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

Jimmy Carter’s grandson praised his “prophetic” advocacy for marijuana decriminalization, climate action, and progressive policies at the former president’s funeral.

Ohio cannabis legalization linked to 30% decline in marijuana-related traffic deaths, defying fears of increased accidents from impaired driving.

Meta’s updated free expression policies still restrict cannabis-related content, blocking searches and limiting visibility despite evolving public and legal support.

US NEWS

President-elect Donald Trump received an unconditional discharge for falsifying business records related to a hush money payment to Stormy Daniels. Judge Juan Merchan indicated that Trump’s presidential status shielded him from more severe penalties.

Los Angeles’ largest fire expanded overnight, prompting new evacuations and dashing hopes for containment progress by firefighting crews.

The US offers $25M reward for Maduro’s arrest, imposes sanctions on Venezuelan officials, and extends temporary protected status for migrants.

WORLD NEWS

Ukrainian forces captured two North Korean soldiers in Russia’s Kursk region, marking the first live captures of North Korean personnel.

Protests erupted in China over a student’s death, with violent clashes between demonstrators and police amid accusations of an official cover-up.

The U.S. declared genocide in Sudan, citing atrocities by the RSF, including ethnic killings and sexual violence, amid escalating humanitarian crises.

SPORTS

Jack Sawyer’s 83-yard fumble-return touchdown secures Ohio State’s 28-14 Cotton Bowl victory over Texas, advancing them to the CFP final.

Nick Saban, legendary Alabama coach, will be inducted into the 2025 College Football Hall of Fame after a historic career.

Deion Sanders reveals he won’t allow his son, Shedeur, to play for certain NFL teams, citing professional concerns about their environments.

POP CULTURE

Will Ferrell dressed as Buddy the Elf at a hockey game simply for fun, saying he enjoys doing “weird things” occasionally.

Alec Baldwin files civil rights complaint against New Mexico officials, alleging wrongful prosecution, defamation, and evidence manipulation in the “Rust” case.

Los Angeles wildfires devastate homes of celebrities like Billy Crystal, Jeff Bridges, and Mandy Moore, prompting evacuations and heartfelt messages of resilience.

BUSINESS

Dow drops 700 points, S&P 500 falls 1.5% after U.S. job growth exceeds expectations, sparking market concerns.

US adds 256,000 jobs in December, beating forecasts; unemployment falls to 4.1%, signaling strong economic performance.

Constellation acquires Calpine for $16B, creating the largest U.S. clean energy provider, combining nuclear, natural gas, and geothermal assets.

Supreme Court likely to uphold law requiring TikTok’s divestment, citing national security concerns over ByteDance’s Chinese ownership and limited First Amendment protections.

Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket to debut tomorrow, testing Blue Ring spacecraft’s communications and tracking during six-hour orbital mission.

Quote of the Day:

“Put your heart, mind, and soul into even your smallest acts. This is the secret of success.”

- Swami Sivananda

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