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 federal report finds youth marijuana use has remained stable despite growing legalization, challenging long-standing fears of increased adolescent consumption.

A new study shows THC levels in breath rise after consuming edibles, advancing research on detecting marijuana-impaired driving for law enforcement.

A study on medical cannabis for adolescents with Tourette syndrome found significant improvements in tics, behavior, emotions, and overall quality of life.

A landmark clinical trial shows vaporized THC and CBD cannabis significantly reduces migraine symptoms, supporting patient reports and previous observational research.

US NEWS

A Nevada man drove cross-country and killed four in a New York City office building, missing his intended NFL target. He died by suicide and left a note blaming undiagnosed CTE, a brain disease linked to repeated football-related head trauma.

UCLA agrees to a $6 million settlement following allegations that the university discriminated against Jewish students on campus.

Ghislaine Maxwell offers to testify before Congress about Jeffrey Epstein if granted full immunity and clemency from her prison sentence. President Trump claims Jeffrey Epstein recruited staff from Mar-a-Lago, adding to scrutiny of their past social connections.

WORLD NEWS

A major earthquake near Russia’s eastern coast prompted tsunami warnings in Hawaii and California, but initial waves caused minimal impact.

The UK plans to recognize a Palestinian state in September, contingent on a ceasefire and renewed UN aid access in Gaza.

The Trump administration plans to destroy $9.7M in long-lasting contraceptives instead of distributing them abroad, sparking backlash from health groups.

India says it killed three Pakistani militants behind the Kashmir tourist massacre, following months of intelligence gathering and cross-border conflict.

SPORTS

Katie Ledecky wins the 1,500-meter freestyle, earning her 17th individual world title and extending her historic dominance in swimming.

Hall of Famer and Cubs legend Ryne Sandberg has died at 65 after battling cancer, remembered for his grit, humility, and iconic career.

All-Pro DE Trey Hendrickson will end his holdout and report to Bengals camp, signaling progress in ongoing contract extension talks.

Deion Sanders revealed he had his bladder removed after a cancer diagnosis but says he’s beaten it and is ready to coach again.

POP CULTURE

Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter” tour surpasses $400M in ticket sales, making her the first American artist to achieve that milestone twice.

Liam Neeson and Pamela Anderson sparked romance rumors after filming Naked Gun, teasing their chemistry while playing coy about dating.

Gwyneth Paltrow appears as a humorous “temporary spokesperson” for Astronomer, following viral fallout from the Coldplay concert Jumbotron scandal.

Doja Cat mocks Sydney Sweeney’s American Eagle ad in a viral video, amplifying backlash over the campaign’s alleged white supremacist undertones.

BUSINESS

US markets dip as tariff talks with China stall and investors brace for the Federal Reserve’s key interest rate decision today.

OpenAI launches Study Mode, allowing educators to tailor ChatGPT’s responses to mimic classroom teaching and provide structured, curriculum-aligned support.

Spotify shares plunge 11.6% after second quarter revenue misses expectations, sparking concerns about growth and investor confidence.

Boeing delivers its highest number of planes since 2018 and narrows quarterly losses to $176M, down from $1.1B last year.

Quote of the Day:

“You will never win if you never begin.”

- Helen Rowland

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