January 9th is the 9th day of the year. There are 356 days remaining until the end of the year

Today is National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, National Static Electricity Day, International Choreographers Day, National Balloon Ascension Day, National Apricot Day and Word Nerd Day

ON THIS DAY WITH NICOLET
— On this date in 1768, Philip Astley staged the first modern circus in London, England

— On this date in 1799, the world’s first income tax was imposed

— On this date in 1956, “Dear Abby” premiered

— On this date in 1962, The NFL started prohibiting grabbing face masks

— On this date in 1997, ”Antiques Roadshow” debuted on PBS

THINGS U NEED 2 NO
Florida residents are being warned to prepare for falling iguanas as temperatures drop. The cold-blooded reptiles become immobile and fall out of trees, but are not dead. They’ll recover once temperatures rise, and can be dangerous if they fall on unsuspecting people. 

With Winter Storm Blair here, NPR says the classic scene from “A Christmas Story” where a boy’s tongue gets stuck to a pole is not just Hollywood fiction. When a warm tongue touches cold metal, the metal quickly takes heat from the saliva, causing it to freeze and stick. To avoid this icy scenario, stick to licking popsicles instead.

Jimmy John’s is bringing back its Kickin’ Ranch sauce in several ways . . . including as a “soup.”  Sort of.  It’s a six-ounce, soup-sized container of the sauce that’s ideal “for slurping, sipping or dipping.” 

(coffee open) A study found coffee drinkers live longer, but only if you stop drinking it by noon.  All-day coffee addicts don’t get the same benefits.  The morning coffee drinkers had a 16% lower risk of dying for any reason, and a 31% lower risk of dying from heart disease compared to the non-coffee group. 

If you’re one of those who made a New Year’s resolution, don’t feel bad if you’re already stumbling. Experts say that by January 14 over a third of resolution-makers will have quit.

Vietnam is paying people up to $200 to report bad drivers for things like texting and running red lights.  You get 10% of whatever their fine is.

The NFL is closely watching the wildfires near SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, where the Rams are set to face the Vikings this week. The fires are currently north of the stadium. The game is still scheduled as planned, but there’s a possibility of a venue change. 

A travel expert says pilots HATE when people clap after the plane lands . . . because it’s their job.  And if it was a rocky landing, it feels sarcastic.

Chipotle’s Autocado robot, which cuts, cores, and peels avocados for guacamole, has been taken out of restaurants. The chain is now working on improving the robot 

Planters is looking for new NUTmobile drivers. The job is full-time for a year and offers travel expenses, health insurance, and meal stipends. Interested applicants must apply by February 14th

Shark attacks were down slightly in 2024. TrackingSharks.com says there were 76 shark attacks in 2024 — six of them fatal, which is down from 15 in 2023. The U.S. had 36 shark attacks, with the most happening in Florida (19). During an average person’s lifetime, their odds of being killed in a shark attack are about 1 in 3.75 million, compared with, say, dying from in a car accident, where the odds are 1 in 84.