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Damage Control

The Story

Alabama has a new law aimed at protecting in vitro fertilization (IVF).

Tell me more.

Yesterday, the state’s Republican-controlled legislature passed a measure shielding IVF providers, clinics, and patients from legal liability. Gov. Kay Ivey (R) promptly signed the bill into law last night. Alabama lawmakers scrambled to create the legislation after the state Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos are children, endangering the future of IVF in the state. The decision prompted Alabama’s three major fertility clinics to pause IVF services, amid fears they could get sued if embryos were mishandled. Now, Ivey says the clinics should be able to resume IVF services “immediately.” However, not everyone feels that way.

What do you mean?

While some IVF clinics in the state plan to reopen soon, at least one facility plans to keep its doors shut. That’s because the law doesn’t address the court’s decision deeming frozen embryos as children. As a result, providers and families are raising questions about how to handle frozen embryos that are currently in storage. Meanwhile, legal experts are concerned patients won’t be able to sue clinics for malpractice if an embryo is destroyed or damaged. Alabama’s lawmakers have maintained the new legislation is a short-term fix that's meant to reopen IVF clinics and that they plan to work on a more permanent solution.

theSkimm

Alabama's new law is receiving mixed reviews. While some clinics are glad to be able to resume services soon, law experts are flagging the legislation creates more of a legal gray area that may not protect patients.

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And Also...This

Who could be saying ‘all that work and what did it get me’...

Nikki Haley. Yesterday, she suspended her presidential campaign, clearing the way for a rematch between President Biden and former President Trump. In her announcement, Haley said she has “no regrets” and passed on endorsing Trump. Her exit means Americans will likely have to choose between the two oldest presidential candidates in US history — a choice people aren't very excited about. One poll found that more than half of US adults said they'd be dissatisfied with having Biden and Trump as their respective parties’ nominees. A different poll found that a majority of voters (about 60%) aren't confident in either Biden or Trump's mental capabilities. Voters' frustration and uneasiness reportedly has some health experts warning about so-called “election stress disorder.”

…Oh and speaking of the election, Biden is expected to make the case for a second term in his State of the Union address tonight.

Why people may be evaluating their skin care routine...

This report on acne products. Yesterday, an independent US lab published a report linking some prescribed and over-the-counter acne products with high-levels of the carcinogen benzene. Valisure tested dozens of products with the active ingredient benzoyl peroxide, including Proactiv, Clearasil, PanOxyl, Clinique, and Target’s Up & Up. The lab reportedly found some of these products had up to nine times the FDA's recommended limit for benzene. The report said the benzoyl peroxide in some of the acne treatments could form even higher levels of benzene when stored at high temperatures over a long period of time. Reckitt Benckiser, which makes Clearasil, reportedly said their products are safe “when used and stored as directed on their labels as intended.” Valisure is calling on the FDA to recall the acne products and investigate.

What’s getting messy…

OpenAI and Elon Musk’s 'divorce'. Last week, Musk sued OpenAI and its CEO Sam Altman for breach of contract, accusing the company of putting profits before its mission to develop AI for the “benefit of humanity.” Musk, who co-founded OpenAI, cited the company’s multibillion-dollar partnership with Microsoft as an example. Earlier this week, OpenAI responded with receipts. The ChatGPT-maker published emails Musk sent to Altman and company executives in 2018, saying that the company needed billions a year to operate and could only compete with Google if Tesla (which Musk owns) merged with OpenAI. The AI company said no, and Musk left OpenAI later that year. OpenAI surfaced Musk’s emails as it faces other legal challenges, including an SEC investigation and copyright claims from authors and publishers.

What has to make changes...

The Minority Business Development Agency. Earlier this week, a Trump-appointed judge in Texas ruled that the federal agency, created in 1969 to help minority-owned businesses with financing, discriminates against white people. The ruling delivered a win to two of three white business owners, who sued the agency after being told its services were only for members of “disadvantaged” groups. The judge said the agency's policy presuming that minorities are disadvantaged violated the Constitution’s guarantee of equal protection. Now, the agency has to open its doors to all, regardless of race. The ruling is the latest in a flurry of court decisions that have weakened or struck down federal affirmative action mandates.

Now on “9 to 5ish”

We caught up with award-winning director and producer Ava DuVernay, who shared her number one career hack: listening. We also discussed why she is intentional about finding joy in her work, how she embraces change in her industry, and what she's learned from Oprah. Listen to the interview here, and watch DuVernay's film "Origin," streaming on March 12.

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3. What to wear with your favorite perfume, according to the aesthetic.

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Psst…love our recs? Follow @skimmshopping on Instagram for more products, gifts, and services that are actually worth the hype (and the price tag).

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Paddling on…Stacy M (CA). She’s participating in a 34-mile canoe race next month to encourage adults of all abilities to try outrigger paddling.

(Some Birthdays)...Kenny Lane (NY), theSkimm's Sarah Estime (IL), George Alba (MA), Rosey Lawrence (PA), Caihlan Snyder (ME), Chris Webb (CA), Emma Alford (FL), Heidi Becker (MN), Adriane Borden (OH), Sarah Bordson (IL), Red Deluse (OH), Lucy Hazebrook (AL), Tom Prosser (CA), Jack Engelmann (CO), Megan Lowder (AZ)

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