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| | Quote of the Day | | "I don't know where we will do this or how we will do this or even why we are doing this, but we are doing it" â Jimmy Kimmel on hosting the Emmys. And the award for Best Optimist goes to... | | |
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| Law and (Executive) Order |
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The Story President Trump just took a pass at addressing policing. What do you mean? Yesterday â after weeks of nationwide protests against police brutality â he signed an executive order calling for police reform. The order directs the DOJ to create a national database of police officers with a history of using excessive force (think: those who have been terminated, decertified, or criminally charged). It also incentivizes police departments across the country to "adopt the highest professional standards" in their communities. Incentivize how? Under the order, law enforcement agencies will have access to federal grants. But only if they do things like ban chokeholds (unless an officer's life is at risk) and offer deescalation training. Departments will also be encouraged to work with social workers and mental health professionals through "co-responder programs," to help officers better deal with situations involving mental illness, addiction, and homelessness. What are people saying? Mixed reviews. Trump called it a "historic" effort, but made it clear he's against larger reforms like defunding or disbanding the police. He said the percentage of bad officers is "tiny" and that "without police, there is chaos." The president of the country's largest police union backed him up â and said the order struck a "great balance" between public and officer safety. But critics pointed out that a key word was missing: racism. And Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) called on Congress to "quickly" pass its own legislation. About that⦠It's still a work in progress. Democrats laid out their sweeping police reform bill last week, which aims to lower the standards for qualified immunity. And Republicans are expected to introduce their legislation today, calling for a limit on chokeholds and a ban on no-knock warrants. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) is expected to announce today whether the Senate will consider the bill before its July 4th recess. But with the parties divided on how to enact reform, it's unclear if or when a bill would pass. theSkimm The nation's been waiting for the president to lay out his plan to address policing. Now he has. But some say his executive order falls short of the aggressive steps needed to change a police system that's repeatedly crossed boundaries and has claimed the lives of Black Americans. | | |
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What's giving hope⦠The University of Oxford. For the first time ever, researchers say they have a drug that could improve chances for surviving COVID-19. Reminder: a study earlier this year showed remdesivir can shorten the time people are sick by an average of four days. But there's no clear proof the antiviral drug can save people from dying. Then there was hydroxychloroquine, which the president was excited about...until the FDA said 'nope.' This latest drug is a steroid: dexamethasone. It's pretty common, and has been used to help people with issues ranging from asthma to arthritis. Yesterday, Oxford researchers said 'good news' â a study on more than 6,000 COVID-19 patients shows the drug saved about a third of people on ventilators. But heads up that it doesn't seem to help people with mild symptoms. Next up: US hospitals are waiting for the study to get peer reviewed before making changes. | | |
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What has people's attention⦠India and China. Yesterday, India said 20 of its soldiers were killed in a clash earlier this week with Chinese troops. The two have been in a border dispute in the Himalayas since the late '50s. But things have stayed relatively peaceful in recent decades. Good thing, since the two neighbors (and the world's most populous countries) happen to be nuclear-armed. But in recent weeks, tensions have been back up. The two nationalist leaders have been riling up their bases and building up troop activity. There have been multiple clashes. And despite an agreement this month to calm things down, the violence turned deadly on Monday...for the first time in more than 40 years. Both sides blamed the other for provoking the violence. But they say they're working to deescalate. | | |
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Where things could be changing up⦠Iowa. Yesterday, Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) said she plans to sign an executive order restoring voting rights to felons. Under state law, people who've completed their prison sentences can't vote unless they appeal directly to the governor. This restricts nearly 10% of the state's Black population from voting. If the executive order is signed, it could go into effect before the November election. And allow thousands of people to vote in the swing state where incumbent President Trump seems to be leading. | | |
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What's taking responsibility⦠PG&E. Yesterday, the gas and electric company pleaded guilty to 84 counts of involuntary manslaughter and one count of unlawfully causing the deadly 2018 Camp Fire. The decision was expected, and the company acknowledged that its equipment (read: a faulty hook connected to a power line) started California's deadliest wildfire in history. It's now reportedly one of the few US corporations to have ever been convicted of homicide-related charges. | | |
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 | | Glucose Syrup An ingredient that's on the back of most ice cream pints. (Which, hi, 'tis the season.)
It's made by breaking down molecules in starchy foods to create a concentrated, sweet product. It's often used as a sweetener, thickener, and a way to retain moisture. In ice cream, it's used to soften texture. Oh, and another thing it adds? Almost four times more calories than one tablespoon of sugar â minus any nutrition or flavor.
Enter Daily Harvest. Their food is made with only clean, whole fruits and veggies, and zero additives or chemicals. PS: Skimm'rs get $25 off your first box of smoothies, flatbreads, and bowls â plus Scoops, their new plant-based ice cream. Stay cool. |
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| Here are our recs to help you take a break this week...
1. Gardening 101. Sun's out, plants out. This guide will help beginners get your garden on.
2. Stretches that will help you fall asleep. Say 'buh bye' to stress before you hit the sheets. Sweet dreams.
3. Olive oil chocolate chunk cookies. With flaky sea salt on top. This recipe lets you be on team 'barely cooked through the middle' and team 'crispy, crunchy on the outside.' All you need now is a glass of milk.
PS: Want more ideas for things you can shop, eat, watch, and more? Sign up to get them right to your inbox. |
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| For when cleaning is your new favorite hobby⦠Say 'hi' to a tool you'll love. This appliance turns salt, water and vinegar into a disinfectant. It kills 99.9% of germs. And it's EPA approved for use against COVID-19. PS: Skimm'rs get $15 off and free shipping on starter kits. Clean up.*
For when it's wine o'clock somewhere⦠Always true. Get yours delivered from this company. Take a quiz, and they'll send you six bottles based on your taste. With every order, it gets better at knowing you and what you like. And Skimm'rs get 50% off your first box. Psst...that's a $45 credit. Cheers.*
For when you love seeing your nieces over Zoom⦠Send them something special. This company makes projects for kids that are educational and empowering. Gift a subscription based on age and interest, then get the projects sent right to their door. Psst...Skimm'rs get 40% off your first month. Play on.* | | *PS This is a sponsored post. |
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| In times like these, community matters more than ever. Let us know how you (or someone you know) is making an impact by helping others.
Standing up...Ainsley G (WA). She's a math teacher at a diverse school with many BIPOC and low income students. To support her students, she started "Educators for Black Lives Matter'' â a daily peaceful demonstration at school, which grew from 20 teachers to 1,200 people in days.
Leading the way...Mary C (CA). She's a leader and activist who started San Jose Strong, a grassroots platform designed to reinvent the city. She helps people learn about what is going on in the community, and provides a platform for people to act against racism. Check them out here.
(Some) Birthdays...Sophie Alpert (CA), Amy Laslett-Berger (CA), Katie Richardson (WA), Hayley Sirinek (WI), Dana Dungan (PA), Betty Marsenison (FL), Julie Perry (KY), Danielle Taylor (MA), Katie Brown (CA), Kayla Houser (TN), Daniel Scrugham (TN), Leslie Condon (IN), Alex Bunton (UT), Sarah Johnson (NY), Jennifer Myers (VA)
*Paging all members of theSkimm. Reach out here for a chance to be featured. |
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| Skimm HQ feels like every day is Hump Day at this point. Share theSkimm with that person who could use a pick-me-up, a nap or both. |  |  | | Or use this referral link theskimm.com/?r=98d063bf |
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