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Quote of the Day
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"Starting a whole new chapter together" – WNBA star Maya Moore on marrying the man she helped free from prison. Love has no bounds.
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Climate Change & Hurricane Season
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The Story
Climate change isn't only fueling wildfires, it's making hurricane season worse, too.
Explain.
First, a quick science lesson: Hurricanes are storms that form near the equator and gain strength by feeding off of warm water and moist air over the Atlantic Ocean or eastern Pacific Ocean in the tropics. Add wind to the equation and that tropical storm quickly becomes a tropical cyclone aka a hurricane. Now, it's no secret that our planet is getting warmer thanks to climate change. And as a result, scientists say hurricanes are getting stronger and more dangerous.
Ok, but why?
First, warmer temps in the ocean and atmosphere help fuel stronger hurricanes. Second, warm air holds more water vapor than cold air. This allows the hurricane to carry more water (read: rain). Third, warmer temps slow tropical cyclones' speed. Meaning, storms are lingering over areas for longer periods of time, unleashing more rainfall and flooding. And finally, with sea levels rising every year (mainly because of glaciers melting), coastal storm surges are getting higher and pushing water farther inland.
Oh wow.
Currently, the US is on track for its worst hurricane season on record, with 20 named storms this year alone. So many, that meteorologists are running out of names – and hurricane season could still go on for months. Yesterday, Hurricane Sally made landfall in the US as a Category 2 storm with 105 mph winds. It left widespread flooding in parts of Alabama and Florida – which also had storm surges of over five feet. At least one person was killed, hundreds have been rescued from flooded areas, and more than half a million people lost power. President Trump said he's monitoring the situation and has approved federal help.
theSkimm
With wildfires on the West Coast and hurricanes along the Gulf Coast, climate change is intensifying natural disasters across the US. And scientists say things will only get worse – unless everyone (including our leaders) does their part to try to minimize its effects.
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What's got international attention…
Venezuela. Yesterday, United Nations investigators accused Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and several top government officials of committing crimes against humanity. In a 411-page report, the UN reviewed nearly 3,000 cases going back to 2014, ranging from killings to torture to sexual violence. And said that these crimes – which experts say were done against opposition leaders, criminals, and ordinary citizens – were committed by intel agencies and security forces with "the knowledge or direct support" of gov officials. The investigators said the International Criminal Court should consider prosecutions. The Venezuelan gov has yet to officially respond. But the country's foreign minister tweeted that the report was filled with lies.
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Who's saying 'we've got a plan'...
The CDC. Yesterday, the health agency outlined its plan to make COVID-19 vaccines free to all Americans. Reminder: Over 130 potential coronavirus vaccines are in the works worldwide. The CDC says it expects to distribute limited quantities of a vaccine as early as November to those who need it most. That means health care workers and older people. And that it might take six to nine months after that for everyone else to get vaccinated – allowing "regular life" to make a comeback in late Q2 or Q3 of 2021. But, in an interesting turn of events, the CDC's director said masks may be better at preventing COVID-19 than vaccines – something President Trump wasn't too happy to hear.
...Oh and speaking of plans, the Federal Reserve announced it's leaving interest rates near zero to help the US economy recover from the pandemic...through at least 2023.
Psst...here's what super-low interest rates mean for your debt, savings, and big plans.
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Who's in more trouble...
Boeing. Yesterday, a congressional report blamed the plane manufacturer and the FAA for "repeated and serious failures" that led to two deadly crashes. Reminder: Last year, Boeing grounded its 737 Max jets after deadly crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia killed a total of 346 people. And they may have to stay out of the skies a bit longer. The report echoed previous findings in saying the plane crashes were a "horrific culmination" of design flaws, mismanagement, and bad gov oversight. And lawmakers are calling for reforms so that such a tragedy "never happens again." Boeing said it cooperated with the investigation and is working on "rebuilding trust."
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What's singing 'under pressure'...
The Big Ten. Yesterday, the collegiate sports conference announced it's getting ready to return to the gridiron next month. It's running back its decision to postpone until the spring following pressure from President Trump, coaches, and players. But fans will have to watch the blitz from afar since the stadiums won't be open to the public.
