Good morning.
We took a quick road trip to New Jersey this weekend for my son's soccer tournament, and I happily left my heavy blanket at home. The spring-like weather felt like a win, but I still packed a few go-to accessories to keep the pollen at bay. Allergy season started this month across much of the US, and these tips can help you prepare — I already tried number three. And I may have found the bag I need (OK, want) to carry everything from field to field. I know the mini Trader Joe’s totes have a loyal following, but today they’re releasing a larger version in perfectly whimsical spring colors. Now, let’s get to the news...
— Marina Carver / Senior Editor / Brooklyn, NY
US News
From a Hospital Visit to a Murder Charge
What’s going on: Georgia police charged Alexia Moore with murder earlier this week, several months after she was rushed to the emergency room in December. Local authorities claim the US Army veteran took pills to end her pregnancy, and, if state prosecutors move forward, Moore could become the first woman charged under Georgia’s strict 2019 abortion law. Court records show that when Moore, a mother of two, went to the hospital, she complained of abdominal pain and told medical workers she’d taken misoprostol (commonly used in medication abortions), along with a painkiller. Moore ultimately delivered an extremely premature infant (medical records estimate she was about 22 to 24 weeks pregnant), who lived for about two hours. Georgia bans abortion after cardiac activity is detected in a fetus, generally around six weeks. Moore is currently in jail and is scheduled for a hearing on Monday.
Tell me more: The 19th reports hospital staff and one of Moore’s friends shared conflicting accounts, and don’t agree on whether Moore induced an abortion at all — a pretty crucial detail. Still, advocates worry the message from authorities lands loud and clear: Seek medical help after taking abortion pills, and you could risk prosecution. That fear could push people to delay or avoid care altogether, creating an even more dangerous situation in an already fraught reproductive health landscape. Since the Supreme Court reversed Roe v. Wade in 2022, two other states have charged women with murder for alleged abortions, though most cases didn’t go far.
Related: Lawmakers’ Newest Idea For Targeting Abortion? Using Environmental Law (E&E News By Politico)
The News in 5
🗞️ President Donald Trump threatened to “obliterate” Iran’s electricity plants unless it opens the Strait of Hormuz.
🗞️ The Trump admin will send ICE agents to airports amid long lines (like, really long, especially here). They’ll also be tasked with “the immediate arrest” of all undocumented people.
🗞️ Amid tragic flash flooding in Hawaii, thousands are under evacuation orders and over 230 people have been rescued. Jason Momoa got emotional speaking about its impacts.
🗞️ LaGuardia Airport is temporarily closed until at least 2 pm ET after an Air Canada jet struck a fire truck on the runway — killing two people.
🗞️ Robert Mueller (yes, of the famous Mueller report) passed away at 81, and Trump made his feelings known.
Health
The Little Organ That Could
What’s going on: A small organ once deemed irrelevant to adults post-puberty might be worthy of a rebrand, according to two new studies. Your thymus gland sits in your chest near your heart and lungs, and produces T cells that help fight infections and diseases. It’s thought to shrink and go quiet in early adulthood, but researchers at Mass General Brigham analyzed 27,000 CT scans and found significant variation in thymus health. They found that a healthier thymus was linked to a lower risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease. Per the study, cancer patients with strong thymic health responded better to immunotherapy with a 37% lower risk of disease progression and a 44% lower risk of death. Lifestyle factors like smoking, obesity, and inactivity accelerated thymus decline.
Tell me more: T cell production decreases with age, but this new research suggests that the thymus is still a central player in healthy aging. It may also serve as a biomarker, helping doctors flag patients at higher risk of heart disease, cancer, or poor treatment outcomes. Researchers caution that their evidence is correlational — thymus health reflects broader physiological health, but doesn’t directly cause it. Still, the findings make a case for future therapies aimed at preserving the thymus to improve longevity and boost immunity. Not bad for something we'd been ignoring?
Related: The New Side Hustle: Suburbanites Selling Blood Plasma To Make Ends Meet (NYT Gift Link)
Money
A Cycle That Won't Stop
What's going on: We’ve come a long way since our patron saint, Courteney Cox, became the first person to say “period” on TV in a US commercial. But… not that far. Periods still hurt, still carry stigma, and still get weaponized against women (including by the president). Adding insult to injury, having a period is expensive — and naturally only getting worse. In fact, the average cost of menstrual products has risen nearly 40% since 2020, according to Circana. That puts the average unit at $7.43, but in practice, sometimes it’s more (note from theSkimm writer Molly: Just yesterday, I purchased a single box of 32 tampons at CVS in New York City for $10.49). So why are people spending more for less? Blame the "triple whammy" — no, not cramps, acne, and emotional depletion, the other one — rising raw material costs, inflation, and tariffs.
Seeing red: Tariffs are a fresh pressure. America imports most menstrual products from Canada, China, and Mexico — all three face Trump-era levies. In 2025 alone, the US collected $115 million in tariffs on cotton-based menstrual products, up from $42 million in 2020. Adding to the strain: These states still tax menstrual products. Period poverty is a real problem; these products are rarely donated to shelters, and for those who can’t afford them, periods aren’t just painful but demoralizing, as Nadya Okamoto’s book Period Power lays out. Those who can afford to may switch to more reusable options, like period panties, cups, or discs, which also tend to be more eco-friendly. Meanwhile, on the Hill, Democrats introduced the Pink Tariffs Study Act last year to investigate whether the US tariff system has a "gender bias" — but it's stalled. Shocking.
Related: Pesticide Exposure May Impact Fetuses Before Pregnancy Even Occurs (The 19th)
Quick Hits
📆 Science is here to help us maximize our PTO (and we thought all we needed was a cocktail and a good book).
🫀 A study found that people who work out at this time had the lowest risk of heart disease.
🍌 Goodbye, sad-looking bananas. Finally, an easy hack for a perfectly ripe banana every single time.
🏃 When it comes to running for exercise, does speed matter? Asking for anyone ever talked into a 5K.
💬 Anne Hathaway went makeup-free and turned the “What were you like in the 90s?” trend on its head in the best way.
👶 Hailey Bieber gave us a little cameo of her son, Jack, in a new post. Justin called, he wants his look back.
On Our Calendar
A few things to jot down today A few things to jot down today…
🗓️ The Supreme Court will hear a case that could decide whether a ballot mailed on time — but received late — still counts.
🗓️ The NCAA Women’s March Madness second round continues, as the teams battle for their spot in the Sweet 16.
🗓️ It's National Puppy Day. If you need us, we’ll be looking at cute pups all day.
Psst…For more dates worth knowing this week, check out the Skimm+ calendar.
Spring Fashion Week
March is the epitome of a transition month — you’re out of the throes of winter, but some days are surprisingly cold. You’re not sure how to dress…should you wear the scarf and beanie, will those trousers be too lightweight? Our Spring Fashion Week answers so many of these questions, with a slew of guides that’ll make morning closet raids less frustrating:
Know It All
This mythological Greek firebrand is popping up everywhere in culture right now.
Skimm'd by: Rashaan Ayesh, Stephanie Gallman, Mallory Simon, Molly Longman, and Marina Carver. Fact-checked by Sara Tardiff.
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