Skimm This

1 in 3 students are chronically absent from school.* One surprising reason? A lack of access to clean clothes. We teamed up with Whirlpool to explore this hidden educational crisis.  For the final episode in our three-part series, our host, psychologist and parent educator Dr. Jazmine McCoy, will cover: how chronic absenteeism impacts a student’s[...]

1 in 3 students are chronically absent from school.* One surprising reason? A lack of access to clean clothes. We teamed up with Whirlpool to explore this hidden educational crisis.  For the second episode in our three-part series, our host, psychologist and parent educator Dr. Jazmine McCoy, will cover: how chronic absenteeism affects a student’s[...]

1 in 3 students are chronically absent from school.* One surprising reason? A lack of access to clean clothes. We teamed up with Whirlpool to explore this hidden educational crisis.  For the first episode in our three-part series, our host, psychologist and parent educator Dr. Jazmine McCoy, will cover: what chronic absenteeism is and why[...]

This is an episode of the podcast "9 to 5ish with theSkimm". Listen to the show wherever you get your podcasts. When Jen Psaki became President Obama’s White House Communications Director, she was pregnant. Later, she became President Biden’s Press Secretary, and she had to navigate her role as a mom and as the White[...]

The news cycle can be exhausting (trust us, we know). But it’s important for all our mental health to take a break from the negativity — even if it’s just for a few minutes. So together with Ford, we set out to find good news to help us do just that.  For the final episode[...]

The news cycle can be exhausting (trust us, we know). But it’s important for all our mental health to take a break from the negativity — even if it’s just for a few minutes. So together with Ford, we set out to find good news to help us do just that.  For the second episode[...]

The news cycle can be exhausting (trust us, we know). But it’s important for all our mental health to take a break from the negativity — even if it’s just for a few minutes. So together with Ford, we set out to find good news to help us do just that.  For the first episode[...]

Welcome back to Skimm This. We're back in your feeds to bring you fresh episodes that help you live smarter. This time, instead of weekly episodes, we’ll be dropping miniseries throughout the year that will focus on your wellbeing. And to kick things off, we’re taking a look at the state of women in America,[...]

Welcome back to Skimm This. We're back in your feeds to bring you fresh episodes that help you live smarter. This time, instead of weekly episodes, we’ll be dropping miniseries throughout the year that will focus on your wellbeing. And to kick things off, we’re taking a look at the state of women in America,[...]

Welcome back to Skimm This. We're back in your feeds to bring you fresh episodes that help you live smarter. This time, instead of weekly episodes, we’ll be dropping miniseries throughout the year that will focus on your wellbeing. And to kick things off, we’re taking a look at the state of women in America,[...]

Welcome back to Skimm This. We're back in your feeds to bring you fresh episodes that help you live smarter. This time, instead of weekly episodes, we’ll be dropping miniseries throughout the year that will focus on your wellbeing. And to kick things off, we’re taking about the state of women in America, with a[...]

We’re back in your feed after a week off with…some news. But it’s not the news of the week, which we’ve been bringing you since 2019. It’s actually some personal news. After four amazing years, one pandemic, 451 episodes, and hundreds of interviews with some of the biggest newsmakers and experts, we’re reimagining this podcast[...]

First: The GOP can’t seem to get their House in order. Between a fight over who should be Speaker, and a congressman elect’s sketchy past, the 118th Congress got off to a rocky start. We’ll break it down.  Next: We’ve got the context on the other major stories from the week – including an update[...]

First: We’ve got the context on the week’s biggest headlines – from how to travel safely during this weekend’s bomb cyclone to President Zelensky’s visit on Capitol Hill. Plus, an update on Elon Musk’s future at Twitter. Then: The January 6th committee dropped its final report, wrapping up a year of hearings and investigations. We’re[...]

First: We’ve got the context on the week’s biggest headlines – from crypto founder Sam Bankman-Fried’s arrest, to major protests going down in Peru, plus a World Cup wrap up. Then: We’re sitting down with an expert to get a vibe check on the economy after a big inflation breakthrough this week. The saga isn’t[...]

First: We’ve got the biggest headlines of the week, including Brittney Griner’s release from a Russian prison, the outcome of Georgia’s runoff election, and the Respect for Marriage Act. Plus, the latest on the Trump Organization’s tax fraud charge, and an update on the protests in Iran.  Then: The Supreme Court heard oral arguments for[...]

First: Some of the biggest protests in decades broke out in China last weekend over the country’s strict COVID guidelines and – in some cases – over the Chinese Communist Party’s leadership. We call an expert to explain the historic protests and their impacts worldwide.   Then: Democrats in Congress only have a few weeks to[...]

First: We’ve got the headlines from the week’s news, including the mass shooting at an LGBTQ+ club in Colorado Springs, a rail strike that could dampen our holiday spirits, and a historic climate agreement. Then: After technical difficulties shut down ticket sales to Taylor Swift’s Eras tour, Ticketmaster is under fire. We’ll skimm why Taylor[...]

First: We’re covering the week’s biggest headlines: a roundup of midterm outcomes and political news, the latest on the protests in Iran, and the Artemis I rocket launch.   Then: FTX – one of the world’s biggest crypto exchanges – had a pretty abrupt fall from grace. We're talking to an expert about what FTX's demise[...]

First: Results from the midterm elections are coming in, and it's a mixed bag. We’re breaking down some major takeaways as we wait to see which party will take control of Congress.  Then: There’s a lot of turbulence in Silicon Valley. We’re sorting through all the drama @ Twitter, the historic layoffs at Facebook, and[...]

First: We’re breaking down the biggest headlines of the week: the Fed raising interest rates yet again, the growing risk of political violence leading up to election day, and Elon Musk’s chaotic onboarding @ Twitter. Then: The Supreme Court heard two major cases on affirmative action this week. And according to analysts, the Supremes appear[...]

First: We’re breaking down the biggest headlines of the week: US GDP numbers, Ye's (aka Kanye West) fallout, and what you need to know about RSV, a respiratory virus that’s pushing some hospitals to their capacity.     Then: A major investment conference dubbed ‘Davos in the Desert’ took place this week in Saudi Arabia. And despite[...]

Should you let your baby cry it out at night? Is it ever OK to give a toddler melatonin? And maybe most importantly — will you ever get a good night's sleep again? This week, we're teaming up with Boston Children's Hospital to answer your biggest questions about parenting and your kids' health. And for our[...]

It's virus season again — though if you feel like it's been virus season nonstop for years, you're not alone. This week, we're teaming up with Boston Children's Hospital to answer your biggest questions about parenting and your kids' health. And today it's all about those respiratory viruses your kids keep bringing home from daycare. We're[...]

We’ve all heard of the “terrible twos.” But what’s really going on when a toddler has a tantrum? And what’s “normal”? This week, we're teaming up with Boston Children's Hospital to answer your biggest questions about parenting and your kids' health. Starting with those spectacular meltdowns. We've tapped psychologist Dr. Erica Lee to help us[...]

First: We’ve got the context on the week’s biggest headlines: Liz Truss is out after 44 days in office, new tax brackets that could mean more cash in your wallet (thanks inflation), and Netflix’s Hollywood comeback. Then: The U.S. government has officially launched the application for people to apply for student debt relief. We’re breaking[...]

Sky-high inflation. Rising interest rates. A maybe recession. Oh, it’s just the second financial crisis millennial women are facing in their lifetime. In this special miniseries from the Skimm This team, we're going to give you the tools you need to navigate a rocky economic environment.  Today, we’re talking about staying sane in this economy.[...]

First: We’ve got the context on the week’s biggest headlines: September inflation numbers (sigh), the final January 6th committee hearing, another escalation in the war in Ukraine, and an update on Venezuelan migrants trying to enter the US.   Then: This month marks five years since journalists broke several #MeToo stories and sparked convos about sexual[...]

Sky-high inflation. Rising interest rates. A maybe recession. Oh, it’s just the second financial crisis millennial women are facing in their lifetime. In this special miniseries from the Skimm This team, we're going to give you the tools you need to navigate a rocky economic environment.  In our second episode, we’re talking about investing…in this[...]

First: We’re giving you the context on this week’s biggest headlines, including: Biden’s latest move on marijuana, what to expect from the new Supreme Court term, an update on Hurricane Ian recovery efforts, and the anti-regime protests in Iran.  Then: Just when you thought you’d had enough, the internet’s most toxic couple is back on[...]

Sky-high inflation. Rising interest rates. A maybe recession. Oh, it’s just the second financial crisis millennial women are facing in their lifetime. In this special miniseries from the Skimm This team, we're going to give you the tools you need to navigate a rocky economic environment. Starting with: adjusting your budget for sky high prices. [...]

First: We’ve got the latest on the week’s biggest headlines: Hurricane Ian, Team Biden’s plan to end hunger by 2030, a big development in Alzheimer’s research, and WTF happened to the British Pound this week.  Then: After Ukraine made gains in the war this month, Putin is scrambling to figure out how to keep Russia[...]

First: We’re giving you the context on this week’s biggest headlines, including: another interest rate hike, storm damage in Puerto Rico, new anxiety screenings coming to a doctor's office near you, and growing protests in Iran. Then: Picture this: it’s 2014. You’re anxiously waiting for another episode of Serial to drop in your podcast feed.[...]

First: We’ve got the top headlines of the week: a national abortion ban on the table just weeks before the midterms, August inflation numbers (sigh), Ukraine’s recent string of W’s, and the DL on the new updates for iMessage.  Then: After a scandal at Columbia University, the college went from #2 to #18 on the[...]

First: Queen Elizabeth II has died at the age of 96. We’ll take a look at the life and legacy of Britain’s longest-ruling monarch, and what’s next for Buckingham Palace.  Then: We’ve got the context on the biggest headlines of the week: the UN report on the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in Ukraine, California heat waves,[...]

First: We’ve got the breakdown on some of this week’s headlines, from UN inspectors on the ground at a nuclear plant in Ukraine, to an unfolding water crisis wreaking havoc on residents in Jackson, Mississippi. Next: Even though it’s the end of summer, the FDA is gearing up for another COVID Winter. We spoke to[...]

First: We’re sitting down with United States Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona to get the full update on President Biden’s student debt relief announcement.  Next: We’ve got some other big headlines from this week, from the first conviction linked to Breonna Taylor’s death in 2020 to where things stand after six months of war in[...]

First: We’re giving you the context on the biggest headlines for the week: from a major NFL star being sidelined, to Liz Cheney losing her seat in Wyoming. Plus: OTC hearing aids and the Inflation Reduction Act becomes law. PS: Last week we broke down how the Inflation Reduction Act will affect you. Check it[...]

First: FBI agents searched former president Donald Trump’s home at Mar-A-Lago on Monday. We talked to a Congressional reporter to learn what the FBI was looking for, where this investigation fits in with other Trump trials, and what this could mean for a potential presidential run.  Next: We’ve got the big headlines for the week:[...]

First: We’ve got the context on the biggest headlines of the week: Brittney Griner’s guilty verdict, monkeypox updates + how to stay safe, the unexpected Kansas abortion vote outcome, and the killing of Al Qaeda’s leader. PS: check out the CDC’s FAQ on the monkeypox vaccine. Next: House speaker Nancy Pelosi went on a tour[...]

First: We’ve got the latest on the economic news of the week. To sort out the Fed’s interest rate hike, corporate earnings, and the latest GDP report showing another quarter of shrinkage, we phone a friend and learn what all these money moves mean.  Next: Lawmakers in Indiana introduced a near total abortion ban, kicking[...]

First: We've got the major headlines from this week: President Biden tests positive for Covid-19, heat waves scorch western Europe and 100M in the US, a marriage equality vote in the House, and an election security vote in the Senate.  Next: The Euro and US Dollar are just about equal for the first time in[...]

First: We’re kicking it off with the big headlines for the week: June inflation numbers, what you need to know about the COVID variant dominating the US right now, the launch of the 988 mental health hotline, and why the president of Sri Lanka resigned – over email – today.  Next: President Biden hopped on[...]

First: We’ve got the big headlines for the week: Boris Johnson saying cheerio to being Britain’s PM, a critical week for Brittney Griner in Russia, the latest on the Highland Park shooting, and the newest jobs report.  Next: This week, seven of former President Trump’s allies were subpoenaed. We’ll break down why a Georgia court[...]

First: We’re looking at the fallout in the US after SCOTUS overturned Roe v. Wade last week (think: trigger laws, legal battles, and the scramble to find abortion care). Plus, we sat down with Governor Gretchen Whitmer from Michigan on the complicated future of abortion rights in her state.  Next: Last weekend, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez[...]

First: The deets on the ruling – how many voted to overturn, who will be impacted, and how Americans are reacting.  Next: Two legal experts enter the chat to talk about the reasoning behind the ruling, how it’s different from the leaked draft opinion, and how it compares to other cases already ruled on this month. [...]

First: We’ve got the context on this week’s headlines: the biggest takeaways from the Jan. 6 hearings, an update on the bipartisan gun deal and the police response in Uvalde, Biden’s push for a gas tax holiday, and the devastating earthquake in Afghanistan.  Next: Before SCOTUS leaves for summer recess, it’s dropping rulings on cases[...]

First: We’ve got the context on this week’s headlines: the Fed raising interest rates again, an update from the war in Ukraine, what we learned from the January 6th hearings, why there’s a tampon shortage, and what’s going on with extreme weather.  Next: As the COVID vaccine for kids under 5 got the thumbs up[...]

First: We’ve got the context on this week’s headlines: what to look out for in the Jan. 6 hearings, the latest on gun control legislation, and the gymnasts who are seeking $1 billion from the FBI.  Next: Primary elections are chugging along. And there’s one industry that’s making its mark with political donations this election[...]

First: We’ve got the context on this week’s headlines: another mass shooting in Tulsa, the end of lockdowns in Shanghai, and the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.  Next: After weeks of negotiating, the EU has finally put its foot down and banned most Russian oil imports. But when we look at the fine print, we learn that[...]

First: An 18-year-old gunman killed 19 children and two teachers in Uvalde, TX. We’ll cover the deadliest school shooting since Sandy Hook, and the debate over what it will take to stop another classroom massacre. Next: As Oklahoma passed the most restrictive abortion law in the US this week, we spoke to an abortion provider[...]

First: We’ve got some of the biggest headlines this week – an update on the war in Ukraine, Tuesday’s primary elections here in the US, COVID boosters for kids, and a major W for the US women’s soccer team.  Next: The baby formula shortage continues to keep parents up at night. We’ll speak to the[...]

First: Now that Roe v. Wade looks like it’ll be overturned this summer, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are planning their next moves. We’re speaking to Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) about what’s next for Dems in the fight over reproductive rights.  ICYMI: If you've gone looking for baby formula at Target or Walmart[...]

