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 Hits:

USA wins first Olympic medal this morning: silver in women’s 3m synchronized springboard. China takes gold; Great Britain wins bronze.

CANNABIS

Study finds marijuana helps reduce opioid use and manage withdrawal symptoms, highlighting cannabis's potential benefits for people with substance misuse disorders.

Marijuana businesses face state environmental regulations due to high energy use. Compliance challenges include enforcement and educating regulators and growers.

Cannabis operators face unique real estate challenges due to regulatory complexities and financing issues, requiring strategic planning and community engagement.

Top staffers flee NY cannabis regulator after Gov. Kathy Hochul ousts agency head.

US NEWS

US authorities captured 76-year-old drug lord Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada and Joaquín Guzmán López, son of “El Chapo,” in El Paso, Texas. Both leaders of the Sinaloa cartel were taken into custody.

California’s largest fire, the Park Fire, grows to 164,000 acres, forcing 4,000 evacuations and destroying 130 structures; 3% contained.

Prominent short-seller Andrew Left charged with 17 counts of securities fraud, $16M stock scheme, and one count of making false statements.

WORLD NEWS

Arson attacks hit France’s high-speed rail system before the Olympics, impacting 800,000 passengers. No group has claimed responsibility.

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro seeks his third term amid economic crisis. Main challenger Edmundo González leads Maduro in polls.

Israel issues new evacuation order in Gaza’s Khan Younis after offensive displaces tens of thousands amid renewed military action.

SPORTS

The first weekend of the Olympics features a busy schedule, with events starting early in the U.S. due to the time difference, running until 4 or 5 p.m. Eastern, and prime-time events like swimming finals in the midafternoon.

-Saturday

• Beach Volleyball: A strong event for the U.S., held in a stadium with spectacular views.

• Women’s 400-Meter Freestyle Final: Expect a thrilling race with U.S. star Katie Ledecky competing against Summer McIntosh (Canada) and world-record holder Ariarne Titmus (Australia).

• Surfing: Competitions held in Tahiti.

-Sunday

• Artistic Gymnastics Qualifying Round: Featuring Simone Biles and her U.S. gymnastics squad.

• U.S. Men’s Basketball Team: Debuts against Serbia, featuring NBA MVP Nikola Jokic.

Jordan Love agrees to a 4-year, $220 million deal with the Packers, including $155 million in guarantees and a $75 million signing bonus. Dolphins and QB Tua Tagovailoa reach a 4-year, $212.4 million extension, securing his future with the team.

POP CULTURE

Celine Dion returned to the stage at the Paris Olympics, performing “L’Hymne à l’amour” from the Eiffel Tower. Her first concert since 2020, it followed her diagnosis with stiff person syndrome.

Justin Timberlake’s attorney disputes claims that he was intoxicated when arrested for DWI, arguing the charges are unfounded.

Jennifer Aniston criticizes JD Vance for 'childless cat ladies' remarks, saying, 'I pray that your daughter is fortunate enough to bear children.'

BUSINESS

Key inflation gauge, core PCE price index, rose 2.6% year-over-year and 0.2% month-over-month in June, matching analyst estimates.

Southwest Airlines ends open-seat boarding, moving to assigned seating to meet customer preferences and boost premium seat revenue.

Boar’s Head recalls over 200,000 pounds of deli meat due to listeria concerns.

SpaceX cleared to launch Falcon 9 rocket after rare failure.

Richard Montañez sues PepsiCo, claiming he invented Flamin' Hot Cheetos; PepsiCo disputes his role, alleging others created the flavor.

Quote of the Day:

“The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not winning but taking part; the essential thing in life is not conquering but fighting well.”

- Pierre de Coubertin

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