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- 🌊 N̶o̶ More Fires in LA
🌊 N̶o̶ More Fires in LA
Plus: ADHD costs years, Sacklers settle, and Jair Bolsonaro's wild quote...
In 15 days we’ll find out just who killed JFK…
And all of my money is on Colonel Mustard in the green room with a candlestick.
Trump signed an executive order to release the files on JFK, RFK, and MLK Jr. — basically the files for any three-lettered famous person who was shot by maybe the government. The JFK files are supposed to be made available within 15 days, while the files for RFK and MLK Jr. will be out within 45 days. Evidently they need more time to buy black highlighters.
🚒 More fires in Los Angeles
💊 Sacklers settle for $7.4B
💁♂️ Men growing more than women?
Redemption link for last week’s 20 Questions trivia performance.
–Max and Max
KEY STORY
Houthi Hostages
Houthi rebels released a cargo ship crew held hostage for over a year and pledged to stop attacking commercial vessels in the Red Sea
The Houthis – a militant group in Yemen – have attacked cargo ships in support of Hamas since 2023, disrupting global trade through the Suez Canal
The militants seized the Bahamas-flagged commercial ship Galaxy Leader in November 2023, holding the multinational crew of 25 captive
This week, they released the crew and said they would end their attacks, citing the ceasefire in Gaza. They threatened to renew the strikes if the truce breaks down
Dig Deeper
The Houthi attacks have distuprted shipping through the Red Sea, through which approximately 12% of global trade passes via the Suez Canal
The attacks have forced ships to navigate around the southern tip of Africa, leading to a 50% drop in Suez Canal traffic, increased shipping time and costs, and disrupted supply chains
KEY STORY
Hughes Fire
A new set of quickly growing fires is raising the risk of another fire catastrophe in LA
On Wednesday, high winds led the Hughes Fire, north of LA, to grow to over 10,000 acres, forcing tens of thousands to evacuate
Weather conditions are expected to improve in the coming days, though rain forecast for the weekend could increase the risk of flooding and mudslides
Meanwhile, the Palisades Fire is 72% contained and the Eaton Fire is 95% contained
Dig Deeper
Firefighters had contained 14% of the Hughes blaze as of Thursday morning, although high winds are expected to complicate firefighting efforts on Friday. The National Weather Service issued a red-flag warning until Friday morning for most of Los Angeles and Ventura counties due to the powerful winds
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KEY STORY
ADHD Costs Years
A study in the British Journal of Psychiatry found that ADHD reduces life expectancy
The study found that adults diagnosed with ADHD “experience poorer educational and employment outcomes, worse physical and mental health, and are more likely to die prematurely”
The study found that resulted in around 7 years of life lost for males and 9 years for females, compared with the general population
The researchers said the study warrants suggests more attention should be provided to reduce the risk factors for ADHD
Dig Deeper
The study’s authors said the reduced life expectancy is likely caused by modifiable risk factors: Researchers identified that adults with ADHD are more likely to abuse substances, sleep less, and experience unemployment and educational under-attainment than the general population
KEY STORY
Sacklers Settle
Purdue Pharma and its owner, the Sackler Family, agreed to a $7.4B settlement in an opioid epidemic lawsuit brought by the attorneys general of 15 states
The OxyContin manufacturer previously settled for $6B in 2022, but the Supreme Court overturned that agreement last June because it granted the Sacklers immunity from future lawsuits
The $7.4B settlement – which does not grant the Sacklers future immunity – will go directly to states, counties, and cities affected by the opioid epidemic to support addiction treatment, prevention, and recovery programs
Dig Deeper
Purdue Pharma’s OxyContin played a key role in turning millions of Americans to opioid addiction, yet the settlement is just one of many opioid-related lawsuits ones in recent years. These settlements – by companies like Johnson & Johnson, Walmart, CVS, Walgreens, consulting firm McKinsey, and pharmaceutical distributors – have paid out roughly $50B to victims
RUNDOWN
Some Quick Stories for the Office
🇺🇸 President Donald Trump is reportedly considering an executive order to halt federal funding for “gain-of-function” virus research
🇵🇦 Marco Rubio’s first trip as secretary of state will include visits to Panama, El Salvador, and other Central American countries
💰 Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman told President Trump that the Gulf kingdom is interested in investing as much as $600B in the US over the next four years
🇮🇱 Days after a ceasefire took effect in Gaza, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that Israel had launched an "extensive and significant” operation in the West Bank
🇺🇸 The Trump administration issued a directive authorizing several federal agencies, including the FBI and Drug Enforcement Agency, to help carry out detentions and deportations of undocumented immigrants
📺 CNN cut 6% of its workforce. The network has struggled mightily since the election
COMMUNITY
What does Roca Nation think?
🧐 Yesterday’s Question: Elvis, Madonna, Frank Sinatra, Taylor Swift, and Michael Jackson: Who was the most culturally relevant at their peak? Who was the least?
