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Quote of the Day

"Sound up for some serious pumpkin crunching"

— The Cincinnati Zoo shared videos of Fiona the hippo and her family relishing a fall treat. Your move, Moo Deng.

King Charles III inspects the Guard of Honour at the Royal Bahamas Defence Force Coral Harbour Base during his visit to The Bahamas on October 28, 2026 in Nassau, Bahamas

An Awkward Royal Tour?

King Charles's Caribbean Getaway Is Off to a… Start

What's going on: When King Charles III kicked off his nine-day royal tour of the Caribbean in the Bahamas on Tuesday, he was greeted with chants, including “Pay us what you owe us!” That message will likely echo throughout the king’s tour as many call for the UK to pay reparations for slavery to countries it colonized. The Bahamas became independent in 1973 after over 300 years under British rule, but it remains part of the Commonwealth of Nations. The association of 56 countries — the majority of which were once under British rule — shares initiatives and trade relationships that can be financially beneficial. And 14 countries, including two on this tour, still recognize King Charles as their head of state. In a speech, King Charles acknowledged “the great suffering and injustices of the past,” but he fell short of apologizing or promising future action for the Bahamas. The king will also make stops in Guyana and Antigua and Barbuda.

Not the first time: These calls for financial reparations and independence for territories still under partial British rule have led to some memorably awkward royal tours in the region. (Remember that viral photo from Prince William and Kate Middleton’s visit to Jamaica in 2022?) But this year, the demands have become even louder. Ghana (which the British also colonized) led a UN resolution calling for reparations for the transatlantic slave trade, and a petition from Jamaica is making its way through the courts. Plus, Guyana has asked for an official apology for slavery, but the British government has advised King Charles not to give one for fear of potential legal ramifications. If this royal tour goes badly, some critics say it could lead to a mass exit from the Commonwealth. “I’m sure [King Charles] would not want to be the monarch under which it crumbles,” the chair of Parliament’s reparations group told The Guardian.

The News in 6

🗞️ At least 68 people died in a high-speed train collision in Spain. The country’s transportation minister said an “inexplicable” order from a rail control center caused the crash.

🗞️ The Alexander brothers — Tal, Oren, and Alon — will each serve 30 years in prison for using their wealth to drug and rape dozens of women. The judge in the case called them “monstrous.”

🗞️ About the Dan Sullivan vs. Dan Sullivan race in Alaska: A New York Times investigation found that Democrat Mary Peltola’s team helped people recruit Dan J. Sullivan in an effort to create confusion with Republican Sen. Dan S. Sullivan. A spokesperson for Peltola denied her team’s involvement.

🗞️ Dolores Huerta has died at age 96. A lifelong activist, she fought for labor rights, immigrant rights, LGBTQIA+ rights, feminism, and environmental justice.

🗞️ Former Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer promoted her new AI assistant Dazzle by saying she asked it to describe what makes her daughter special. Cue the backlash.

🗞️ For the first time in franchise history, the Milwaukee Brewers are World Series champions, beating the Tampa Bay Rays in five games. Bring on the celebratory cheese curds.

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In Our Rotation

We promise you’ll live in these best-selling wideleg pants all winter. They’re insanely cozy but still polished — and they now come in a rich dark cherry. Grab them ASAP.*

This year, share Thanksgiving with your dog. This whole-food recipe is made with turkey, sweet potatoes, and other seasonal ingredients they’ll love. Available online and in stores through Nov 25.*

College brochures love a sunny quad. They’re quieter about 1 in 4 women experiencing sexual violence in undergrad. Here’s how to push every university to do better on Nov 1.*

Keep scrolling... more recs below

Return to Sender

You've Got (Fake) Mail

What's going on: The Transgender Education Network of Texas (TENT) is one step closer to uncovering who sent mailers using its name and branding earlier this month. A judge ruled Tuesday that TENT can subpoena the anonymous Wyoming-based LLC behind the pamphlets, which were addressed to the student of each household. The mailer’s cover read “Texas Trans & LGBTQ+ Student Resource Guide” and included resources for seeking out-of-state gender-affirming care and parental emancipation. The fliers sparked outrage among conservative voters as well as candidates who’ve made transgender issues a centerpiece of their midterm campaigns. An attorney for the LLC sought to dismiss the case (which a judge denied), arguing the mailers should qualify as free speech and that revealing the identity of the LLC could “cause harm.”

