Good morning! The weekend edition is 605 words, a 3-minute read.

What’s on tap: 

• New meteor has a (tiny) chance of hitting Earth

• Older adults are healthier than ever

• America’s safest small towns

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Today’s Big Story

FDA Approves New Painkiller

Vertex Pharmaceuticals received FDA approval for Journavx, the first new type of non-opioid painkiller in 20 years.

• Unlike opioids that affect the brain, Journavx blocks pain signals at their source by closing specific sodium channels in nerve cells. It doesn't create euphoria and comes without the risk of addiction, making it a safer alternative to opioids. It is marked for use against moderate to severe acute pain.

• The drug outperformed placebos in trials involving over 2,000 patients undergoing tummy tucks and bunion surgeries. However, it didn't exceed the pain relief of hydrocodone-acetaminophen combinations. Over 83% of patients said in a survey the drug was good, very good, or excellent at reducing pain.

• With 80 million Americans needing prescriptions for moderate to severe pain annually, the $15.50-per-pill medication will offer a non-addictive alternative to opioids, though insurance coverage will affect accessibility.

• Vertex is also testing the drug for chronic pain treatment, particularly in diabetic nerve conditions.

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Saturday’s Quick Hits

• A New York doctor faces criminal charges in Louisiana for allegedly sending abortion pills to patients online. Dr. Margaret Carpenter, her medical company, and another person were charged with a felony under Louisiana's strict abortion laws, which largely ban the procedure. (More)

• Astronomers have spotted an asteroid called 2024 YR4, which currently has a 1% chance of hitting Earth in 2032—making it unique among over 37,000 known near-Earth asteroids. However, scientists expect this probability will likely drop to zero as they gather more data about its path. (More)

• President Trump announced new taxes on goods coming into the US: 25% on Canadian and Mexican imports and 10% on Chinese imports, starting today. He said the tariffs would pressure these countries to help stop illegal immigration and drug trafficking while also aiming to boost American manufacturing and government revenue. But, the move could raise prices for US consumers. (More)

• Scientists have successfully used a new stem-cell treatment to keep a woman with severe heart failure alive while she awaited a heart transplant. Surgeons implanted lab-grown patches of heart muscle cells, which helped maintain her heart function for three months until she received a transplant. (More)

• Hamas will release three hostages today: American-Israeli Keith Siegel (65), Israelis Ofer Kalderon (53), and Yarden Bibas (34). Bibas is the father of 10-month-old Kfir and 4-year-old Ariel, who were captured along with their mother Shiri. Israel will free 183 Palestinian prisoners in exchange. (More)

Weekly Dose of Positive

• Orange County Fire Chief Brian Fennessy saved two homes during the Eaton Fire by using milk and beer to cool down a melting gas meter when no water was available. (More)

• A recent study from Columbia University found that older adults today have significantly better cognitive, physical, and mental capacities compared to previous generations at the same age. (More)

• Primark has launched an adaptive fashion collection with disabled designer Victoria Jenkins. The range includes specialized items like clothes with hidden openings for medical tubes/devices and wheelchair-friendly designs. (More)

• A shelter dog named Midnight, who was saved from euthanasia, has become the main character of a new graphic novel illustrated with ceramic tiles that chronicles his journey from a Philadelphia shelter to a Florida horse ranch. (More)

Extra Credit

🎾 Why tennis balls are fuzzy.

🎷 Famous musicians who never won a Grammy.

🏘️ America’s safest small towns.

🥪 Florida man accused of assault with a bologna sandwich.