Sunday, December 21, 2025

Good Morning! On this day in 1913, the first modern crossword puzzle appeared in the New York World's Sunday supplement. Created by journalist Arthur Wynne, the diamond-shaped puzzle helped launch a pastime that would become a daily tradition for millions. See the first puzzle here.

The holiday fruitcake has been on the receiving end of countless jokes, not always being well-received during annual gifting rounds. But the dense confection lives on, as profiled in today's "Whatever Happened To..."

As you wrap up your holiday shopping, today's sponsor, Brad's Deals, makes it easy to stretch your budget further with a free, personalized newsletter featuring last-chance sales and handpicked deals from the brands you already love.

Drug Makers to Reduce Prescription Costs

The Trump administration announced new agreements on Friday with some of the world’s largest drug manufacturers aimed at lowering prescription drug costs for Americans.

Nine pharmaceutical companies have agreed to reduce prices on their flagship drugs for Medicaid recipients and people who buy the medications in cash, rather than through insurance, as part of a new deal.

In addition, any newly launched drugs made by the companies will also be charged at the “most-favored-nation” pricing across the country for everyone, including commercial and cash pay markets, as well as Medicare and Medicaid.

A senior administration official said about 30 to 40 percent of Medicaid drugs would be impacted.

U.S. Makes Retaliatory Strikes on Syria

The Trump administration launched military strikes in Syria on Friday, targeting Islamic State fighters and weapons sites after an ambush killed two U.S. troops and an American civilian interpreter a week ago.

U.S. Central Command said it used "more than 100 precision munitions targeting known ISIS infrastructure and weapons sites." More than 70 targets were struck using F-15 fighter jets, A-10 Thunderbolts, and Apache attack helicopters.

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said, "This is not the beginning of a war – it is a declaration of vengeance. Today, we hunted and we killed our enemies. Lots of them. And we will continue."

List: Cheapest Places to Fly From Each State

Finding an affordable airfare can be difficult these days, but good deals are out there, according to Skyscanner.

The flight search engine analyzed data from the largest airport in every U.S. state and identified the cheapest domestic and international destinations for March 2026. The majority of states offered some domestic flight options well below $100.

Flexibility with dates, routes, or even nearby airports is a key to landing the best fares. Traveling off-peak seasons can also lead to significant savings.

Enjoy reading The Flyover? Click here to share with your friends and family.

The following stories are featured exclusively on The Flyover Podcast—a daily show that gives you the most important headlines in under 15 minutes, straight from the heart of the country. Clicking the link will take you directly to these stories:

➤ Close-range ambush leaves Rochester officers fighting for their lives. (Hear More)

➤ Mom knows best: Andrea Swift pushed Taylor toward Travis Kelce (Listen Now)

➤ New laws rolling out in 2026 may change daily life (Podcast Available)

Flying together with our sponsor

Last Chance to Get Amazing Holiday Deals and Save Up to 80% on Top Brands

Signing up for Brad's Deals is free! And when you sign up, you'll get access to our personalized deals newsletter -- with curated picks from your favorite brands at the best stores. We're talking Nike, Hoka, Amazon, Walmart, and many more! Time is running out to get your gifts, so make sure to take advantage of these last chance sales.

At Brad's Deals, our core mission is to help you save money. With the holiday shopping season in full swing, it's important to make every dollar count. Using Brad's Deals is the smart way to ensure you get the absolute best prices on your favorite products and brands.

➤ Miami, Ole Miss, and Oregon advanced in the College Football Playoff’s opening round on Saturday. Malachi Toney scored with 1:44 left and Miami sealed a 10–3 road win at No. 7 Texas A&M with a late end-zone interception. No. 6 Ole Miss rolled past No. 11 Tulane, 41–10, behind three touchdowns from Trinidad Chambliss in Pete Golding’s debut as head coach. No. 5 Oregon surged to 34 first-half points and cruised past No. 12 James Madison, 51–34. (See Bracket)

➤ The Philadelphia Eagles became the first team since 2004 to repeat as NFC East champions, defeating the Washington Commanders 29-18 on Saturday. (More)

➤ The Chicago Bears maintained control of the NFC North after Bears receiver DJ Moore reeled in this 46-yard game-winning touchdown in overtime. (Watch Video)

➤ Internet personality turned boxer Jake Paul sustained a broken jaw after being brutally KO'd by Anthony Joshua on Friday night. (See KO)

➤ San Antonio Spurs superstar Victor Wembanyama has joined NBA Hall of Famers Patrick Ewing and Dikembe Mutombo as the only players in NBA history to record at least one block in 100 consecutive games. (More)

➤ Arizona State agreed to a five-year contract extension with head football coach Kenny Dillingham, paying him an average of more than $7 million per year. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Kick-start your 2026 resolution by growing closer to God. The Pour Over brings clarity through simple headlines, unbiased reporting, and Christ-centered reminders that keep your heart steady and focused on what truly matters. More than 1.5 million Christians are already heading into 2026 by staying informed without the anxiety. Join them for free.

Harold Yoke, a 100-year-old retired cabinetmaker, transformed his California home into a Christmas shop, selling handmade wooden toys crafted in his workshop. (See Harold)

Successful couples navigate the holidays by communicating expectations, compromising family traditions, and creating new rituals together, according to a relationship expert. (More)

Operation Christmas Drop 2025 concluded at Andersen Air Force Base after delivering 270 aid bundles to 56,000 Pacific islanders, marking the 74th year of the Department of War's longest-running humanitarian airlift mission. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

Children of persecuted Christians are waiting for a gift of hope.

