If you’re a parent of young kids, you’ve probably spent the last two years thinking a lot about your kid’s health and how to keep them safe. Chances are: You’re exhausted, overworked, worried, and confused. So together with Boston Children’s Hospital, we set out to put your mind at ease. In this special episode, we ask a pediatrician the Q’s that Skimm’r parents told us are keeping them up at night. She answers things like: How should we evaluate risk in our everyday lives? How should parents th...
Apr 11, 2022•26 min
First: We’ve got the context on the biggest stories from the week –from Oklahoma’s abortion ban… to a new date you might want to add to your calendar if you’ve got student loans Next up: We’ve got an update on what’s going on in Ukraine – and where things stand after Ukraine accused Russia of committing serious war crimes. ICYMI: If you’ve tried to buy a house recently – it seems like actually closing on a place is harder than winning the lottery. We’ll break down the wild ride that is the housi...
Apr 07, 2022•35 min
First: We’ve got the context on the biggest stories from the week – from the war in Ukraine, to the latest booster shot recommendations. And a major immigration announcement from the White House. Next up: A bombshell new report revealed that Facebook’s parent company hired a private firm to dish dirt on fellow social media giant TikTok. We’ll skimm the digital drama…in 60 seconds. ICYMI: As we head into the third year of the pandemic, scientists are taking a closer look at long COVID symptoms. A...
Mar 31, 2022•31 min
First: We’ve got the context on the biggest stories from the week – from the new Omicron subvariant, to a controversial new abortion bill in Idaho. And a major declaration from the United States that has some people saying: “too little, too late?” Next up: Biden’s Supreme Court pick Ketanji Brown Jackson headed to Capitol Hill this week. We’ll break down what we learned about Jackson from her marathon confirmation hearings. ICYMI: Trouble’s brewing at the happiest place on earth. Disney’s CEO is...
Mar 24, 2022•38 min
First: We’ll start this week by speaking to someone inside the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv. We've got an inside look at emotions on the ground, the latest on US involvement, and where the war could go from here. Next up: With Putin playing mind games on his own turf, we’ll take a look at the information iron curtain in Russia. ICYMI: The Fed announced it’s raising interest rates .25%. We’ll explain why this small step for the Fed is actually a big move for the economy – and your wallet. Then: Euro...
Mar 17, 2022•38 min
First: We’re entering a new phase of the war in Ukraine as Russia ramps up its attacks on civilians. Cue: pressure on the US to hit Russia harder. We’ll break down Biden’s big announcement this week banning Russian oil, the damage it could cause to Russia, and what it means for us here at home. Next up: We’ll speak to an expert about the other cyber weapons at Russia’s disposal - and what might drive Putin to create online chaos. ICYMI: If you’re wondering why yachts, private jets, luxury goods,...
Mar 10, 2022•35 min
First: Over a million refugees have left Ukraine as Russia continues to attack the country. We'll speak to a professor about what’s next for those leaving and how Europe has historically handled an influx of displaced people. Looking for ways to help Ukraine? Check out our guide . Next up: This war isn’t just being fought militarily. The West has also used global finance as a weapon to hit Russia back. We’ll break down the types of sanctions that have been imposed, and ask an expert how we might...
Mar 03, 2022•36 min
First: It finally happened. Russia has launched a major invasion of Ukraine. We know the headlines probably feel scary and chaotic right now. So we’re going to cut through the noise by talking to two experts in Europe about what we can expect next. Next up: We’ll give you the context on the other headlines from the week — including more countries rolling back COVID protocols, a major new report on maternal health in the pandemic, and Texas at the center of controversy (again). Then: The US Women...
Feb 24, 2022•27 min
First: Tensions at the Ukrainian border seem to be at a boiling point, as the US warns a Russian invasion is imminent. We spoke to a reporter on the ground in Ukraine’s capital city Kyiv to see what life has been like amid rising tensions. Next up: We’ll give you the context on the other headlines from the week — including more drama at the Olympics, a major settlement for the families of Sandy Hook victims, and the latest from a high-profile federal hate crimes trial. Then: Last week, Congress ...
Feb 17, 2022•40 min
Suit up, Skimm’rs. This week, we’re all about the competition: Winter Olympics drama. The Super Bowl, which, yes, we’re watching for the ads. And big tech, where some power players are trying to avoid a losing streak. Plus, the latest on protests in Canada’s capital and mask mandate rollbacks. First: We’ve got updates on a landmark #MeToo bill that passed in Congress, which states are relaxing their mask mandates, the controversy over Florida’s “don’t say gay” bill, escalating protests over COVI...
