Skimm'd while writing notes to go into our fave books

"There was an error" - Uber, after charging a customer more than $14,000 for a 21-minute ride.

ALABAMA

The Story

All eyes are on Alabama's special election.

The What

Earlier this year, Jeff Sessions left his senate seat to take over as attorney general. Today's election decides his replacement. This seat has been red for decades. But this time, the Republican candidate - former Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore - isn't exactly a shoo-in.

Why's that?

Nine women have come forward to accuse him of sexual misconduct. Several of them say they were teens at the time. One woman says she was 14 years old when Moore molested her. He denies the accusations.

What are people saying?

President Trump and the RNC are behind Moore. They say the Senate needs that GOP vote. At first, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) said Moore should leave the race. Then he said Alabama voters should "make the call." But Alabama Sen. Richard Shelby (R) says the state "deserves better." He's writing in another Republican instead. And prominent Dems - including former President Obama - have been campaigning for Dem candidate Doug Jones.

What's going to happen?

Unclear. The polls do not agree. In recent days, Jones has focused on black voter turnout. He'll need their vote to be able to pull off an upset.

theSkimm

The entire country is watching as Alabama chooses whether to elect an alleged child molester or a Democrat.

PS: If you live in Alabama, here's how to find where to vote.

REPEAT AFTER ME...

What to say when the 2018 employee handbook hits your inbox...

New year, new rules. Yesterday, a federal judge said the military has to start accepting new transgender troops by January 1. Under President Obama, the military reversed a long-running ban on transgender people openly serving in the military. And required the military to accept new transgender recruits starting in 2018. But earlier this year, President Trump said 'let's stop all this,' saying transgender troops are a "disruption" and their medical expenses are too high. LGBT rights groups said 'ummmm that's unconstitutional' and sued. Earlier this year, this federal judge put the ban on hold while the issue makes its way through the courts. Now, after some legal back and forth, she's ordering the administration to meet the January 1st recruitment deadline.

What people are talking about...

Sexual misconduct allegations. Yesterday, several women who've previously accused President Trump of sexual misconduct took the mic to call on Congress to investigate. During last year's presidential campaign, more than a dozen women came forward with sexual misconduct allegations against Trump. Trump denies them all and the White House says the women are lying. Now some are speaking out again, and calling on lawmakers to look into the accusations. Meanwhile, yesterday celebrity chef Mario Batali said he's taking a timeout from his businesses and TV show after multiple women accused him of groping. He apologized. Also, The New Yorker said it fired reporter Ryan Lizza over an allegation of "improper sexual conduct." Lizza denies the accusation. And the NFL Network suspended three on-air analysts - Marshall Faulk, Ike Taylor, and Heath Evans - as a result of sexual harassment allegations against them.

What to say to your friend in NYC...

Hope you're safe. Yesterday, a man set off a homemade pipe bomb in a subway walkway near Times Square. This happened during rush hour in the busiest commuter area in the city. Nobody died, but five people were injured. The suspect - a legal US resident from Bangladesh - is in serious condition. He told officials he was inspired by ISIS.

What to say when you hear Saudi Arabia is letting people go to the movies now...

Time to make some plans. Yesterday, Golden Globe nominations dropped. Lady-centric stories got a lot of love. As in you need to see "The Shape of Water," "The Post" and "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri." And binge (or re-binge) "Big Little Lies," and "Feud: Bette and Joan," which got the most small screen noms. Oh and Christopher Plummer - the guy who replaced Kevin Spacey at the last second in "All the Money in the World" - made the list too. Not feeling the love: Jordan Peele, "Mudbound," and "The Big Sick." The Globes go down next month.

What to say when you hear NASA's finally sending astronauts back to the moon...

They're also going green.

What to say when you prep for the Obamacare open enrollment deadline this week...

Time to talk health care. Jimmy Kimmel is, too.

READ ME

Skimm HQ loves a good book. We've always got our noses buried in our new favorite read. And we know you do too.

This year, we're putting this community's page-turning ways to good use. Here's what we're thinking...

• Send us your favorite childhood book (newborn to age 18) by 12/22

• Include a note explaining why it's so meaningful to you (sending from Amazon? Use the "Add a gift receipt" feature at checkout)

• New books can be sent to the address below

• For every book we get, we'll also donate $2 up to $50,000

We'll be donating everything to Pajama Program. They'll help us get books into the hands of kids here in NYC and across the country.

We've got the answers to all of your questions here.

SKIMM SLEEP

Delta sleep

The phase of sleep that's deep. It happens right before the REM cycle starts (aka dream time). Delta sleep means slowww brain waves and time for the body to get R&R, literally. Little things like building bone and muscle and strengthening the immune system happen during this stage.

The holidays mean you need as much deep sleep as you can get. This mattress and its memory foam will give it to you. And Skimm'rs get something off the price tag. Yes please.

SKIMM LIFE

For the coworker who's always losing the office keys...

No more. This device has a bluetooth tracker that'll make sure the important stuff never goes MIA. High key. Plus we got you a little something off the price tag.*

Want more gift ideas under $100? Here you go.

For when you can't stop looking at pics from your trip...

Take me baaaack. This will get you as close as possible. It lets you make a photo book straight from your phone. And it's only $10. Holiday gift, booked.*

For when you want to know what the group thread keeps talking about...

Probably this.

For when you don't know how to play dreidel...

Give this a spin.

*PS This is an affiliate partner, which means if you purchase or sign up theSkimm may get something in return. Thanks.

SKIMM SHARE

Skimm HQ'rs are reminiscing on our favorite childhood books. Share theSkimm with your friend who always loved "Where the Wild Things Are."

SKIMM BIRTHDAYS

* indicates Skimm'bassador. Pour it up.

Irving Azoff CA, Vindi Kaur WA, *Sajel Lala LA, *Mandy Curtis TX, *Nadia Bhagudas FL, *Breanna Oxley IA, *Ashten Roberts MS, *Caroline Callé PA, *Heather Hardee IL, *Rachel Cepero TX, *Natalie Bowers MN, *Megan Breese TX, Victoria Chen NY, Jeff Reeves, Anupma Sahay PA, Catherine Weisz FL, Alana Lerner MA, Dana Schawelson NY, Nora Abramov NY, Sally Shashoua TX, Liz Andrews CO, Hannah Starnes TN, Danilo Haliz NC, Cy Burleson TN, Alexis VanderHorn IA, Hala Mouzaffar PA, Kirby Fitzpatrick KY, Tracy Dunn FL, Dave Obergefell OH, Toni Zink KS, Kristen Bramlett TN, Christa Madden IL, Jackie Harrold CA, Johnny Madden IL, Katheryn Madden IL, Melissa Madden IL, Succi Blevins OR, Joan Hoffman NC, Sandy Sparby Clarke CA, Brigid Massey OH, Amanda Kearns MA, Isabelle Adams NY, Anne Kennedy NY, Peggy Hatfield IL, Katie Dolven MI, Elizabeth Topoleski GA, Ivory Harding GA, Eve Esch TX, Nicole Wilmet IL, Nicole Lea GA, Alexa Gilmartin NY, Barbara Williams OH, Kay Clanton AZ, Kristina Daoud IL, Tonia Candelario TX, Keith Akers NY

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