Utah Draws a Line

Good morning.

An estimated 8 million people — across all 50 states and around the world — gathered for “No Kings” rallies on Saturday, organizers said. The signs spoke volumes, and a rock legend performed at the flagship rally in St. Paul, Minnesota. Meanwhile, air travelers navigated another crowded weekend as the DHS shutdown stretched on — setting a grim milestone — with no clear end in sight. Wait times eased at some airports yesterday, and the administration said TSA worker pay will resume this week — at least temporarily. (Some TSA workers shared their thoughts.) Coming up this week: The Supreme Court weighs President Donald Trump’s push to end birthright citizenship, a federal panel reviews his ballroom plans (architects have opinions), and the March jobs report drops Friday. Now, let’s get to the news…

— Marina Carver / Senior Editor / Brooklyn, NY

US News

Utah Draws a Line

Content warning: The following story mentions sexual assault.

What’s going on: Last week, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox (R) signed a law that bars government officials from asking sexual assault survivors to take polygraph tests. For years, Utah prosecutors could request the tests, even though they’re not admissible in court due to their unreliability. Still, officials could use the results to decide whether to pursue criminal charges. In some cases, like this one, those results can shut down cases that are very much worth pursuing. The law goes into effect in May.

Tell me more: Only about half of US states explicitly limit law enforcement’s use of polygraphs in sexual assault cases. Experts have long questioned the tests in the legal space. So-called “lie detectors” measure physical responses like stress, fear, and anxiety — not truth. That creates a problem for sexual assault survivors, who understandably may show intense physical reactions tied to trauma. Yet, the test can register those responses as deception. The process can also "revictimize" survivors, which is why even the International Association of Chiefs of Police advises against their use in these cases. As Utah changes how officials handle these investigations, advocates say much of the rest of the country still has work to do.

Related: Kansas’s Governor Vetoed an Anti-Abortion Bill — Then The Legislature Did This (Kansas Reflector)

The News in 5

🗞️ The Iran War’s many ripple effects (beyond the obvious devastation and loss of life) have impacted everything from cancer drugs to party balloons. 

🗞️ The Department of Homeland Security just launched an investigation into its former Secretary Kristi Noem.

🗞️ Legal experts weigh in on the potential consequences Tiger Woods could face after his latest crash. 

🗞️ A new report says that abortion rates in the US held steady despite bans. And we bet you can guess why. 

🗞️ Not the Louvre heist but close: Thieves hijacked a truck carrying 12 tons of this chocolatey treat. Give us a break.

Women's Health

Consider This Your Push Present

What’s going on: Some might call them birth BFFs — and now they’re finally getting insurance backing. By next year, UnitedHealthcare (UHC) will become the first major insurer to cover doula services in all of its employer-sponsored plans. Typically, plans excluded doulas, which put their support out of reach for many families. UHC’s move reflects growing recognition that doulas — who act as advocates and coaches (and therapists for some of us) during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum — can improve health outcomes. It also aligns with a broader trend: at least 26 states now require Medicaid to cover doulas, and some extend that requirement to private plans.

What it means: UHC’s decision comes at a “critical point” for maternal health. The US still sees high maternal mortality rates, and health experts increasingly argue that doula care should be standard. While advocates applaud UHC’s new benefit, some worry that its reimbursement model, which requires upfront payment, could still create barriers for lower-income families. Meanwhile, new research suggests global maternal health declines under Republican presidents, who typically cut federal aid for family planning programs. That's another reminder that access to care depends as much on policy as it does on medicine.

Related: The Women’s Anatomy Research That Took 28 Years Longer Than It Should Have (The Guardian)        

Health

Like Fine Wine...

What’s going on: My friend Jen used to toast her birthday with, "Well, if I wasn’t getting older, I’d be dead.” Dark? Sure. Wrong? Maybe not. A new study suggests that mindset might actually help people age better. Researchers who analyzed data from the Health and Retirement Study found that nearly half of participants over 65 improved physically, cognitively, or both as they aged. The standout group: people with more positive beliefs about aging. After tracking walking speed and cognitive performance for more than a decade, they were significantly more likely to get stronger, sharper — or both.

So, can we all be super-agers, or what? Aging is inevitable — just like taxes and immediately forgetting the password you just reset. But it’s not necessarily a one-way ticket to decline, and the research suggests more people have the potential to become super-agers than we think. Experts say improvement is possible, especially when people reject negative stereotypes about aging and invest in habits like exercise, social connection, and mental engagement. People who thrive later in life tend to have strong connections, meaningful routines, and a sense of purpose. So if adding candles to your birthday cake stresses you out every year, it may help to reframe your mindset — aging isn’t the problem. It’s the privilege. (Jen called it.)  

Related: The Difference Between Good Sitting and Bad Sitting — for Your Brain (NBC News) 

Quick Hits

🤨 In his quest to run a 5K every day, one man has crammed his miles into some wild (and incredibly small) locations. The bathtub wasn’t even the weirdest. 

🚿 Here’s what dermatologists say about the right time to shower each day.  I mean, if we’re really shooting for the moon here, can we just take multiple long bubble baths?

🍽️ The perimenopause side effect we did not see coming has some equally surprising solutions.

🧘🏽‍♀️ Could this one hack be the closest thing to our body’s off switch for stress? (We tried it, and immediately felt better). 

💰 The “annoyance economy” is costing you, but there’s a way to fight back. The customer service shortcut is a game-changer.

👀 One actress is not happy about Sydney Sweeney playing her in a biopic for a very specific reason. 

🐆 Get ready for a burst of nostalgia, our favorite 90s sitcom couple just reunited. She even wore red.

On Our Calendar

A few things to jot down today…

🗓️ The Supreme Court listens to arguments in a case that asks: Where can someone be prosecuted?

🗓️ On National Doctors Day, nearly 40% of physicians are women. A prescription for progress.

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

Know It All

The gender pay gap just widened (again). How many cents do women now earn on a man's dollar (down from 83 cents a year ago)?

Skimm'd by: Rashaan Ayesh, Stephanie Gallman, Mallory Simon, Molly Longman, and Marina Carver. Fact-checked by Sara Tardiff.