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January 28, 2022

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Daily Skimm

Skimm’d while shopping clean beauty brands

Quote of the Day

“It’s still a little hard to believe” — Amy Schneider on her 40-game “Jeopardy!” streak. Who is winner for $1.3 million?

Banned

The Story

Some people are judging a book by its cover.

What do you mean?

Across the country, schools are banning books about topics like race, LGBTQ, and gender. Think: “The Hate U Give,” “George,” “Stamped: Racism, Antiracism and You,” and more. They’re being pulled from school bookshelves in states like Texas, Utah, and Wyoming. One Pennsylvania school board tried to ban a long list of anti-racism books. Now, a Tennessee school board is banning “Maus” — a Pultizer Prize-winning graphic novel about the Holocaust — for profanity and an image of a nude woman.

Tell me more.

For those who’ve bookmarked the critical race theory (CRT) convo, this may not sound surprising. Last year, a number of states (think: Virginia, Oklahoma, and Florida) banned the academic concept from being taught in schools. CRT explores how systemic racism is embedded in the US’s legal systems and policies. Some politicians argue the topics of the books may cause the students to feel uncomfortable. Earlier this month, newly elected Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R-VA) signed executive orders banning CRT and set up a tipline.

What are people saying?

Many librarians and teachers warn the book banning trend will continue — even more than it already has. Black authors are watching as their work is pulled from schools — under the pretext they’re teaching CRT. Democrats and civil rights activists are calling it a pointed effort — designed to get progressive ideas out of classrooms. Some parents and conservative politicians disagree. A Tennessee school board member said schools can still teach history without certain books. While Texas state Rep. Matt Krause (R) says a lot of these books may make students uncomfortable.

Many have pushed back against the left for pushing politically correct speech. Now, the push to ban books from classrooms is coming overwhelmingly from the right. Script, flipped.

Skimm More: Want more on critical race theory? We're breaking down the buzz on CRT and the misinformation surrounding it here.

And Also...This

What's turning up the heat...

Gas stoves. Yesterday, a new study found that they release an alarming amount of methane and other gases…even when turned off. Stanford scientists found that gas stoves leak about the same amount of methane (a potent greenhouse gas) as 500,000 gas-powered cars. Problem, because methane is the second-largest contributor to greenhouse gases (behind CO2). But that’s not all that’s cooking in the kitchen. The study says gas stoves also release more nitrogen oxides than previously known — the same greenhouse gas can lead to asthma and other respiratory conditions.

The good news: You can reduce nitrogen oxides at home and on the planet by using your stove less often. Or just settle for the air fryer.

...Oh and, speaking of climate change, a federal judge threw out the Biden admin's gas and oil lease sale in the Gulf of Mexico over its negative effects on the climate.

What we’re paying attention to…

Honduras. Yesterday, Xiomara Castro was sworn in as the country’s first female president. She’s got a lot to address right off the bat. Think: troubled health care and education systems, high unemployment, violence, and corruption. All of the many reasons many Hondurans have fled to the US southern border — as arrests at the border reached an all-time high last year. Now, with Castro in her new post, she could find a close ally in VP Kamala Harris, who wants to tackle immigration and deepen cooperation between the two countries.

Florida. Yesterday, the Coast Guard called off its search for dozens of missing migrants off the coast of Florida. Over the weekend, a boat carrying 40 people from Bimini in the Bahamas capsized because of severe weather. Authorities have found a total of five bodies. And believe all but one of the passengers died. They suspect the boat was part of a human smuggling operation.

Who’s been eating their greens…

The US economy. In 2021, it grew 5.7% — the fastest pace since 1984. But a rise in interest rates could slow things down.

While QB Ben Roethlisberger is kicking off his retirement…

Four NFL teams will be duking it out at the NFC and AFC championships.

How to Skimm Your Life Challenge

Message from future you: TYSM for making that extra payment. For today’s challenge presented by Fidelity, make a student loan or credit card payment to hit your debt with a one-two punch. Because getting rid of the Big D sooner means more money in your budget to spend on things that make you happy.

PS: Our How to Skimm Your Life Challenge ends on Monday, but you can catch up on whatever you missed (or relive your favorite challenges) here.

In Case You Missed It

Design: theSkimm | Photo: Target, Amazon, Brooklinen

Is it just us or has January seemed to last two years already? Either way, we know that your schedule hasn’t slowed down. And since we’re here to help you shop smarter, we didn’t want you to miss a single product rec. So here are some of our faves from the past month…

Skimm Picks

Here are today’s recs to help you live a smarter life…

1. How to make your retirement dreams come true. Whether you wanna spend more time beaching, traveling, volunteering, or…anything else. With Fidelity, you can build a free plan online with easy-to-use tools. Not into DIY? They’ve also got investment pros who can help. Get started.*†

2. A fitness kit that’ll help you get the most of your workouts. This roller and stability ball can help you strengthen, stretch, and stay on track with those New Year’s resolutions. Plus you can pay for it over time when you shop right here.*

3. An un-bear-lievably cute way to share what’s in your heart. Pun very much intended. These gift boxes come with everything you need to spoil your valentine. Including a plush bear you can customize with a prerecorded V-Day message. Here’s 10% off with code SKIMM10.*

4. Must-have products from Amazon under $15. Things that'll solve common problems without costing you a ton of money? Enter: this detangling hairbrush and a desktop vacuum that'll double as a charging pad. Want more? Check out our Amazon storefront for more products to hack your everyday life.

*PS: This is a sponsored post.

†Investment fees and costs associated with trading or transacting in your account would still apply. Fidelity Brokerage Services, Member NYSE, SIPC. 1013242.1.0

Skimm'rs

We like to celebrate the wins, big and small. Let us know how your friends, neighbors, coworkers (and yes, even you) are making career moves, checking off goals, or making an impact in the community.

Making moves…Madelyn A (OH). She’s finally starting the law job she’s been working toward for 10 years. Tort-ally impressive.

Food for thought…Connie C (NJ). She’s fighting hunger through her giving-back greeting card company. And has donated over 72,000 sandwiches to those in need. Check it out here.

(Some) Birthdays…theSkimm's Bindu Raj (NJ), theSkimm's Chris Bitting (NY), Charlie Stern (NY), Helene Rasmussen (FL), Dylan Lazarus (CA), Harrie Bakst (NY), Oprah Winfrey (CA), Jessica Berger (NY), Rachel Brooks (NY), Annie Bryan (NY), Jennifer Jones (PA), Rachel Cisto (NJ), Sherri Zirlin (IL), Leigh Wallis (WA), Becky Musgrove (VA), Jennie Poole (NJ)

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

Skimm More

Turns out, feeling happy can be pretty intentional. On our newest ep of “Skimm This,” we talk about burnout, routine, and positive self-talk with Dr. Laurie Santos, Yale professor and expert on happiness (yep, it’s a thing). Hashtag blissed.

And if you’re looking for other smart ways to spend your time...

Listen to our news podcast "Skimm This" for clarity on the biggest stories of the week.
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Skimm’d by Rashaan Ayesh, Kate Gilhool, Julie Shain, and Mariza Smajlaj

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theSkimm - Daily Skimm: The colors that you bring

Banned

The Story

What do you mean?

Tell me more.

What are people saying?

theSkimm

What's turning up the heat...

What we’re paying attention to…

Who’s been eating their greens…

While QB Ben Roethlisberger is kicking off his retirement…

Older messages

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