First: It was the leak heard around the world. We’ll break down the Supreme Court’s draft opinion on Roe v. Wade. Plus, we’ll hear from legal analysts on what this means for people seeking abortions in the months and years to come.  ICYMI: Why are you seeing Donald Trump’s name in the news again? ‘Cause[...]

First: We’ve got the context on the biggest stories from the week – from the US economy shrinking for the first time since 2020, to a concerning drought warning in the West. PS: learn more about Pfizer’s COVID-19 drug, Paxlovid, here.  Next: Elon Musk turned down a Tweet at the table — and bought Twitter[...]

Harsh scrubs. Toothpaste spot treatments. Chemical face peels. Some of the beauty ‘hacks’ you might see on the internet (or recognize from middle school) can actually be pretty dangerous. But decades of research and cutting-edge tech can help us take better care of our skin. So together with Droplette, we set out to explore the[...]

First: Russia is restrategizing in Ukraine ahead of an important deadline. We’ll take a look at how the war is changing.  Next: We’ve also got the other big headlines from the week: from Netflix execs are freaking out right now, to the latest union efforts at Apple. Plus: why millions of student loan borrowers are[...]

First: This week, commuters in New York City saw their worst nightmare come to life. We’ll break down what happened on Tuesday morning – and why people across the country are on edge.  Next up: We’ve got the other big headlines from the week: from Elon Musk vs. Twitter,  shocking body cam footage sparking protests[...]

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[...]

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[...]

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[...]

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[...]

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[...]

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.  [...]

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[...]

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[...]

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[...]

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[...]

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[...]

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[...]

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[...]

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[...]

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[...]

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[...]

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[...]

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[...]

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’[...]

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[...]

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[...]

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[...]

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[...]

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:[...]

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[...]

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[...]

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[...]

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[...]

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[...]

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[...]

First up: We’ve got an exclusive interview with Dr. Anthony Fauci, where we got the chance to ask about everything from vaccine mandates on airplanes and in schools to his biggest pandemic mistakes. Next: We’ll get into the latest headlines, from explosive revelations about the final days of the Trump administration, to the results of[...]

First up: We’ve got the latest on the week’s biggest headlines, from El Salvador’s adoption of Bitcoin to the removal of Virginia’s most prominent Confederate statue, the newest COVID-19 variant, and Britney’s conservatorship. Next: It’s back to school time… but there’s no vaccine for kids under 12. So, we called up an expert to find[...]

First up: We’ve got the details on Texas’ new abortion law, and what experts say it could mean for abortion rights across the U.S. Next: We’ll take stock of the damage after Hurricane Ida caused damage from the Gulf Coast all the way to the Northeast.  Then: The U.S. has officially left Afghanistan. But what[...]

First up: We’ve got the latest on evacuations from Afghanistan, and the deteriorating security situation around Kabul airport. Next: We’ll break down this week’s biggest headlines, from a report on COVID-19’s origins to school closures — plus a big decision by streaming platform OnlyFans. ICYMI: The F.D.A. and Pfizer made it official this week, in[...]

First up: The week’s biggest story is Afghanistan. We’ll break down how the Taliban took over so quickly, whether more people can get out safely, and what’s next for the country. Next: We’ll bring you the latest on the major earthquake in Haiti and the latest data breach affecting over 40 million people. Hint: if you’re[...]

First up: We’ve got the latest on Afghanistan, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s resignation and the CDC’s new guidelines on getting vaxxed while pregnant. Next: Kids are heading back to school IRL. We’ll dive into why keeping kids safe is more complicated than it sounds, and is causing some political throwdowns. Also: Fire up your[...]

First up: We’ll break down this week’s big stories, from the results of a sexual harassment investigation into Gov. Andrew Cuomo, to a new federal eviction moratorium, and what selling COVID vaccines means for pharma company profits. Next: We’ve got an exclusive interview with President Biden’s top doc, a.k.a. U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy.[...]

First up: We keep hearing about people getting COVID … who already got the vaccine. We’ll tell you what you need to know about these breakthrough infections, and why health rules around the country are changing fast. Next: We’ll break down this week’s big stories, from the first hearing on the January 6th Capitol riot[...]

First up: We’ll break down this week’s big stories, from COVID cases at the Olympics to chip shortages and Jeff Bezos’ big adventure. Next: COVID cases are soaring again in the U.S. – that is, among the unvaccinated. We’ll talk to a researcher about the factors that have (and haven’t) made hesitant Americans change their[...]

First up: We’ll break down this week’s big stories, from anti-government protests in Cuba to Texas Dems literally fleeing the state. Next: Between booster shots and new side effect warnings, we’ll break down this week’s COVID vaccine news … in 60 seconds. Then: More than 35 million tax returns are MIA. We’ll explain the delays[...]

First up: Haiti’s president was assassinated in his home this week. We’ll get into what just happened and what this could mean for the country.  Next: Gas prices are way up. We’ll break down why that is, and how long the new prices might last. Then: We’re checking in on three stories from recent episodes to[...]

First up: Bill Cosby was released from prison yesterday. We’ll explain the Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s shocking decision to release him early.   Next: We’ll break down this week’s other big stories, from the Supreme Court’s voting rights decision to why it’s been so hot on the West Coast. Then: It’s been a week since a condo[...]

First up: We’ll break down what Britney Spears told a court about her conservatorship this week, plus two more big SCOTUS decisions on college athletes and Snapchat free speech. Next: No matter where you live, you’ve probably heard about an increase in “violent crime” lately. We’ll ask an expert why we’re seeing these trends and[...]

First up: Biden and Putin had their first face-to-face meeting. We’ll tell you what was on the agenda (hint: nuclear weapons and cyberattacks) and whether this meeting was more than just a photo op.  Next: We’ve got the context on recent reports about the Trump-era Department of Justice obtaining the info of journalists and politicians,[...]

First up: We’ll break down Biden’s first overseas trip as president, how the U.S. hopes to stay the world’s top tech country, why its RIP for Keystone XL and what leaked docs show the ultra-wealthy really pay in taxes. Next: This week, the F.D.A. approved a new Alzheimer’s drug — but not everyone’s thrilled. We’ll[...]

First up: We’ll break down Israel’s (likely) government shakeup, Biden’s latest moves on the southern border, and new data about female CEOs. Next: We’ll look at why tennis star Naomi Osaka’s decision to take a break from competition is about so much more than sports. Then: While the U.S. deals with vaccine hesitancy, a lot[...]

First up: Let’s break down some headlines, from America’s top diplomat visiting Israel to Belarus faking an airline bomb threat. Next: President Biden wants U.S. intelligence to figure out the origins of COVID-19. That’s reviving an old theory that the pandemic could have come from a laboratory. Plus: It’s been a year since George Floyd[...]

First up: We’ve got the context you need on the Mississippi abortion law heading to the Supreme Court, the new hate crimes bill that just passed Congress and President Biden showing off an electric pickup.  Next: Nearly two weeks of Israeli-Palestinian fighting has caused fighting… among US lawmakers. We’ll break down what’s going on with[...]

First up: Renewed Israeli-Palestinian conflict is threatening to spiral into all-out war. We’ll break down what you need to know.  Then: We’re giving you the context on two more events that have been making headlines this week: Liz Cheney’s demotion, and a Pfizer vaccine for teens.   Next: A major pipeline in the US got hacked[...]

First up: We’ve got the context on this week’s biggest headlines, from Trump’s Facebook ban to what’s going on with federal eviction protections and protests in Colombia.  Plus: This week, the White House said it supports waiving patent protections for COVID vaccines. Well break down whether that will help boost the global vaccine supply and[...]

First up: President Biden’s been in office for 100 days. And while he's giving himself an A for effort, we’ll break down his real report card with what he has – and hasn’t – accomplished so far.  ICYMI: We’ve got the latest on the 2020 Census data, the arrival of some pesky friends, and the[...]

On this special episode of Skimm This, we wanted to take a break from the news for some comic relief, and get a chance to hear some of your voices. A few weeks ago, we asked you to fill out a survey about how the past year has been. The good, the bad, and the[...]

First up: A jury this week found Derek Chauvin guilty of the murder of George Floyd. We’ll talk to the creator of Chicago’s Civilian Office of Police Accountability  about how this historic trial could impact law enforcement trials in the future.  ICYMI: We’ve got the latest news about fake vaccines, global travel warnings and a[...]

First up: To help understand all of this week’s COVID headlines – including big news about the Johnson & Johnson vaccine – we phoned up a doctor to ask: “Hey did you read that thing?” Then: We’ve got the latest on the most recent incident of police violence in Minnesota, why Iran is increasing its[...]

First up: We’ve got this week’s biggest headlines, from progress towards a new Iran nuclear deal to border clashes in Northern Ireland and Biden’s latest moves on gun control. (0:46) Then: This week, Arkansas’ Governor vetoed a bill banning gender-affirming healthcare for minors – only for lawmakers to overturn the veto. We’ll break down a[...]

First up: Derek Chauvin’s trial began this week. He’s the former police officer accused of killing George Floyd. We’re taking a look at what we can expect in the courtroom in the weeks ahead. And we’ll break down why America doesn’t have a strong track record when it comes to convicting police officers.   Then: It’s[...]

First up: Less than a week after a mass shooting in Atlanta, there was another massacre – this time in Colorado. We’re diving in to look at what’s changed – and what hasn’t – about gun violence in the US.  Then: From Israel’s elections and a ship stuck in the Suez Canal to Equal Pay[...]

First up: We’ve got the context on this week’s deadly shootings around Atlanta, where a lone gunman murdered 8 people — 6 of them of Asian descent — in a time when attacks against Asian Americans are rising.  Then: Last weekend, police in London shut down a vigil for Sarah Everard, who was abducted and[...]

First up: Today, President Biden signed a long-awaited stimulus bill. We’ll break down three of the biggest wishes he granted and look at who’s gonna be affected. (Here’s the rest of theSkimm on the stimulus bill) Then: We’ll explain the CDC’s new guidelines about what we can do once we’ve been vaccinated. Plus: We’ll follow[...]

First up: We had some questions for the new CDC director, like: if it’s my turn, how do I sign up to get vaccinated? Then: We’ve got the context on some of this week’s big headlines, including the latest on NY Governor Cuomo, why the Capitol is on high alert, and what’s up with Dr.[...]

First up: A few places, including the U.K. and Israel, have successfully rolled out COVID-19 vaccinations. We want to know: how did they do it? And can we copy what they got right? Then: We’ll fill you in on what you need to know about Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine, which should get FDA approval[...]

On this bonus episode of Skimm This, we're following up our interview with Vice President Kamala Harris by diving into a topic that's been on our minds for a while now: the “she-cession,” a.k.a. how women have been impacted by the economic recession caused by the pandemic.  First up: We’ll hear how about the difficulties two[...]

First up: We’ll break down how one of America’s largest states was brought to its knees by a freak winter storm, and why most of the rest of the country has been so cold. Then: We’re bringing you the latest on stories from Australia, Tokyo...and at Walmart...and giving you the context on why they matter.[...]

First up: Women are being pushed out of the workforce at an alarming rate. We interviewed Vice President Kamala Harris to learn how the next COVID relief bill could provide women with some relief. Then: We’re bringing you three headlines – Trump’s Impeachment trial, the rise in hate acts against Asian Americans, and a microchip[...]

ICYMI, the last year has been stressful. But we can’t just unplug, wait a few seconds, and hope that everything returns to "normal" again. No matter how much we might want to. That's why today, we're gonna dig into something that’s been generating a lot of buzz over the last few months: mindfulness. First: We’ll[...]

First up: We’ll ask an expert about whether we should be picky about which COVID vaccine we get, and break down why the COVID vaccines haven’t been distributed equitably so far.  Then: While the NFL is hoping for a safe Super Bowl on the field, doctors are more worried about the fans at home, and[...]

First up: By now you’ve probably heard about some new strains of COVID-19… that kinda sound like spy names. Meet B117, B1351, and P-1. And some bad news: they’re potentially more harmful. We’ll break down what we know so far about how to protect yourself, and whether the vaccines will still be effective against them. (0:58)[...]

First up: Before handing over the keys to the White House, President Trump made some final moves in office that could have a lasting impact. We’ll Skimm his final acts, from presidential pardons to foreign policy pivots.  Then: President Biden jumped right into the Oval on Wednesday to start rolling out his agenda. We’ll break[...]

First up: President Trump is now the first president to be impeached twice. We’ll tell you what happened this week and what to expect from a Senate trial. (:54) Then: It’s been more than a week since the attack on the U.S. Capitol, but the ripple effects are still being felt. We’ll break down last week’s[...]

Welcome to Skimm This. Here’s what we’re covering this week:  First up: In D.C., as Congress gathered to certify President-elect Joe Biden's presidential win, a mob of Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol. We’ll break down what happened on Wednesday. Then: All eyes were on Georgia this week. We’ll tell you what Democrats winning both[...]

We all know 2020 has been a year. And while we may remember it as the year we started matching our facemasks to our sweatpants… it turns out 2020 can be remembered for a lot more than that. This week we’re looking back at the major developments that happened this year in medicine, foreign policy,[...]

This week, we’re answering your questions about what’s going on in the news right now. Here’s what you wanted to know:  First up: What’s the deal with this new strain of COVID that’s been found in the UK?  Then: Why did Russia hack the United States again? And what information did they get?  Next: What’s[...]

Welcome to Skimm This. Here’s what we’re covering this week:  First up: The first Americans have gotten the COVID-19 vaccine. Now that it’s here, we know you’ve got questions. So we called in an expert to Skimm the answers. Then: Your holiday package forecast? Expect some delays. We’ll tell you what you need to know[...]

Welcome to Skimm This. Here’s what we’re covering this week:  First up: The Electoral College is meeting Monday to finally put this whole election to bed. We’ll tell you what’s expected to go down.  Then: Congress is, once again, deadlocked over whether to pass another Coronavirus relief bill. We’ll explain the holdup. Quickly: Some major[...]

We’re all pretty excited for a fresh start in 2021. Before we get there, we’ve got some vaccine news for you and a look at who might get a dose before the end of the year. Then, there’s one person who’s already making his intentions clear for 2021: President-Elect Joe Biden. We’ve got the who’s who[...]

Once the Thanksgiving table is cleared, it’s shopping season. Black Friday may look a bit different this year, but it still kicks off a crucial period for online and real-world retailers as they try to end 2020 on a high note. This week we’re stepping back from the news and looking at what makes the[...]

A dangerous collision between a pandemic and America’s biggest family get-together is just around the corner. Before we get to the main course, we’ve got an update on the presidential transition between President Trump and President-Elect Joe Biden (1:08). Quick Skimm: nothing’s really happened so far. We’ll also tell you about Amazon’s big move this[...]

