Good Morning! 🌞

I stumbled upon some facts about food names recently.

One was the German Chocolate Cake was invented in Texas by a man named Sam German. It does not have any apparent connection to Germany, though I reckon that Sam’s ancestors were from Germany.

The second one was that the name for Spam comes from combining the words “spice” and “ham”, and is not an acronym like many think.

I had heard about the origin of German Chocolate Cake before, but the info about Spam was new to me. I even remember wondered about it last time I saw a can of Spam, but never looked it up.

Economy

Drugs from Canada

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Friday approved Florida's plan to import cheaper prescription drugs from Canada, marking a significant stride forward in a broader effort to rein in drug costs in the U.S. This is a first-in-the-nation move that could reduce costs for Americans but faces fierce opposition from the pharmaceutical industry. The FDA has also stated its commitment to working with other states seeking to import drugs from Canada.

Patients in the U.S. pay significantly more for medicines than they do in Canada and some other countries. Drug importation could open up a new and cheaper source of drugs beyond the retail and mail-order pharmacies that Americans typically rely on to fill prescriptions. Along with Florida, other states such as Colorado, North Dakota, and Vermont have their own drug importation plans in place, which will require FDA approvals.

However, Florida's newly approved plan will likely face hurdles before it takes effect, including potential lawsuits from the pharmaceutical industry. Drugmakers have long argued that importation may introduce counterfeit medicines into the U.S. supply chain and harm patients — a concern the FDA previously raised because the agency cannot guarantee the safety of those drugs.

The FDA's Friday approval appears to have guardrails that aim to mitigate potential safety issues. Before Florida can distribute Canadian drugs, the state must send the FDA details on the medications it plans to import, ensure that those treatments are not counterfeit or ineffective, and relabel those drugs to be consistent with FDA-approved labeling.

Florida must also submit quarterly reports to the agency about cost savings and potential safety issues, among other obligations. The FDA's approval allows Florida to import drugs for two years from the date of the first drug shipment.

"These proposals must demonstrate the programs would result in significant cost savings to consumers without adding risk of exposure to unsafe or ineffective drugs," FDA Commissioner Robert Califf said in a statement.

The pharmaceutical industry pushed back on the FDA's move on Friday. Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), the industry's biggest lobbying group, called the FDA's approval of Florida's plan "reckless" and said it is considering "all options for preventing this policy from harming patients."

Hopefully, this new plan can give some much needed relief to those who are reliant on the more expensive pharmaceuticals.

Entertainment

Jeremy Renner Talks About Overcoming Near-Fatal Accident

Actor Jeremy Renner recently opened up about driving his snowplow again, a year on from his near-fatal accident. The Mayor of Kingstown star broke over 30 bones and underwent multiple surgeries after his snowplow ran him over while he was helping his nephew get a vehicle out of the snow on Jan. 1, 2023 at his property in Reno, Nevada.

Appearing on the Ellen K Morning Show on KOST 103.5 FM on Tuesday, the actor, 52, told the host that it was crucial he drove the machine again and tackled his fears head-on.

"You have to go the eye of the storm of something, of anybody's problems," Renner told the host. "Fears can prevent you from actual healing, prevent you from moving forward in your life or stop you from doing things that are helpful or growth in your life, so I always go to the eye of the storm. I've always done that since I was a kid. I'm not going to allow fear to dominate my actions or lack thereof of actions, so I got back on that machine and I start it up and I move it around."

Adding that he realized his hat was "still stuck" in the snowplow when he started driving it again, the Marvel star continued, "There is a lot of memories, of course they pop into my brain. I do certain stretches in the gym and I'm reminded of how I actually got ran over and I start crying, I have no idea why. But there is memories in these things.”

Renner went on to admit that he ensures he "acknowledges" his fears, adding, "I don't want to bury it, so I certainly review, it, and so driving the snowcat was an important thing for me to do."

He also shared that his mother wanted to burn the snowcat, but he told her no, jokingly saying that he needs it to “get in and out of the driveway”. But he said that he understands why she feels that way, and is deeply sorry for what happened, “I damaged my family and that’s what I’m sorry for. That’s something they’ll never forget.”

Renner's radio show appearance comes after he praised his 10-year-old daughter Ava Berlin on Instagram Monday and said she is "reason number one" for his recovery following the accident.

"I asked her to 'wait for me' when I first saw her January 14 as I arrived home," Renner said of his daughter, who he shares with ex Sonni Pacheco. "As I got better, she got better, less afraid. There is simply no better motivator to recover than to heal your family and friends."

"With gratitude always, thank you all for your love and support this last full year," he continued. "I needed every ounce of goodwill and prayer 🙏”

World News

London’s Secret Pub in 900-Year-Old Fortress

The Tower of London, with over 3 million annual visitors, houses a concealed gem: The Keys, an exclusive pub run by the Yeoman Warders. This pub, adorned with regal features, serves as a community hub for the residents within the Tower.

The Keys, hosting unique drinks from Marston's brewery, including Beefeater Bitter and Treason, also raises funds for charities through hosted events. Chief of the Yeoman body, Robin Fuller, emphasizes the pub's role in supporting lesser-known organizations.

Yeoman Warders' roles have shifted over the years, from guarding the Tower to engaging with tourists. Ancient traditions, like the nightly Ceremony of the Keys, continue to be upheld.

Yeoman Ravenmaster Chris Skaife maintains the Tower's superstition by caring for its ravens. Legend has it that if the ravens leave, the Tower will crumble. Skaife ensures their well-being while upholding this centuries-old belief.

It is fascinating to learn that the Tower of London isn't just a historic landmark; it's a living community with hidden spaces and enduring traditions.

Sports

Tee-rific Art: 25,000 Golf Tees Form Tiger Woods Portrait

Missouri artist Aaron Norris recently completed a 6-foot x 6-foot wall art of Tiger Woods using 25,000 new and broken golf tees. Norris, a 43-year-old golf enthusiast, got the idea from observing broken tees on his local golf course. He collected the tees over the summer and fall, with some help from neighbors who played golf.

The portrait, depicting Tiger Woods reading a putt, has already been sold for an undisclosed amount. Norris spent $400 on additional tees, with roughly half collected from the golf courses. This unique piece adds to Norris's portfolio, which includes works like a Muhammad Ali oil canvas, an Elon Musk mosaic bead portrait, and a painting of NFL football stars, the Kelce brothers.

While Norris has received many sports commissions, this Tiger Woods portrait marks his first use of actual sports equipment in his artwork.

Mind Stretchers

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What word has it’s first two letters signify a male, the first three letters signify a female, the first four letters signify a great, while the entire world signifies a great woman.

Answer to yesterday’s Mind Stretchers:
All the people on the boat were married. 🤣 

Chris Hostetler got this one first again! Awesome!

Be the first to send us the correct answer for today’s mind stretcher for a shout-out with the answer tomorrow. Just send us the answer and your name to [email protected]

If you have any uplifting stories and experience you might want to share, send those over to [email protected] for the chance to be featured.