|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quote of the Day
|
|
|
"Pup-kin Spice" – New seasonal snacks from a dog treat company. 2020 may as well be the Year of the Dog.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Story
With less than two months until Election Day, Facebook has entered the 2020 chat.
Explain.
Yesterday, the social network laid out its rules for November 3: no new political ads the week leading up to Election Day. The reason? To prevent "civil unrest" during a crazy election year. It'll also take down posts that try to discourage people from voting – like saying they'll get COVID-19 if they vote in person. It'll add labels to content with false info and provide daily information on voting at the top of Facebook and Instagram. And if any candidates claim they won before the results are in, Facebook's partnered with Reuters to clear things up.
Another Facebook update? Why?
CEO Mark Zuckerberg said it could take days or weeks to get election results and he wants to prevent misinformation and help people vote. Also: the company's gotten a lot of heat (including from its own employees) for its inaction on several misleading posts (including from the president). And for not doing enough to stop foreign interference in 2016. Now, Facebook is saying 'message received.' But not everyone's hitting 'like.'
Like who?
Like...people involved in the 2020 race. The Trump campaign said the changes opened the doors for "biased" media to influence users without giving its team a chance to respond. And referred to Facebook as part of the "Silicon Valley Mafia" – which the campaign sees as biased against conservatives. Democrats say the restrictions don't go far enough since they're temporary. And point to the fact that Facebook will still let political ads run (unlike Twitter). And while Facebook hopes these changes could help clear election concerns, it's still unclear if they'll work.
theSkimm
Facebook has billions of users – millions of them voters in the US. And it's long been a hub for conspiracy theories. Now, the company's trying to make sure the news you get on its platforms is accurate and does its part for a free and fair election. But some say it might be too little too late.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Who's having a more stressful week than they expected...
North Carolina election officials. Yesterday, they had to correct the record after President Trump said people there should test out the battleground state's mail-in voting system. He suggested they cast a ballot in person and via mail. And told people to go to the polls on Election Day "to see whether or not" their mail-in vote was counted. Fun fact: it's illegal to vote twice. And election officials reminded people of that, adding that showing up at the polls would lead to unnecessarily long lines. Instead, they said a tracking system will be made available for absentee ballot statuses (yes, just like the one you use for your pizza delivery). The White House has maintained that the president wasn't suggesting "anything unlawful."
-
A slight change in tune: Trump has claimed that mail-in voting leads to voter fraud. But experts say there's little proof of that. Whether you're voting early, by mail, or in person, make sure you're ready here.
|
|
|
|
|
|
What people are watching...
Portland, OR. Yesterday, the suspect in last week's deadly shooting during protests there was killed. A Justice Dept official said antifa supporter Michael Forest Reinoehl died when he pulled out a gun as officers tried to arrest him on a murder charge. Hours earlier, an interview aired in which the 48-year-old said he acted in self-defense in the shooting that killed 39-year-old Aaron "Jay" Danielson – an apparent far-right Patriot Prayer member and Trump supporter.
Rochester, NY. Yesterday, seven police officers there were suspended amid protests over the death of Daniel Prude. Earlier this week, the family of the 41-year-old Black man revealed police body-camera footage of his arrest back in March. It showed officers putting a hood over Prude's head and pushing his face to the ground, while another officer placed a knee on his back. Prude was declared brain dead, and died a week later. His death was ruled a homicide. Rochester's mayor said Prude "was failed by our police department." The NY AG is investigating the case.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Who was back on the road…
Joe Biden. Yesterday, he visited Kenosha, WI, where the police shooting of Jacob Blake sparked days of unrest. Biden held a private meeting with Blake's family in Milwaukee – and spoke with Blake by phone from his hospital bed. He also met with business owners, community leaders, and members of law enforcement about ongoing racial justice issues and the protests. Blake – a 29-year-old Black man – is paralyzed from the waist down since the shooting but his family said he's out of the ICU. The shooting remains under investigation.
