Good morning.
My son celebrated his first Halloween over the weekend, and while he likely won’t remember any of it, at least we got some good photos of him in his pumpkin costume. I’m not the only one capturing these fleeting moments: See Kate Middleton’s rare Halloween photo of Prince Louis. With October in the rearview mirror, I’m gearing up for the holiday travel season and saving this guide on what to strike from the November packing list (I’m guilty of the extra shoes and just-in-case kit). Chicago is one of the places we plan to visit — and in great news for my wallet, it’s also one of the 10 cheapest locations to travel to this season, according to Kayak. Now, as I catch up on this year’s hilarious NYC marathon signs, here’s the latest on the midterms…
FEATURED EXPERT:
Maria Corpus
There isn’t a day when Maria hasn’t started her morning with the news. Ever since she was a tween, she enjoyed nothing more than watching Good Morning America — shoutout to Diane Sawyer, Robin Roberts, and George Stephanopoulos, you’re the OGs — and World News with Charles Gibson. (Can you tell she grew up in an ABC News family?)
Television news inspired her career in journalism. She got her start as one of the anchors for her high school’s weekly televised morning announcements (is it too late to add this to the resume?) and went on to major in Journalism, Advertising, and Media Studies at UW-Milwaukee.
Her career has taken her to local newsrooms, where she created newscasts from start to finish and worked closely with reporters to bring stories to life. She’s written for several outlets, including The Santiago Times in Santiago de Chile, where she covered everything from the massive student education protests to the World Cup and Cumbia music.
After a brief hiatus from news to teach English in southern France and travel (she basically lived out her own version of Eat, Pray, Love), Maria moved to NYC to join theSkimm. She’s worn many hats over the years: as staff writer for the Daily Skimm, senior writer for theSkimm.com and Weekend Daily Skimm, producer for theSkimm's app, and most recently as the editor for the Well Played newsletter, which she helped relaunch.
Maria is currently the editor for the Daily Skimm, working late into the night to make sure nothing falls through even the tiniest crack. She now lives in Madison, Wisconsin, with her husband and son. When she’s not reading the news, she likes to take long walks with her family, catch up on the latest must-watch show, and debate her next running race.
Midterm Mayhem
Nearing the (Stay in Line) Finish Line
Skimm'd by: Stephanie Gallman and Samantha Darby
What's going on: Tomorrow is Election Day, if the dozens of text messages haven’t reminded you. With House and Senate majorities on the line, there’s a lot happening. All eyes will be on Michigan (which could elect the first Muslim US senator), Alaska (where the Dan controversy still looms large), Ohio (both Senate and gubernatorial races), and Georgia (which could elect Atlanta’s former mayor as the US’s first-ever Black female governor). Other races in South Carolina (with Darline Graham trying to hold onto her late brother’s seat) and Texas (where the GOP could lose its footing) are uncharacteristically close. Experts labeled several traditionally red states as “toss-ups.”
What else are we voting on?: In addition to the candidates, there are several ballot measures that could change state laws and constitutions. Abortion will be on four states’ ballots, with three of them voting for abortion protections and one voting for an anti-abortion measure. Voters in multiple states will decide on whether to ban transgender girls and women from female sports teams. And in what feels a bit meta, voting rights — including redistricting and voter ID — are also at stake.
Know before you go: If you’re not one of the tens of millions of people who voted early this midterm (no shade, we operate best with a deadline, too), there’s still time. You can check your registration status (and register to vote if you haven't), your precinct locations, and what you need to bring via Vote411. The Justice Department plans to send a record number of election observers out to the polls to ensure compliance.
When will we know who won?: It depends. We may go to sleep (or stay up all night watching John King and his Magic Wall) not knowing who wins. Each state handles vote counts differently, and with razor-thin margins in several races, it could be a few days or even longer until we know for sure. At least the text messages will stop. (We hope.)
Related: A Judge Tossed the Justice Department’s Lawsuit Over Alaska’s Election Certification (The Associated Press)
Gifts for Your Most Stylish Recipients
Caroline, Senior Commerce Editor, here. I have some discerning loved ones in my life, and little makes me prouder than finding stylish pieces that pass their highly specific vibe checks. Here are a few fashion gifts on my list this year:
For my mom: a standout signet ring that looks chic as a pinky ring
For my sister: a collar necklace that can be customized with initials and crystals
For my boyfriend: a new pair of Vans for the former skate kid
For everyone else: accessories that consistently draw compliments
PS: Want more options? Check out our gift guides here.
KNOW IT ALL
Which iconic ’90s band will perform at halftime when the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs battle on Thanksgiving Day?
Still catching up from the weekend? Jumpstart your brain with Flipart. Feel the rush.
Midterm Mayhem
Nearing the (Stay in Line) Finish Line
Skimm'd by: Stephanie Gallman and Samantha Darby
What's going on: Tomorrow is Election Day, if the dozens of text messages haven’t reminded you. With House and Senate majorities on the line, there’s a lot happening. All eyes will be on Michigan (which could elect the first Muslim US senator), Alaska (where the Dan controversy still looms large), Ohio (both Senate and gubernatorial races), and Georgia (which could elect Atlanta’s former mayor as the US’s first-ever Black female governor). Other races in South Carolina (with Darline Graham trying to hold onto her late brother’s seat) and Texas (where the GOP could lose its footing) are uncharacteristically close. Experts labeled several traditionally red states as “toss-ups.”
What else are we voting on?: In addition to the candidates, there are several ballot measures that could change state laws and constitutions. Abortion will be on four states’ ballots, with three of them voting for abortion protections and one voting for an anti-abortion measure. Voters in multiple states will decide on whether to ban transgender girls and women from female sports teams. And in what feels a bit meta, voting rights — including redistricting and voter ID — are also at stake.
Know before you go: If you’re not one of the tens of millions of people who voted early this midterm (no shade, we operate best with a deadline, too), there’s still time. You can check your registration status (and register to vote if you haven't), your precinct locations, and what you need to bring via Vote411. The Justice Department plans to send a record number of election observers out to the polls to ensure compliance.
When will we know who won?: It depends. We may go to sleep (or stay up all night watching John King and his Magic Wall) not knowing who wins. Each state handles vote counts differently, and with razor-thin margins in several races, it could be a few days or even longer until we know for sure. At least the text messages will stop. (We hope.)
Related: A Judge Tossed the Justice Department’s Lawsuit Over Alaska’s Election Certification (The Associated Press)
Gifts for Your Most Stylish Recipients
Caroline, Senior Commerce Editor, here. I have some discerning loved ones in my life, and little makes me prouder than finding stylish pieces that pass their highly specific vibe checks. Here are a few fashion gifts on my list this year:
For my mom: a standout signet ring that looks chic as a pinky ring
For my sister: a collar necklace that can be customized with initials and crystals
For my boyfriend: a new pair of Vans for the former skate kid
For everyone else: accessories that consistently draw compliments
PS: Want more options? Check out our gift guides here.
KNOW IT ALL
Which iconic ’90s band will perform at halftime when the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs battle on Thanksgiving Day?
Live Smarter
Sign up for the Daily Skimm email newsletter. Delivered to your inbox every morning and prepares you for your day in minutes.