“Skimm This” is a weekly news program that breaks down important stories from the past week and adds context and clarity to answer the questions on your mind. Every Thursday evening.
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Free Speech on College Campuses, NZ Gun Reform, and Balls
President Trump just signed an executive order requiring colleges to support free speech. Which has a lot to do with conservative groups on campus. We’ll tell you what you need to know. Across the world in New Zealand, the gov has made moves to ban the semiautomatic weapons involved in last week’s shootings. Less than a week after they happened. Also on today’s episode: we’re talking Lupita Nyong’o … and balls. PS: Want to tell us about your Woman of the Week? Leave us a voicemail at 646-461-6370, and you might hear your voice on the show this Friday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Anti-Trusting Tech
The European Union wants big tech companies to play nice with the competition. They don’t think Google’s doing that. So the EU hit Google with a 1.5 billion-euro fine. And that’s not the only antitrust story you’re hearing about today. Meanwhile, back in the US, the FDA just approved a breakthrough drug that could help more than a hundred thousand moms. Also on today’s episode: we spotlight New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern, and it’s finally time to put your sweaters away. PS: Want to tell us about your Woman of the Week? Leave us a voicemail at 646-461-6370, and you might hear your voice on the show this Friday. PPS: GV (formerly Google Ventures) and 21 Century Fox are minority investors in theSkimm. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Friends in Brazil and Floods in the Midwest
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro and US President Trump caught up in the Oval Office today. They’re big fans. Of each other. Which is kind of a big deal, because the US and Brazil haven’t exactly been BFFs in the past. We’ll break down what’s going on. Meanwhile, a lot of the Midwest is under water. We’ll tell you three big things to know about the situation. Also on today’s episode: there’s a new biography out about the first female Supreme, and Instagram wants you to open your wallet while you scroll. PS: Want to support flood relief in the Midwest? Here’s how you can help. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Why Voting Districts Look Like Abstract Art, French Yellow Vests and Ballsy Women
Gerrymandering: drawing district lines so that some people have more power at the polls. And a big talker ahead of the 2020 election. Today, the Supremes are hearing a Virginia case. And they’ll be hearing from a couple more states this year. So we’re breaking down what you need to know. Also on today’s episode: French yellow vest protesters are back at it, and the NCAA tournament is about to take over your water-cooler conversations. PS: We'd love to know what you think. Head on over to theskimm.com/feedback to share and be entered for a chance to win a $100 gift card. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
White Nationalism and the Internet
Mass shootings at two mosques in New Zealand are forcing a conversation about the spread of white nationalism … and the internet. Meanwhile, students took action to protest government inaction on climate change. Also on today’s episode: a Skimm’r shares her pick for Woman of the Week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
‘20 Questions: Citizenship and Beto O’Rourke
There are big questions coming up in 2020. Politicians are trying to get ahead of them. Today, Commerce Sec. Wilbur Ross took the mic on Capitol Hill. The issue on the table: the 2020 census, and whether it should include a question about citizenship. But there’s another questionnaire coming up in 2020. Hint: it’s your ballot. Former Congressman Beto O’Rourke added his name to it today. Also on today’s episode: Christina Koch makes history, and we celebrate Pi Day. PS: Want us to highlight a woman who’s been crushing the game? Leave us a voicemail at 646-461-6370 and tell us about her. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Behind Bars: The CA Death Sentence and Paul Manafort
California Governor Gavin Newsom hit ‘pause’ on capital punishment in his state. Opening up the floor for a national debate on the death penalty. In other criminal justice news, a judge tacked on more federal prison time for former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort. Now, prosecutors in New York want in on the action. Also on today’s episode: the US jumps on the ‘ground the Boeing Max 8’ bandwagon, and Judge Judy gets a nod from the TV Academy. PS: Want to tell us about the Judge Judy in your life? Leave us a voicemail at 646-461-6370. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
How Rude: Brexit’s Backstop and How “Aunt Becky” Got Her Kid Into College
British parliament rejected PM Theresa May’s latest Brexit plan today. ICYMI, the EU and the UK are getting a divorce. But three years in, they still can’t agree on the terms. The biggest sticking point: the border with Ireland aka ‘the backstop.’ We’ll break it down, guvnah. In other news, the DOJ dropped the curtain on a huge college admissions scam this morning. And they implicate some familiar faces. (Whatever happened to predictability?) Also in today’s episode: millennials break a financial record, and the world wide web celebrates a big birthday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Just Won’t Budget
President Trump just released his financial wishlist. On it: $718 billion for the Pentagon, way more than the spending cap. But he might get lucky with the money because of something called the Overseas Contingency Operations Fund, aka the Pentagon “slush fund”. Spoiler: it’s controversial. Meanwhile, Boeing is in crisis mode after another one of its planes crashed over the weekend. Also on today’s episode: Swiss moms speak up about maternity leave policies at UBS, and a man almost gets swallowed by a whale. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Do Not Pass Go: How Judges Hand Down Prison Sentences
Paul Manafort got muuuch less prison time than prosecutors recommended on Thursday. Which got everyone talking. So today we’re breaking down sentencing laws... and how judges decide who gets to pass Go. In other jailhouse news: former Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning is back in prison. She RSVP’d ‘no’ to an invite to testify before a grand jury investigating WikiLeaks, and a judge found her in contempt of court. Also on today’s episode: your pick for Woman of the Week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Introducing: Skimm This
The news is constantly changing, and in today's world, context is clarity. Skimm This is here to help. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
How the Military Handles Sexual Assault
Senator Martha McSally (R-AZ) has everyone talking about how to fix the military’s process for handling allegations of sexual assault. We’re breaking down what you need to know. Meanwhile, former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort is headed to prison … unless the president decides to pardon him. TBD on that. Also on today’s episode: the history of International Women’s Day, and the new Queen of Instagram… PS: This week, women have been crushing it in the news. Leave us a voicemail at 1.646.461.6370 and tell us which one has your vote for Woman of the Week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
The Border Crisis: A Family Matter
The federal government is arguing about whether families migrating across the US-Mexico border are a national emergency. We’ll break down what’s going on. In other news from the feds, the FDA just gave a new antidepressant the thumbs up. But it’s got some baggage. Also on today’s episode: Gayle King keeps her composure, and the International Space Station is getting ready to take one giant leap for womankind… Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Measles and Mardis Gras
You’ve been hearing a lot about the anti-vaccination movement. We’ll give you the context behind the headlines. In other health news, doctors in London say they’ve helped a second HIV patient beat the virus. But they want you to read the fine print. Also on today’s episode: locals in New Orleans have found a way to put the green icing on the (king) cake, and 21-year-old Kylie Jenner is making money moves. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
A Tale of Two Presidents: Venezuela’s Political Crisis
Two guys are fighting over Venezuela. One’s got the military behind him. The other has … pretty much everyone else on his side. In other fights over presidential power, US Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) is breaking with his party. And voting to block President Trump’s emergency declaration. Also on today’s episode: we introduce you to suffragist Ida B Wells, and say goodbye to the star of “Beverly Hills 90210”. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices