The Midterms

Democrats Caught a Wave

Skimm’d by: Katherine Shen and Kate Preziosi

What we know: Election night is over, but the count continues. So far, Democrats have locked up majorities in Congress, with at least 240 seats in the House and 54 seats in the Senate. They are also expected to win the national popular vote across all House races by the largest margin since 1976. It was a record-setting night for women too, with at least 17 states electing a female governor. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) is poised to be the first Black Speaker of the House, and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) is bowing out of GOP leadership. Neither party is popular, but Democrats won working-class, Hispanic, and young voters, with young men making the hardest shift compared to how they voted in 2024. Many voters are frustrated with President Donald Trump and the high cost of living. Vice President JD Vance offered his take: “The reason we lost is the war.” In Trump’s first post-election presser from the White House ballroom construction site, the president didn’t disagree.

What we don’t know: How the new Democratic majority will use its political capital once members are sworn in on January 3. Party leaders have indicated they plan to reinstate healthcare subsidies, curb Trump’s tariffs, end the war on Iran, and investigate the president and his allies. Also unknown: how Democratic leaders will mesh with the incoming class of progressive newcomers. Finally: whether Trump and a Democratic Congress will find any common ground. The words “veto power” have been heard coming from the White House. Meanwhile, that hold music you hear is races still to be called in Alaska and Mississippi (where the margins are razor thin). If the 2026 election results are an indicator for what’s to come in 2028, expect to see many GOP candidates enter the fray, as Democrats work to hold onto their electoral power.

Related: Ballot Measures Across the Country Decided on Abortion Rights, Guns, and Even the Star-Spangled Banner (CNN)

Data Centers 

Reduce, Reuse, Reboot? 

Skimm’d by: Aryanna Prasad Bhullar and Kate Preziosi

What’s going on: Ever heard of an aircraft boneyard? That’s where Big Tech is spending much of its time and money these days. Data centers are now recycling commercial airplane engines to meet their high power demands. That means traveling to said boneyards, like the one in Tucson, AZ that has 4,000 old military jets just sitting there. If you’re wondering why cutting-edge tech is turning to decades-old machinery, the simple answer is that it’s a cheap, quick fix that lets data centers meet power needs and construction timelines without tapping into the power grid. The jet engines in Tucson can produce 40,000 megawatts of power, which is more than the state of Arizona can generate.

And the catch?: Old jet engines burn more gas, which emits more cancer-causing pollutants (like formaldehyde) into the air. But these environmental concerns aren’t holding companies back. xAI’s massive data center in Mississippi already runs on eight generators converted from jet engines that are spewing carbon monoxide into the atmosphere at twice the rate of newer turbines. And it got the state's blessing to do it. But it's not clear whether old engines are a viable business solution in the long run. As one expert told The New York Times, "You’re going to have to have a monstrous array of engines that are really expensive to maintain, expensive to feed and generate an awful lot of heat themselves.”

Related: Old Nuclear Plants Are Also Finding New Life (The Associated Press)

Millennial Problems

Oh, Say We Can't See

Skimm’d by: Samantha Darby and Marina Carver

What's going on: Skimm editor Samantha here. I recently told my mom I would leave her house a little earlier than I planned because my eyes “get so tired” driving at night. Readers, I know I’m nearly 40, but I wasn’t expecting this. I’m just a millennial. Experts say it’s right on schedule, and presbyopia — the natural change of the lens in your eye — is unavoidable. "The ability to focus up close gets worse each year from age 42 to around 57,” optometrist Dr. Allan N. Glazier told The Wall Street Journal. You may find it starts with what he calls “short-arm syndrome,” where you push things farther away to see. Have you borrowed your friend’s readers to see the restaurant menu? That probably means it’s time for an eye exam.

But the eye puff test...: We get it. Nobody likes an exam, especially one that ends in an expensive frame selection and existential dread. But regular eye checks are important. In the UK, police are performing roadside vision tests for drivers. A recent study found that retinal photographs, taken during routine eye exams, could spot early markers of Alzheimer’s years before symptoms start. While aging plays a role, we can also thank our ever-present screen obsession for our rapidly changing vision — experts project half the world will be nearsighted by 2050. Basically, an optometrist visit belongs right next to your red-light mask and retainer routine. Consider it self-care.

Related: Naomi Watts Shares the Moment Aging Caught Up With Her Friend Group (theSkimm)

Some Really Good Sales

Skimm Shopping here, reporting for duty with a handful of sales not to miss:

• Every single bra here is $30. This travel bra is pure genius.

• Buy one shower filter, get another for free. Aka, our secret to softer hair and hydrated skin.

• 30% off your purchase from this nostalgic mall brand. We’d wear this sweater dress for date nights and holiday parties.

Quick Hits

💪 Hailey Bieber talked about her struggles with PMDD in a new interview announcing Rhode Beauty’s $5 million partnership with the Foundation for Women’s Health.

🐣 A baby name consultant has four reasons new parents regret their baby names, and pop culture is a big one. Alexa, say sorry to all the baby Alexas.

🍝 Kraft is unboxing two new mac and cheese flavors. Meet chili crisp and… cinnamon roll? Sometimes there’s really no need to reinvent the wheel.

🍿 It was all fun and games with movie-themed popcorn buckets until Victorian Psycho unveiled theirs: an undead doll.

🦃 If you’re hosting this holiday season, here are some tips to make the cleanup a little easier. Pack yourself a “Spill Kit” and everything will be gravy.

🔎 Are you ready to solve Agatha Christie’s ultimate mystery: her life? A new British Library exhibit about the reclusive author includes face cream, a 1,000-year-old sphinx, and we’ve already said too much.