Skimm'd in a new car

"It has a fabulous view of a Chick-fil-A" – A headline about the $2.5 million penthouse of your dreams. If that doesn't tickle your fancy, there's also a Shell gas station.

THINGS HAPPENING STATESIDE

Border Patrol

The Story

Defense Secretary Jim Mattis is planning to send at least 800 troops to the US-Mexico border. This has to do with the caravan of migrants that are making the trek to the border. Reminder: thousands of Central Americans are trying to reach the US, fleeing violence and poverty back home. Some have traveled together as a group for safety.

theSkimm

President Trump has made it very clear that stopping this group from getting into the US is a top priority. And that immigration is a big issue going into midterms.

Bomb Scares

The Story

You're still hearing about suspicious packages with explosive devices being mailed to prominent figures around the US. A total of 10 packages have been intercepted – including two new ones addressed to former VP Joe Biden and one to Robert De Niro (a Dem supporter and critic of President Trump...remember this speech?). Add them to the list of leading Dems and critics of Trump that have been targeted. None of the explosives have gone off and no one has been injured. But, as authorities focus their investigation on Florida, they're warning that more devices could be out there.

theSkimm

Some say these actions are a result of the political climate the country is currently in. Earlier this week, Trump called for unity to show that this kind of violence is not OK. He's since changed his tune and blamed things on "mainstream media" – adding fuel to an already growing fire.

Drug Prices

The Story

Yesterday, President Trump proposed a new plan to change how Medicare pays for some drugs. Which means lowering drug costs – which he's promised to do. He said foreign countries have taken advantage of American patients and have been paying less for the same drugs.

theSkimm

Health care is one of the top issues on voters' minds as we head into the midterms. Under this plan, there would be an "international pricing index" to make prices more similar to those in other countries. And it would slowly lower prices over five years for half the country.

REPEAT AFTER ME...

What to say when you hear that Michael Avenatti and Julie Swetnick are on the DOJ's radar...

This can't be good. Yesterday, a report came out that said Google protected three execs accused of sexual misconduct over the past decade. Including Andy Rubin – the creator and "father of Android." A few years ago, a woman he had an affair with accused him of pressuring her to perform oral sex. Google looked into it and said her allegations were credible. So naturally, Google asked Rubin to resign, gave him a big goodbye hug, and $90 million on his way out. Google's CEO responded to the report by sending an email to employees, saying the co is "dead serious" about having a safe workplace. Oh...and that 48 people have been fired in the last two years over sexual harassment – including 13 senior managers and higher-level positions – and no one got an exit package. Hold for applause.

Who your mom keeps texting you about…

Megyn Kelly. You've seen the headlines. Earlier this week, she talked about blackface on her show and said "when I was a kid, that was OK as long as you were dressing up as, like, a character." Obvious note: it wasn't. She got a ton of backlash – including from her NBC colleagues – and apologized. But this isn't the first time she's made headlines at the network...and not the good kind (see: this and this). Now, NBC's reportedly cutting the cord on her morning show, and she could be packing up her desk soon. TBD if she'd take home the rest of her reported $69 million contract.

What to say when you hear there's more LGBTQ characters on TV than ever before…

That's the good news. Here's the bad news. A new study says nearly half of all Hispanics in the US feel insecure about their place in the country under President Trump. And many have also experienced some type of discrimination in the past year. Like we said, bad news.

What to say when your co-worker tells you something you already know…

Blank stare.

What to say when you hear that nearly 11 million people reportedly voted early…

Have you?

SKIMM READS

"Outlander" by Diana Gabaldon

Imagine you're torn between two lives...in different centuries. Diana Gabaldon's "Outlander" book series follows a former British combat nurse in the 1940s who time travels to 18th century Scotland. Different worlds, all the feels. There are eight books and the TV version of the fourth book, "Drums of Autumn," comes out on STARZ next week. Get into the books and catch up on the show here.*

SKIMM PICKS

For when you want to take the scenic route...

Check out the view from *inside* your car, too. When we travel, we need a car that gets the job done and looks good doing it. That's why we're taking a road trip with the Buick Encore. Hint: it offers fancy things like a touch-screen and smartphone integration to keep you connected. Come along for the ride.*

For when Halloween crept up on you...

Don't be spooked. Whether you're staying in or going out, here are our picks for getting into the spirit.

SKIMM BIRTHDAYS

* indicates Skimm'bassador. Celebrate.

Bryan Lazarus NY, Mia Bella Allegra IL, Rebecca Karsenti FL, Carmen Rincon Linde NY, Betelle Hailemariam DC, Will Shain MA, Sophia Shain NY, *Katie Rubak IL, *Tracy Winter TX, *Jenny Eberhardt PA, Hillary Clinton NY, Kelly Osbourne CA, *Alex Rossberg IL, *Kathy Capeluto FL, *Christi Jenkins AR, *Leslie Bartula IL, *Jenna Rozenblat GA, *Olivia Myers GA, *Carolyn Breder IA, *Melanie Krohn NE, *Josie Zimmermann MO, *Mindy Miller SD, *Miranda Hamaker TX, *Christina Stamper MI, *Christy Myers Baxter PA, *Mary Martin MI, *Brittany Fiscus IL, *Sarah Beauregard MA, *Kayla Briel FL, *Beth DeWitt OH, *Emily Pelkowski NY, Katie Hughes RI, Bryan Simpson FL, Sara Kurovski IA, Olivia DeCarlo PA, Kiki Frane MO, LeeAnn Mandrillo, Teresa Zaragoza CA, Olivia Niehoff KY, Rachel Ackley GA, Tim Elsner TX, Maureen DuMond NY, Christina Buckley NY, Dave Morgan NY, Alannah Mannix-Slobig IL, Catherine Bendinelli PA, Karen LaBonte VA, Bethany Stai Keusch NE, Kristin Clausen MO, Susan Westhof CO, Nancy Davis NY, Paige Tintle NY, Jessica Trief NY, Noël Largess CA, Shannon O'Malley IL, Heather Mullally Joines NJ, Mari Buttarazzi VA, Katie Markowitz NY, Margot Chima MI, Sarah Hays MN, Hillary Sanders IN, Rachel Landoski MI, Maria Falls CA, Petra Lewis NY, Kelly Janhunen CO, Peg Golden MA, Barbara Bigford PA, Ginny Saunders FL, Zephranie Buetow, Maya Shair DC, Teri Douglas MO, Amy Molyneux NY, Simone Drakes OH, Kristin Reagan IN, Susan Buring OH, Courtney Smythe CA, Samantha Schnapper NY, Riean Medley CO, Lisa Broderick IL, Morgan Whinery TX, Michele Littenberg NY, Jennifer Carlson GA, Briton Claridge MA, Alyssa Curcie NY, Nicole Roca LA, Keirsten Ann Eberts IN, Ashley Razak KS, Brittany Dawson NY, Brittany Anderson MA, Amanda Henry TX, Erin McDermott FL, Coach Segaloff GA, Andrea Holloway MN, Mary Ivanovich IL, Laura Mendelson NY, Amy Theobald WI