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

A House subcommittee approved a bill blocking marijuana rescheduling, while still protecting state medical cannabis programs from federal enforcement interference.

The House Rules Committee blocked a proposed amendment that would’ve shifted $10M to fund psychedelic medical trials at the Department of Defense.

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear announced the state’s first legal medical cannabis plants are now growing, calling it a milestone for patient access.

New Jersey approved its first marijuana consumption lounge endorsements, a long-awaited step toward expanding safe, social cannabis use in the state.

US NEWS

Republicans voted against a Democratic-proposed amendment that would have required a floor vote to release government files related to deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The amendment failed to advance, preventing further action on publicly disclosing those records.The Justice Department stated last week that it found no evidence of a client list in the Jeffrey Epstein case, according to a two-page memo. This finding further dims hopes for public disclosure of names linked to the disgraced financier.

A federal grand jury has indicted a man accused of fatally shooting Minnesota state Rep. Melissa Hortman (D) and her husband.

Flash floods in NYC and NJ killed two, overwhelmed subways, and exposed how extreme weather strains America’s aging transit infrastructure.

Canadian wildfire smoke sparks air quality alerts across the Upper Midwest; Toronto ranks among world’s worst for air quality this week.

WORLD NEWS

Russia launched its largest drone attack of the week on Ukraine, heavily bombing Zelensky’s hometown and key cities, injuring dozens.

The Trinity Test, first nuclear bomb detonation in 1945 New Mexico, marks 80 years; its legacy includes war’s end and fallout.

Israel’s 12-day war with Iran showed missile defense limits, as Iran’s strike accuracy improved while Israel’s interception rate steadily declined.

As democracy collapses in Georgia, Russia, China, and Iran expand influence; U.S. lawmakers push sanctions to support democratic reform efforts.

SPORTS

Portland’s new WNBA team revives the “Fire” name from the city’s former franchise, with play set to begin in 2026.

Kyle Schwarber hit three homers in MLB’s first All-Star swing-off, leading the NL to a thrilling 8–minute midnight victory, 4–3.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver says expansion talks are underway but no timeline or decisions yet; Seattle remains a top market candidate.

The Jets extended CB Sauce Gardner for four years, $120.4M, making him the NFL’s highest-paid cornerback; Chiefs re-signed G Trey Smith to a record-setting $94M deal.

POP CULTURE

The 77th Emmy nominations highlight streaming’s dominance, with “Severance” leading and HBO Max earning a record 142 total nods.

Ozzy Osbourne’s final Black Sabbath show raised a record $190M for charity, blending rock legacy with massive philanthropic impact.

Unreleased Beyoncé music and concert footage were stolen during her Cowboy Carter tour stop in Atlanta, sparking major security concerns.

Fauja Singh, Indian-born runner who made history finishing a marathon at 100, dies at 114 after tragic car accident.

David Kaff, actor and musician known for his role in “This Is Spinal Tap,” dies at 79, leaving cult legacy.

BUSINESS

US markets close mixed as Nasdaq hits record, boosted by Nvidia’s 4% jump amid plans to resume AI chip sales to China.

Inflation rose slightly in June, with CPI up 2.7% and core 2.9%, matching forecasts; crypto regulation bills stall in Congress.

AI startup Anthropic launches Claude for Financial Services, using its flagship model to analyze market trends from diverse data sources.

Google announces $25B investment in AI infrastructure, including a 20-year, $3B deal for Pennsylvania hydropower to power data centers.

Researchers 3D print biomaterial mimicking lung tissue, paving the way for testing lung disease treatments without using living patients.

MP Materials, owner of the only U.S. rare earths mine, signs $500M deal with Apple; stock jumps 20% on the news.

Quote of the Day:

“Hold yourself responsible for a higher standard than anybody expects of you. Never excuse yourself.“

- Henry Ward Beecher

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