Yay FRIDAY! Here are the 5 Things You Need To Know

1. A toxicology report revealed Thursday that the three friends who were found dead together in a Missouri back yard last month had cocaine and fentanyl in their system. The report largely ends speculation into how the three friends died—a mystery that’d grabbed national headlines since their frozen bodies were found days after they gathered to watch the Kansas City Chiefs’ final regular season game on Jan. 7.

2. The Pineapple Express has made landfall on the west coast, flooding some parts of the region.  It will bring 1-2 inches of much needed rain to our area starting tonight with rain and a few storms.

3. Famers across Europe are protesting hard. Hundreds of farmers protested outside the European Parliament building in Brussels yesterday. Demonstrators blocked roads with over 1,000 tractors, toppled a statue, set fires, launched fireworks, and threw eggs (see video). Activists are calling for increased wages, tax relief, reductions in environmental rules, and protection from cheap food imports. 

4. Apple’s Vision Pro headset launches in the US today, the company’s first major product release since the Apple Watch debuted in April 2015. Starting at $3,500, the headset boasts compatibility with more than 1 million apps and games. Dubbed a “spatial computing” device in an effort to distinguish it from competitors, it allows users to switch between full virtual reality and augmented reality while also allowing users to see through to the front of the headset. 

5. Wakey Wakey whistle pig – All eyes are on the world’s most famous “land beaver”, Punxsutawney Phil, who will determine whether 2024 will bring an early spring or a longer winter. As is tradition, the slumberous whistle-pig will join his top-hatted crew to see whether he’ll spot his shadow (foretelling six more weeks of winter) or relax a bit with his admiring fans (predicting an early spring). In case you’re wondering, Phil is right about 40% of the time.