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Health

Pediatricians vs. the Administration

What's going on: Health experts are raising questions after the Department of Health and Human Services abruptly terminated seven federal grants to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) this week. The money, which totaled millions of dollars, funded work to reduce Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), improve adolescent health, prevent birth defects, and identify autism early. HHS said the grants no longer align with the department’s “mission or priorities.” An administration official also told The Washington Post that the cuts stemmed from the AAP’s use of what it called “identity-based language,” including terms like “pregnant people” and references to racial disparities. But the timing matters. The AAP has recently criticized — and earlier this year sued — Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. over his vaccine policies, leading many in public health to see the cuts as no coincidence.

What it means: If you’ve ever panic-searched the AAP website at 2 am, this probably feels unsettling. While it’s too early to know the full impact, the AAP said: “The sudden withdrawal of these funds will directly impact and potentially harm infants, children, youth, and their families in communities across the United States.” That’s especially concerning as studies show SIDS rates have risen in recent years. If you’re worried about SIDS specifically, here’s the AAP’s guide. More broadly, this moment reflects how confusing parenting can feel right now — especially when public officials, health experts, and social media all send different messages about vaccines, autism, and children’s health. When you’re unsure, your pediatrician or family doctor remains your best source.

Related: The Trump Admin Is Moving Toward a Total US Ban of Gender-Affirming Care (CNBC)

The News In 5

🗞️ President Donald Trump just signed an executive order to expedite the reclassification of marijuana and increase research on its medical impacts. 

🗞️ A 48-year-old man suspected in the shooting at Brown University and the killing of an MIT professor was found dead in New Hampshire, according to officials.

🗞️ The FDA added a new warning label to birth control shot Depo-Provera.

🗞️ The New York Times dropped The Year in Pictures… and wow. 

🗞️ The Vanity Fair photographer is defending those viral photos of White House officials.

Sports

Age Really Is Just a Number

What’s going on: Lindsey Vonn just dealt another blow to the timeline society loves to impose on women. The 41-year-old Olympian became the oldest Alpine skier ever to win a World Cup event earlier this month (Italy’s Federica Brignone previously held the record at 34). Some fellow skiers openly questioned her return after knee surgery, especially in downhill racing, the fastest — and one of the most dangerous — events in the sport. Vonn answered in the only language that counts: the podium. After the competition, she said she is “possibly in the best shape” of her life, adding, “My body doesn’t hurt, so that’s the best part of all.” Consider the point made.

What it means: Vonn’s win reflects a broader shift in women’s sports: Long careers no longer feel like an exception. You see it in soccer, too. Portland Thorns forward Sophia Wilson, a new mom, exercised a $1 million player option for the 2026 season — the first seven-figure contract year in NWSL history, per ESPN. Wilson said it plainly: “In women’s sports in general, it’s kind of a new thing to be able to have a child and also continue playing at a high level.” Whether it’s a comeback after injury or a pause for family, the old rules feel less rigid than they once did (though women athletes still have to fight for basics like parental leave, job security, and health care). It’s a reminder that stepping away doesn’t mean stepping back forever. And no, your own comeback doesn’t need to involve racing downhill at 80 miles an hour.

Related: Mikaela Shiffrin’s Slalom Run Is on Another Level (AP)

Sports

The World Cup Comes With a Hefty Price Tag

What’s going on: Whether you call it soccer, football, or don’t care, we can agree the 2026 FIFA World Cup ticket prices deserve a red card. Prices for the initial stage range from $140 to as high as $2,700 in some US cities. For the finals in New Jersey? Try nearly $9,000. The “cheap seats” for most rounds are at least three times more expensive than in 2022, setting it up to be the most expensive World Cup in history to attend. FIFA’s new dynamic pricing model is pushing prices up, up, and up. With fans (rightfully) upset, the association now says it’ll sell 10% of each team’s allotted tickets for $60, including for the final. For context, that’s about 1,000 tickets per game — and most stadiums hold more than 60K seats. Let’s see how many influencers get their hands on a ticket. 

What it means: If you really want to catch a match (even from the nosebleeds), you have some options. FIFA is selling its tickets in lottery-style phases through January 13, with more draws likely closer to kickoff in June. Believe it or not, the cheapest option can be buying directly from FIFA, which runs an official resale marketplace and offers hospitality packages. Hoping for a $60 ticket? Fans who have attended national team games before get first dibs. If you’re buying from a reseller, vet them carefully. And remember: Move fast when you spot a solid deal and try to be flexible with the team you want to cheer for (some cities are cheaper than others). Finally, don’t rule out bars, fan fests, or public watch parties if you can’t snag a ticket. Otherwise, here’s hoping you can watch the game through a friend’s Insta story…

Related: The 2026 World Cup Schedule (FIFA)

On Our Calendar

A few things to jot down today…

🗓️ Congress breaks for the holidays. Can someone remind us what they did this year?

🗓️ The College Football Playoff kicks off and it's time to settle some rivalries. 

🗓️ Avatar: Fire and Ash, the third movie in the series, premieres today. There are still two more in the works…

Psst…For more dates worth knowing this week, check out the Skimm+ calendar.

Know It All

If you're in your SAD era, a dietitian says this is the best-mood boosting tea to turn things around…

Game Time

Kick your weekend off with Pile-Up Poker, a brand-new game where poker meets solitaire. Create as many poker hands as possible to earn cash and climb the leaderboard. We’re all in.