In case you missed it last week, the U.S. just left the Paris Agreement on climate change. We’ve got the details on what could happen next. After that, we’ll explain the status of President Trump’s election lawsuits and what to make of Pfizer’s flashy new COVID-19 vaccine. Then, as some major U.S. companies indefinitely delay[...]

It’s been a long week, but it’s not over yet. We’ve got the latest on the Trump campaign’s legal strategy as it tries to stop the vote counts in some states and control which ballots are counted in others. Then, we’ll explain why one state’s 2020 election is likely to spill over into January 2021.[...]

Welcome to a special bonus episode of Skimm This, breaking down what we know – and don’t know – about the election results so far.  First, the race for the White House. Spoiler: we still don’t have a winner, but we’ll explain which states hold the keys for an electoral college victory and where the vote-count stands[...]

Up first, we’ve got the latest on three developing stories from this week. Including: Amy Coney Barrett officially joining the Supreme Court, a new study on COVID-19 antibodies, and why tech CEOs faced a grilling on Capitol Hill.  And for our main story, you’ve probably seen headlines that, by the end of election night, we[...]

This week, theSkimm sat down with Senator Kamala Harris, the Democratic vice presidential nominee, to talk about everything that’s on her mind in the week leading up to Tuesday’s election.  From how she and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden would tackle the COVID-19 pandemic, to the impact the Supreme Court’s new lineup might have on[...]

This week, we’ve got updates on three developing stories you’ve probably been hearing about. We’ll break down Pope Francis’s recent comments on same-sex civil unions. We’ve got the latest on new COVID-19 lockdowns happening around the world. And then, what’s going on with foreign interference in the home stretch of the election.  Then, we’ve got[...]

Research teams from around the world have been hard at work on a COVID-19 vaccine for more than six months. But the big question still remains: When are we going to actually have a vaccine? This week, we spoke to the head of the National Institutes of Health and a leading researcher on the global[...]

Over the last few months, most of us have faced some sort of COVID-related lifestyle changes that have disrupted our everyday norms. On today’s Skimm Special, brought to you in partnership with Northwestern Mutual, we’ll hear from a Skimm’r contending with a drop in self-employment income after her counseling job went remote and her office[...]

It’s been a week since President Trump announced he’d tested positive for COVID-19. We’ll give you an update on his condition and how this health scare has increased interest in the role of Vice President, including at Wednesday’s VP debate. And speaking of the election, over four million Americans have already cast their ballots. But[...]

Over the last few months, most of us have faced some sort of COVID-related lifestyle changes that have disrupted our everyday norms. On today’s Skimm Special, brought to you in partnership with Northwestern Mutual, we’ll hear from a Skimm’r whose job disappeared as the US economy slid into a recession earlier this year … just[...]

President Donald Trump announced Friday morning that he and First Lady Melania Trump tested positive for COVID-19. The news has already sent shockwaves around the world. We’ll break down what we know right now, and what we could expect in the days and weeks to come.

The President and First Lady have tested positive for COVID-19. We've got the latest on that developing story in this morning's Daily Skimm. President Trump’s tax returns are also in the news after a big report by The New York Times. We’ll break down the report's key findings, and hear what Trump and his Democratic[...]

Over the last few months, most of us have faced some sort of COVID-related lifestyle changes that have disrupted our everyday norms. Unemployment has skyrocketed, school closures have forced many moms to step back from work, and working from home has shut many women off from informal networking and mentorship opportunities that are key to[...]

As the nation mourns the loss of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, her death leaves a vacancy on the Supreme Court that Republicans are eager to fill ASAP. We’ll break down where the effort to nominate her replacement currently stands. Then, it’s the moment you’ve all been waiting for: the United Nations General Assembly is back in[...]

The saga over TikTok is back in the headlines this week. The Chinese-owned social platform is desperately looking for a match before Sunday - the deadline President Trump gave the company to find a buyer before it gets banned from the U-S. We’ll break down the drama over which company is getting TikTok’s final rose. [...]

President Trump is in the hot seat this week regarding COVID-19. A new book - and some audio recordings - reveal him acknowledging the consequences of the virus behind the scenes while downplaying it to the American public. We’ll explain why this is making headlines eight weeks before the election.  And: the West Coast continues[...]

All eyes were on President Trump this week as he visited Kenosha, Wisconsin, where Jacob Blake was shot last month. The shooting prompted protests and reignited calls for police reform and racial justice. But the President’s mind was on something else: “domestic terror.” We’ll break down why criminal justice experts say that definition for protests in[...]

Cellphone video of the shooting of Jacob Blake by Kenosha, Wisconsin police has reignited Black Lives Matter protests around the country. And everyone – from the NBA to the Wisconsin legislature – is considering how to take action.  Also: severe weather is impacting the West Coast and the Gulf Coast, with COVID-19 changing virtually all[...]

This week’s fastest developing story… is all about snail mail. That’s right. Some controversial new changes at the US Postal Service are causing mail delays and making some people worried about voting by mail this November. But now, the Postmaster General is hitting pause on those new changes until after the election. We’ll explain what[...]

Where were you when heard the country was in a national emergency because of COVID-19? If you can remember where you were, down to what Netflix you were binging, there’s a name for that. In today’s Skimm Special, brought to you in partnership with Shutterfly, we’ll speak with an expert who’ll explain why that memory[...]

The Democratic and Republican national conventions typically represent a major moment in the lead up to an election. But this year - you guessed it - they’re going to look different. And some attendees might be joining from their couch. In this episode, we’ll break down why conventions matter. And talk to Democratic and Republican[...]

It’s August. Which usually means college students are heading back for the fall semester. But this year, back-to-school tailgates and freshman orientation look a little different. Think: hand sanitizer relay races. We’ll break down how some of the biggest campuses in the country are planning to open safely. And what the concerns are from some[...]

At the start of July, in an effort to protect federal monuments and buildings, President Trump started deploying federal agents to cities across the country. But in Portland, Oregon, that effort backfired. In a city where protests had started to calm down, thousands of people started turning out against what they saw as a federal[...]

Congress is back in session. And the major topic up for discussion: another economic stimulus package. Some big deadlines are coming up (think: the $600/week federal unemployment benefit is about to expire). And as new COVID-19 cases continue to spike, states, small businesses, and families are looking for another economic boost. We’ll break down what[...]

Even though it's the middle of summer, all eyes are on the fall. Specifically, how schools are supposed to reopen in the middle of a global pandemic. And as COVID-19 cases rise in a number of states, parents, teachers, and officials are at odds over how to do it. We’ll break down the debate over[...]

Now that you’ve made it through your Netflix queue, you might be wondering when sports are coming back. After sports leagues postponed their seasons back in March, some - like the National Women’s Soccer League - are stepping back onto the field for the first time. We’ll break down the efforts and challenges in keeping[...]

In some states, primary voting during COVID-19 has been off to a rocky start. Long lines and crowds at the polls aren’t great for social distancing. And as cases continue to spike across the US, some states are looking to expand their ‘vote by mail’ options ahead of November. We’ll break down what voting for[...]

As the number of new COVID-19 cases rises in some states, the debate continues about what role the government should play in helping people protect each other. And specifically: whether masks need to be required. We’ll explain why there’s been confusion over masks, what scientists and the CDC are saying now, and why local and[...]

In recent weeks, there’s been a renewed push to remove symbols of the Confederacy: including flags, statues and the names of some military bases. Some protestors have been tearing statues down. And local officials are also making moves to remove them. We’ll break down why the debate around getting rid of these statues is really[...]

As protests continue in the US, some demonstrators are now calling to ‘defund the police.’ And those calls are already having an impact. Cities like Minneapolis, New York, and Los Angeles are considering some major changes to their police departments. We’ll break down what it actually means to defund the police, and why some protestors[...]

People across the US have flooded into the streets to protest police violence against black Americans. We’ll break down some of the concerns protests are highlighting, including disparities in how law enforcement treats black Americans, as well as police militarization. We’ll also talk to an expert about some potential solutions. Also: if you’re seeing calls to[...]

As of this week, one in four US workers has filed for unemployment benefits. But economists say the historic numbers don’t tell the whole story. And they’re warning that women, and in particular women of color, are being disproportionately affected. We’ll break down what this record unemployment means, how the situation compares to past recessions,[...]

Back in March, Congress passed a historic $2 trillion stimulus bill that reached millions of Americans. You may have received a check in the mail or a boost in unemployment insurance. But researchers and economists are saying the money Congress spent so far may not be enough. We’ll break down what still needs work, and[...]

The race for a COVID-19 vaccine is underway. But don’t hold your breath. This race could take years. We’ll tell you why, and what’s being done to try to speed up the process. Also: you may have seen some headlines this week about COVID-19 and children. New research shows kids are more at risk of[...]

The CDC has been working on new guidelines for how states should start to reopen. But the White House is putting them on ice and telling the agency to make some changes. Meanwhile: the unemployment rate is now the highest it’s been since the Great Depression. We’ll tell you why the real picture might be[...]

The latest unemployment numbers are in, and no surprise: they’re not very good. We’ll explain why -- despite all the bad economic news -- the stock market is doing relatively okay. Meanwhile: some small schools in Montana are among the first to reopen since the pandemic began. But local superintendents are finding ways to enforce[...]

The White House coronavirus task force is getting a makeover. Sort of. We’ll explain what today’s change-up is all about and how it impacts you. Meanwhile: major grocery and fast food chains are showing cracks in the food supply chain as meat processing plants are forced to close. Also on today’s show: Supreme Court Justice[...]

This is a rebroadcast of our Skimm Special that originally aired on April 18th. We’ll be back tomorrow with new episodes. Across the world, economies have essentially been on pause due to COVID-19. The unintended consequence? A significant decrease in air pollution and carbon emissions. We talked to climate experts about how the pandemic is[...]

Federal stay-at-home guidelines are officially expiring tonight. But since it’s states that call the shots on reopening, not much is going to change when the clock strikes midnight. Meanwhile: there’s encouraging news from the world of medicine. We’ll break down two headlines about a COVID-19 treatment and a possible vaccine, and why America’s top infectious[...]

We knew the economy wasn’t doing well. But a new report out today shows us just how bad it really is. We’ll dive into what ‘gross domestic product’ is all about and why it matters that it’s down. Meanwhile: a new poll says a lot of Americans are worried that COVID-19 will disrupt this year’s[...]

The White House released new guidelines for how states should ramp-up their testing programs. We’ll explain how this could impact your state. Meanwhile: the Federal Reserve is coming to the rescue for cities and states. We’ll tell you how the new moves could help you. Also on today’s show: JetBlue Airways just became the first[...]

We’re starting to learn more about COVID-19 antibody testing. But these tests might not be ready for primetime yet. We’ll explain what they are and why researchers are telling us to slow our roll. Meanwhile: more Georgia businesses opened their doors today. We’ll tell you what that could mean for your state. Also on today’s[...]

President Trump signed the bill to re-up the Paycheck Protection Program.  But: there might be another snag. We’ll dive into why it still may not get small businesses the help they need. Meanwhile: a new study out of New York says that the outbreak may have been more widespread than initially thought. We’ll tell you[...]

The House of Representatives is expected to pass another major stimulus bill to get more money into the hands of small businesses. We’ll dive into why convincing small businesses to put their names in the hat for this financial lifeline will still take some work. Meanwhile: this week’s new unemployment numbers are in. We’ll explain[...]

Officials say the first known death from COVID-19 in the US happened weeks earlier than they realized. We’ll tell you what that might mean for the projection models everyone has been relying on. Meanwhile: a new study shows that a drug some were hopeful about might not actually help fight COVID-19. We’ll look at how[...]

Last night, President Trump announced he’ll sign an executive order to suspend immigration into the US. But the administration has already made a number of changes to immigration procedures since the pandemic began. We’ll explain. Meanwhile: the Senate has reached a deal to refresh the Paycheck Protection Program. We’ll explain what that might mean for[...]

Most public health experts agree: we need more testing to start lifting stay-at-home orders. But in the US, officials disagree on how to get more tests. We’ll explain how this impacts you. Meanwhile: people across the country defied social distancing measures this weekend to protest. We’ll explain what message protestors are trying to send. Also[...]

Across the world, economies have essentially been on pause due to COVID-19. The unintended consequence? A significant decrease in air pollution and carbon emissions. We talked to climate experts about how the pandemic is highlighting the human impact on the planet. And what that can teach us about the steps individuals and governments need to[...]

The White House has new advice for states that might want to lift their stay-at-home orders. We’ll tell you what these new guidelines actually mean for you. Meanwhile: you might be hearing a lot about a new antiviral drug that could be used to fight COVID-19. We’ll explain why doctors say remdesivir has a lot[...]

For the fourth week in a row, US unemployment claims have risen by the millions. We’ll explain what Congress is doing to try to curb that trend. Meanwhile, there’s a new test that some say could help us get back to normal life. We’ll break down what these antibody tests are all about. Also on[...]

A new report from the US Commerce Department says shopping carts across America are way emptier than usual. We’ll tell you what a drop in retail sales means for the rest of the economy. Meanwhile: President Trump says he’s halting funding to the World Health Organization. We’ll dive into how this could impact the global[...]

States are teaming up to figure out how and when to lift their stay-at-home orders. We’ll explain why that’s causing tension with the White House. Meanwhile: over 80 million people are supposed to get their stimulus payouts by tomorrow. We'll tell you who that applies to and who’s left out. Also on today’s show: a[...]

There’s been a lot of talk lately about when it’s OK to ‘reopen the economy.’ Public health experts say one thing that could get us to that point is contact tracing. We’ll explain why. Meanwhile: meat processing plants across the country have been shutting down over COVID-19 concerns. We’ll look at what this means for the[...]

This week’s new unemployment numbers are in, and things still aren’t good. We’ll look at what states are doing to keep up with the worsening jobs crisis. Meanwhile: as unemployment skyrockets, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is making moves to keep essential workers at work. Also on today’s show: grocery shopping during a[...]

We’re seeing clearer trends that black Americans may be at disproportionately higher risk of falling ill and dying from COVID-19. We’ll break down why public health experts say this is happening. Meanwhile: Wuhan — the Chinese city where the pandemic started — ended its 76-day lockdown. We’ll look at what’s next for its residents. Also[...]

Voters are heading to the polls to cast their ballots in the Wisconsin primary despite orders from the governor to stay home. We’ll dive into the drama and look at what voting during a pandemic could mean for November’s general election.  Meanwhile: President Trump has been promoting a drug that he says is a ‘game-changer’[...]