Is this just another example of “dirty politics”?: Perhaps. Experts say there’s plenty of that happening all over the country. TENT said it received an onslaught of hate and threats of violence after conservative commentators shared the flyer and images of its board online. The organization had to suspend regular programming. Sarah Stogner, the Republican district attorney who opened a criminal forgery investigation, told The Texas Tribune she believes the mailers were meant to stir up voters ahead of the midterms. “If this ends up being legal, it is everything that is wrong with our current political climate,” Stogner added. While it remains to be seen if this will affect turnout, one voter told CNN she thinks the goal was clear: get more conservatives to the polls.

Related: Russia Might Be Behind Midterm Election Ads Using AI, Disinformation (The Associated Press)

A Chill Up The Spine

Little Shops of Horrors

What’s going on: Horror fans found a new way to get their fix, and hint: It’s a real page-turner. This year, book sales in the horror genre are up 39% from last year, per Circana BookScan. And with them is a new generation of niche bookshops, offering “weird girl book clubs,” cozy cafes, and “killer” lattes. Genre bookstores aren’t new, but they’re now expanding to smaller cities in states like Washington, Virginia, Kansas, and Colorado. Timing is everything: Pandemic confinement led some readers to discover the genre, while online social networks like BookTok and Goodreads have made reading spooky books cool again (lest we forget our Goosebumps era).

But it’s more than books: Chris Krawczyk, the owner of Little Ghosts Books in Toronto, told The New York Times that horror bookstores like his build a sense of belonging. He said he created Little Ghosts for those “who didn’t have a community of people and now they have one.” Meanwhile, women are also giving the genre a boost. As horror writer Tanya Pell suggests, that may be because of how the genre lets women confront their fears in a less scary way. And when the world can be a different horror story each day, these spooky bookshops offer an escape. “People like having a way to navigate real life in a way that’s controlled,” Lauren Komer, who runs The Twisted Spine in Williamsburg with her husband, told The NYT.

Related: Book Recommendations Based on Your Favorite Horror Movie (The New York Times gift link)

Together with Climate Power

Big Energy

84% of Americans say their utility costs have gone up over the past year

If you’re feeling the squeeze from gas prices, increased energy costs, and higher utility bills, you’re far from alone. Americans’ household electric bills have risen as much as 18% over the past two years.

Ready to do something about it? Make your voice heard on or before Election Day (Tuesday, Nov 3) — it’s your chance to weigh in.

Before you head to the polls, learn more about the effects these costs have on your wallet and beyond. Then, get out there and vote.

Get Energized

Quick Hits

🐣 Behold, the most popular baby names of 2026. Welcome to the world, little Magnolia.

🍈 Jennifer Lawrence confirmed she got the boob job she always wanted and plans to get a facelift in the future. A woman who knows what she wants.

😋 The best way to maximize all the protein, potassium, and antioxidants from pistachios is to eat them raw. Sorry, Dubai chocolates.

🍷 Here’s how long an open bottle of wine actually lasts in the fridge. You might need to pour one out.

🎣 For the cozy girls, good news: Fisherman sweaters are officially on trend. We like our sweaters like we like our soup — chunky.

💄 If you never got to indulge in the brown lipstick craze of the ‘90s, now’s your chance. Don’t forget the lipliner.

🍞 Someone did us all a favor and compiled a list of the best cinnamon rolls in every state. We're ready to roll on our next road trip.

On Our Calendar

Thursday, October 29

🎤 New Well Played episode out

Blake and Caroline debut the most niche Halloween costumes in sports (hint: it’s a little phishy). Plus, they have strong opinions on People’s pick for Sexiest Fake Hockey Player. Catch it on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.

🛍️ Elie Saab x H&M collab drops

The haute couture designer’s new H&M collection includes wedding-guest-ready dresses, holiday going-out tops, and stand-out blazers, with shoes and earrings to match. We’ll take that invite now.

🩺 World Stroke Day

A day to raise awareness about strokes, which impact about one in every five women between the ages of 55 and 75. Know the signs: Start with the acronym BEFAST.

🥣 National Oatmeal Day

Sure, you could make yourself a bowl of steel-cut oats. Or, you could whip up a batch of these, which are basically required fall baking.

Psst... See what else is happening this week so you never miss a moment.

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In Our Rotation

This practical dress trend will help you get out the door in about two seconds.

If you want to make your jeans-and-a-sweater uniform suddenly look chic, add this specific shoe style.

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

Skimm This

Who skimm'd it best?

A sloth costume from Chicago's Arts in the Dark Halloween Parade

A. “Me and my seasonal depression pulling up to the fall functions” — Ria C., Williamsport, PA

B. “When the lights come on at the bar.” — Michelle J., Bloomington, MN

C. “My student debt riding with me into perimenopause” — Daphne B., Tuscaloosa, AL

Turn a word search into your favorite strategy game with Spelltower. Clear the board.

A kiss from the ‘90s