|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quote of the Day
|
|
|
"He just had a couple of days out on the town" – The owner of a 200-pound tortoise named Sparkplug that's back home after escaping. Maybe he was trying to get to (O')Hare.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Story
This week, another Black man was shot and killed by police.
What happened?
On Monday, 27-year-old Walter Wallace Jr was shot and killed in Philadelphia, after police responded to a call about a man armed with a knife. Officers say they ordered Wallace to drop his knife several times but he continued to advance toward them. The two officers retreated then fired at least seven rounds each, hitting him in the chest and shoulder. Wallace was later pronounced dead at a hospital. His mother, who tried to intervene before her son was shot, said Wallace struggled with mental health issues and was on medication. Now, people are demanding answers...and justice.
Go on.
Wallace's family questioned the officers' use of deadly force, asking why they didn't use a Taser instead of shooting him multiple times. But the police commissioner said the officers involved didn't have Tasers. Others raised questions about why the police didn't try to de-escalate the situation and about how they handle mental health crises. The ACLU of Pennsylvania condemned the shooting, saying "no one was in immediate danger" when the officers shot and killed Wallace. And that the city is overdue to review the "brazenly violent and abusive behavior" of its police department. Meanwhile, many others are also fed up.
What do you mean?
Hundreds of people took to the streets of West Philadelphia to protest. Thirty police officers were injured after being struck by things like rocks and bricks, and one officer suffered a broken leg after she was hit by a pickup truck. Many businesses were looted. And dozens of people were arrested. Philadelphia's mayor said the protests showed the "anguish" Black and Brown residents have felt living "their entire lives under systemic racism." He added that the shooting raised "difficult questions that must be answered." Meanwhile, the president of the local police union is urging the public to be patient while authorities investigate. Both officers involved have been taken off street duty while it unfolds.
theSkimm
George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Jonathan Price, Walter Wallace Jr...the names of Black Americans killed at the hands of police keep piling up. And while authorities urge patience, protesters don't want to wait for a fix to a system that has left Black Americans dying at the hands of those called to protect.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The push to give voters some (Eau) Clairity is stronger than ever in Wisconsin (a swing state).
Earlier this week, the Supreme Court said 'pass' in a 5-3 vote to extending Wisconsin's deadline to accept and count absentee ballots after Nov 3. Democrats had requested that election ballots received up to six days after Nov 3 still be counted (if they were postmarked by Election Day). But Republicans said 'nah.' And the Supreme Court ultimately sided with the GOP. In a concurring opinion, Justice Brett Kavanaugh said that ballots received after Election Day could raise "suspicions" if they were to change the outcome of the election. Say what now?
Anyway, Sconnies' mail-in ballots must now be received by 8pm on Nov 3. And Democrats are going the whole nine yards (think: calling, texting, flying banners, airing ads) to get an estimated 320,000 outstanding absentee ballots in by then. And they're urging people to skip the mail, and drop off their ballot at secure drop boxes or election clerks' offices.
Why all the stops? President Trump won by less than 23,000 votes there in 2016. So the Democratic Party is doing everything it can to get a Wisconwin.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Who didn't get the job...
The Justice Dept. Yesterday, a federal judge denied the DOJ's request to represent President Trump in a defamation lawsuit filed by journalist E Jean Carroll. Back in 2019, Carroll claimed that Trump had raped her at a department store in the '90s. The president denied the allegations, saying he had never met her and that she was using the story as a publicity stunt. Carroll then sued Trump for defamation, alleging that his comments had hurt her reputation and her career. That's when the DOJ stepped in. And said that since Trump responded to the rape allegations in his official role as president, it should act as Trump's defense team. Now, the federal judge is telling the DOJ 'you're dismissed' as this is about the president's personal life, not government business. And is allowing the lawsuit to move forward. The DOJ has not commented on whether it plans to appeal.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Where people are on alert…
Southern California. Firefighters there are battling two new wildfires including one that has reportedly quadrupled in size this week. At least two firefighters have been critically injured. Tens of thousands of residents are under mandatory evacuation orders. Southern California Edison (one of the largest power companies in CA) said its equipment may have started one of the fires. As a precaution, it shut off power to thousands of Californians in the area. And officials say the Santa Ana winds – strong, dry winds that are typical this time of year – could fuel the already fast-spreading fires. Scientists also believe that a key culprit behind these 'mega' fires is climate change.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Who's learned his fate…
Keith Raniere. Yesterday, the leader of Nxivm – a self-help org that prosecutors labeled a criminal enterprise – was sentenced to 120 years in prison. Last year, Raniere was convicted of various crimes including sex trafficking and sexual exploitation. The New York Times had previously exposed that women in an inner circle of Nxivm (pronounced "nexium") were treated as sex slaves – forced to have sex with Raniere and branded with his initials on their pelvises. Fifteen of his victims delivered statements during his sentencing, describing how he terrorized and traumatized them. Despite all that, Raniere still maintained his innocence.
|
|
|
|
|
|
What's gotten a makeover...