Health officials are warning that this will be an especially tough week. Are hospitals ready? A new federal report gives us an indication. Meanwhile: the United Nations says that reported incidents of domestic violence are on the rise during the pandemic. We’ll look into why that is. Also on today’s show: we share a few[...]

When news broke that COVID-19 had hit the US, many of us were told not to wear masks unless we were sick. Now the US government is reportedly reconsidering that guidance. We’ll tell you why. Meanwhile, US unemployment data for the month of March just got released. We’ll break down what the numbers mean and[...]

We woke up this morning to some record-breaking unemployment numbers — as huge as they are, they may not even be showing the full picture. We’ll explain why. Meanwhile: the US’s secret stockpile of emergency medical equipment is running low. We’ll explain what the stockpile is and why this is happening at precisely the wrong[...]

The US intelligence community is reportedly warning that China hid key info about the severity of its COVID-19 outbreak. We’ll walk you through what that could mean for other countries that relied on Chinese data as they crafted their own epidemic response plans. Meanwhile: it’s Census Day. We’ll explain what that means and how COVID-19[...]

A US Navy Captain is pleading for help containing a COVID-19 outbreak onboard an American aircraft carrier in Guam. We’ll explain why the Navy is facing similar problems as cruise ships, and why having a nuclear power plant and fighter jets on board make this situation totally different. Meanwhile, a field hospital opened today on[...]

Grocery delivery workers went on strike today. We’ll explain how the COVID-19 pandemic is impacting the delivery industry and how consumers can respond. Meanwhile: the White House extends social distancing guidelines until the end of April. But it remains up to states to decide how to actually enforce them. We look at a few approaches[...]

It’s 2020 and women’s median earnings are about 80 cents for every dollar a man makes. Cool cool. That’s known as the gender pay gap. Ahead of Equal Pay Day on March 31st, we wanted to find out why this gap has persisted for so long, and what’s being done about it. That includes steps[...]

President Trump just signed the most expensive relief bill in US history, but it wasn’t exactly a cakewalk. We explain the drama that had lawmakers scrambling to fly back to the Capitol. Meanwhile, officials at the World Health Organization have been warning for weeks that developing nations could have a tougher time coping with COVID-19.[...]

The latest US unemployment numbers are in. They’re historic, and not in a good way. We’ll break down the data and look at how Congress is trying to patch up the unemployment insurance system in the middle of a health crisis. Meanwhile: how do world leaders hold an emergency summit when they’re supposed to be[...]

Senate leaders say they’ve reached a historic deal to help Americans and American businesses deal with the economic fallout of COVID-19. The $2 trillion relief package will also steer billions of dollars to hospitals and local governments to respond to the ongoing health crisis. We’ll tell you what’s (probably) in the bill and why each[...]

The 2020 Summer Olympics won’t be happening in summer 2020 anymore. We’ll explain how the decision to postpone the Olympics could impact more than your TV habits. Then: officials around the US are ordering the release of some inmates as a way to slow down COVID-19. Plus: we look at how the pandemic could complicate[...]

The Senate is divided over a bill that’s supposed to help Americans deal with the economic fallout of COVID-19. We’ll tell you the latest. Meanwhile, President Trump appears anxious to send Americans back to the office. We’ll tell you why, and what other officials have to say about it. Also on today’s show: why some[...]

The US is sealing itself off from its neighbors, with big restrictions on the Mexico and Canada borders. We’ll explain why, and take a look at the other big COVID-19 news of the day. Meanwhile, if you’ve been to a supermarket lately, you may have noticed shelves looked a bit...grim. But experts say: don’t panic.[...]

China just reported no new locally-transmitted COVID-19 cases for the first time since the outbreak began. We’ll explain why that’s great news, but why China isn’t quite out of the woods just yet. Meanwhile, the federal government is giving Americans three extra months to pay their taxes. But taxpayer beware! That April 15th tax filing[...]

Healthcare workers are on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic. We’ll dive into the risks they’re facing as they work around the clock to save lives. Meanwhile, the US government is coming up with ways to help Americans cope with the economic crisis. We’ll explain why one option being discussed is checks in the mail.[...]

The COVID-19 caseload in the US topped 5,000 today, but Florida, Illinois and Arizona kept calm and carried on with primary voting. Meanwhile: are we on the cusp of a lockdown? We’ll explain how federal and local governments are differing in their responses. Also: COVID-19 could create a new kind of medical problem. Listen to[...]

The Federal Reserve dusted off its Great Recession playbook on Sunday to find ways to boost the US economy. It cut interest rates to close to zero percent and will buy up $700 billion in financial assets to help get the economy through the COVID-19 pandemic. We’ll break down what these new steps could mean[...]

President Trump declared a national emergency today over the COVID-19 outbreak, and said more Americans should be able to get tested soon. We’ll explain why the US has been facing a testing shortage and how the plans announced today could address that. Then, 30 million US students rely on school meal programs. But what happens[...]

Last night President Trump addressed the nation to explain how the US is responding to COVID-19. He talked up the importance of keeping the disease out of the country. But remember: it’s already here. We dive into the complications with testing and treating, and why there’s a lot more work that the US needs to[...]

COVID-19 is now officially a pandemic. But as more and more companies are telling their employees to work from home, many people don’t have that luxury. We’ll explain why the lack of unemployment insurance and universal paid sick leave is a pain for the gig economy and for some hourly workers. Meanwhile, a New York[...]

Italians woke up this morning under a nationwide quarantine as the country attempts to stop the spread of COVID-19, the disease caused by coronavirus. Italy is the latest country to follow China’s playbook by using “social distancing” policies to contain the disease, and it might not be the last. We’ll explain why putting a little[...]

The markets took a nosedive today. And in response, Wall Street found the brakes and stepped on them. We’ll explain what happened and what it means moving forward. Meanwhile, the beginning of the week might have you dreaming about taking a vacation. But heads up: the US government is warning people against booking their dream[...]

The Supreme Court heard its first major case on abortion access with a strong new conservative majority on the bench. We’ll dive into what the outcome of this case could mean for the future of abortion access in the US. Meanwhile, this Sunday is International Women’s Day. We talked to some women – and their[...]

Elizabeth Warren dropped out of the race for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination. Her next big plan is TBD. Meanwhile, countries around the world are planning stimulus packages to help people and businesses recover from the economic hit of COVID-19. But economists aren’t convinced of their value. Also on the show: the US-Taliban peace deal[...]

With Super Tuesday behind us and nearly all the results in, the 2020 Democratic presidential field is narrowing even more. We’ll explain who won and lost big last night, and what happens next. Meanwhile: health officials are schooling the media on how to talk about COVID-19, the disease caused by coronavirus. It’s part of an[...]

It’s Super Tuesday. The biggest primary day so far where voters in 14 states plus American Samoa cast their ballots to pick their preferred nominee. This time around, California has a starring role with the most delegates up for grabs. Meanwhile: COVID-19 is impacting major events around the world, which has some worried about what[...]

At least six people in the state of Washington have died from COVID-19. As the US government ramps up testing efforts, experts warn to expect a big jump in confirmed cases as results start coming in. Meanwhile: over the weekend, former VP Joe Biden scored a major win in the South Carolina primary -- thanks[...]

This week, the stock market has been feeling the pain of COVID-19. We’ll look at what the current economic impact is and what a ‘market correction’ has to do with it. Meanwhile, the US and the Taliban are on the verge of a major peace deal. We’ll break down how the agreement could lead to[...]

Scotland is about to make your ‘time of the month’ a lot easier on your wallet. It will soon become the first country to make tampons and pads free and available for everyone. We’ll explain how that policy aims to tackle the ‘period poverty’ affecting girls and women around the world. Meanwhile, a patient in[...]

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is warning Americans to prepare for COVID-19 to spread within the US. (That’s the new disease caused by coronavirus.) When the CDC says ‘this could be bad,’ they mean major disruptions to your everyday life. But health experts want to make it clear that preparing doesn’t mean panicking.[...]

Must feel good to be first. Bernie Sanders has achieved front-runner status in the 2020 Democratic primary. How is that possible after just three states have voted? We’ll explain the money (and delegate) math involved. Then: President Trump wrapped up a quick trip to India to talk trade with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. But[...]

A jury in New York has found Harvey Weinstein guilty of third-degree rape and first-degree criminal sexual assault. He could face more than two decades in prison. We’ll dive into what today’s verdict means, what the jury didn’t convict him on, and what to expect next in the trial that was propelled by the #MeToo[...]

The US and the Taliban have agreed to a reduction of violence for the next seven days. It’s kinda like a test run to see if they can put down their weapons for good, and possibly end America’s longest war. But there’s still a lot that could get in the way and a long way[...]

Nondisclosure agreements were a big talker at last night’s democratic presidential debate. We’ll dive into what former New York City mayor Mike Bloomberg had to say, and talk to former Fox News anchor Gretchen Carlson about ongoing efforts to curtail the practice of mandatory NDAs at the office. Meanwhile: President Trump’s longtime advisor Roger Stone[...]

Medicare for All is likely to come up in tonight’s big Democratic primary debate in Las Vegas. But Nevada’s powerful Culinary Union fought hard for its members to enjoy a top-notch private health care plan, and they’re resisting change. We’ll dive into the drama between the union and candidates pushing Medicare for All. Meanwhile, the[...]

The Boy Scouts of America has officially filed for bankruptcy as it deals with an onslaught of sexual abuse lawsuits. We’ll dive into what this move means for the future of the organization and for thousands of victims seeking justice. Meanwhile: former New York City mayor Mike Bloomberg has qualified for tomorrow night’s democratic presidential[...]

As the coronavirus continues to spread, one of the affected groups has been healthcare workers on the frontlines in China. We’ll dive into how a vaccine could be on the horizon, but still has a long way to go. Then: the Senate votes to rein in President Trump’s power to conduct military strikes in Iran.[...]

Attorney General William Barr has RSVP’d to a hearing with the House Judiciary Committee. And Dems have a lot of things they want to ask him about. Think: Roger Stone, Jessie Liu, and Rudy Giuliani. Meanwhile: all eyes were on Federal Reserve nominee Judy Shelton today at her confirmation hearing. Her controversial ideas – like[...]

Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaidó is back home after a whirlwind trip throughout Europe and the US to drum up support for his cause. It’s been over a year since he defied current president Nicolás Maduro and declared himself the rightful president. And even though Guaidó has the US and over 50 other countries on[...]

Today, after years of lawsuits and red tape, a federal judge approved the merger of wireless network giants T-Mobile and Sprint. We dive into why states are making calls to stop this from happening and what it could mean for your next phone bill. Meanwhile, the Philippines is scrapping a decades-old military agreement with the[...]

Today, the Trump administration unveiled its budget proposal for 2021. But since Congress holds the purse strings and Democrats have the majority in the House, it’s likely that this plan might not work out. We’ll dive into the plan’s winners and losers, and why the border wall between the U.S. and Mexico is back in[...]

It’s Friday night, and some 2020 democratic candidates will be spending theirs in...New Hampshire for the eighth democratic debate. We’ll tell you why some of the candidates are hoping to put this ‘No Good, Very Bad’ week behind them. Meanwhile, football season is already making a comeback with a brand new league called the XFL.[...]

President Trump’s Senate impeachment trial is over, but that’s not the end of political investigations in 2020. We’ll explain what info Democrats and Republicans in Congress want to track down now. Then, the coronavirus outbreak is causing a global shortage on protective face masks. We hear from one expert on what this could mean for[...]

President Trump’s Senate impeachment trial has come to an end. So, what happens now? Meanwhile, if you spotted members of Congress last night wearing pins with the letters E-R-A and asked W-H-Y, there was a reason for it. We’ll dive into the Equal Rights Amendment and the latest push to ratify it into the U.S.[...]

A day after the Iowa Democratic Caucus, we’re told results are still just around the corner. But the damage from a historic vote-counting fail is already being felt, and Iowa could be the biggest loser. Meanwhile, we’ll look at the big issues that might come up in tonight’s State of the Union Address by checking[...]

The 2020 primary season kicks off tonight with the Iowa caucuses. But how does a caucus actually work – and why does Iowa get so much clout? Meanwhile, the Senate impeachment trial continues but the end is in sight. We’ll break down what to look for in the coming days. Also on today’s show: why[...]

After more than three years, Brexit is actually happening. We’ll break down what’s next for the UK. Spoiler: there’s still a long road ahead. Meanwhile, the debate over witnesses in the Senate impeachment trial is headed toward a vote. Which means the end is in sight. Also on today’s show: a lot of firsts will[...]

The World Health Organization says that the coronavirus outbreak is a global public health emergency. We’ll break down what this means as countries respond and how the economic impact of this disease is being felt around the world. Meanwhile, a locust invasion is wreaking havoc in East Africa and parts of the Middle East and[...]

Now that opening arguments have wrapped up in the Senate impeachment trial, it’s time for lawmakers to ask the questions. We’ll break down how this process works and what to expect next. Meanwhile, the American Lung Association put out its big annual report on tobacco use. The conclusion? The US government still has a lot[...]

President Trump’s defense lawyers have wrapped up opening arguments. We’ll break down the case they made, and what’s next for the Senate impeachment trial. Meanwhile, the White House has finally unveiled its plan for peace in the Middle East. But a key player to the deal wasn’t part of it, so TBD on whether the[...]

President Trump’s defense team is launching into day two of their opening arguments at the Senate impeachment trial. But leaked excerpts from former National Security Advisor John Bolton’s upcoming book are adding more pressure on senators to consider calling new witnesses. Meanwhile, Trump hosted two back-to-back meetings with Israel’s top two political rivals today. We’ll[...]

House Democrats are wrapping up three days of opening arguments in the Senate impeachment trial of President Trump. Before Trump’s defense lawyers take the mic on Saturday, we’ll take a look at how Democrats laid out the case, and whether it changed anyone’s minds. Then, President Trump became the first sitting president to speak at[...]

China is turning to massive quarantines to stop the spread of coronavirus. Now, millions are impacted as transportation comes to a halt ahead of the Lunar New Year. We’ll explain why some experts say quarantines don’t always work as intended. Then, a UN court has ordered Myanmar to take steps to protect its persecuted Rohingya[...]

Hundreds of people have been infected by a virus that originated in China. Now, a case has been diagnosed in the US, too. We’ll explain what the coronavirus is and how officials are handling it. Meanwhile, the impeachment trial is back in session, so expect some long nights ahead. We’ll look into how the first[...]

The world’s biggest movers and shakers are packing up their skis and heading to a place called Davos in the Swiss Alps. That’s right: it’s time for the annual World Economic Forum. We’ll explain what that is and why it’s a big deal. Meanwhile, the Senate spent the day laying out the rules of President[...]