When you sponsor a Christmas Care Pack, you are providing a child with school supplies, clothing, a toy, and a children's Bible—often, their first Bible ever! This Christmas, give a gift to a child who lives in a nation hostile to the gospel.

Share Christ's love today.

Weekly Market Report Previous Week

▼	NASDAQ Natl. Assoc. of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations	23,307.62	-0.10%
▼	SPX S&P 500	6,834.50	-0.37%
▼	DJI Dow Jones Industrial Average	48,134.89	-0.95%
▼	BTC Bitcoin	$88,103.38	-0.08%
▲	GOLD Per Ounce	$4,361.40	1.23%

Bitcoin and gold are traded 24 hours a day.

➤ Oracle's stock jumped nearly 7% on Friday after the cloud provider joined a group of investors slated to lead TikTok's U.S. operations. (More)

➤ New IRS guidance allows states to enroll early in a 2027 federal program granting tax credits to donors who fund scholarship organizations, accelerating access to education-related tax benefits. (More)

➤ American beef processors face strain as feedlot cattle placements hit record lows amid a shrinking herd and halted Mexican imports, driving plant losses and prolonging high steak prices. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Dermatologists see skin differently. That's why EltaMD has been the #1 dermatologist-recommended sunscreen brand for over 30 years. Lightweight, zinc-based formulas protect against UVA and UVB rays while hydrating and renewing skin. Daily SPF that actually feels good to wear. (Click here)

Today's Rotator section is brought to you by:

Ladies and gentlemen, here are our most-clicked stories of the week:

➤ President Trump addressed the nation on Wednesday, citing economic gains and progress while saying his administration inherited problems and will deliver more in 2026. (More)

➤ The White House launched Tech Force, a two-year partnership with major tech companies to hire about 1,000 early-career federal workers. (More)

➤ A collection of vintage photographs spanning decades captures the popularity and creativity of winter celebrations through snowmen. (See Snowmen)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Stay warm through even the coldest winter days—this heated vest from HeatArmor delivers cozy, battery-powered warmth directly to your core so you skip the bulky layers and stay comfortable whether you're hiking, commuting, or working outdoors. Adjustable heat settings and a slim, weather-ready design make it ideal for chilly mornings and frosty nights alike. (SHOP NOW)

Flying together with our sponsor

Brad's Deals is a free service. There's a real-life human behind every post on Brad's Deals. We're proud consumer advocates, scouring the internet every day for best-of-web prices on just about everything. Brad's Deals isn't a store - instead, we're here to help you find the best deals online, no matter where they are.

➤ U.S. officials confirmed a second oil tanker was seized in international waters, reinforcing President Trump's announced blockade on sanctioned Venezuelan oil shipments. (More)

➤ Michaela Benthaus, a wheelchair-using engineer and disability advocate, joined a milestone Blue Origin flight that delivered minutes of weightlessness more than 65 miles above Earth. (See Michaela)

➤ Americans spent $228 billion on alcohol last year, with Alaska leading per-adult spending at about $1,250, followed by Wyoming, Colorado, and Massachusetts, according to a recent study. (See List)

➤ Late-night television skewed sharply left in 2025, with 92% of jokes targeting conservatives and liberal guests outnumbering conservative ones nearly 100 to 1, according to recent data. (More)

➤ A brief history of the White House traces construction and renovations that added kitchens, a flower shop, a carpenter's space, a dentist, an indoor pool, a bowling alley, and a putting green. (See Photos)

➤ Rome will charge tourists a 2-euro, or $2.35, fee starting Feb. 1 to access the Trevi Fountain during peak daytime hours, aiming to curb crowds, improve visits, and help fund preservation. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ A new report warns that men living in certain U.S. areas may be at higher risk of urinary blockages and enlarged prostate issues caused by toxic mineral buildup. Over 4,500 men have already been hospitalized with severe symptoms. National surveys reveal a clear geographic link—check the map to see if your area is affected.

Whatever happened to Christmas fruitcake?

Fruitcake didn’t start out as a punchline. It started out as a solution: take ingredients that won’t spoil—dried fruit, nuts, grains, honey, or sugar—and bind them into something dense, calorie-rich, and travel-friendly. Over time, the “cake” part turned more luxurious—and eventually got swept into winter feasting traditions.

Then came fruitcake’s secret superpower: it ships. It’s sturdy. It keeps. It laughs at long journeys in a tin.

When mail-order culture boomed in the United States—especially in the early 20th century—fruitcake became a perfect holiday gift. You could send “Christmas” across the country, and it would arrive intact, still festive, still edible. That’s the era that cemented fruitcake as a mail-order classic.

But the very thing that made fruitcake famous also helped sour its reputation. Mass production made it widely available, but not always widely loved. For many people, the fruitcake they met was overly sweet, oddly candied, and heavy enough to double as a doorstop.

Once comedy discovered it, the image calcified—memorably captured by Johnny Carson’s line: “There is only one fruitcake in the entire world, and people keep passing it around.”

And yet—plot twist!—fruitcake never actually died. Today it lives in a stubborn, seasonal niche: beloved by tradition-keepers, sustained by dedicated bakeries, monasteries, and mail-order loyalists who buy it on purpose. Even now, Collin Street Bakery in Texas produces up to 20,000 cakes a day in the holiday rush.

It’s not mainstream-cool. It’s not everyone’s favorite. But every December, fruitcake returns like a holiday ghost with receipts: still here, still shipping, still daring you to take one bite and admit it might be . . . kind of good.

Have you ever given or received fruitcake as a gift? And did you eat it? Let us know by replying to this email.