Rolling out the news you want

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

Merry Christmas! May your days be merry and your joints be bright!

CANNABIS

Pagans incorporated cannabis into winter solstice celebrations like Yule. Traditions included smudging with cannabis, festive hemp seed soups, and intoxicating Julbeers. Cannabis symbolized renewal during dark times, mirroring other natural elements used to ward off spirits and celebrate life’s cycles.

NHTSA ad featuring stoned Christmas tree warns against marijuana-impaired driving, urging festive cannabis users to find sober rides.

New York Gov. Hochul resumes marijuana farmers markets, classifies cannabis as agriculture, vetoes bill easing marijuana companies’ tax payments.

Study finds marijuana legalization reduces opioid overdose deaths, showing immediate, lasting declines in states with early legalization efforts.

US NEWS

House Ethics Committee finds Matt Gaetz violated ethics rules, paying over $90K for sex, drugs, with alleged state law violations.

The Supreme Court faces critical cases affecting teenagers, including TikTok’s ban, transgender care, vaping regulations, and online content laws, amid growing youth distrust.

The FDA reclassified a recall of Handsome Brook Farms organic eggs sold at Costco in five states as a Class 1 alert due to salmonella risks. Consumers are urged to avoid affected cartons and seek refunds.

Most major retailers and grocery stores have reduced hours on Christmas Eve and are closed on Christmas Day, including Walmart, Target, and Kroger. Banks, postal services, and stock markets close on Christmas. Check local businesses for specific hours.

Mega Millions jackpot hits $1.15 billion after no winners on Christmas Eve, making it the fifth-largest prize in game history.

WORLD NEWS

Russia launched extensive missile and drone strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure on Christmas Day, leaving over 500,000 households in Kharkiv without heating amidst freezing temperatures. Ukrainian President Zelensky condemned the timing as “inhumane.”

Chinese court gives suspended death sentence to Huang Wen, who rammed his car into a school crowd, injuring 30, including students.

France’s Pelicot trial convicted 51 men of rape, exposing systemic violence against women. Survivor Gisèle Pelicot’s bravery spurred national debate on consent and rape culture, pushing for legal reform and feminist activism for a safer, equitable future.

SPORTS

Netflix airs two NFL Christmas Day games: Chiefs vs. Steelers (1 pm ET) and Ravens vs. Texans (4:30 pm ET). Beyoncé headlines halftime.

Colorado secured record disability insurance for QB Shedeur Sanders and Heisman winner Travis Hunter, ensuring top protection ahead of their Alamo Bowl appearances. This unprecedented move reflects Coach Prime’s commitment to player welfare and collegiate excellence.

Georgia QB Carson Beck underwent successful elbow surgery, ending his season before the College Football Playoff. Redshirt sophomore Gunner Stockton will start against Notre Dame, marking his first career start. Beck is expected to recover by spring.

POP CULTURE

“Squid Game” season 2 premieres Thursday, Dec. 26, on Netflix.

Actor Justin Baldoni denies allegations from ex-costar Blake Lively, calling her claims “false, outrageous, and intentionally salacious,” per his attorney.

Christopher Nolan will adapt Homer’s The Odyssey into an IMAX epic, featuring Zendaya, Tom Holland, and Robert Pattinson. Scheduled for a July 2026 release, the star-studded film will reimagine Odysseus’ mythical journey home after the Trojan War.

BUSINESS

Honda and Nissan plan merger, targeting August 2026, aiming to streamline operations, develop EVs, and boost competitiveness amid declining profits.

Meta’s next-gen Ray-Ban smart glasses to feature in-lens displays, reports suggest.

Iran lifts bans on WhatsApp, Google Play to ease internet restrictions, signaling a potential shift in digital censorship policies.

Quote of the Day:

“Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.”

- Norman Vincent Peale

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