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

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro proposed marijuana legalization in his budget request, citing lost revenue to neighboring states with legal cannabis.

A new poll reveals that 62% of Texans support marijuana legalization, including majorities across Republicans, Democrats, and independents.

A Minnesota study of 10,000 medical marijuana patients found it effectively treats pain and helps reduce opioid and other drug use.

US NEWS

Donald Trump proposed US control over Gaza, suggesting Palestinian residents leave, raising concerns over displacement. Some Arab nations rejected accepting more refugees.

A manhunt is underway in New Albany, Ohio, after a warehouse shooting left one dead and five injured. Police are searching for the suspect.

The US Postal Service has resumed delivering incoming parcels from China and Hong Kong after a brief suspension.

Crews recovered all 67 victims from last week’s deadly midair collision in Washington, DC, as investigators continue searching for the cause.

WORLD NEWS

A mass shooting at a Swedish adult education center left 10 people dead. Officials confirmed the attacker acted alone, with no known motive. Belgian police are chasing two suspects who fled into Brussels’ metro tunnels after the shooting. Authorities believe the incident is drug-related.

Uganda began its first-ever trial for a Sudan strain Ebola vaccine, aiming to vaccinate 40 individuals after a recent outbreak.

Thailand cut electricity to Myanmar border areas housing scam centers amid Chinese pressure, aiming to disrupt operations run by criminal syndicates.

SPORTS

Canadian fans continued booing the US national anthem during NBA and NHL games, despite the recent temporary pause on US tariffs.

Michael Jordan’s son, Marcus Jordan, was arrested in Florida on a misdemeanor drug charge after police found cocaine during a stop.

The Los Angeles Lakers acquired Luka Dončić in a blockbuster trade, sending Anthony Davis to the Mavericks in a league-shaking deal. Kyrie Irving is in the “grieving process” after Luka Dončić’s shock trade to the Lakers, calling it a difficult adjustment.

Simona Halep announced her retirement from tennis, reflecting on her successful career, including two grand slam titles and world No. 1 status.

POP CULTURE

The 2025 Grammy Awards attracted 15.4 million TV viewers, a 9% decrease from 2024. Weekend events raised $24 million for wildfire relief.

Ten new civil lawsuits alleging sexual assault and misconduct are expected to be filed against Sean “Diddy” Combs in the coming days.

Benson Boone apologized after his viral Grammys performance, explaining his on-stage jumpsuit adjustment, which sparked internet reactions and audience buzz.

Amber Ruffin, Emmy- and Tony-nominated comedian, will headline the 2025 White House Correspondents’ Dinner scheduled for April 26.

BUSINESS

US stock markets closed higher (S&P 500 +0.7%, Dow +0.3%, Nasdaq +1.4%) as investors analyzed earnings reports and December’s job openings, which fell to 7.6 million, the lowest since September.

Nissan confirmed ongoing discussions with Honda despite reports of canceled merger talks. The potential merger aims to share EV development costs and boost competitiveness.

Alphabet shares dropped over 7% in after-hours trading following a Q4 revenue miss, while Snap shares rose 5% on better-than-expected Q4 results.

Quote of the Day:

“Dreams are necessary to life.”

- Anais Nin

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