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Quote of the Day
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"Few would have the chutzpah" – The MTA's inspector general, who said three workers were suspended for building a "man cave" under Grand Central Terminal. They didn't happen to be Donatello, Raphael, or Michelangelo, right?
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The Story
President Trump suggested he may not accept losing the election.
Is this real?
Well, kind of. Earlier this week, Trump was asked whether he would hand over the presidential baton if he lost in November. Or rather, if he would commit to a peaceful transfer of power. His response? "We're going to have to see what happens." Let's rewind a little: the peaceful transfer of power is fundamental to democracy. It's a process that is outlined in the Constitution – which every president swears an oath to. Every single losing candidate (including incumbent presidents) has conceded, even during contested elections (see: 2000, 1876). Now, Trump's saying 'we'll see.'
So this isn't normal?
It would be unprecedented. Trump made similar comments in 2016. This year, however, the president is harping on the fact that voting will look quite different. Throughout his campaign, Trump has criticized mail-in voting, saying it leads to voter fraud. And has suggested states "get rid of" that voting process. But people have been voting by mail for decades (including Trump himself), and there's been little (one analysis says 0.0025%) evidence of fraud. Oh and, the FBI director says it's seen no evidence of a "coordinated national voter fraud effort." But that's not all.
Go on.
Trump and other Republicans have claimed that there is a possibility of a contested election. Meaning, the election's legality or validity could be challenged. In that case, the Supreme Court may have to weigh in. (It's happened before.) So the president and Republicans insist on filling late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg's seat quickly. That's because with only eight justices serving, there's a possibility of a 4-4 tie in an election dispute. Trump's expected to announce his nominee tomorrow, and if the Senate agrees on his pick, the SCOTUS bench would lean heavily conservative.
Interesting.
Despite all of this, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are trying to tame the flames. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), along with Sens. Susan Collins (R-ME), Mitt Romney (R-UT), Marco Rubio (R-FL), John Thune (R-SD), and Reps. Liz Cheney (R-WY) and Steve Stivers (R-OH) all said a peaceful transition of power is happening – should Trump lose in November. Meanwhile, Trump's 2020 rival Joe Biden's campaign said it was ready for any "shenanigans" and that the US gov "is perfectly capable of escorting trespassers out of the White House."
theSkimm
A peaceful transition of power is the cornerstone of US democracy. It's how we have the legitimacy to criticize other not-so-democratic governments (think: Belarus, Russia). While the president's comments aren't easing concerns, lawmakers are saying 'don't worry.' But regardless of who you want to win, make your voice heard. If you need a little help with that, we got you.
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What's getting some extra time...
The US Census. Yesterday, a federal judge barred the Trump admin from ending the 2020 Census a month early. Reminder: The admin had moved up the deadline from October 31 to September 30, saying it was needed in order to process all data before the end of the year. But civil rights groups sued, arguing it would lead to a serious undercount that would disproportionately impact immigrants and people of color. And a federal judge agreed. The census determines how many seats each state gets in the House. And how federal funding should be divided for things like schools and hospitals. Now, a federal court is saying the census has through the end of October to finish its once-a-decade count of every US resident. The admin is expected to appeal the ruling.
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Who's saying 'safety first'...
Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D-NY). Yesterday, he said that he doesn't "trust" the federal gov's opinion on coronavirus vaccines – and any potential vaccine would get a second set of eyes before it's distributed in NY. This comes after President Trump said he may challenge the FDA on stricter vaccine guidelines. Now, Cuomo announced he'll form a panel of scientists, doctors, and public health experts to review a vaccine's safety and effectiveness. Meaning, NY could delay or even stop distribution if it finds the vaccine doesn't pass its criteria.
A Black physicians group. A task force with the National Medical Association (NMA) is reportedly reviewing data on COVID-19 vaccines. Its goal is to ensure safety, especially for Black Americans – a community that's already been disproportionately affected by the coronavirus. NMA's president reportedly said the decision comes amid fears that federal health agencies are being dictated by politics (think: the CDC and the FDA). The group says it'll be making sure that diversity is represented in clinical trials and data surrounding potential vaccines.
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Where a probe could be blooming…
Florida. Earlier this week, the state's AG asked the FBI and state law enforcement to investigate billionaire Mike Bloomberg for "potential violations of election laws." That's because he's raised over $16 million to pay the court fines and fees of more than 30,000 Black and Latino former felons so they can vote. Reminder: Earlier this month, a federal appeals court upheld a 2019 Florida law requiring ex-felons (read: over a million people) to pay off their court debts before they cast a ballot. Now, Bloomberg's partnered with the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition (FRRC) to help bring balances down to $0.
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Pointing fingers: Florida's AG says this all amounts to bribery – which is a crime. But civil rights groups have argued the current Florida law amounts to a poll tax – which is unconstitutional. Bloomberg's team says this is Republicans' "latest example" of trying to keep Florida voters disenfranchised. And the FRRC says it wants to help all ex-felons regain the right to vote – regardless of who they'll vote for.
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Bloomberg's not alone: Back in July, More Than A Vote – a voting rights group founded by LeBron James and other athletes – committed to helping former felons in Florida vote, too. It donated $100,000 to the same coalition working with Bloomberg to pay off outstanding fees. Michael Jordan also gave $500k. And the group says altogether it's gotten contributions from about 44,000 donors.
