🌊 Shocking Truth About Ultraprocessed Foods...

“Up next on NFL RedZone… should the Cowboys sign Bronny James? ”

Folks, big things are happening in the world of sports journalism. As you will read in the second key story today, the NFL just bought a 10% stake in ESPN as NFL RedZone moves to ESPN. With the two sports giants taking their relationship to the next level, you can expect the next #DeflateGate to get about as much sunlight as the Epstein Files.

But the beauty of this new partnership is that we will now get Jordan v. LeBron debates during NFL halftimes while Pat McAfee body-slams Stephen A. Smith on a picnic table outside of Bills games with Jelly Roll and Bert Kreischer doubled over from laughter on the side. Here’s to more media integrity, everyone!

–Max and Max

KEY STORY

Ultra-Processed Foods Drive Weight Gain

A new study linked ultra-processed foods (UPFs) to significant weight gain, showing that avoiding UPFs might double weight loss

• UPFs are created by combining food extracts with industrial ingredients and additives, such as food colorings or preservatives. In the UK, more than half of the average person's daily energy intake comes from UPFs, with similar consumption levels across Europe and the US

• A study published in Nature Medicine followed 55 obese adults over 16 weeks: Participants ate minimally processed foods for eight weeks, then switched to UPF alternatives for another eight weeks

• Those on the minimally processed diet lost roughly twice as much weight as those on the ultra-processed diet, despite both diets following UK government nutrition guidelines

Dig Deeper

• Participants on the minimally processed diet experienced greater reductions in body fat percentage and reported better control over food cravings. The minimally processed group consumed fewer daily calories compared to the ultra-processed group

• Calling for government policy changes to address obesity, the author of the study said the findings showed "the need to shift the policy focus away from individual responsibility and on to the environmental drivers of obesity, such as the influence of multinational food companies in shaping unhealthy food environments"

• The research team recommended warning labels, marketing restrictions, progressive taxation, and subsidies to make healthy diets more accessible and affordable

• While this is only the latest study in a growing field of research, it may help fuel wellness movements, like RFK Jr.’s “Make America Healthy Again”

KEY STORY

Disney’s ESPN Expands

Disney reached a deal to acquire the NFL Network and purchased streaming rights for WWE

• Disney's ESPN announced a deal to acquire NFL Network, NFL RedZone, and NFL Fantasy, with the NFL taking a 10% equity stake in ESPN in exchange. The deal is valued between $2-3B

• Disney will own and operate the television and streaming rights to NFL Network, which will continue to broadcast seven games annually, and gain rights to distribute NFL RedZone to its cable and satellite customers

• ESPN also secured a five-year agreement with WWE for exclusive streaming rights to major WWE events beginning in 2026, paying around $325M annually for WrestleMania and SummerSlam

Dig Deeper 

• The league will retain ownership of certain properties, including NFL Films and the NFL+ platform

• These deals come as Disney forecasted its direct-to-consumer streaming business would generate $1.3B in operating income for the fiscal year, up from an earlier projection of $1B

• Disney has been shifting its focus from traditional television to streaming services as cable viewership continues to decline. The company's ESPN network has been preparing to launch a standalone streaming service later this month

QUOTE OF THE DAY

KEY STORY

HHS Cancels mRNA Vaccine Funding

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) canceled contracts for mRNA vaccine development worth nearly $500M

• Unlike traditional vaccines that can take years to develop, mRNA shots can be created within months and quickly modified as viruses change. While most of the medical establishment has endorsed their use, critics – including HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. – have said that they are experimental, less effective, and have higher rates of adverse effects than traditional vaccines

• On Tuesday, the HHS canceled funding for 22 mRNA vaccine development projects, including one with Moderna for bird flu vaccine development and another with Emory University on inhalable mRNA vaccines, while additional proposals from Pfizer and AstraZeneca, among others, will be rejected, per the HHS. The cuts excluded some late-stage projects

• RFK Jr. said, "The data show these vaccines fail to protect effectively against upper respiratory infections like Covid and flu"

Dig Deeper 

• RFK Jr. said the department would shift funding toward "safer, broader vaccine platforms that remain effective even as viruses mutate"

