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"Irregardless" – A word now, thanks to Merriam-Webster. One for Gretchen Wieners.

SCOTUS Rx

The Story

The Supreme Court is allowing some employers to refuse to offer birth control coverage.

What happened?

Yesterday, the Supreme Court ruled 7-2 to uphold Trump admin regulations letting employers decline to offer contraceptive coverage to workers, if they have religious or moral objections. It was the latest case in a nearly decade-long fight over birth control coverage, stemming from the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

Remind me...

The ACA says health care plans have to cover preventive care for free. The Obama admin decided that included birth control, but said houses of worship (churches, temples, and mosques) would be exempt. After some lawsuits, other religious-affiliated orgs (think: schools, hospitals, charities) and some businesses got an exemption, too. But some argued it didn't go far enough. The Trump admin agreed and said any employer with moral objections to birth control shouldn't have to cover it. Yesterday, the Supremes backed that up.

What's the reaction?

The Trump admin and religious groups celebrated the decision. The White House called it a "big win for religious freedom and freedom of conscience." But critics – including women's rights groups and Democrats – said it would deny health care to women and disproportionately affect "low-wage workers, people of color, LGBTQ people, and others who already face barriers to care."

How many will be affected?

Government estimates show up to 126,000 women could lose free contraceptive coverage. But birth control isn't just for...controlling birth. It can be used to treat irregular periods, endometriosis, PCOS, and other health conditions. Without insurance, those patients could end up paying hundreds of dollars a year or more. This was SCOTUS's second ruling of the day that strayed from its previous series of victories for liberals (see: abortion, immigration, and LGBTQ+ rights).

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The Supreme Court's made a lot of news with its decisions over the past few weeks – and more could be coming today. This latest ruling has religious groups cheering and could give Trump a boost heading into election season. But it could also leave some women scrambling to figure out how to pay for contraception.

And Also...This

Whose case is getting federal attention...

Vauhxx Booker's. The FBI says it's investigating an alleged racist attack against the Black civil rights activist at an Indiana lake on July 4. Booker said he and his friends were headed to watch the lunar eclipse when a White man stopped him and said he was on private property. Booker said the man – along with at least one other – attacked him as he was trying to leave. Video of the incident shows a group of White men pinning Booker down against a tree. Booker says they shouted racial slurs at him and threatened to "get a noose." His lawyer says the incident was "clearly racially motivated" and wants it investigated as a hate crime.

Who's got a lesson plan in mind...

President Trump. Yesterday, he threatened to cut funding for school districts that refuse to reopen in the fall. This came after he and Education Secretary Betsy DeVos suggested the economy would benefit from a return to the classroom by allowing parents to head back to work. Trump also criticized the CDC's nine-page checklist recommendations for reopening schools across the country, saying they would be "tough and expensive" and ask schools to "do very impractical things." The White House is planning to release guidelines of its own.

These schools. Yesterday, Harvard and MIT sued the Trump admin over its new rule. Released earlier this week, the rule bars international students from staying in the US if their school only offers online classes in the fall. The rule also suggests international students – who reportedly make up more than 5% of students in higher ed – leave the country or transfer to a school that offers in-person learning. The admin said it was being "more flexible" than in the past by allowing foreign students to take more online classes. But said that if their school is 100% online they "don't have a basis to be here." Critics called the rule "cruel" and "reckless," not giving a lot of notice. And accused the admin of trying to pressure schools to reopen prematurely amid the pandemic.

...Oh and speaking of schools, the Ivy League is the first Division I conference to suspend this fall's football season.

Who's saying 'I have opinions'…

These people. This week, dozens of artists, writers, and academics signed on to an open letter in Harper's Magazine in a push to cancel 'cancel culture.' It argued that people are not able to freely exchange ideas and information due to an "intolerant climate" within society. And called for an environment where people can agree to disagree without jeopardizing someone's career. People who signed on included Noam Chomsky, Margaret Atwood, and JK Rowling – who's recently been under fire for remarks widely seen as anti-transgender. The letter – and the people who signed it – got lots of criticism online, with the signatories being called things like thin-skinned, coming from a place of privilege, and being afraid of losing their own relevance. And at least one person said she wanted her name taken off the list.

What sounds familiar...

The CAREN Act. Earlier this week, a San Francisco lawmaker introduced the Caution Against Racially Exploitative Non-Emergencies Act that would make false and racially discriminatory 911 calls illegal.

Who's bringing "The 1619 Project" to the big screen…

Oprah.

Route mapped out? Check. Car tuned up? Check. Snacks, sanitizer, and masks packed? Obviously. If you're planning to road trip safely this summer, our guide has pre-departure tips to help you go the savings distance.

Summer is here. Check out our fave picks for the season…

1. Up-and-coming-houseplants. Ladies and gentlemen, introducing the plants about to get Insta-famous. You can say you knew them when …

2. The best brushes based on your hair type. Comb through these recs to find what works for you. Hair for it.

3. How to work out in the park. This guide teaches you how to use trees, park benches, and more for a productive sweat sesh. Congrats, you're one with nature now.

PS: Sign up to get more ideas for ways to spend your summer in your inbox every Monday. Like recipe ideas, movies and book recs, and more.

For when you've started singing in the shower…

Hear for it. Now sing the praises of a new razor from this company. They say 'see ya' to the pink tax, so their razors are only $9. And Skimm'rs get an exclusive offer for today only. Sounds good.*

For when you've never met a strapless bra you got along with…

Allow us to introduce you to this female-founded company. Their strapless bras are comfy AF. And they (drumroll please) actually stay up. PS: Skimm'rs get 15% off your first order. Go get em.*

For when you're headed to the beach soon...

Don't forget sunscreen. This list has everything you'll need to make your next trip easier. Like products to keep you sand-free, something to help social distance, a portable mini table, and more. Easy breezy.

Skimm’rs

In times like these, community matters more than ever. Let us know how you (or someone you know) is making an impact by helping others.

A little help from...Katie K (IN). She's part of The Little Timmy Project, a nonprofit committed to supporting women's health, mothers, and babies in Indiana. Katie spent nine weeks providing nearly 30,000 diapers to over 300 families during COVID-19. Learn more here.

Issuing accountability...Maria Y (DC). She's the founder of IssueVoter whose mission is to give everyone an equal voice by making civic engagement accessible, efficient, and impactful. They also track your rep's votes and bill outcomes to help keep your congressperson accountable. Learn more here.

(Some) Birthdays...Douglas MacCallum, Isabel Marshall (MA), Regina Coleman (NY), Alli Gorton (OH), Pellie Goolsby (TX), Graceanne Rumer (NC), Jennifer Currier (RI), Shivani Jhaveri (CA), Alexandra Carrozza (NJ), Chantal Voss (FL), Shelby Benfield (NC), Susan Lee Anderson (IL), Julie Varhaftik (MD), Rachel Scibetta (NC), Laura Gosik (CT)

*Paging all members of theSkimm. Reach out here for a chance to be featured.

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