Motors shares drop 9% despite exceeding Q4 revenue and earnings expectations, as regulatory uncertainty weighs on investor confidence.

Quote of the Day:

“It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.”

- e. e. cummings

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