Daily Skimm for May 18

The Story

The Supremes will be taking up an abortion rights case.

Tell me more.

Since 1973, the landmark ruling in Roe v Wade has given women in the US the constitutional right to an abortion. While it's faced major legal challenges over the years, courts have continued to uphold the ruling. But abortion has remained a sensitive and divisive issue. And now, opponents could have a shot at drastically changing Roe v Wade.

How come?

It's been decades since the Supreme Court was solidly conservative. Former President Trump made overturning Roe v Wade a priority when he appointed three justices who have shifted the court to the right. And over the past few years, a number of states (like Alabama, Kentucky, and Ohio) have passed restrictive abortion laws, hoping challenges would make their way up to the Supreme Court. Now, Mississippi's got picked.

What's the case?

In 2018, the state's Republican governor signed a law banning abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy (except if the mother's life is at risk or for fetal abnormalities). No exceptions for rape or incest. But Mississippi's only abortion clinic said 'you can't do that.' A federal judge and an appeals court agreed, stating Roe v Wade established a woman's right to an abortion before fetal viability (think: around 24 weeks). Now, the Supremes will take up the case in their next term, which starts in October. And will likely make a decision in spring or summer of 2022.

What are people saying?

Mississippi's attorney general has argued that the law is constitutional and preserves "the dignity and sanctity of life." Anti-abortion advocates applauded SCOTUS's move, calling it an opportunity to "protect unborn children." But abortion rights supporters say it's a "threat to reproductive rights." And that many states could outlaw legal access to the procedure if the Supremes dismantle Roe v Wade.

theSkimm

Abortion opponents have waited a long time for a chance for the Supreme Court to overturn Roe v Wade. Now, the bench could make a decision that may drastically impact nearly 50 years of abortion rights rulings.

And Also...This

Who's speaking up…

President Biden. Yesterday, the White House called for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas for the first time. The recent violence started in part as a result of Israeli attempts to evict six Palestinian families, and has continued for the last nine days. More than 200 people – including dozens of children – have died. The US (Israel's top ally) has mostly stayed quiet on the issue. Now Biden is calling for a cease-fire between the two, but supports Israel's "right to defend itself against indiscriminate rocket attacks."

Not the first president: Biden has followed a similar playbook from past US presidents (other than former President Trump) around the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He didn't call on Israel to stop its attack on Gaza, and there's still no end in sight to the violence.

What's thinking of the children…

Child tax credit payments. The Biden admin says about 39 million families will start getting money from the IRS on July 15. It's part of the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief plan Congress passed in March, allowing parents to get either monthly payments or a lump-sum tax refund for having kids under 18. The details: Between July and December, families who qualify can get $300/month for every child under six and $250/month for every child six and older. They'll either get it through direct deposit, a debit card, or check. The Biden admin says this could help lift millions of children out of poverty.

What's merging more than calls…

AT&T. Yesterday, the telecom giant announced it's combining its WarnerMedia unit with Discovery to create a new company for a whopping $43 billion. They'll be merging their streaming services and cable networks in the hopes of competing with platforms like Netflix and Disney+. Now, it's up to regulators to approve the deal.

What's singing 'another one bites the Musk'...

Bitcoin. Yesterday, it fell to a three-month low as Tesla CEO Elon Musk's rocky relationship with bitcoin continues to play out on Twitter. The drop comes as an FTC report suggests that the buzz around cryptocurrencies is leading to an increase in investment scams. Buyer beware.

Who's dusting off their running shoes...

NYC marathoners.

Here are today's recs to help you live a smarter life…

1. Tons of spec-travel-ar deals. (Sorry, had to.) Like round-trip flights to Greece from $289 and Spain from $243. This club's 1 million members save an avg of $500 per booking. And for the next 24 hours, Skimm'rs can try it for just $1.*

2. A gift set to send to you, from you. Just in time for Masturbation Month. (Yes, that's happening now.) This package from Dame Products includes two vibrators, lube, and a textured grip. All you ever needed, all you ever wanted.*

3. Research and advice that can help women own their worth. A new UBS study shows that there's a wiiiide gender imbalance when it comes to taking the lead on joint financial decisions. See what we mean. Plus what women can do about it.*

4. Back-in-stock bralettes and underwear. This brand's sustainable, stretchy basics come in sizes XS-3XL. They were sold out. Now, they're available again. Which is basically the universe telling you to upgrade everything in your top drawer. Get 20% off $25+ purchases with code SKIMM.*

5. Our favorite finds from AAPI-founded brands. Show your support during Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (and beyond). Psst…some give back too.

PS: Like what you see here? Make sure you're signed up to get more picks like these in your inbox every Thursday. We've got exclusive shopping recs, streaming ideas, life hacks, and more.

*PS: This is a sponsored post.

Skimm’rs

We like to celebrate the wins, big and small. Let us know how your friends, neighbors, coworkers (and yes, even you) are making career moves, checking off goals, or making an impact in the community.

Feeling bubbly...Ariel A (MI). Her company, Dirty Love Soap Company, donates a bath or beauty product to a local women's shelter for every item sold. And loves providing wonderful women with special items to help them transition to a new life.

A caring hand...Julie R (TX). She's the executive director of a senior living facility in Austin. Throughout the pandemic, she made sure her seniors were cared for and loved when family members could not be with them.

(Some) Birthdays...Peter Boogaard (DC), Christi Anderson (WI), Valorie Rogers Ott (MS), Suzanne Ferguson (MN), Lael Uberuaga (ID), Bianca Niggli (PA), Katrina Krause (MA), Joanna Wolfe (PA), Megan Orr (CA), Katarina Juarez (CA), Betsy Curran (NY), Beatty Sterling (IL), Elizabeth Hunt (MO), Shirley Kirk (TX), Alexandra Tallas (WA)

*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, Maria Martinolich, and Clem Robineau