All eyes are on the Senate in the run up to next week’s impeachment trial. But new rules could make it difficult, or even impossible, to keep up with what’s going on. We’ll tell you why. Then, we’ll dive into your inbox to help explain all those privacy policy emails you’ve probably been receiving. Also[...]

Something new started today: the impeachment trial of the President of the United States. We’ll explain how a one-man media circus gave the start of the trial a run for its money. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin just watered down the powers of his own office. Or, did he? We'll break down why Putin might[...]

The “i” word is back in the headlines after the House of Representatives sent articles of impeachment to the Senate today. Did Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s decision to hit ‘pause’ on impeachment for almost a month pay off? We’ll dive in. Meanwhile, the US and China signed  a “phase one” trade deal today. Whether it’s enough[...]

One month after a deadly shooting in Florida, the Justice Department is still trying to figure out what happened. But there’s one thing standing in the way of investigators: Apple. We’ll explain why the government and big tech are fighting over data privacy. Meanwhile, tonight is the last democratic debate before the first voters head[...]

Iran is suddenly on the defensive, facing critics inside and outside the country after it admitted to shooting down a passenger plane last week. We’ll explain how Iran is dealing with widespread protests and how the plane accident could impact the country’s diplomatic standing. Meanwhile, the Australian government is also on the defensive over its[...]

Days after a deadly plane crash in Iran, questions remain over what exactly happened. We’ll explain why major media outlets and western leaders are pointing to Iran. Meanwhile, Puerto Rico is still recovering from two huge earthquakes this week. We’ll look into how the devastation following Hurricane Maria two years ago is affecting the island’s[...]

First there was Brexit, now there’s Megxit. If you checked Instagram (or just the internet) this week, you probably saw the news that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are stepping back from their roles as senior royals. So, what does this actually mean? Can they do that? In this Skimm Special, we explain the decision[...]

Members of Congress had a heated debate today over limiting President Trump’s ability to start a war with Iran. We’ll explain who holds the war-fighting cards in Washington and why Congress rarely raises its voice. Meanwhile, the White House is rolling back rules concerning environmental impact assessments for key infrastructure projects. We’ll dig into why President[...]

At times this week, it looked like the US and Iran were heading toward an all-out war. And those concerns only intensified last night after Iran attacked a pair of Iraqi military bases where US troops are stationed. We’ll explain the likelihood of war at this moment, or whether it’s possible the two foes will[...]

The latest drama between the US and Iran is catching Iraq in the crossfire. After a deadly US drone strike in Iraq, Iraq’s parliament wants US troops out of the country. We’ll explain how America’s relations with key ally are suddenly at risk. Meanwhile, lawmakers are back at work in the US and the UK.[...]

The year is off to a rocky start for the US and Iran. Last week, the US killed a top Iranian general linked to attacks on hundreds of Americans. Now, Iran is threatening to retaliate. We’ll dive in. Meanwhile, it’s day one for the Harvey Weinstein trial in New York, more than two years after[...]

Last year brought with it some big stories about change - stories that we’ll probably see more of in 2020. So before we ring in the new year, here are some of the major ‘sea change’ stories that were on our radar: the impeachment of the President of the United States, huge protests against climate[...]

When the history books are written, we think a few names from 2019 will stand out. Greta Thunberg helped make climate change protests mainstream. Boris Johnson won a big election and pushed Brexit toward the finish line. Volodymyr Zelensky catapulted from comic actor to Ukrainian president, only to find himself embroiled in an American political[...]

With New Year's resolutions right around the corner, we want to talk about money. If you’re looking to make a fresh start, knowledge is power. New year, new you, right? And what better place to start fresh than with your wallet. We’re going to take a look at the big economic stories of the past[...]

We asked our listeners which 2019 story you still want explained. At the top of the list: Brexit. Totally fair. British voters chose to leave the European Union in 2016, but here we are three years later and … that still hasn’t happened. So we’re gonna get into why Brits wanted to Brexit in the[...]

Some election officials are making a list, checking it twice – and cutting hundreds of thousands of people from their voter registration rolls. We’ll explain why those moves are making people nervous ahead of the 2020 elections. Meanwhile, impeachment is heading to the Senate. Or is it? We’ll break down what’s holding up the process.[...]

The future of Obamacare is limbo again, after a federal court struck down the individual mandate as unconstitutional. We’ll explain how this decision could impact you, and the future of health insurance in America. Meanwhile, tonight is the sixth Democratic primary debate. But the lineup on stage has some people wondering if the frontrunners reflect[...]

Today the House of Representatives prepared to impeach a President of the United States for the third time in US history. The Constitution doesn’t exactly provide a ‘how-to’ guide for what happens next, but lawmakers in the Senate are already preparing for a trial. Meanwhile, a new study shows a dramatic rise in teen vaping,[...]

The House just passed a budget bill to fund the federal government through next September. The budget was only possible after lots of behind-the-scenes dealmakings, and the finished product includes some measures on election security and gun violence research that could have a big impact. Meanwhile, Boeing says it’s pushing ‘pause’ on production of its[...]

The Trump administration reached two blockbuster trade deals last week – or so we thought. Turns out there are still some big question marks surrounding the future of the US-China trade war and the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement. Meanwhile, people across India are protesting a controversial new citizenship law. We’ll break down what the law says and why[...]

Today the House Judiciary Committee gave the go-ahead for a full House vote on impeachment, but the process was anything but tidy. Committee members were at each other's throats last night, and this morning’s committee vote was along strict party lines. We’ll explain what’s next in the process. Meanwhile, UK voters took a lot of[...]

The World Trade Organization’s top court stopped functioning this week after the US blocked the appointment of new judges. That means major trade disputes may go unresolved. We’ll explain how that could give the US new weapons in its trade battle with China, but could also inject uncertainty into the global economy. Meanwhile, it turns[...]

People on both sides of the aisle in DC might finally be on the same page about something: a new trade deal with Mexico and Canada. We’ll explain what you need to know. Meanwhile, President Trump announced he’s signing an executive order aimed at combating anti-Semitism that could affect how the US interprets Judaism. We’ll[...]

The government of Myanmar is in court this week over allegations of genocide, and the actions of the country’s Nobel Peace Prize-winning leader is raising some eyebrows. We’ll explain why this case could have international implications. Meanwhile, Democrats in the House of Representatives have officially decided on two articles of impeachment against President Trump. We’ll[...]

If you thought you were done hearing about Russian interference in the 2016 election – think again. The Justice Department Inspector General dropped a 476-page report today on the origin story of the probe. We’ll explain why his team decided to investigate the investigation. Meanwhile, Russia got a pretty big slap on the wrist today.[...]

Health officials in the island nation of Samoa are fighting a deadly measles outbreak. We’ll explain why anti-vaxxers in Samoa and in the US could be complicating their efforts. Meanwhile, Uber just released a massive safety report on incidents that occurred during trips in the US. We’ll dig into the company’s latest efforts to make[...]

A handful of states are passing laws to help victims of child sexual abuse seek justice. We’ll explain why one new law in New Jersey could end up helping victims across the country. Meanwhile, French workers took to the streets to protest a proposed change to the pension system. We’ll connect the dots between France’s[...]

The impeachment inquiry into President Trump jumped to a new House committee today, and it’s starting to feel a bit like law school. We’ll explain where the impeachment process stands and what’s still to come. Meanwhile, the Trump Administration wants hospitals and insurers to share their price lists for medical treatments, but hospitals aren’t having[...]

President Trump is handing out tariffs left and right, and countries aren’t psyched about it. The latest target? French champagne, among other things. We’ll explain why tariffs have become the President’s economic weapon of choice. Meanwhile, the House Intelligence Committee has released its report on the impeachment inquiry. We’ll tell you what happens next. Also[...]

The UK is hosting a big NATO summit this week to celebrate the alliance’s 70th birthday. But budget fights and membership debates could kill the festive atmosphere. We’ll break down what to expect when the alliance gathers for tea in the English countryside. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in a major case today[...]

Newly-leaked government documents are pulling back the curtain on China’s mass detention of ethnic minorities. We’ll get into how the docs provide important details about China’s crackdown on Uighurs and how the rest of the world is responding. Meanwhile: the impeachment process is far from over, and a federal judge just ordered a key witness[...]

The Secretary of the Navy is out. We’ll connect the dots between President Trump’s controversial pardons of service members and what they have to do with the Navy Secretary’s sudden departure. Meanwhile, former NYC mayor Michael Bloomberg got into the presidential race over the weekend. We’ll explain why some are expressing concerns about his baggage.[...]

It was a busy week in Israeli politics, between a US announcement on West Bank settlements and talk of new elections next year. Then: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was indicted on multiple corruption charges. We’ll break it all down and explain how all the headlines connect. Meanwhile, members of Congress are pushing ahead on a[...]

Today was the last day of scheduled impeachment hearings, and we heard from two officials who had front row seats to events at the center of the inquiry. We’ll explain what their testimonies mean for the inquiry. Meanwhile, 10 Democrats running for President got together last night and debated last night – again. One new[...]

The US ambassador to the European Union walked into the impeachment inquiry hearing this morning, and threw just about everybody under the bus. We’ll explain how Gordon Sondland brought President Trump further into the inquiry, and the possible fallout of his testimony. Meanwhile, Iranians have been protesting a hike in gas prices, and the government[...]

Lawmakers sat for a LONG time today during marathon impeachment hearings on Capitol Hill. Today we finally heard from officials who listened in on President Trump’s now-infamous phone call with the leader of Ukraine. We’ll get into the latest impeachment revelations and how Republicans tried to question the credibility of today’s witnesses. Also on today’s[...]

President Trump pardoned Army officers accused of war crimes, and the decision has sparked a heated debate over whether this is a good idea for the military justice system. We’ll explain the reasoning behind this move, and why some in the military are saying this is a bad idea. Meanwhile, student protesters in Hong Kong[...]

Former US Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch testified in the ongoing impeachment hearings today. She described how her anti-corruption efforts earned her powerful enemies in Ukraine, and led to a smear campaign against her inside the Trump Administration. We’ll explain how Yovanovitch’s testimony today also got under Trump’s skin. Meanwhile, Chanel Miller stopped by Skimm[...]

Thanks to the ongoing impeachment inquiry, we’re hearing about Ukraine a lot lately. Turns out: the US and Ukraine have a history. We’ll explain why the diplomats you’re hearing from during public impeachment hearings are so concerned about the US’s relationship with Ukraine. Also on today’s show: Google tries to get ahold of your cache,[...]

The impeachment inquiry hearings into President Trump finally went public today. There was the usual partisan drama, but also some important new developments. We’ll break down the case Democrats hope to make and how a second phone call with Ukraine could strengthen their impeachment push. Meanwhile, privacy activists are cheering a new court ruling that[...]

The Supreme Court heard one of the biggest cases of the term: whether the Trump admin can end DACA. That’s the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program started by  President Obama in 2012. We’ll explain the Trump administration’s case for getting rid of it, and how hundreds of thousands of immigrants could be affected. Meanwhile,[...]

The pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong took a dark turn this week, amid the death of a young student and two violent attacks on politicians. After five months of demonstrations, protesters and the government don’t look anywhere close to making nice. We’ll explain what continued unrest means for the city and its long-storied reputation. Meanwhile,[...]

The US government is suing a major pharmaceutical company over its HIV prevention drugs. We’ll tell you why, and explain how it’s spotlighting a larger movement to make life-saving drugs easier to access. Meanwhile, the governor's race in Kentucky is over. Except: not really. The current governor is challenging the results of Tuesday’s vote —[...]

The outlines of a power struggle between US diplomats and President Trump’s personal attorney are emerging out of transcripts from the House impeachment investigation. We’ll connect the dots on why Rudy Giuliani’s ‘shadow diplomacy’ upset diplomats and caused some to ask the State Department for help that they didn’t end up receiving. Meanwhile, the murder[...]

The Trump administration formally told the United Nations that it’s pulling out of the Paris Climate Agreement, making the US the only country in the world to bow out of the landmark deal on climate change. We’ll connect the dots between the international response to the move, and its potential effect on the US economy.[...]

Firefighters are gradually putting out California’s wildfires, but the state’s big power company is just starting to feel the heat as lawmakers call for a government takeover. We’ll explore the challenges facing PG&E and why some politicians argue the utility shouldn't be a for-profit company. Meanwhile, protesters in Iraq are increasingly directing their frustration at[...]

Earlier today, China turned on the fifth generation of super-fast Internet, AKA 5G. We’ll connect the dots between what the tech can do – for better and worse – and why there’s been a race to see who can press ‘on’ first. Meanwhile, a new drug treatment could change the lives of a lot of[...]

The House of Representatives set the ground rules for its impeachment investigation into President Trump today. The next phase of the process – televised impeachment hearings – could start in less than two weeks. We’ll break down what to expect going forward and how Democrats and Republicans voted today. Meanwhile, Twitter says it’s so over[...]

Anti-government protests have erupted in Lebanon and Iraq. Young people are leading the charge, and are calling for major economic reforms. We’ll explain what protesters want, and how a key player in the region is getting involved. Meanwhile, new research warns rising sea levels could affect way more people than previously thought. We’ll look at[...]

The US House of Representatives is taking a historic vote today to recognize the Armenian Genocide of 1915. We’ll break down why mass atrocities dating back more than a century remain a hot-button political issue, and why the US is just getting around to this now. Meanwhile, lawmakers involved in the ongoing impeachment inquiry heard[...]

The leader of ISIS died during a US military raid in Syria over the weekend. We’ll explain who Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi was, and what his death means for ISIS – and for the world. Meanwhile, there’s only one clinic in Missouri that can perform abortions, and it could soon be forced to close. We’ll explain[...]

It’s been a busy week for the impeachment investigation into President Trump. Some key witnesses testified about the US-Ukraine relationship and Republicans staged a controversial walk-in of a secure conference room. We’ll break it all down and describe the White House’s plans going forward. Meanwhile, protests in Chile are entering their second week. They started[...]

A top Education Department official is calling it quits, and on his way out the door he’s urging the federal government to cancel most of the country’s student loan debt. We’ll explain why that’s become a popular rallying cry, and what plans are being put forward. Meanwhile, a freshman congresswoman is under a House ethics[...]

It’s October 23rd. Today, we Skimm’d This:  Facebook co-founder Mark Zuckerberg has been in the news a lot recently, and today he was in the hot seat on Capitol Hill. He faced tough questions about political accounts, political ads and the company’s jump into finance. We’ll break down how Zuckerberg and Facebook are trying to[...]

After five days, the ceasefire between Turkey and Kurdish fighters in Syria has come to an end. As the clock ran down, the Kurds said they had moved away from the border as promised, while Turkey’s president flew to Russia to strike a new deal. We’ll explain how the power dynamics in the region are[...]

