Florida is one step closer to being able to import cheaper prescription drugs from Canada.

The Food and Drug Administration says it has authorized Florida's proposed program to import selected drugs.

Under federal law, any state or tribe can submit a proposal for importation, and a few have. The law allows importation of certain prescription drugs in bulk if doing so would save Americans money without adding safety risks. The FDA also has to give its blessing.

Florida's proposal, championed by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, is the first to be OK'd by the agency.

The state has to clear a lot more hurdles, however, before imports could begin. Among other things, it has to specify which drugs it wants to import, verify that they meet FDA's standards and relabel them.

While the FDA authorization is a major policy change, experts also say it alone won't solve the United States' problem with high-priced drugs.

Canada's drug supply is too small, and the country has already taken steps to protect it.

The pharmaceutical industry has pushed back and is expected to sue.

"We are deeply concerned with the FDA's reckless decision to approve Florida's state importation plan," says a statement from Stephen Ubl, president and CEO of the drug industry trade group PhRMA. "Ensuring patients have access to needed medicines is critical, but the importation of unapproved medicines, whether from Canada or elsewhere in the world, poses a serious danger to public health. ... PhRMA is considering all options for preventing this policy from harming patients."

About the Epiphany Celebration:

The period between Christmas and Epiphany is called Dodecameron, or the Twelve Days. It is considered one continuous festive period and is where the term “Twelve Days of Christmas” is derived. Epiphany, also called the Theophany (meaning “appearance of God”), celebrates the baptism of Jesus Christ in the River Jordan by St. John the Baptist. The first account of an Epiphany celebration is attributed to Clement of Alexandria (d. 215 A.D.).

When Jesus Christ was baptized, a voice was heard from the heavens saying, “This is my Son in whom I am well pleased.” This was the voice of God. The Holy Spirit, in the form of the dove, descended upon Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Thus, all three Persons of the Holy Trinity were revealed, simultaneously, to humankind for the first time.

The most characteristic feature of the Orthodox Epiphany observance is the sanctification of the waters. The waters of the River Jordan were blessed by the presence of Jesus Christ, a source of Divine Grace and blessing. The prayers invoked today appropriate the very same blessings upon the water blessed in the Cathedral and the waters of Spring Bayou. Orthodox Christians receive sanctified water at the end of today’s service and set it aside for the entire year for use as a blessing during times of illness and other personal adversities.

Our community has commemorated the Christ’s Baptism with the ceremonial cross dive for close to a century. The day begins with Orthros and Liturgy services at St. Nicholas Cathedral. Following Liturgy, a procession of clergy and faithful winds its way to Spring Bayou. Once there, the Archbishop of America blesses the waters, as throngs of believers descend upon the water’s edge.

The Gospel of the day is then read and a white dove released to signify the descent of the Holy Spirit. Each year, a member of the community, typically a young woman, is chosen to carry the dove in the procession. For a full list of past dove bearers, click here.

After the dove is released, the Archbishop casts a cross into the bayou and young men dive into the waters. The one diver who retrieves the cross is considered blessed for the entire year.

Retrieval of the Cross is considered to be a source of blessings and grace. The young man who retrieves the Cross is blessed with a great responsibility and becomes a member of an elite brotherhood. As a champion for Christ, he is called to represent the Orthodox faith and follow God’s will.

Those selected to dive for the cross are young Orthodox Christian men between the ages of 16 and 18. Past divers have included many war veterans, doctors, lawyers, and politicians. Among noteworthy past retrievers is Nikitas Lulias. He retrieved the cross in 1974 and today serves as Archbishop of Thyateria and Great Britain. For a full list of past cross retrievers, click here.

Join host David Happe on a stroll through 2023 as he looks at the Pirate Podcast selections for

• Top national news story
• Top local news story
• #1 feel good story of the year
• #1 song of 2023
• Top Florida politician
• Rising superstars in Pinellas, Pasco and Hillsborough politics

Lets ring in the new year on this special edition of the Pirate Nation Podcast with David Happe, produced by the Tidings Podcast Network