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Who wants to say 'cheerio'...
Barbados. The Caribbean island nation plans to remove Queen Elizabeth II as its head of state next year. Barbados Governor-General Sandra Mason said "the time has come to fully leave our colonial past behind." It would be the first time in nearly 30 years that a Commonwealth member has cut ties with the monarchy.
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41 Million Tons
The amount of food waste that was generated in 2017 alone. Yikes bikes.
The disturbing truth is food makes up the largest category of stuff that ends up in landfills designed for household waste. And when you think about it, it's not really that shocking. We all know that it's tough to buy just the right amount, and it's common to throw things out when they go bad or don't get eaten.
Blue Apron gets it. That's why they deliver the ingredients you need to make a great dinner, in the amounts that you need them – sans any extras. So you can eat well, and eat it all. Get the goods.*
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$1 million. $5 million. 12 times your salary. There are a lot of rules of thumb out there about how much you need banked by your retirement party. We Skimm'd how to come up with your magic number. Plus some tips to help you start livin' la vida Boca faster.
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Here are our favorite picks to help you take a break today...
1. 14 products that'll make you feel better about your WFH space. Like a foot hammock, chair pillow, and lamp that's easy on the eyes.
2. How to tackle breakouts. Because you're scientifically guaranteed to get a pimple the next time you have something important going on. Here are the do's and don'ts for when your skin has a personal vendetta against you.
3. A guide to the Trader Joe's items you absolutely need this season. Because going to TJ's in the fall is basically adult trick-or-treating. The items on this list are scary good.
PS: Want more? Sign up to get weekly recs in your inbox.
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For when you're thinking about making a career change…
We've got a podcast ep with someone who made a big leap. Think: from finance and economics to...the beauty industry. Lilli Gordon, the founder and CEO of First Aid Beauty, joined us on our most recent episode of "Skimm'd from The Couch" to talk about how she knew it was time to change industries. And how she built her company from the ground up. This episode is sponsored by First Aid Beauty. Listen here.*
For when you find cleaning therapeutic…
Get your zen on with this appliance. It turns salt, water, and vinegar into a disinfectant. Plus it's eco friendly, and kills 99.9% of viruses and bacteria. PS: Skimm'rs get 25% off, plus free shipping on starter kits. Deep clean.*
For when you think there has to be a better alternative to pads and tampons…
We have news: there is. This company's menstrual cup was designed with your body in mind. And it provides 12-hours of leak-free protection. PS: Skimm'rs can select from one of three sizes and get 80% off. Make the switch.*
For when you're really, really ready for the weekend…
Pour yourself a glass. This list has everything a wine-lover would ever need. We're talking wipes to keep your breath fresh, markers so you know what glass is yours, and a mount to hold your drink in the shower. Sip, sip hooray.
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*PS: This is a sponsored post.
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In times like these, community matters more than ever. Let us know how you (or someone you know) is making an impact by helping others.
Sharing the love...Lizzy C (IL). She's a special education teacher in Chicago Public Schools who started Lead with Love. It's a community outreach org that has provided kids with personal devices for remote learning and is connecting them with the tech world. Learn more here.
A class act(ion)...Nancy L (VA). She's part of DC Refers, an online directory that matches lawyers willing to offer "low bono" (reduced-fee) help to people who earn too much to qualify for free legal help, but can't afford to pay regular market rates. Check out their appeal here.
(Some) Birthdays...Jacque Ryal (NY), Alessandra Trifero (ES), Alexandra Danna (SC), Lisa Pickens (TX), Laura Schoedler (NC), Elyse Corbitt (AL), Nicole Woods (TX), Lisa Loperfido (CA), Kelly Marble (MN), Michelle Kinney (FL), Emily Bryce (MD), Bincy Thomas (MI), Wendy Gordon (WA), Ana Martinez Rodriguez (MI), Heather Gately (NC)
*Paging all members of theSkimm. Reach out here for a chance to be featured.
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Skimm’d by Maria del Carmen Corpus, Mariza Smajlaj, Ellen Burke, Niven McCall-Mazza, and Clem Robineau
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theSkimm50 West 23rd Street, Suite 5B; New York, NY, 10010, United States Update Profile