-
Lots of visitors lately: Biden's trip came days after President Trump toured Kenosha. He held a roundtable with law enforcement and local leaders but didn't meet with Blake's family. And announced millions of dollars in aid for businesses that were affected by the protests. The demonstrations are expected to continue, but the city's curfew has been lifted.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"When No One Is Watching" by Alyssa Cole
One of our fave romance writers is out with a psychological thriller. This buzzy fiction book follows a woman who's looking into the gentrification of her Brooklyn neighborhood. Turns out there's something a lot more sinister going on. Cue paranoia, suspense, and some "Get Out" vibes.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Here are our favorite picks to help you take a break today...
1. A lazy (but impressive) veggie and dip board. Because nothing says "long weekend" like an Instagram-worthy spread. Cucumbers, meet your dips.
2. Texts to help you end any relationship. Here's what to say when your date was awkward, when you've only been out a few times, or when someone just isn't getting the hint. "Thank u, next."
3. Three totally random things that made us happy this week: tiny Uno, sweatband scrunchies, and a "Friends" magnet pack.
PS: Want more? Sign up to get weekly recs in your inbox.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For when you're already thinking about what to have for dinner…
Relatable. Blue Apron has your back. They have everything from Premium meals for at-home date nights to family meals that will keep everyone happy. Bonus: you'll actually get to enjoy cooking again. Oh, and Skimm'rs get $60 off over your first three boxes. Let's eat.*
For when you're keeping your eye out for good Labor Day sales…
Hi, this furniture store has one for you. With deals like up to 60% off mattress and living room seating, and office furniture up to 55% off. So you can spend less and get way more. Yup, this is what you were looking for. Go get it.*
For when back-to-school shopping was your favorite…
Throw it back. But with school supplies you can still use as an adult. Like a desk organizer, Mead notebook, and Gelly Roll pens. Take notes, it's Nostalgia 101.
|
|
|
*PS: This is a sponsored post.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1. If you're looking to add 'homeowner' to your resume, now could be a good time to buy. Think: Record-low mortgage rates. This week's episode of "Skimm This" explains how the real estate market is looking and what could happen next.
2. The US Open kicked off this week and we're taking a look back at how women's tennis outfits have changed over the years. Think: catsuits. Thanks, Serena Williams.
3. Need some motivational tips and a more organized to-do list? Same. Meet: our very own "How to Skimm Your Life" 17-month planner. Order it today to get a head start on 2021 and find tips for living smarter.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Skimm HQ is OOO on Monday for Labor Day. See you back in your inbox on Tuesday.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
In times like these, community matters more than ever. Let us know how you (or someone you know) is making an impact by helping others.
Step by step...Nellie W (UT). She's training for her first marathon in October. And is raising money for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention in memory of a friend.
Get the 411 with...Katie W and Katherine R (MA). They started The 411k to promote financial literacy and wellness for women. They're providing weekly podcast episodes to fill the financial education gap with a COVID-19 specific perspective. Learn more here.
(Some) Birthdays...Skimm Mom Barbi Zakin (NY), Kathleen Bonnello (NY), Cal Roberts (NY), Evan Lewellyn (VA), Meryl Schreiber (NJ), Manbeen Singh (NJ), Hanna Mahoney (IL), Mandy Saffer (NJ), Antoinetta Canada (IL), Frances Neagley (CA), Traci Stratford (MA), Kathleen Henrion (MI), Wills Klein (NY), Laura Chism (AL), Jenny Martin (CA)
*Paging all members of theSkimm. Reach out here for a chance to be featured.
|
|
|
|
|
Skimm’d by Maria del Carmen Corpus, Mariza Smajlaj, Ellen Burke, Niven McCall-Mazza, and Clem Robineau
|
|
|
theSkimm50 West 23rd Street, Suite 5B; New York, NY, 10010, United States Update Profile