Feb 10, 2022•35 min
First up: We’ve got the latest on the US military operation in Syria, a potential COVID-19 vaccine for kids under five, and a bombshell lawsuit alleging racial discrimination in the NFL. Plus, the latest data shows rents in major cities are sky high. Next: Speaking of sport and scandal…the Winter Olympics are kicking off in Beijing this week. We’ll talk to one reporter about diplomatic boycotts and the controversy surrounding the games. ICYMI: Spotify is facing the music after major musicians an...
Feb 03, 2022•39 min
First up: Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer is retiring. We called up a law professor to find out what this means for the court’s future. Next: We’ve got the latest on tensions at the Russia-Ukraine border, as well as the stock market’s wild ride this week and why this year’s tax filing season is off to a rocky start for the IRS. BTW, here’s theSkimm’s guide to completing your tax return. Then: Dr. Fauci says Omicron may peak by mid February, and the WHO said we might be near the end of the C...
Jan 27, 2022•36 min
First up: We’ve got the latest on voting rights legislation in the Senate, 5G versus airlines, the Texas synagogue standoff, and how to get free COVID-19 tests and N95 masks. Next: We called up White House press secretary Jen Psaki to talk about President Biden’s priorities for his second year in office. ICYMI: UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson is in hot water for breaking lockdown rules in 2020. Rules his administration made. We’ll spill the tea in 60 seconds. Then: After months and months of pos...
Jan 20, 2022•42 min
First up: We’ve got the latest on how hospitals are coping with Omicron cases amid a staffing shortage, rising inflation (again), the latest scandal to hit top US universities, and Prince Andrew getting thrown some royal shade. Then: The US and Russia are squaring off again – and these talks are giving people some major Cold War vibes. We’ll ask one expert why things are so tense right now, and why Putin’s got Team Biden running in circles. ICYMI: Djokovic might be warming up for the Australian ...
Jan 13, 2022•35 min
First up: We’ve got the latest on school closures across the country, COVID-19 boosters for teenagers, the jury’s verdict in the Elizabeth Holmes trial, and Apple hitting $3 trillion dollars. Next: Verizon and AT&T’s 5G rollout is threatening to ground planes in major cities all over the US. We’ll break down why — and how the airlines and mobile networks plan to fix it. Then: One year ago today, rioters stormed the Capitol building in DC. We’ll ask two experts: what’s happened since then? An...
Jan 06, 2022•34 min
First up: We’ve got the latest on the end of the Kellogg’s workers’ strike, the government hitting pause on student loan repayments again and emergency FDA authorization for Pfizer’s at-home COVID-19 pill. Then: If you’ve been wondering why we’re all still scrambling for rapid tests two years into the pandemic… you’re not alone. We Skimm’d Biden’s announcement this week on the plan for tackling Omicron - which includes revamping testing. Next: Season Three of COVID-19 just dropped, and a lot of ...
Dec 23, 2021•35 min
First up: We’ve got the latest on the tornado damage in Kentucky, Congress raising the debt ceiling, and the big USA Gymnastics settlement. Then: This week, Congress passed the annual National Defense Authorization Act, funding the military for the next year. But this year’s bill was different. We’ll break down a major change that’s meant to curb sexual assault in the armed services. ICYMI: The Golden Globes nominations dropped this week… and basically no one cared. We’ll get into how the award ...
Dec 16, 2021•35 min
Today: we're sharing the latest episode of another Skimm podcast, Pop Cultured with theSkimm . Skimm This will be back in your feed with the week's news on Thursday. The Bachelorette’s Michelle Young is making Bachelor nation history. For the first time since the franchise premiered in 2002, the man who'll soon be handed that final rose is guaranteed to be a man of color. It may seem like reality dating shows are making some slow progress on diversity. But why aren’t they keeping up with our IRL...
Dec 14, 2021•46 min
First up: President Biden and Vladimir Putin had an awkward Zoom this week to discuss the growing tension at the border of Ukraine. But just like any convo you’ve had with a friend slash enemy, this one… didn’t solve much. Next: Speaking of US frenemies, this week Biden bucked the social norms by RSVPing ‘no’ to the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics… as did Canada, the UK and Australia. ICYMI: We’ve got the latest on the Department of Justice suing Texas over its redistricting maps, new data about te...
Dec 09, 2021•30 min
First up: The word of the week is definitely “Omicron.” We called up a doctor friend to break down what we do and don’t know about the new COVID-19 variant. Next: We’ll get into this week’s other big headlines, from a school shooting in Michigan to a controversial new Twitter policy, and the start of Ghislaine Maxwell’s trial. Then: The Supreme Court heard a major abortion case this week about Mississippi’s ban on abortions after 15 weeks. We listened in on the hearing and asked an expert about ...