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Where parents are cooing...
France. This week, President Emmanuel Macron said paid paternity leave for new dads will double from 14 to 28 days starting next summer – making it one of Europe's most generous paternity plans. Because it shouldn't just be mom taking care of the bébé.
Psst...America is taking baby steps in the same direction. Starting next month, federal workers will get 12 weeks of paid parental leave. Here's what that could mean for your wallet – even if you don't work for the gov.
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Who are the ultimutt heroes...
These dogs. A program in Finland has trained them to sniff out COVID-19 in people at the Helsinki airport within 10 seconds. Way cuter than a nasal swab.
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Feeling stuck in a rut? Same. So we partnered with Mentos Pure Fresh Gum to bring you some ways to shake things up. Because Mentos is all about fresh breath, fresh ideas, and fresh perspectives. This week, we're talking about refreshing your binge-watching habits.
Ask friends for their recs. Text five people separately and say "what's one TV show you think I would love?" If anything comes up twice, boom, there's your answer.
Switch it up. If you're binging a dark drama, try throwing a comedy into the rotation and alternating every few episodes. That way you won't get too lost in a world that might keep you up at night.
Prep your perfect snack lineup. Make sure you're set up with handy snacks before hitting play to keep the marathon interruption-free. And always keep Mentos Pure Fresh Gum on hand for whenever you need a refresh. Couch, camera, action.
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"One By One" by Ruth Ware
In Ruth We Trust. The "In a Dark, Dark Wood" author's new thriller follows a group of tech employees who get stranded during a corporate retreat in the French Alps. After an avalanche cuts the co-workers off from the outside world, sh*t hits the fan (read: people start mysteriously dying one by one). Come for the Agatha Christie vibes, stay for the insane ending.
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Here are our favorite picks to help you take a break today...
1. Something to upgrade your skincare routine. We're talking about (drumroll please) Estée Lauder's New Advanced Night Repair Serum. It now has NEW fast repair and is packed with protective antioxidants and hydrating hyaluronic acid. Aka the (before bed) dream. Sleep tight.*
2. 8 low-light plants that are perfect for fall and winter. No better way to get cozy for the season than with some new houseplants. Cuffing season starts now, didn't you hear?
3. A chance to win sustainable goodies. ICYMI, it's Coastal Cleanup month. And this sustainable bottled water company is teaming up with other planet-focused brands to support nationwide cleanup efforts. Join them by entering to win things like sunglasses, skincare, and graphic tees. Do good.*
PS: Want more? Sign up to get weekly recs in your inbox
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For when you're interested in sustainable fashion…
So is Tommy Hilfiger. They've committed to making fashion that wastes nothing and lowers their carbon footprint. So you can shop, minus a negative impact on the planet. Learn more.*
For when you want to help support small businesses…
So does Citi. They know small businesses run the gamut from arts, educational services, medical offices, florists...we could go on. And they're committed to helping them survive and thrive. Learn more about how small businesses can overcome today's obstacles here.**
For when you can't remember when you last replaced your loofah…
Psst...dermatologists recommend replacing it every three to four weeks to prevent germs and bacteria. Don't panic. Club Loofah delivers premium bath sponges and poufs right to your door monthly. And Skimm'rs get 50% off their first month. Clean up.*
For when you've had one too many UTIs…
The founder of this company can relate. She had eight UTIs in one year. Her experience inspired her to create a line of proactive urinary tract health supplements. Spoiler: they don't involve cranberry. And Skimm'rs get 15% off their first order. Cue a sigh of relief.*
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*PS: This is a sponsored post.
** Presented by Citi.
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1. With just over a month until Election Day, Americans across the country are casting their ballots in different ways. Think: early, by mail, or in-person at the polls. This week's episode of "Skimm This" explains how both campaigns are approaching the home stretch.
2. And remember: You can't vote if you aren't registered. In 2016, about 40% of voters had to update their registration due to an address change. We partnered with Hulu to remind you to check and update your status.
3. Last week, we launched Skimm Well – our newest resource to help you live your smartest (and healthiest) life. It's powered by WW (Weight Watchers reimagined). And we want to hear about your every-day small wins. Tell us here for a chance to win a self-care bundle.
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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.
A real shero...Priya S (IL). She's the co-author of a new children's book, "Sheroes of COVID-19." The book is inspired by the stories, ideas, and courage of 23 real women around the world. It's available for free here.
Building strength with...Sarah B (MA). She's participating in a fundraiser for the Boston Area Gleaners, a nonprofit that brings together volunteers to harvest fruits and veggies from local farms and redistributes them to food banks, meal programs, and low-income markets. She's pledged to deadlift 175 lbs to help fight food insecurity. Learn more here.
(Some) Birthdays...Meghan Otis (IL), Michael Castleman (PA), Kirby McThompson (TX), Kelsey Mohn (TX), Bruce Monte (CT), Maya Konstantino (MI), Chloe Tsakiris (CO), Amy Cambio (MA), Kathy Snyman (AR), Samantha Jacobson (NY), Cameron Van Kooten Laughead (OH), Richelle McMahan (MA), Karyn Kittlitz (TX), Angela Grant (TN), Lor-Shing Hsu (CA)
*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
