US News
Uber's Background Checks Have Limits
What’s going on: After a long day, you probably open the Uber app on autopilot — check the car, hop in, scroll. But a New York Times investigation raises questions about the company’s driver screening. It found that in 22 states, Uber allows drivers with past convictions, such as assault, stalking, or child abuse, if they happened more than seven years ago. In 35 states, background checks mainly cover where a driver lived during that time — which means earlier offenses in other states may never show up. The company defended its seven-year cutoff for some felony convictions and said it balances public safety with second chances. But internal documents reviewed by the Times show executives debated and rejected tougher policies, like fingerprinting or in-person interviews. Uber also lobbied against stricter screening laws in multiple states.
What it means: The investigation helps explain why so many of us send those “I’m home” texts to each other. The findings also add extra scrutiny to a company that, according to court records, received a sexual assault or sexual misconduct report in the US nearly every eight minutes on average between 2017 and 2024. With thousands of sexual assault lawsuits against Uber and Lyft, passengers are left to create safety plans. If a ride ever feels off, you have options. Share your trip with someone you trust. Use the app’s safety tools. Stay on the phone with a friend — or make it look like you are. Even small, deterrent cues can help, like casually saying you can’t wait to see someone when you arrive, even if “someone” is just your couch.
Related: How AI Tools Are Being Used To Violate Women’s Privacy (Wired)
The News in 5
🗞️ The economy grew at its fastest rate in two years, but here’s why some experts aren’t cheering.
🗞️ A fresh batch of Epstein files name-drops President Donald Trump. You can check them out on the Justice Department’s website.
🗞️ Israel’s defense minister said there are no plans for Israelis to leave the Gaza Strip.
🗞️ Cases of this highly preventable illness are on the rise in the US — and infants are most at risk.
🗞️ Stephen Colbert just weighed in on a possible 2028 presidential run. He didn’t hold back… at all.
Health Tech
A Needle-Free Future for Weight Loss?
What's going on: New year, new GLP-1s. One version of the buzzy medications — originally developed for diabetes and now widely used for weight loss — may soon ditch the needle. In January, Wegovy will roll out in pill form, which would make it the first FDA-approved oral GLP-1 explicitly indicated to treat obesity. A clinical trial found the pill roughly as effective as separate studies on the injectable version, though it requires a higher dose. The side effects look familiar, too, with nausea and other gastrointestinal issues topping the list. GLP-1s — which came about thanks to research on the Gila monster, no joke — have exploded in popularity over the past few years. Doctors say a pill could significantly expand access... especially for people who find needles scarier than any desert lizard.
What it means: For those who use GLP-1s, the appeal feels obvious. As one expert told NBC: “Pills are familiar, nonintimidating, and fit more naturally into most people’s routines.” Still, it’s not a magical pill. Adherence could be a problem, since the new meds have to be taken under strict parameters: first thing in the morning, on an empty stomach, with no more than 4 ounces of water. Cost remains another hurdle. Insurance is still patchy about covering GLP-1s for weight loss, and while pills could sometimes cost less than injections, they will not be cheap. Eating-disorder advocates also warn about misuse as access expands. Also worth noting: People can be healthy at many different weights and sizes. Weight loss helps some people’s health, but it does not make sense for everyone — and it shouldn’t feel like a societal expectation.
Related: Science Could Be the Star of 2026 (Gizmodo)
Culture
Now, Grab Your Partner and Do-Si-Do
What’s going on: The “millennial going-out” outfit formula has survived every trend thrown at it, whether Gen Z likes it or not. The only update it might need? Cowboy boots. Bars and clubs in major cities are going West, and they aren’t looking back. They’re hosting line-dancing events, country karaoke nights, YeeDM-spinning DJs, and live bands that can carry a tune (and maybe a banjo). One NYC bar manager told The Wall Street Journal: “country’s mainstream now.” (Somewhere, a cowgirl is laughing.) Another club saw business shoot up about 100% after it rebranded as a honky-tonk hub, even shipping in wood from Kentucky. People either want a cowboy or to be one.
What it means: Cowboycore is alive and bucking, so get ready to yeehaw your way into 2026. Pop stars and fashion houses are steering the trend (RIP, coastal grandma core). Even though Beyoncé dropped Cowboy Carter in 2024, she partnered with Levi’s earlier this year to release “The Denim Cowboy.” Maybe it’s time for Taylor Swift to go back to her country roots? It’s not just bars and singers cashing in on the obsession with cowboy hats and big belt buckles. People are even traveling to places where they can get the most authentic cowboy experience. Some experts see the country’s fixation on the rugged West as a sign of a deeper shift toward conservatism. Others just see a good time and a reason to wear boots.
Related: The Denim Trends to Watch for in 2026 (British Vogue)
We Needed This
On Our Calendar
A few things to jot down today…
🗓️ It’s Christmas Eve — if you have any last-minute shopping, now’s the time (and here’s what’s actually open).
🗓️ One hundred years ago today, Winnie-the-Pooh made his debut via AA Milne’s first story about him in the London Evening News. Silly old bear.
🗓️ It’s National Eggnog Day — it’s either your thing or it’s not. If it is, here’s a great recipe.
Psst…For more dates worth knowing this week, check out the Skimm+ calendar.
Photos by Oscar Wong and Elijah Nouvelage/Bloomberg via Getty Images, Brand Partners
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*PS: This is a sponsored post.
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