Good morning. There's something rebellious about Joe Rogan's refusal to complicate his workouts, much like how the Japanese quietly sip hot water while we debate the latest superfood. Both approaches whisper the same truth: consistency beats complexity every single time.

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^POLITICS

The Justice Department is investigating whether Washington D.C.'s Metropolitan Police Department manipulated crime data to make rates appear lower, two senior law enforcement officials confirmed to NBC News. The probe is being conducted by U.S. attorney Jeanine Pirro's office, officials said Monday.

Police commander Michael Pulliam was suspended in May amid allegations he altered crime statistics, which he denies. The federal investigation reportedly extends beyond Pulliam to examine other police and city officials for potential wrongdoing, though specific charges remain unclear (NYT).

Mayor Muriel Bowser recently cited police data showing violent crime dropped 26% to counter federal intervention. However, DC Police Union head Gregg Pemberton questioned these numbers, calling the reported decrease "preposterous" given officers' street-level experiences with ongoing criminal activity.

Six states have sent The National Guard to DC.

Russia launched missile and drone attacks against Ukrainian cities on August 19, hours after President Volodymyr Zelensky concluded peace talks with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House. Explosions were reported in Kremenchuk as ballistic missiles struck Ukraine's central region.

The assault targeted energy infrastructure using multiple ballistic missiles and dozens of drones, local media reported. Cities near the front line, including Kharkiv and Poltava, also faced missile strike threats. Air raid alerts were issued across several Ukrainian regions, including Kyiv.

The attack occurred amid intensified U.S. efforts to broker peace between Moscow and Kyiv. Trump recently met Putin in Alaska and plans to host bilateral talks between Zelensky and Putin, followed by trilateral meetings involving all three leaders. Zelensky’s gift to Trump, here.

^BUSINESS

Scotts Miracle-Gro is negotiating to sell its cannabis supply subsidiary Hawthorne Gardening by year-end, company executives announced. CEO Jim Hagedorn and his son Chris created the division in 2014 to supply legal marijuana growers, investing approximately $2 billion through acquisitions (WSJ).

The cannabis bet initially appeared successful, driving Scotts' stock from $125 to over $250 by 2021. However, pandemic overproduction left growers with excess inventory, causing wholesale prices to collapse and customers to fail. Hawthorne's revenue plummeted while losses mounted significantly.

Federal restrictions continue hampering the legal cannabis industry, with businesses unable to deduct ordinary expenses due to marijuana's Schedule 1 classification. The sale includes an option for Scotts to repurchase Hawthorne if federal legalization occurs, executives said.

Official Federal Policy on marijuana here.

^HEALTH

Rogan's routine starts with cold therapy then builds through bodyweight movements to heavy kettlebells. This consistent protocol has become second nature after years of practice. The 70-pound weight challenges both strength and stability.

The Complete Routine:

At 58, Rogan's body is primed for this exact sequence after long-term practice. Consistency matters.

Here’s a 30-second clip. Check out the Rogan-head-kettlebell.

Japanese people often drink hot water throughout the day, believing it aids digestion and metabolism. This simple practice may help with portion control by creating fullness before meals. Combined with smaller portions, seasonal vegetables, green tea rituals, and natural movement, hot water drinking supports Japan's reputation as one of the world's leanest nations. Try sipping warm water before eating.

See this clip.

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