It’s Election Day in Canada, and polls are showing a virtual tie between the two biggest parties. We’ll connect the dots between the issues party leaders want to talk about, and the scandals that have dominated the campaign cycle. Meanwhile, the first federal trial in the opioid epidemic was supposed to start today. We’ll explain[...]

The impeachment inquiry is forcing us to dust off our Latin dictionaries and look up “quid pro quo” and “emolumentum.” These words are coming up as we learn more about President Trump’s dealings with Ukraine, and his decision to host the G7 summit at one of his Florida resorts. Meanwhile, infamous drug lord El Chapo[...]

With just days to go before a Brexit deadline, UK and EU leaders shook hands on a new withdrawal agreement today. But that hardly means a Halloween Brexit is guaranteed. We’ll explain what could happen when British lawmakers vote on the deal on Saturday. Meanwhile, US pressure on Turkey to halt fighting in Syria appeared[...]

Russian and Syrian troops swooped into parts of northern Syria this week, just days after US troops pulled out. Given the history between Russia and Syria this isn’t much of a surprise, but it could still have a big impact on the future of the ongoing Syrian civil war. Meanwhile, Hong Kong’s leader tried to[...]

Three senior US officials have answered questions from House lawmakers in recent days, even as the White House has pushed to limit or block officials from complying with an ongoing impeachment probe. We’ll explain how Marie Yovanovitch, Fiona Hall, and George Kent fit into the investigation of President Trump’s dealings with Ukraine. Meanwhile, the sports[...]

The Supreme Court got back to work this week for a potentially historic term. The court’s reinforced conservative majority is expected to dish out big rulings on cases concerning abortion, immigration policy and maybe even Obamacare. We’ll break down how the court’s changed in recent years, the cases it’s planning to take on and how[...]

Turkey launched an attack on Kurdish fighters in northern Syria this week, bringing violence to a region where thousands of ISIS fighters are held in makeshift prisons. We’ll explain how the international community is reacting to the risk that those terrorists could escape. Meanwhile, climate activists are embracing new and diverse tactics to make their[...]

The White House’s refusal to cooperate with an impeachment inquiry in the House of Representatives is setting the stage for a constitutional crisis. We’ll look at what a constitutional crisis actually means, and how Congress could respond here. Meanwhile, protests are going down in Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia. We’ll take you on a whirlwind tour[...]

The US government is taking names. The Commerce Department says its adding 28 Chinese companies to a trade blacklist. We’ll connect the dots on what this has to do with reported human rights violations in China, and what it could mean for the ongoing US-China trade war. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court is back on the[...]

Democrats and Republicans are speaking out against the surprising pullback of US troops from northern Syria, saying the Kurdish forces that helped defeat the Islamic State could be at risk. We’ll explain the pushback Trump’s big move is facing on Capitol Hill. Meanwhile: efforts to keep President Trump’s tax returns a secret hit a legal[...]

The former US special envoy to Ukraine has handed over some of his texts as evidence in the House’s impeachment inquiry into President Trump. And now Trump is pulling China into the action, too. Meanwhile, protests in Hong Kong got kicked up a notch. The region’s leader invoked an old law to ban people from[...]

A federal judge just gave a boost to supervised injection sites, saying a clinic in Philadelphia doesn’t violate drug laws. Activists say the ruling could mark a turning point in the fight to reduce drug overdoses. Meanwhile, Swiss cheese and French wine just got dragged into a US-EU trade spat that’s actually about … airplanes.[...]

House Democrats are ratcheting up the impeachment inquiry. And now, all eyes are on the State Department, which is trying very hard not to get involved in the Democrats’ investigation. Meanwhile, Boeing is back in hot water after a whistleblower complaint alleges some rifts in the company’s culture when it comes to safety. Also on[...]

Today marked 70 years since the founding of the People’s Republic of China, and the country threw a huge birthday party for itself. China’s economic and military rise is impressive, but there are some storm clouds on the horizon, too. We’ll put it all in perspective. Meanwhile: another phone call between President Trump and a[...]

Four years after the European migrant crisis reached its peak, European leaders are being called on to once again to address a situation that’s never fully been fixed. Meanwhile, Montana Governor and democratic presidential candidate Steve Bullock wants to set up public financing for his campaign -- but the agency that needs to sign off[...]

Protesters tried to mobilize across Egypt today for a second week of anti-government demonstrations. But security forces were out in force after days of making arrests. We’ll explain why President el-Sisi is coming under fire. Meanwhile, it was supposed to be the UN’s big week, but the General Assembly meetings got buried under news of[...]

The mysterious whistleblower complaint everyone’s talking about...is finally public. So: we got lots of new details. And lawmakers in Congress had lots of questions – especially about why it took so long to see the complaint. Meanwhile, we could be one step closer to figuring out who will govern Israel after last week’s do-over election.[...]

It’s the phone call heard ‘round the world: the White House released what it says is a rough transcript of President Trump’s controversial chat with the president of Ukraine. But not everyone is saying ‘case closed.’ In fact, some are saying ‘case wide open.’ Meanwhile: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi gave her blessing to an impeachment[...]

The UN General Assembly kicked into high gear today and President Trump urged world leaders to take a page out of his ‘America First’ playbook. UN chief Antonio Guterres had a slightly different idea of how to tackle global problems. We’ll compare and contrast. Meanwhile: the UK’s top court has thrown a wrench in Prime[...]

It’s only Monday, but President Trump probably can’t wait for the weekend. A mysterious whistleblower complaint is still dominating the headlines, reportedly for a phone call he had with the President of Ukraine. But Trump would prefer people talk about Ukraine … and former VP Joe Biden. We’ll explain what this is all about. Meanwhile,[...]

The world was gripped by massive student-led climate strikes today. Some say the demonstrations were the largest climate protest in history. We’ll let you know what strikers want and what they’ll be watching for at a big UN climate summit on Monday. Meanwhile: Taiwan’s friend group got a bit smaller this week, as it loses[...]

A whistleblower is sending Washington into a tizzy today. The House Intelligence Committee is demanding information about a complaint that reportedly has to do with President Trump. Meanwhile: an actor’s arrest is making waves in Russia. And other actors are staging protests. Also on today’s show: a big Chinese tech company is launching a new[...]

The Trump Administration is unveiling new immigration courts that look a little different than what you might expect. They’re actually tents and shipping containers built right near the US-Mexico border as a part of a big new immigration policy. We’ll explain. Also: the Fed slashed interest rates for just the second time since the Great[...]

Autoworkers across the country are joining the picket line in a strike against General Motors. They say the company needs to give them better wages and benefits. Meanwhile, President Trump’s former campaign manager was on Capitol Hill today for the first official impeachment hearing. Also on today’s show: Indonesia is making a big change to[...]

Israelis might be feeling a little déjà vu: they’re heading back to the polls tomorrow to vote for parliament for the second time this year. Current Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has put a lot of issues in play, from the annexation of West Bank settlements to mandatory military service. Meanwhile, half of Saudi Arabia’s oil[...]

The top ten Democrats in the presidential primary faced off last night for their third debate, and three big ideas emerged from their conversation on gun control. We’ll break them down for you. Meanwhile, the Bahamas is still recovering from Hurricane Dorian, and now they’re preparing for a new potential storm. Also on today’s show:[...]

The House Judiciary Committee formalized its process for potentially impeaching President Trump. Everyone on Capitol Hill has something to say about it. We’ll tell you what’s new here. Meanwhile, the makers of Oxycontin say they’ve reached a tentative settlement with states and local governments across the country, to avoid going to court. But some state[...]

California lawmakers are making moves to reform how businesses treat their gig economy workers. Election season is underway, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is facing a tough reelection campaign. Lucky for Canada, election season is only six weeks long. Also on today’s show: 18 years after the 9/11 attacks, teachers continue to wrestle with how[...]

White House National Security Advisor John Bolton is turning on his ‘out of office’ – for good. President Trump tweeted that he fired Bolton, while Bolton says that he quit. We’ll break down the foreign policy drama that’s led up to today’s news. Meanwhile, voters in North Carolina’s 9th congressional district are experiencing major déjà[...]

Congress is back to work after summer vacation. One big issue lawmakers could tackle? Gun control. It’s been a couple of decades since the last meaningful gun reform was passed, but some lawmakers think it’s time to dive back into the issue after a series of mass shootings last month. Meanwhile: state attorneys general in[...]

The Trump Administration wants to spin off Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac as private companies. We’ve got the A to Z on Fannie and Freddie and what these proposed changes could mean for you, especially if you’re house shopping or hope to be one day. Meanwhile: Hurricane Dorian made landfall in the US today, after[...]

It’s almost the end of the week, and deadlines are looming – in Iran. They’re giving major players in Europe until tomorrow to help them out financially before they stop complying with more parts of the 2015 Nuclear Deal. Meanwhile, Democratic presidential hopefuls spent seven straight hours yesterday talking about climate change. We’ll break down[...]

‘Blimey’ isn’t the only British phrase being thrown around in the UK today. All kinds of parliamentary phrases have been flying as the debate over how-to-Brexit heats up. Today, members of Parliament voted to avoid a no-deal Brexit, and against holding snap elections. Meanwhile, Hong Kong’s leader is hoping to cool down protests. She formally[...]

US and Taliban negotiators are reportedly closing in on a deal that lead to a drawdown of US troops in Afghanistan. The deal could be a way to help the US end the longest war in its history, but some worry it could put Afghanistan on a path back to Taliban control. We’ll break down[...]

Automation and artificial intelligence are supposed to make jobs easier, but sometimes they can take away jobs altogether. This Labor Day weekend, we’re taking a look at the current and future impact of AI on American jobs. Then: the Hong Kong government has arrested protest leaders ahead of a large demonstration planned for this weekend.[...]

Today President Trump announced the lift-off of a new part of the military: the United States Space Command. We’ll explain what it might look like, and what its role could be. Then: this summer, 22 states have reported cases of people suffering from respiratory illnesses after vaping. We’ll look into what doctors are saying, and[...]

Today UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson asked the Queen to suspend parliament, and she said she would. We’ll explain why this is a controversial move, and what this has to do with Brexit. Then: Hurricane Dorian is threatening Puerto Rico, and could continue to Florida this weekend. We’ll look at how Puerto Rico and the[...]

Johnson & Johnson was hit with a $572 million penalty for its role in fueling the opioid crisis in Oklahoma. The drug company says it will appeal. We’ll discuss how the judgment was reached, and how it could affect similar cases throughout the country. Then: Jeffrey Epstein’s victims were given a day in court in[...]

G7 leaders are heading home after their latest summit in France. We’ll take a look at three of the big issues they tried to tackle, and what to expect next. Then: former US Rep. Joe Walsh is challenging President Trump in the 2020 Republican primary. We’ll Skimm his résumé for you. Also on today’s show:[...]

As fires continue to burn across the Amazon, Brazilan President Jair Bolsonaro has blamed NGOs for starting the fires and is picking fights with other countries for telling him how to do his job. We’ll give you the latest on the fires and how the international community is responding. Then: G7 leaders are holding their[...]

Today, South Korea said it will stop sharing military intelligence with Japan. We’ll look at the reasons why, and examine the possible fallout for the U.S. Then: Planned Parenthood pulled out of the Title X federal funding program, losing access to millions of dollars. We’ll discuss why it’s no longer getting the funding, and what[...]

The UK’s new Prime Minister Boris Johnson flew to Berlin this afternoon for talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. In a quick press conference, they listed a bunch of topics they wanted to cover, but the one everyone is obsessing over: is Brexit. Then: the Trump administration has announced a replacement rule for the Flores[...]

France wants big tech firms to pay a 3 percent tax on profits they make in the country. We’ll explain why the companies are siding with President Trump to push back. Then: authorities in Texas reported a coordinated cyberattack on computer systems in 23 towns. We’ll tell you what we know – and why this[...]

Dueling protests by right-wing and anti-fascist groups in Portland, Oregon over the weekend are raising questions about the definition of domestic terrorism. We’ll break down what happened, and where the law currently stands. Then: Italy is refusing to take in over 100 migrants stuck on a rescue ship. We’ll look at the situation on the[...]

Today North Korea called off peace talks with South Korea and launched its sixth missile test in a month. We’ll examine when and why diplomatic talks turned sour. Then: President Trump has reportedly been floating his most ambitious real estate purchase to date… all of Greenland. It’s put the island in the headlines, but we’ll[...]

Thousands of residents in Newark, NJ are grappling with a growing crisis over lead in drinking water. Officials are handing out bottled water instead - and trying to figure out how to fix the pipes. We’ll discuss why lead in drinking water has been a problem across the US, and what officials say should happen[...]

The Trump administration is changing immigration rules to make it more difficult for welfare recipients to obtain green cards. We’ll break down the new rules and the arguments being used to defend them. Then: New York is opening a one-year window for survivors of child sex abuse to bring civil lawsuits against their alleged abusers[...]

Protesters and riot police clashed at Hong Kong’s International Airport today in ongoing demonstrations against the government. We’ll examine the background of the protests, and how the world is responding. Then: President Trump visited a cracker plant in Pennsylvania today. We’ll explain what cracker plants do, and why Trump was on site. Also on today’s[...]

Jeffrey Epstein’s apparent suicide has left his accusers and the public demanding answers about why he was removed from suicide watch. We’ll explain why the federal facility that held him – and the Justice Department – are under scrutiny. Meanwhile, Russia keeps changing its story about a nuclear-powered rocket explosion that killed seven people last[...]

Imagine a computer downloading footage or photos of you from the internet and using them to create a video of you saying something you’ve never said. Sounds more than a little sinister, right? It might not be a sci-fi thing of the future anymore, thanks to advances in deepfakes. On today’s episode, we take a[...]

The UN’s latest climate change report says the way we are using land is seriously damaging the planet. We dive into the main findings, what problems we are causing, and what we really need to change. Then, ICE agents arrested some 680 workers at food plants in Mississippi, saying they were not allowed to work[...]

The Trump admin still has issues with Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro -- and it’s using new sanctions to try to squeeze him out of office. Venezuela calls it “economic terrorism.” We’ll look at whether these sanctions could have their intended effect. Also: today President Trump visited survivors and first responders of the mass shootings in[...]

We’re still learning more about the two mass shootings that took place in Texas and Ohio over the weekend. Lawmakers are placing blame for these acts of violence on a bunch of things: from violent video games, to mental illness, to anti-immigrant hate speech. We’ll explain the arguments being made. Meanwhile: the US is calling[...]

