Blame Game

The President Who Cried "Vandal"

What's going on: Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool saboteurs, step aside. There’s a new criminal wreaking havoc upon our nation’s capitol. At least, that’s according to President Donald Trump, who took to Truth Social to accuse would-be vandals over a patch of dead grass outside the National Mall. The scene of the alleged crime spans the area where the president held his July 4th celebrations. (And where a large stage, production vehicles, and seating for thousands were used for the event.) After a woman was charged with a felony for allegedly spray-painting on the World War II Memorial, the president used the moment to re-up his claims that vandals are to blame for the trampled turf...and the damaged Reflecting Pool. He posted, “Anybody who thinks the Reflecting Pool wasn’t vandalized should go back to Law School!”

Again?: Yes. President Trump has made accusations without any evidence before. See: his claims of 2020 election fraud. But even after his own appointed state attorney Jeanine Pirro dismissed charges earlier this summer against the three people accused of vandalizing the Reflecting Pool, Trump refuses to let it go. Pirro later admitted a “botched installation” led to the damages, and the president accused her of “folding like a cheap umbrella.” Now, with the president’s brand new Attorney General Todd Blanche at the helm, Trump may have a backer for his frustrations about the ongoing issues with the pool. And maybe the trampled grass, too.

Related: President Trump Makes Appeal for “Military Complex” in the Shape of His Ballroom (The Wall Street Journal gift link)

Come On Over 

Much ADU About the Backyard

What’s going on: The man cave. The she shed. And now, the granny flat. Americans love their personal space, but many need to make room for multigenerational living. While 74% of US adults want to age at home, their grown-up children might feel like posting the "stay out" sign: Seven out of 10 caregivers prefer their parents don't move in. That's not to mention families who care for loved ones with disabilities or those who prefer to be close by. For caregivers that need a little space from in-laws (and the in-law suite), they’ve found middle ground…in their backyards. Accessory dwelling units (ADUs) — small, separate homes built on an existing property — offer families another option. It's a growing alternative to everyone under one roof (imagine the bathroom line). Some states are making it easier to build ADUs by changing zoning laws as a way to help solve the housing crisis, and the idea is catching on: Bay Area-based ADU company Villa told Business Insider that 75% of its sales this year have been for multigenerational living purposes.

Relative-ly speaking: Is it a one-size-fits-all solution? It never is. But it can alleviate the financial toll caregiving can take. One California family with an autistic adult son said medical support could cost $9,000 monthly. With an ADU on their property, he qualifies for additional state disability services, including an in-home aide. For older family members who can't afford costly assisted living or senior care centers, their kids can now care for them without having to retrofit the first-floor bathroom (or fight over the thermostat). But independence still comes at a price: They typically cost $100,000 to $300,000, and that’s before extra costs with permits. Some cities, like Durham, North Carolina, are offering loans to encourage homeowners to build ADUs.

Related: Blessed Are the Nuns Who Accept Us As Roomies (NPR)

Testing, Testing

It Takes Two 

What's going on: When a couple struggles to conceive, it often falls on the woman to take a flurry of tests to figure out why. Not to mention all the grief and guilt. Although studies suggest that male infertility plays a role in about half of all cases, the conversation may only now be starting to change. In June, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine issued its first update to miscarriage guidelines in 14 years. One crucial change: Testing for sperm DNA fragmentation now “may be considered” in cases of recurrent miscarriages. Sperm DNA gets damaged by oxidative stress, which can be caused by other health issues, like an infection, as well as lifestyle factors, like lack of exercise. While falling short of an official recommendation, the new guidelines are a step to recognizing the importance of sperm health in conception, experts told Scientific American in an article published last week. And with sperm quality and sperm counts declining worldwide, testing benefits everyone. 

Under a microscope: Beginning in the ‘90s, research tied damaged sperm DNA to heightened risk of miscarriage, poor early embryo development, and lower IVF live birth rates. And at-home testing has been available for around 15 years, but it still isn’t commonly used — in part because it can cost up to $500 and isn’t always covered by insurance. (If you’re wondering: Yes, a single cycle of IVF costs between $15,000-20,000.) So why is this all just coming into focus now? Despite how common it is, male infertility is still largely stigmatized, with some men saying they feel like “less of a man” if they’re unable to have kids. As one professor of marriage and family therapy told Scientific American, the updated guidelines will hopefully convey “that the pain of infertility and miscarriage are not solely women’s issues.” 

Related: A California Couple and Their Texas-Based Surrogate Are Fighting for Custody (The Associated Press)

Quick Hits

☀️ Yes, it’s possible to be allergic to the sun. Here’s what it looks like and why it happens. As if we needed a reason to stay on the couch. 

👰 Jordyn Woods wore three different wedding dresses during her wedding to New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns. We need to know: Did she bring her lucky purse? 

📦 There’s a right way and a wrong way to embrace the “open storage” trend. No matter what HGTV might've told you, wall hooks aren't the answer.

🍫 Is this chocolate treat Trader Joe’s most controversial snack? It’s all bark and maybe too much bite.

👑 Two weeks after giving birth, Princess Eugenie shared her baby daughter’s name. Her middle name is in tribute to Queen Elizabeth II.

🧥 The newest trend for fall 2026: “coat-maxxing.” Back in our day, we used to call it, “putting on a jacket.”

Skimm This

How would you skimm this photo?

Every Tuesday, we pick one photo and ask you to give it your best skimm — in 20 words or fewer. Then we narrow down the finalists, you vote for your favorite on Thursday, and we share the winner in Friday’s Daily Skimm.

This week: Lin-Manuel Miranda holding a Little Mermaid VHS (remember the foam covers?) after accepting his Disney Legends award. 🦀

Little Luxuries

Using beautiful products is our favorite way to romanticize our daily routines. Here are some little luxuries that’ve caught our attention recently:

• A trio of tinted lip butters

• Victoria Beckham’s skincare-infused foundation drops

• A bedding solution that'll change the game for hot sleepers (use code LaborDay26 for a discount)

• The chicest vibrator we’ve ever seen

• A crystal collar necklace that dresses up a T-shirt and jeans

• Stoneware mugs to elevate your morning coffee

Skimm'd by: Marisa Iallonardo, Stephanie Gallman, Aryanna Prasad Bhullar, Erika W. Smith, Samantha Darby, Jessica Prois, and Kylie McConville. Fact-checked by Sara Tardiff.