Rolling out the news you want

Welcome to the BLUNT Newsletter, your direct access to pop culture that is short and to the point.

Quick Hit:

Trump Assassination Attempt: Former Fire Chief Killed, Suspect Identified.

Security lapses at Trump’s Pennsylvania rally allowed a gunman on an unsecured rooftop to fire at the stage. Confusion among law enforcement and miscommunication between the Secret Service and local police compounded the issue. Attendees and officers identified the shooter but failed to prevent the attack in time.

Former fire chief Corey Comperatore, 50, was killed, and David Dutch, 57, and James Copenhaver, 74, were injured in the Trump rally shooting. The shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, was a gun club member and nursing facility dietary aide. Authorities found over a dozen guns at his family home.

Sources reveal that U.S. officials were aware of an Iranian plot to kill former President Donald Trump weeks before the assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania.

CANNABIS

President Biden emphasized decriminalizing marijuana possession and expunging past convictions at the NAACP National Convention, highlighting ongoing cannabis policy reform as a key campaign issue amidst reelection speculations.

Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) introduced the DOOBIE Act to prevent federal agencies from using past marijuana use as a basis for employment and security clearance decisions. The bill aims to ensure eligibility for federal jobs is not impacted by prior cannabis consumption.

NIDA Director Nora Volkow urges shifting from drug criminalization to treatment, emphasizing addiction treatment in jails to combat the opioid crisis and advocating for a public-health approach to improve outcomes.

US NEWS

Senator Bob Menendez was convicted of bribery, fraud, and extortion. Facing decades in prison, he received bribes to influence investigations. Calls for his resignation have intensified.

American Rounds introduced AI-equipped ammunition vending machines in grocery stores in Alabama, Texas, and Oklahoma, verifying customer identity. Despite mixed reactions, ATF confirms legality, with plans to expand further.

Secret Service officials increased former President Donald Trump’s security detail recently due to an Iranian assassination threat, which is believed to be unrelated to Saturday’s attempt. Investigators continue to search for the motive behind Saturday’s attack. See the latest details.

WORLD NEWS

Senior North Korean diplomat Ri Il Kyu defected to South Korea. Stationed in Cuba, Ri is the highest-ranking diplomat to defect since 2016, citing disappointment with North Korea’s leadership as a reason.

Israeli airstrikes killed more than 60 people in southern and central Gaza, including areas previously declared safe zones, according to the Hamas-run Health Ministry.

Student protests in Bangladesh over government job quotas for veterans’ relatives erupted into clashes, resulting in at least five deaths. University students have been protesting the policy reserving 30% of government jobs for relatives of 1971 independence war veterans.

SPORTS

Joe "Jellybean" Bryant, former NBA player and father of Kobe Bryant, dies at age 69.

Jarren Duran earned All-Star Game MVP honors with a home run that powered the American League to victory.

Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving underwent surgery for a broken left hand, sustained while training earlier this month, the team announced Tuesday.

POP CULTURE

A 161-million-year-old stegosaurus fossil, “Apex,” will be auctioned by Sotheby’s, expected to fetch $4M-$6M. Discovered in Colorado, Apex is 11 feet tall and 27 feet long, the largest of its kind.

Interest in J.D. Vance’s “Hillbilly Elegy” soared after he was chosen as Trump’s vice presidential nominee. The memoir topped Amazon’s charts on Prime Day, and the film adaptation re-entered Netflix’s U.S. top 10.

The Los Angeles Police Department is investigating the death of TV fitness icon Richard Simmons, who was found dead at his home on Saturday at age 76.

Jack Black’s band canceled their tour following backlash to a bandmate’s comment on the Trump assassination attempt. The controversial remark led to significant public outcry, prompting the band’s decision to halt their performances.

BUSINESS

US stock markets closed higher: S&P 500 +0.6%, Dow +1.9%, Nasdaq +0.2%, with the Dow experiencing its best day in a year.

Lucid’s new Air Pure sedan achieves 5 miles per kilowatt-hour, equivalent to 146 miles per gallon, with a range of 420 miles, making it the most efficient EV ever made.

Elon Musk is moving SpaceX and X headquarters from California to Texas, citing a new California law prohibiting schools from requiring staff to notify parents if a child changes their gender identification.

Quote of the Day:

"An artist's career always begins tomorrow.“

- James Whistler

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