This weekend in the US, there were two deadly mass shootings: one in Texas, and one in Ohio. They were less than 13 hours apart, and at least 31 people were killed. From increasing background checks, to shutting down websites hosting white supremacist content, to making ‘domestic terrorism’ a federal crime, we’ll explain who is[...]

The US officially pulled out of a historic Cold War arms control deal today. The Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty helped the US and Soviet Union reduce their nuclear stockpiles. But these days, President Trump wants to spend more on new weapons, and so does Russian President Vladimir Putin. We’ll explain why there’s no need to[...]

Onstage at last night’s democratic debate, candidates went after each other on their criminal justice records. Things got heated -- and personal. We’ll explain the history here. Meanwhile, rapper A$AP Rocky took the stand in Sweden today. He’s accused of being involved in a fight, and was charged with assault. Rocky says: ‘not guilty.’ And[...]

Medicare for All was all the rage at last night’s democratic debate. And not necessarily in a good way. We’ll tell you why Dems are divided over it, and what to expect for the second part of the debate tonight. Meanwhile: today, the Fed cut interest rates for the first time in a decade. If[...]

Live from Detroit, it’s round two of the 2020 democratic primary debates. You know the drill: ten candidates tonight, and ten more tomorrow. But the dynamics have shifted since round one. We’ll tell you what to keep an eye on. Meanwhile, a woman has been charged in one of the biggest data breaches ever. She[...]

This weekend President Trump unleashed a Twitter tirade against the city of Baltimore and Maryland Congressman Elijah Cummings. Trump said Charm City is “infested with rodents,” and “dangerous,” reigniting the ‘good country, bad cities’ stereotype. We’ll explain what the numbers say about Baltimore and why Trump could still benefit from his attacks on America's inner[...]

 Russia targeted U.S voting systems. Right, we’ve heard that before. From Robert Mueller, for example. He really wanted to talk about Russian interference during his testimony on Capitol Hill this week. But yesterday a new report dropped details about just how extensive it was. Spoiler: it was in all 50 states. That was 2016 -[...]

North Korea is playing with fire – literally. Just a couple weeks after President Trump visited Kim Jong Un in North Korea and agreed to resume denuclearization talks, North Korea tested two missiles this morning. Back in the US, Attorney General Bill Barr is resuming the death penalty, but he’s making some changes to how[...]

Today, Democrats and Republicans told former special counsel Robert Mueller: ‘have a seat - actually, have two.’ Mueller said he was done talking about his report -- but lawmakers have more questions. We’ll tell you why, and what happened during today’s hearings. Meanwhile, Facebook has to pay $5 billion and change up its privacy rules[...]

The UK has a new prime minister. Between dealing with Brexit and tensions with Iran, Boris Johnson has a long ‘to do’ list to tackle. And he doesn’t even have a full cabinet yet. We’ll explain what lies ahead for Johnson and the UK. Meanwhile, a proposed Trump admin rule could cut millions of people[...]

Today, Iranian officials announced that they’ve broken up a CIA spy ring and that they’ve arrested 17 suspected spies. Iran’s claimed this kind of thing before -- and President Trump says reports of arrests aren’t true. But there’s a history here that’ll help you decode today’s headlines. Meanwhile, anywhere from tens of thousands to hundreds[...]

Tomorrow is the 50th anniversary of the “giant leap for mankind.” You may have heard of it. On today’s episode, we break down the Apollo 11 mission: what it took to prepare for the mission, and what actually happened over the course of the eight-day-long journey to the moon and back. There was a lot[...]

Turkey just ordered a new missile defense system from Russia. And now the US is telling Turkey: no F-35 fighter jets for you. Basically, the US is worried selling Turkey the F-35s means giving Russia access to top secret tech. We’ll tell you why that’s a concern for the US, and how it affects the[...]

Today, the head of Facebook’s global cryptocurrency project got a bipartisan grilling from the House Financial Services Committee. Lawmakers have been raising concerns about the crypto, called ‘Libra’: over who will regulate it, how Facebook will handle people’s private financial data, and whether their approach could break antitrust laws. We’ll break it down. Meanwhile, the[...]

The Trump administration has issued a new rule that’ll mean most migrants heading to the US-Mexico border likely won’t be eligible for asylum. The admin says asylum seekers will have to ask other countries first. And those other countries are saying: who, us? Legal experts say this new rule could violate domestic and international law.[...]

Over the past few days, President Trump’s sent out a series of tweets about a group of “‘Progressive’ Democrat Congresswomen.” He suggested they should “go back” to the countries they came from. Today, he doubled down. We’ll tell you who President Trump’s talking about and why -- and how people are reacting. Meanwhile, Puerto Rico[...]

President Donald Trump has dropped the idea of adding a citizenship question to the 2020 census. But he says he has a back-up plan to get the data anyway. Which could affect elections across the country. We’ll explain. Meanwhile, Republicans and Dems in Congress are visiting detention camps along the Mexican border - but are[...]

Today, the White House hosted a social media summit. None of the big players (think: Facebook, Twitter) were reportedly on the guest list. President Donald Trump and his guests have claimed those companies have an anti-conservative bias. We’ll explain what this summit is all about, and why this is a love/hate relationship for the President.[...]

Today, the Federal Reserve’s top guy Jerome Powell spoke. He doesn’t do that much. But when he does - it’s important. Especially when it comes to interest rates. We’ll tell you what you – and your wallet – need to know. Meanwhile, there is drama going down across the pond. (Again.) Some comments the UK[...]

In a new study, researchers at Georgetown University say FBI and ICE agents are giving millions of people ID checks. Their focus: your photo. Congress never gave the OK on this. And now lawmakers from both sides of the aisle are saying ‘cut it out.’ We’ll explain why. Meanwhile, the Trump administration announced a new[...]

Jeffrey Epstein, a multimillionaire money manager, was in a New York federal court today to face sex trafficking charges. The indictment comes a decade after he served a light sentence in a Florida plea deal related to similar charges. Meanwhile down in DC, a court battle over the 2020 Census rages on. The Trump administration[...]

‘Tis the season where all the 2020 candidates are letting us know what their campaign bank accounts look like. Some have a lot to brag about. But it isn’t all about the amount of cash – it’s also about who’s ponying up. We’ll break it down. Meanwhile, a federal judge says that migrants who illegally[...]

About a dozen lawmakers took a field trip to Texas yesterday. To visit two border facilities where migrants are being held. And some lawmakers did not like what they saw. Now there are protests being held around the country to close some migrant detention centers. We’ll break down what’s been happening on the border. Meanwhile,[...]

This weekend, President Trump became the first sitting US president to set foot in North Korea. This was Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s first meeting since February, when a summit about nuclear weapons and sanctions fell apart. But now the two say: talks are back on. What next? We’ll get into it.[...]

Senator Kamala Harris is getting a lot of attention today after last night’s democratic primary debate. She called out former VP Joe Biden over his record on race. And: busing. There’s a lot of history here -- and for Harris, it’s personal. We’ll break it down. Meanwhile, President Trump is talking trade with world leaders[...]

Today, the Supremes dropped the mic on two big issues: partisan gerrymandering and a citizenship question on the census. These rulings really came down to the wire. But they weren’t a simple “yea” or “nay.” We’ll break down what they mean. Meanwhile, we’re halfway through the first 2020 Democratic primary debate. Last night’s candidates covered[...]

The first 2020 Democratic primary debate begins tonight in Miami. But don’t forget: this is a two-night event. Featuring a total of 20 candidates. Some you may have already heard of. Others could be trying to make a good first impression. We’ll tell you what to look out for. Meanwhile, former special counsel Robert Mueller[...]

The Trump administration is sanctioning top Iranian officials, including Iran’s Supreme Leader. The US has been sanctioning Iran for a while already, to get them to change course on nukes – but do sanctions ever actually work? We’ll get into it. Meanwhile, writer E. Jean Carroll has accused President Donald Trump of sexually assaulting her[...]

Immigration and Customs Enforcement was scheduled to target 2,000 families in raids across the country this weekend. But with hours to spare before the raids: President Trump called them off. For now. This is all happening amid renewed focus on conditions for migrants - especially kids - being housed at the border. We’ll break it[...]

President Trump says he approved military strikes on Iran planned for last night – but that he called them off with ten minutes to spare. This is the latest move in the rocky relationship between the US and Iran, and it has the world’s attention. We’ll explain the complexities here. Meanwhile, dozens of police officers[...]

Today, China’s President Xi Jinping and North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un kicked off a two-day summit with the red-carpet treatment. This is the first time in almost 15 years that a Chinese leader has visited North Korea. And some are saying this is China playing mediator between North Korea and the US. We’ll explain[...]

Hundreds of people showed up to a House subcommittee hearing today on Capitol Hill. The topic? A bill that would create a commission to study slavery and whether reparations for African Americans are in order. We’ll explain the conversation happening around reparations. Meanwhile, a UN investigator has released a new report about the murder of[...]

It’s only June, but Facebook’s ready for Libra season. The social media giant is about to roll out a new global cryptocurrency called Libra. We’ll explain why Facebook thinks you should turn your $ into ≋. Meanwhile, President Trump will officially announce his re-election campaign tonight at a rally in Orlando. Technically he’s been running[...]

The Iran Nuclear Deal is on the rocks. This is the deal Iran, the US and a bunch of major EU and other powers signed back in 2015 to prevent Iran from making a nuclear weapon. Now, Iran’s says it’s about to break one of the promises it made in that deal. We’ll tell you[...]

There were explosions on two oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman this week. The US is pointing the finger at Iran, who’s saying ‘not us.’ These two countries have been going at it for a while – but the implications of this latest fight are global. We’ll break it down. Meanwhile, Michigan prosecutors are[...]

Special Counsel Robert Mueller dropped the mic a couple weeks ago, but Washington still has some unfinished business with the Russia investigation. The Attorney General has launched an investigation into the original investigation. Pre-Mueller. We’ll tell you more about it – and what it has to do with comments President Trump made on TV last[...]

There were massive protests in Hong Kong today over a bill that would allow fugitives to be extradited to mainland China. Hong Kong is technically a semi-autonomous part of China. And protesters say this bill is really about China exerting more control over them. We’ll explain. Meanwhile, President Trump dusted off his executive privilege card[...]

The US and Mexico struck a deal on immigration before President Trump could impose tariffs on all Mexican imports. But now, Trump is saying ‘more to come.’ That could have to do with Mexico being named a ‘safe third country’ – something Mexico doesn’t really want. We’ll explain why. Meanwhile, 2020 presidential candidates are practically[...]

This week, lawmakers in Congress are nose-deep in a page-turner: the Mueller Report. Mueller’s not talking … but Dems are hearing from some old school political junkies - like President Nixon’s former White House counsel John Dean - and trying to force other people to show up. We'll explain why. Meanwhile, California lawmakers say it’s[...]

Major automakers wrote a letter to two of their pen pals: President Trump and CA Gov. Gavin Newsom. They’re asking them to, pretty please, compromise on emissions standards. Before it’s too late. We’ll tell you why the auto industry wants to pump the brakes. Meanwhile, the FCC passed new rules that could make your hotline[...]

World leaders gathered today to mark the 75th anniversary of D-Day, and remember those who fought and those who lost their lives. But the alliances in place since D-Day between the US and Europe are now being tested. We’ll explain how we got here. Meanwhile, 2020 presidential candidate Joe Biden is singling himself out from[...]

The Trump administration wants to sell $8 billion worth of weapons to Saudi Arabia and some other Middle East countries. But many US lawmakers are saying: ‘bad idea.’ We’ll explain why they don’t want this sale to go through, and how they plan to stop it. Meanwhile, Mexico’s foreign minister Marcelo Ebrard is in DC[...]

It’s been 30 years since Beijing's Tiananmen Square massacre, in which the Chinese government turned the military on its own people. China doesn’t want to talk about it – but some survivors do. And the US has a lot to say. We’ll explain the complex dynamics here. Meanwhile, if you haven’t booked your summer trip[...]

Two major government agencies reportedly have their eyes on Google and Amazon. Because they’ve got antitrust issues. We’ll explain why. Meanwhile, President Trump and the First Lady are across the pond visiting the Royals and UK politicians - but British politics are in a bit of a shambles at the moment. We’ll tell you what[...]

President Trump is threatening Mexico with tariffs. Because of immigration. While the US, Mexico and Canada are trying to seal the deal on a new trade agreement. We’ll explain what it all means. Meanwhile, some Hollywood studios are threatening to boycott the state of Georgia after its governor signed one of the most restrictive abortion[...]

Israel’s parliament has dissolved. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu couldn’t get enough support to form a government, and now the country has to vote all over again.This has never happened before in Israel’s history -- we’ll explain what might be coming next. Meanwhile, 16 women filed a lawsuit alleging that they were discriminated against at Quantico,[...]

Special Counsel Robert Mueller turned off his “do not disturb” mode today to give a brief statement. The message: his Russia investigation is officially over and he’s clocking out. He said some words about whether President Trump committed a crime. And went back on silent. We’ll explain. Meanwhile, the last clinic that provides abortions in[...]

Oklahoma is taking the pharmaceutical company Johnson & Johnson to court today. This is the first state trial connected to the opioid crisis ... which has been determined a public health emergency. We’re going to break down how this got started and how Oklahoma hopes to win this case. Meanwhile, Mount Everest is having a[...]

British Prime Minister Theresa May is saying “I’m out.” She is only the second woman to hold the position and is leaving after three years – one of the shortest terms for a prime minister in modern times. Her exit - was spurred by Brexit. We’ll explain what’s next for the British mission to leave[...]

Some McDonald’s workers were on strike today … while the company held its annual shareholder meeting. Employees are asking for better pay, more say, union rights - oh and the higher ups addressing recent sexual harassment claims. We’ll tell you more about it. Meanwhile, the Department of Housing and Urban Development introduced a new proposal[...]

Europeans head to the polls starting tomorrow for the European Parliamentary elections. This is the second-biggest election in the world, and has been a bit of a snoozer in the past. But this year people are watching very closely because of a surge of far-right groups. We’ll explain. Meanwhile in DC, President Trump and Democratic[...]

Three House committees want to dive into President Trump’s business financials. Specifically, they want the deets from his accounting firm, Capital One, and Deutsche Bank. Trump and his three oldest children have sued to stop that from happening. We’ll explain the backstory and how judges are weighing in. Meanwhile, a new study says CBD could[...]

John Walker Lindh, a US citizen convicted of helping the Taliban, will be released from federal prison this week. And some lawmakers in Congress says they’re worried Lindh could return to his extremist beliefs. We’ll explain how the US and other countries are grappling with what to do with “foreign fighters” - and whether to[...]

