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

Veterans Action Council appeals DEA’s exclusion from marijuana rescheduling hearings, advocating for Schedule V access for veterans.

Idaho approves signature collection for 2026 ballot initiative to legalize personal marijuana use and cultivation, excluding commercial sales.

Trump nominates Dr. Janette Nesheiwat as surgeon general; she supports medical marijuana but highlights cannabis-related cardiovascular risks.

Utah study links medical cannabis legalization to decreased opioid use and overdose deaths, highlighting cannabis as a pain management alternative.

US NEWS

Vito the pug wins National Dog Show, making history as the first of his breed to achieve Best in Show.

Stanford’s Dr. Jay Bhattacharya nominated to lead NIH, overseeing $48B budget; known for opposing widespread COVID-19 lockdowns.

Arctic air and intense lake-effect snow grip the eastern US, with temperatures plunging 15–25 degrees and snowfall reaching up to 6 feet.

WORLD NEWS

Chinese ship accused of sabotaging Baltic Sea cables; NATO surrounds vessel, investigates potential Russian intelligence involvement in anchor-dragging incident.

Australia bans social media for under-16s; platforms face $33M fines for noncompliance under groundbreaking new law.

UK lawmakers approve assisted dying bill for terminally ill; eligible patients must have six months to live.

Notre Dame Cathedral unveils renovated interior; reopening set next Saturday after restoration following 2019 fire.

US-China prisoner swap frees three Americans; Mark Swidan, Kai Li, and John Leung return home as three Chinese detainees repatriated.

SPORTS

San Jose State volleyball controversy highlights NCAA’s sport-specific transgender athlete rules, sparking ongoing debate over fairness and scientific consensus.

Georgia rallies from a 17-point deficit to defeat Georgia Tech 44-42 in a historic, marathon eight-overtime game.

Chiefs clinch playoff spot with 19-17 win, overcoming Raiders’ late surge and fumble, marking their 10th straight postseason appearance.

Travis Hunter’s two-way dominance—three touchdowns and an interception—solidifies his Heisman case in Colorado’s 52-0 rout over Oklahoma State.

POP CULTURE

Dwayne Johnson confirms using a bodysuit for his Maui role in live-action Moana, revealing extensive daily transformation efforts.

Nick Cannon acknowledges narcissistic personality disorder diagnosis, embraces therapy, and aims to inspire others through his personal healing journey.

Drake accuses Universal Music Group of using bots and pay-to-play tactics to artificially inflate Kendrick Lamar’s song “Not Like Us.”

BUSINESS

OpenAI’s video model Sora leaks; accusations of artist exploitation emerge as access spreads via Hugging Face developer community.

Trump’s proposed tariffs on Mexican and Canadian imports could raise alcohol prices, impacting beer, tequila, and U.S. craft breweries.

Thanksgiving Day online shopping hit a record $6.1 billion, driven by big discounts, increased mobile purchases, and “Buy Now, Pay Later” plans.

Quote of the Day:

“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.”

- Theodore Roosevelt

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