• Robert Malone, who helped create the mRNA technology, claims Covid vaccines generate spike proteins which damage cells. Other skeptics point to myocarditis as a complication and claim mRNA vaccines encourage mutations

• Meanwhile, former Food and Drug Administration official Peter Lurie called the change "turning its back on one of the most promising tools to fight the next pandemic." A former Trump Administration pandemic official called the decision a "national security vulnerability"

RUNDOWN
Some Quick Stories for the Office

🇷🇺 US envoy Steve Witkoff met with President Putin at the Kremlin in Russia, exchanging what Moscow called "constructive” talks ahead of Trump's Friday deadline for a Ukraine ceasefire

💰 President Trump announced Wednesday that Apple will pledge an additional $100B toward domestic manufacturing, bringing the tech giant's total US investment commitment to $600B over four years

🗳️ California Democrats moved to redraw congressional maps this week, targeting up to five Republican House seats in response to similar redistricting efforts by Texas Republicans

🏦 President Trump announced plans to take action against banks for allegedly dropping customers based on political views, with an executive order expected this week directing regulators to investigate "politicized or unlawful debanking" practices

🔫 An Army Sergeant allegedly shot five of his fellow soldiers at Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield in Georgia on Wednesday, with authorities apprehending the individual 40 minutes after the incident

What does Roca Nation think?

💸 Yesterday’s Question: What are your best and worst financial habits?

🏫 Today’s Question: If money weren’t a factor, would you send your kid to an elite private school or public school?

Reply to this email with your response!

POPCORN
Some Quick Stories for Happy Hour

🏈 NFL Just Says No: The NFL has officially banned smelling salts and all forms of ammonia inhalants during games, citing health risks and the potential to mask concussion symptoms

🎆 Fireworks Fight Back: Two launch barges at a fireworks festival in Yokohama, Japan caught fire after pyrotechnics accidentally fell onto them, forcing five crew members to plunge into the sea

🐻 Sea Troll v. Brown Bear: Seattle Kraken forward John Hayden and their mascot Buoy had a run-in with a brown bear during a fly-fishing shoot

🦋 Fluttering in the Fast Lane: Missouri has announced plans to convert 300 miles of Highway 13 into a connected pollinator corridor spanning from Harrison to Taney counties, focusing in particular on Monarch butterflies

👃 Stop and Smell the Billboards: Selena Gomez’s brand Rare Beauty has launched scratch-and-sniff billboards throughout Manhattan, allowing passersby to smell the new Rare Eau de Parfum

ROCA WRAP
Bridge to Controversy

Italy

This European nation approved a €13.5B bridge that would be the world's longest single-span, connecting its largest island to the mainland.

Sicily, the Mediterranean's largest island, sits just 3 km from mainland Italy at the Strait of Messina, yet remains disconnected by land. Currently, vehicles and passengers cross via ferry services that take approximately 30 minutes. Italy's southern regions have long struggled with economic development, partly due to geographic isolation.

The concept for this type of bridge has circulated since the 1960s. Current Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni revived the project after taking office in 2022, with her government arguing the bridge would provide a much-needed economic boost to Italy's poorer south. A consortium led by Italy's Webuild Group, alongside Spain's Sacyr and Japan's IHI, will undertake the decade-long construction. Preliminary work, including archaeological and geological surveys, is expected to start within the month.

The project faces significant challenges beyond engineering complexity.

An estimated 4,000 residents must relocate through expropriation orders, sparking ongoing protests despite compensation promises. Environmental groups filed complaints with the European Union, citing serious ecological risks. Angelo Bonelli of the Greens and Left Alliance denounced the plan as "a colossal waste of money" and pledged continued resistance.

For a bridge meant to unite, it's already dividing the nation.

EDITOR’S NOTE
Final Thoughts

In a couple hours, we’ll be sitting down with NYC mayor Adams for an interview. We’re trying to book Andrew Cuomo and Zohran Mamdani as well. If you’re a New Yorker and there’s a question you’d like us to ask him, let us know! We plan to spend all 30 minutes on delivery e-bikes after almost getting hit by one last night.

On that note, thanks to everyone for their Max F birthday wishes!

–Max and Max