Dec 02, 2021•41 min
First up: We’ve got a breakdown of the week’s biggest stories – including anti-lockdown protests in Europe, what President Biden is doing to lower gas prices, and why more Americans are saying they don’t want to have children. Next: We’ll break down the verdict in the Kyle Rittenhouse trial, and speaking to an expert about the bigger implications of this trial for gun rights in the United States. Then: We’ve got updates on the status of Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai, and we’ll follow up on thos...
Nov 23, 2021•30 min
First up: We’ll break down the headlines, including what got settled at a meeting between the leaders of the U.S. and China, why the sports world is on edge after the disappearance of a Chinese tennis star, new consumer spending data, and why the House voted to censure Republican Paul Gosar. Next: Vladimir Putin is causing headaches for world leaders again. We’ll ask one expert: why is Russia stirring up trouble with Poland and Ukraine, and firing missiles into space? Then: We’ve got an exclusiv...
Nov 18, 2021•33 min
First up: Nine people died in a stampede at Travis Scott’s Astroworld music festival last weekend. We called up one local reporter who was on the scene to explain what happened, whether this tragedy could have been prevented, and what it means for live music. Next: Congress finally passed its $1.2 billion infrastructure bill. We’ve got the details on how the money’s gonna be spent. Then: The U.N.’s climate talks are starting to wrap up. We’ll talk to a climate reporter about what new commitments...
Nov 11, 2021•39 min
First up: We’ve got a breakdown of what went down in elections all over the country this week, and what it could mean for next year’s midterms. Next: We’ll get into this week’s other big stories, from the latest on COVID-19 vaccines for kids to workplace vaccine mandates and Facebook’s retreat from facial recognition. Then: Texas’ restrictive abortion law wound up in front of the Supreme Court again this week. We listened in on the arguments — and called up two of our lawyer friends to tell us w...
Nov 04, 2021•36 min
First up: So much for paid family leave. Democrats unveiled a more than $1 trillion spending bill this week, but it’s leaving a lot of people disappointed. We’ll catch up with one Capitol Hill reporter to find out why. Next: We’ve got the latest on Pfizer’s COVID vaccine for kids under 12, the coup in Sudan, the U.N.’s scary climate report and the U.S. asking passport holders: is your gender M, F or X? ICYMI: The midterm elections aren’t until 2022, but Election Day next Tuesday could set the to...
Oct 28, 2021•35 min
First up: We’ve got the latest on COVID booster shots, over-the-counter hearing aids, a breakthrough organ transplant, and a high-profile kidnapping in Haiti. Next: Congress’ January 6th investigation is picking up steam. We’ll break down what info they’re after, and why former Trump advisor Steve Bannon is coming up in all of this. ICYMI: It’s flu season again, and experts are warning about a “twindemic.” We’ll Skimm what that could look like … in 60 seconds. Then: Netflix employees staged a vi...
Oct 21, 2021•31 min
First up: We’ve got the latest on I.C.E. ending worksite immigration raids, Social Security payments increasing, and the F.D.A.’s first approval of a vape pen. Then: We’ve spent a lot of time talking about COVID-19 vaccines — but what about treatments? We’ll ask one expert about the difficult work of discovering COVID treatments, Merck’s new pill, and any new treatments we can expect. Next: Texas has made a lot of headlines this year, from restricting voting rights and abortion access to easing ...
Oct 14, 2021•31 min
First up: We’ve got the latest on a groundbreaking new malaria vaccine, the Facebook whistleblower in front of Congress, the abortion battle in Texas, and how South Dakota became a global tax haven. Next: It might start taking longer — and costing more — to mail a letter. And that’s not all: it’s getting pricier to catch an Uber and heat your home (with natural gas). We’ll break down why. ICYMI: Tech companies are in a war for your attention at work, and Microsoft came to flex … with a lot of no...
Oct 07, 2021•32 min
First up: We’ve got the latest on a major congressional hearing on Afghanistan, plus why March Madness isn't just for the boys anymore. Next: Congress is running up against a few key deadlines — from a resolution to fund the government and avoid hitting the debt ceiling. We asked a DC reporter: why are reps cutting it so close? ICYMI: There’s been a lot of buzz (and confusion) about booster shots lately. We’ll break down who’s eligible … in 60 seconds. Then: We’ve got a roundup of this week’s mo...
Sep 30, 2021•34 min
First up: Thousands of Haitian migrants are gathering at the U.S.-Mexico border. We’ll break down why they’re there and why the U.S. government’s response is stirring up controversy. Then: We’ve got the latest on Pfizer’s vaccine for kids under 12, new rules for travelers entering the U.S.., Canada’s elections, and the first legal challenges to the new abortion law in Texas. ICYMI: This week, we listened in on world leaders having a real life reunion at the U.N. General Assembly. We’ve got the d...
Sep 23, 2021•36 min