Frank Sinatra was a singer, actor, spokesperson, producer, businessman, politically connected and he also was supported by the Italian American leaders in America and the world in his continued success throughout his life. I cannot remember ever hearing a disparaging word against him in his lifetime of American Iconic Success. He filled the tabloids with juicy relationship stories of his life and doings from New York, LA, Las Vegas, Atlantic City, And even Palm Springs, CA in its “rat pack” hey day! Style, popularity, personality and star power, Frank had it all!
There might be arguments, but without a doubt Micheal Jackson is the top. Why? Because he crossed all age, race, and gender barriers. To this day, there are few people that Micheal Jackson did not vibe with no matter who they are. And to this day if his songs come on most people know each word and it’s still culturally relevant. Every other artist listed transformed their genre, but played with in their niche. But if I have to choose, I would have to say Madonna only because her reach is narrowed to the 80’s, she has a small fan base that is kept within her niche, and her catalogue is outdated. No one hears a Madonna song and says man this is still relevant today!
Most Culturally Relevant: Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson absolutely took the crown. His music, groundbreaking dance moves like the moonwalk, and iconic music videos like “Thriller” revolutionized the pop culture landscape globally. He wasn’t just a music star; his influence stretched into fashion, media, and even social issues, making him a true global phenom.
Least Culturally Relevant: Frank Sinatra
While Frank Sinatra is undeniably a music legend, his cultural impact was a bit more niche compared to the others. His influence was huge in traditional pop and jazz circles, especially in mid-20th-century America, but it didn’t quite have the same broad, worldwide reach or transformative effect on multiple aspects of culture like Michael Jackson did.
Honestly though, it hurts to put Swift above Sinatra considering everything she does is a rip-off of someone more talented that her fans haven't heard of, but she's a successful trend-spotter and capitalist, I will give her that.
POPCORN
Some Quick Stories for Happy Hour
🇺🇸 Inauguration Side Effects: Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro claimed Trump's inauguration invitation had him so "fired up" he's stopped taking Viagra
🚼 Bad News for Gooners: A Mississippi lawmaker introduced a bill called the "Contraception Begins at Erection Act," which would fine men up to $10,000 for "discharging genetic material" without intending to create a baby
🧍♂️ Men Growing Up and Out: According to a new study, men worldwide have grown taller and heavier at twice the rate of women over the past century as a result of increased living standards
🌼 Flower Power: Thousands waited in line for hours at Sydney's Botanic Garden to catch a whiff of a “corpse flower,” a rare plant that blooms once every decade and smells like rotting flesh
📧 I Ducking Hate My Boss: Payments company Stripe admitted to accidentally including a PDF image of a cartoon duck to an email laying off 300 staff members
Community
20 Questions!
Only ~30% of you were able to name the US' biggest three states in terms of population! The Florida disrespect is real.... it passed up New York over 10 years ago.
Interestingly, almost everyone nailed the two science questions about the number of oxygen atoms in a water molecule and the first woman to win a Nobel Prize. But almost none of you got Taylor Swift's home state and LeBron James' home city right. The answers are Pennsylvania and Akron!
So here's your shot at redemption -- we're running it back. The average score was roughly 50% for the last run. Let's beat it!
Last Week’s Answer Key
Answer key to last week’s trivia edition of 20 Questions.
Who was the first fourth President of the United States? - Madison
LeBron James is from which Ohio city? - Akron
What is acrophobia a fear of? - Heights
List the US' biggest three states in terms of population. - California, Texas, Florida
The same but land area instead of population. - Alaska, Texas, California
Who plays Miranda Priestly in The Devil Wears Prada? - Meryl Streep
What is the capital city of Germany? - Berlin
World War 1 started in which year? - 1914
The Wire is set in which US city? - Baltimore
Breaking Bad is set in which US state? - New Mexico
How many oxygen atoms are in a water molecule? - One
"Rizz" is a shortened form of which word? - Charisma
Donald Trump's eldest son is named... - Don Jr.
Complete the following lyrics: "I should have changed that stupid lock....." - I should made you leave your key
Troy Bolten and Gabriella Montez are the two main characters in what 2006 Disney movie? - High School Musical
Which US women's gymnast won the all-around gold medal in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics? (Not Simone Biles...) - Suni Lee
Taylor Swift was born in which US state? - Pennsylvania
Who was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize? - Madam Curie
Who famously crossed the Alps with elephants on the way to war with the Romans? - Hannibal
RocaNews was founded in what year? - 2020
EDITOR’S NOTE
Final Thoughts
What a week back, Roca Nation. Make sure to catch up on our video content with our two latest videos: 1) Deep dive on the NIL scam (140k views); 2) Inside America’s most segregated city.
We hope those distract you from any of the financial losses you’ve suffered from holding $FartCoin for too long. Have a great weekend.
–Max and Max