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

Men smoke more marijuana, while women prefer edibles, drinks, and lotions, according to new federal data on cannabis use.

Seven in ten Americans support cannabis lounges at casinos; two in five say it would make them more likely to visit.

Cannabis may aid short-term injury recovery, but risks like addiction, cognitive issues, and inconsistent dosing require careful medical evaluation.

Former NORML staffer accuses ex-board chair of sexual harassment, raising concerns about misconduct within prominent cannabis advocacy organization.

US NEWS

SpaceX’s Starship reached orbit but failed reentry, marking its third incomplete test; Musk plans faster launch cadence moving forward.

Trump asks Supreme Court to ease deportation rules, allowing U.S. to send immigrants to third countries without prior notification.

Judge rules Trump administration’s DOGE team can access Treasury systems, despite privacy concerns; safeguards promised after prior misuse attempts.

Harvard revokes Francesca Gino’s tenure for data fraud—the first such case since the 1940s; Gino denies wrongdoing, sues back.

Health Secretary RFK Jr. says CDC will drop COVID-19 vaccines from recommended list for healthy kids and pregnant women.

WORLD NEWS

Cholera outbreak worsens in war-torn Sudan; drone strikes cripple water access, deepening crisis amid civil war claiming 150,000 lives.

Crowds overrun U.S.-backed Gaza aid site; chaos erupts as hunger, mistrust, and armed security complicate humanitarian delivery efforts.

ICC prosecutor planned warrants for Israeli ministers before stepping down over sexual assault claims, delaying high-profile international legal action.

North Korea uses unwitting Americans to infiltrate U.S. companies with stolen identities, earning funds through remote jobs and tech deception.

SPORTS

Trump threatens to cut California funding over transgender athlete’s participation in high school track championship, escalating political culture clash.

Tyrese Haliburton posts historic triple-double with zero turnovers, leading Pacers past Knicks for 3-1 series lead in East Finals.

Cornell wins first men’s lacrosse title since 1977; UNC women go undefeated to claim national championship in dominant season.

Terry Bradshaw slams Steelers’ pursuit of Aaron Rodgers as “a joke,” blames team—not Kenny Pickett—for recent quarterback struggles.

POP CULTURE

HBO casts new Harry, Hermione, and Ron for decade-long “Harry Potter” TV series; filming begins this summer, debut set for 2026.

Diddy’s ex-aide testifies he kidnapped her at gunpoint, threatened Kid Cudi, as sex trafficking trial intensifies in federal court.

Billie Eilish sweeps 2025 American Music Awards, winning seven trophies and cementing her status as a dominant force in music.

Rock legend Rick Derringer, known for six-decade career and hits like “Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo,” dies at 77.

Tinder struggles with Gen Z users; new CEO aims to revive app’s relevance with younger singles and modern dating habits.

BUSINESS

U.S. markets surge on trade optimism; S&P 500 up 2.1%, Dow 1.8%, Nasdaq 2.5% amid hopes to avoid EU tariff hikes.

Salesforce acquires Informatica in $8B all-equity deal, expanding its cloud data management capabilities and enterprise software footprint.

Neuralink raises $600M at $9B valuation, more than doubling since 2023, as interest in brain-computer interface tech surges.

Southwest drops free checked bags policy; most passengers now pay $35 for first bag, $45 for second, ending long-held perk.

Quote of the Day:

“Give light and people will find the way.”

- Ella Baker

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