Yesterday, President Trump announced a new proposal to overhaul the US immigration system - specifically shifting the priorities in the green card system and the asylum program, and strengthening border security. It’s the latest in a series of immigration moves by the administration. We’ll give you an update on where things stand. Meanwhile, 900 million[...]

Missouri’s the latest in a line of states taking on a hot-button issue: abortion. State lawmakers across the country are passing bills restricting it -- and hoping the Supreme Court will give the OK. We’ll explain what role trying to define when a fetus becomes a “person” plays the whole debate. Meanwhile, the College Board[...]

There’s a baby bust in the US: A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that last year’s birth rate was down 2 percent from 2017 - and was the lowest in 32 years. We’ll explain why fewer babies could be a problem for the economy. Meanwhile, the acting head of[...]

Facial recognition technology is creeping into all aspects of life, and San Francisco could be the first city in the US to block it. Other cities are thinking of following suit -- we’ll explain why. Attorney General William Barr wants to know how the FBI’s Trump-Russia probe got started. And he’s calling for back-up: from[...]

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo crashed a meeting of EU foreign ministers today ... and he had Iran on the brain. Tensions between the US and Iran have been heating up for weeks, and now Pompeo is asking US allies: ‘are you with me?’ Meanwhile, Sweden and the US are about to start a[...]

Today, trade talks between the US and China left with them saying ‘no deal.’ Right after the US raised tariffs on $200 billion of Chinese goods from 10 to 25 percent. These two powers have spent months at the negotiating table to come up with a long-term trade deal. We’ll explain how we got here.[...]

Uber’s heading to Wall Street tomorrow to make its debut on the stock exchange. But the ride-sharing company has seen a lot of backlash lately. Meanwhile, Pope Francis issued a new law that requires officials in the Catholic Church to report sex abuse and any coverup in the church. It’s an issue the Vatican has[...]

There’s a mom crisis in the US. A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that about 700 women die every year in the US during pregnancy or after childbirth. Those numbers are up about 75% from the year 2000, worse than other high-income countries, and black and Native American women[...]

The Trump admin has announced they’re sending a carrier strike group and a bomber task force to the Persian Gulf - saying Iran has threatened US troops in the Middle East. It’s been nearly a year since the US pulled out of the Iran Nuclear Treaty -- and the beef keeps getting bigger. So where[...]

A UN report is warning that one species - us - is threatening a million other species with extinction. Today, we’ll explain why biodiversity matters for humanity and how we can mitigate the damage. Meanwhile: the US and China were supposed to be close to a trade deal - but there are some new hurdles.[...]

Florida’s governor is set to sign a bill telling counties and towns they can’t offer sanctuary to undocumented immigrants. We’ll explain ‘sanctuary cities’ -- and how Florida’s soon-to-be law lines up with the rest of the US. Meanwhile: there’s a new study out that scientists say could stop the spread of HIV. Also on today’s[...]

 Venezuela still doesn’t know who’s in charge. We’ll talk about why the US was predicting a peaceful transition of power - and why now they’re keeping all the cards on the table. Then: the US wants Wikileaks founder Julian Assange to cross the pond. Today he said: rather not. We’ll explain how the extradition process[...]

Democrats on Capitol Hill had a lot of questions about the attorney general’s pen pal - Robert Mueller. South African elite runner Caster Semenya has been fighting against allegations that she has an unfair advantage because of her high testosterone levels. A court announced this morning that she lost that battle. Also on today’s show:[...]

Infrastructure across the US needs a reboot. President Trump met with top Democrats to try to figure out how to make – and pay for – the fixes. In Venezuela, two people are still calling themselves prez. The US says it wants a “peaceful transition” - but today, things weren’t looking that peaceful. Also on[...]

The White House confirmed that North Korea sent them a bill for American prisoner Otto Warmbier – to the tune of $2 million. But the White House says: they didn't actually pay it. Why hostage ransoms are so controversial. Meanwhile, Boeing execs finally faced their shareholders – to explain how the company’s going to bounce[...]

Top officials from around the world met in China today to hear more about their Belt and Road Initiative — a reboot of the Silk Road to improve global trade routes. Here in the US: President Trump was also talking to the NRA about international trade. Of firearms. That was good news for the gun[...]

Former VP Joe Biden is (finally) in. He announced today he’s running for president in 2020 - as the 20th candidate to join the race. So who – and what – is he up against? In Russia, NK leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin sat down to talk nukes. We’ll tell you[...]

Thousands of Boy Scouts leaders and volunteers have been accused of sexually abusing children - in cases that go back decades. Lawyers are now just scrambling to rep survivors in lawsuits. What’s changed: states have been expanding statute of limitations laws for child sex abuse. We’ll tell you what you need to know. Meanwhile, the[...]

Democrats and progressives have been talking about whether to impeach President Trump since he was elected. And even though the Mueller Report didn’t say his admin colluded with Russia, that debate hasn’t gone away. We’ll tell you why some top Dems are saying, ‘cool it.’ Meanwhile, SCOTUS heard arguments today about whether to include a[...]

After massive terror attacks in Sri Lanka killed nearly 300 people on Sunday, the gov there has blocked Facebook and other social media sites. Their goal: to prevent more sectarian violence. But does going dark on social media actually work? Meanwhile, in the US, the FBI arrested the leader of a vigilante group in New[...]

A young journalist was killed last night during a riot in Northern Ireland. Her death is highlighting tensions along the Irish border. And it comes on the anniversary of a decades-old agreement that’s now at risk. Because Brexit. Then - tomorrow is 4/20. And support for marijuana is at an all-time high. But not everyone’s[...]

The Mueller report is here. It’s long. It’s complicated. And some of it’s still secret. We’ve Skimm’d what we know so far, and we’ll tell you what to expect next. Meanwhile, North Korea is getting all fired up again. But they’re telling Trump - it’s not you, it’s him. Also on today’s episode: Facebook’s saying[...]

The Justice Department is changing policies for asylum seekers waiting for immigration hearings. We’ll explain why fleeing persecution in one country...could mean being detained in another. In Colorado, a massive manhunt for a woman “infatuated” with the Columbine tragedy is over. We’ll tell you why lawmakers there believe new red flag laws could prevent tragedies.[...]

The measles virus is still spreading, and tight-knit communities are more vulnerable than others. We’ll explain why -- and tell you what’s being done to help. Also: Trump’s not the only GOP candidate in the 2020 race anymore. We’ll tell you why primary contenders can make things messy. Also on today’s episode: climate change protesters[...]

The Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris went up in flames today -- we’ll tell you what we know so far. In the US: 2020 presidential candidates are showing us their donation receipts. We’ll explain why the dollar signs are not all that matters. Also on today’s episode: SCOTUS hears a case about the brand that[...]

Georgetown students want to help make amends for history. They voted to add a little extra to their tuition to pay reparations to the descendants of Georgetown’s former slaves. President Trump is also trying to help people who have been underserved. By the Internet. He announced initiatives to expand 5G and help people in rural[...]

There were a couple of big arrests today in London and Sudan. And both men could be leaving on a jet plane to face charges. The U.S. wants Wikileaks founder Julian Assange stateside to face a conspiracy charge. Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir has an open invite to the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity[...]

President Trump flew to Texas today to visit the heart of the oil and gas industry, and he signed two controversial executive orders while he was there. They’re meant to make it easier to build oil and gas pipelines - which some states have not been happy about. Another thing not getting easier: taxes. Congress[...]

Crazy high drug prices have gotten bipartisan attention lately. Back in February, drug companies pointed fingers at Pharmacy Benefit Managers. Today, five PBM execs were on Capitol Hill and pointed the finger back. Attorney General William Barr was on the Hill, too, getting grilled about the Mueller Report. Also on today’s episode: a duchess’ tax[...]

Israel is getting ready to head to the polls, and Prime Minister Netanyahu is giving voters one more thing to think about: the West Bank. The region at the center of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. NBD. In the US, more shake-ups in the Trump Administration. DHS Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen and her Secret Service Director are out.[...]

Tensions between Saudi Arabia and the US are heating up. Congress voted to end US military support for the kingdom’s proxy war in Yemen after the Saudi-American journalist Jamal Khashoggi was assassinated last year. Putting President Trump in an awkward spot. In other diplomatic tension, Julian Assange may have overstayed his welcome at the Ecuadorian[...]

President Trump has gotten a lot of heat for keeping his tax returns under lock and key. Now, Dems are cutting out the middle man and asking the IRS to show them the receipts. But why are the president’s tax returns such a big deal? In other money news, the Dept of Education has been[...]

Human rights groups all over the world are calling out Brunei for harsh new laws. People caught participating in gay sex could now be stoned to death. So we’re breaking down Sharia law and how it’s interpreted across the Muslim world. Meanwhile, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg is visiting Capitol Hill. Just in time for[...]

 India is headed to the polls soon. Social media there has turned into a mess of fake news. Sounds familiar. Facebook is trying to avoid a repeat of the 2016 U.S. elections. But that’s harder than it sounds. Meanwhile, the US Senate can’t agree on a budget for Puerto Rico relief funding. Also on today’s[...]

The Trump Administration is thinking about cutting aid to a few Central American countries. It’s pointing to the border crisis. But how are the two related, again? In other DC news, today we found out that the White House gave security clearances to dozens of officials - even after their applications were denied. Also on[...]

Third time’s the charm. Except when it comes to British Prime Minister Theresa May’s plan to get a Brexit deal approved. Bollocks. Parliament voted down her plan for the third time today. Making a no-deal Brexit look like a definite possibility. We’ll tell you what that could look like. Also on today’s episode: Lyft requests[...]

A DC judge struck down laws in Arkansas and Kentucky that would require Medicaid recipients to work in exchange for getting free or low-cost government healthcare coverage. Opening up the floor for debate. Meanwhile, the UK is the latest country to call out Chinese tech giant Huawei for being insecure. Also on today’s episode: Sarah[...]

The Pentagon is checking its account - and making bank transfers - to figure out how it’s going to pay for President Trump’s border wall. Not everyone is happy with their fix. Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Theresa May announced that she’s got a brand new Brexit strategy: stepping down. Also on today’s episode: “Hidden Figures”[...]

The Trump Administration wants to take down the Affordable Care Act aka Obamacare. Spoiler: this won’t be the last time you’ll hear about healthcare. Because 2020. Changes to the law could affect you. We’ll tell you about it. Meanwhile, in Chicago, it’s “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett’s lucky day. Prosecutors dropped all charges made against him[...]

Mueller…? Mueller…? After two years, Special Counsel Robert Mueller finally turned in his report to the DOJ. And probably had a great weekend … while Attorney General William Barr got down to speed-reading. Today, we’re breaking down the questions that are still swirling around about the report, including the big O(J). Obstruction of Justice. Also[...]

President Trump tweeted earlier this week that the US should recognize that Israel’s the boss of a disputed area called the Golan Heights. Making the US the first country to do so. Spoiler: the international community is annoyed. We’ll explain what’s going on. Back at home, Mississippi now officially has one of the strictest abortion[...]

President Trump just signed an executive order requiring colleges to support free speech. Which has a lot to do with conservative groups on campus. We’ll tell you what you need to know. Across the world in New Zealand, the gov has made moves to ban the semiautomatic weapons involved in last week’s shootings. Less than[...]

The European Union wants big tech companies to play nice with the competition. They don’t think Google’s doing that. So the EU hit Google with a 1.5 billion-euro fine. And that’s not the only antitrust story you’re hearing about today. Meanwhile, back in the US, the FDA just approved a breakthrough drug that could help[...]

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro and US President Trump caught up in the Oval Office today. They’re big fans. Of each other. Which is kind of a big deal, because the US and Brazil haven’t exactly been BFFs in the past. We’ll break down what’s going on. Meanwhile, a lot of the Midwest is under water.[...]

Gerrymandering: drawing district lines so that some people have more power at the polls. And a big talker ahead of the 2020 election. Today, the Supremes are hearing a Virginia case. And they’ll be hearing from a couple more states this year. So we’re breaking down what you need to know. Also on today’s episode:[...]

Mass shootings at two mosques in New Zealand are forcing a conversation about the spread of white nationalism … and the internet. Meanwhile, students took action to protest government inaction on climate change. Also on today’s episode: a Skimm’r shares her pick for Woman of the Week. 

There are big questions coming up in 2020. Politicians are trying to get ahead of them. Today, Commerce Sec. Wilbur Ross took the mic on Capitol Hill. The issue on the table: the 2020 census, and whether it should include a question about citizenship. But there’s another questionnaire coming up in 2020. Hint: it’s your[...]

California Governor Gavin Newsom hit ‘pause’ on capital punishment in his state. Opening up the floor for a national debate on the death penalty. In other criminal justice news, a judge tacked on more federal prison time for former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort. Now, prosecutors in New York want in on the action. Also[...]

British parliament rejected PM Theresa May’s latest Brexit plan today. ICYMI, the EU and the UK are getting a divorce. But three years in, they still can’t agree on the terms. The biggest sticking point: the border with Ireland aka ‘the backstop.’ We’ll break it down, guvnah. In other news, the DOJ dropped the curtain[...]

 President Trump just released his financial wishlist. On it: $718 billion for the Pentagon, way more than the spending cap. But he might get lucky with the money because of something called the Overseas Contingency Operations Fund, aka the Pentagon “slush fund”. Spoiler: it’s controversial. Meanwhile, Boeing is in crisis mode after another one of[...]

Paul Manafort got muuuch less prison time than prosecutors recommended on Thursday. Which got everyone talking. So today we’re breaking down sentencing laws... and how judges decide who gets to pass Go. In other jailhouse news: former Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning is back in prison. She RSVP’d ‘no’ to an invite to testify before[...]

The news is constantly changing, and in today's world, context is clarity. Skimm This is here to help.

Senator Martha McSally (R-AZ) has everyone talking about how to fix the military’s process for handling allegations of sexual assault. We’re breaking down what you need to know. Meanwhile, former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort is headed to prison … unless the president decides to pardon him. TBD on that. Also on today’s episode: the[...]

The federal government is arguing about whether families migrating across the US-Mexico border are a national emergency. We’ll break down what’s going on. In other news from the feds, the FDA just gave a new antidepressant the thumbs up. But it’s got some baggage. Also on today’s episode: Gayle King keeps her composure, and the[...]

You’ve been hearing a lot about the anti-vaccination movement. We’ll give you the context behind the headlines. In other health news, doctors in London say they’ve helped a second HIV patient beat the virus. But they want you to read the fine print. Also on today’s episode: locals in New Orleans have found a way[...]

Two guys are fighting over Venezuela. One’s got the military behind him. The other has … pretty much everyone else on his side. In other fights over presidential power, US Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) is breaking with his party. And voting to block President Trump’s emergency declaration. Also on today’s episode: we introduce you to[...]