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 Bloomberg Intelligence poll finds 75% of young adults use cannabis as an alcohol alternative at least once per week.

The Pennsylvania House passed a bill to enhance medical cannabis safety through stricter compliance testing, product audits, statistical analyses, and lab inspections.

A study found CBD and spilanthol mouthwash supports oral microbiome balance, reducing bacteria that impact periodontal health.

New York’s Cannabis Office launched a $5M grant program to support businesses impacted by past marijuana criminalization with reimbursements for essential expenses.

US NEWS

NASA astronauts Williams and Wilmore returned after an unexpected nine-month ISS stay due to Starliner issues, completing 4,576 Earth orbits.

The Trump administration reinstated 24,500 federal workers after court rulings, while agencies plan further cuts, including EPA’s research office elimination.

The Trump administration declassified 30,000+ pages on JFK’s assassination, potentially shedding light on long-standing questions about his death.

A federal judge blocked Trump’s transgender military ban, citing discrimination and lack of factual basis, protecting an estimated 14,000 affected troops.

WORLD NEWS

Israel resumed airstrikes on Gaza, killing over 400 Palestinians, as ceasefire negotiations stalled. Netanyahu vowed continued war until Hamas’ destruction.

Protests erupt in Israel against Netanyahu’s renewed Gaza war, with critics accusing him of prioritizing politics over hostages and democracy.

Putin outmaneuvered Trump in ceasefire talks, offering minimal concessions while continuing Russia’s strategic war efforts, exposing diplomatic weaknesses in negotiations.

SPORTS

The Men’s 2025 NCAA Tournament begins, bringing bracket chaos and predictions. Duke is favored to win, defeating Florida in the championship. Sleepers include #6 BYU and #8 Gonzaga, with BYU upsetting Alabama and Gonzaga shocking Houston. Cinderella pick Akron, led by coach John Groce, is a strong upset contender. March Madness is unpredictable, but excitement is guaranteed.

The NCAA Women’s Tournament kicks off, with South Carolina favored to win. Final Four picks include UCLA, UConn, and Notre Dame. UConn vs. South Carolina in the Elite 8 will be a must-watch showdown. Sleeper pick Vanderbilt, led by freshman Mikayla Blakes, could surprise. While challengers lurk, dethroning the reigning champs remains a daunting task.

The Dodgers defeated the Cubs 4-1 in Tokyo’s season opener, with Ohtani starring and Japanese MLB talent shining on the international stage.

POP CULTURE

Sabrina Carpenter, Olivia Rodrigo, Luke Combs, and Tyler, the Creator will headline Lollapalooza 2025 in Chicago from July 31 to August 3.

The Happy Gilmore sequel premieres on Netflix July 25, continuing the beloved golf comedy starring Adam Sandler.

Ryan Reynolds seeks dismissal from Justin Baldoni’s $400M defamation lawsuit, arguing his statements were protected opinions and legally baseless.

BUSINESS

US stock markets decline as S&P 500 drops 1.1%, Dow 0.6%, and Nasdaq 1.7%, reversing gains from the past two days.

Meta’s open-source Llama AI model surpasses 1 billion global downloads, marking a major milestone in artificial intelligence adoption and development.

Google will acquire cybersecurity firm Wiz for $32 billion, marking its largest acquisition ever and the biggest cybersecurity deal in history.

Quote of the Day:

“It's hard to be humble, when you're as great as I am.”

- Muhammad Ali

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