Susan B Anthony's headstone. Since 2016, thousands of people have left "I Voted" stickers on the women's suffrage leader's resting place. But the moving tribute had one problem: the stickers' glue was damaging the headstone. The fix: a plastic cover to protect it, all while keeping the tradition going.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Who's singing 'we are the champions'...
The Los Angeles Dodgers. Yesterday, the team beat the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 6 of the World Series to take the championship title. It is their seventh title in franchise history and the first since 1988.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Welcome to: everyone's favorite get-to-know-you game. Today, it's about emergency contraception, aka Plan B One-Step. Let's get into it…
A. You don't have to take it the morning after unprotected sex, but it must be used within 72 hours. And the sooner you take it, the better it works.
B. It's hard to access without a prescription.
C. It won't affect your future fertility.
So, where is the lie? We'll give you a minute.
Minute up. The lie: B. If you need emergency contraception, you don't need a prescription. Or a doctor visit at all. In fact, you can find Plan B at all major retail stores. Oh and A and C? They're both true. Get more info here.*
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Here are our favorite picks to help you take a break today...
1. New shoes as your own Halloween treat. These best selling sneakers are back in stock in suede, leather and new colors. They're comfy and durable, so they'll hold up even when the weather gets cold and rainy. Oh, and Skimm'rs get 15% off for a limited time. Go get it*
2. 36 Instant Pot recipes to try right now. From cakey desserts to creamy soups, there is literally nothing our beloved pot can't do. Talk about Instant happiness.
3. A step-by-step guide to cleaning your bathroom and everything in it. If you didn't know what "dry before wet" or "top before bottom" meant until now...you're not alone. Don't say we never gave you anything.
PS: Want more? Sign up to get weekly recs in your inbox.
|
|
|
*PS: This is a sponsored post.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For when it's almost time to (trick or) treat yourself...
Tarte Cosmetics has you covered. They're giving you six full-size products, plus a makeup bag, for only $63. Psst...that's a retail value of over $200. But the deal only lasts 'till Friday at 7 AM. Get it before it's gone.*
For when your house has the best fall decorations on the block…
You win. Now win 'best security system' with SimpliSafe. It's delivered right to your door, and you can set it up yourself in under an hour. It includes 24/7 expert monitoring, so your home is always protected. Psst..Skimm'rs get 30% off plus a free camera. Beleaf it.*
For when it's only 1pm and you could already take a nap…
Give yourself a boost. This company's all-natural True Lemon Energy is a refreshing, caffeine drink made with green tea to keep you energized. It's available in three flavors and has no calories or sugar, but has lots of Vitamin C. Oh, and you can now find it at Walmart. Skimm'rs get an exclusive coupon. Drink up.*
For when you're (still) posted up on the couch chilling…
Slip into fleece overalls. Or an oversized waffle sweater. Or a plush robe. Loungewear, don't care (what our hair looks like).
|
|
|
*PS: This is a sponsored post.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
Doctor's orders...Romiya B (MA). She's the president of Health Horizons International, a nonprofit in the Dominican Republic focused on providing access to quality health care on the island. Learn more.
Turning pages...Endya H and Blair B (LA). They just opened Beausoleil Books, an independent bookstore in Lafayette, Louisiana. They hope to keep the Acadiana region informed about local history, past, and present. Read up.
(Some) Birthdays...Nicole Delaney (CA), Ben Preziosi (UK), Alex Grosvenor (NY), Lynn Sape (MI), Gracee Wallach (IL), Katharine Noe (TX), Nandita Baloo (MA), Libby Pinkham (MA), Katie Bean (MI), Fiorella Reategui (FL), Kaitlin Schneider (CO), Sarah Schuler (MN), Cory Schneider (NY), Rebecca Teaff (MD), Rena Jensen (NY)
*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
