Daily Skimm

Happy Monday.

Is it just me, or was the beginning of August a jump scare for everyone else, too? Time feels like it’s passing at 2x the speed and I can assure you, this is not how quickly I planned to spend my one wild and precious summer. But I’m ready to make the most of my jam-packed schedule by saying “yes” more (and not just in a Shonda Rhimes way), and being outside. Even if it’s just for a walk, experts say it’s this type of stroll, not one solely focused on “getting 10,000 steps in,” that can offer the most long-term health benefits. Speaking of a crowded calendar, five states will hold primaries this week, and there's a new one-issue voter that's making candidates on both sides of the aisle sweat. But tonight, all eyes are on South Carolina. The five GOP candidates hoping to fill the late Sen. Lindsay Graham's shoes will meet for a high-stakes debate — and President Donald Trump will test the power of his presidential endorsement yet again. Now, on to the news…

— Kylie McConville / VP, Editorial / Astoria, NY

Pedestrians walk past the American Red Cross Blood Donation Center on July 14, 2026

Put It In The Bank

Someone’s Gotta Give

What's going on: If we had Uncle Sam posters for 2026, they might say your country wants you... to give blood. Last week, the American Red Cross (ARC) declared its second-ever national blood crisis in its 145-year history. In response, the nation’s top blood supplier is rationing all remaining Type O blood (including O-negative, the only “universal” blood type). And, the org has less than a day’s worth of type O-positive blood left, which makes up 60% of its supply and is used by about 80% of patients. ARC says someone in the US needs blood “every two seconds” for surgeries, cancer treatment, chronic illnesses, etc. If the shortage gets more severe, that would mean delayed surgeries and limited transfusions for patients, including expecting and postpartum mothers.

How’d it get so bad?: Usually, demand for blood rises in the summer due to “trauma season.” More time outdoors equals more accidents. But a few factors make this summer especially bad — and it's all thanks to climate change. Extreme heat, poor air quality, and foodborne illnesses like cyclospora have contributed to a historically low donor turnout. The ARC says tens of thousands of donors showed up in recent days to fill up a vial (or three). But the organization fears the shortage will continue — even though 62% of Americans are eligible to donate, only 3% do. So, they're pulling out all the stops: In July, they offered donors free movie tickets; in August, it’s Amazon gift cards (with a bonus for type O-verachievers).

Related: An Iowa Woman Donated How Many Gallons of Blood? (KCRG)

The News in 6

🗞️ Most of the 50,000 people who crossed the border into Spain from Morocco in one day last week have gone home. It’s not clear what caused the surge, but analysts are pointing fingers.

🗞️ Ariana Grande will be “taking a step back from visibility," a rep told People, amid public scrutiny of her health.

🗞️ The Chinese government builds detailed personal data profiles on foreign visitors to the country. The New York Times revealed how.

🗞️ At least three major wildfires in Washington state forced roughly 60,000 people to evacuate and have destroyed hundreds of structures so far.

🗞️ Many GOP lawmakers told voters they're pro-IVF, and then privately tanked a proposal to expand IVF coverage for US military personnel.

🗞️ Health Secretary RFK Jr. says parents should vaccinate their kids against measles amid the worst US outbreak in decades. We’ll take “news that should not be news” for 500, Ken.

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In Our Rotation

Today’s budgeting hack? This impressive credit card offer. It includes a long no-interest period on purchases and balance transfers, 5% cash-back rewards, no annual fee, and a $200 bonus.*

Losing weight is one thing, but keeping it off is another. This program pairs GLP-1s with habits built to last. Take the quiz to unlock your personalized plan.*

Keep scrolling...more recs below

News

The Lindsay Clancy Case Goes to Trial

Note: This story discusses postpartum psychosis, suicidal ideation, and infanticide. If you need help, call the confidential National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-TLC-MAMA, or call or text 988 to reach SAMHSA’s confidential 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

What’s going on: The first-degree murder trial for Lindsay Clancy, a 35-year-old former labor and delivery nurse from Duxbury, MA, began last week. In 2023, Clancy killed her three young children and attempted suicide while her husband, Patrick, was out running errands. Lawyers for both sides agree on those facts. The question is if it was premeditated, or whether Clancy was in the throes of a postpartum mental health emergency and shouldn't be held criminally responsible.

A serious medical crisis: During his court testimony, Patrick said his wife had dealt with anxiety after the births of her first two kids, and was experiencing suicidal ideation and intrusive thoughts following the birth of her third. In the four months before she killed her children, Clancy was prescribed at least nine psychiatric medications by multiple providers. Later, she checked into a day program for postpartum depression, and eventually was admitted into a psychiatric hospital. Nineteen days after she was discharged, she heard a voice instructing her to kill her children and herself.

What to know about postpartum psychosis: Clancy was never formally diagnosed with postpartum psychosis, though her symptoms were consistent with the condition. It is a complication of childbirth that occurs in about one to two women per 1,000 births (and is not the same as postpartum depression). Symptoms can include hallucinations, delusions, and thoughts of harming yourself or your baby. With the right treatment, which always includes emergency care, women can make a full recovery. According to the Americans With Disabilities Act, parents with mental health conditions won't automatically lose custody of their kids — though that can change if a child wouldn't receive proper care at home. In 2024, Patrick told The New Yorker, "I wasn't married to a monster — I was married to someone who got sick."

Reproductive Health

Wait… Ovarian Cancer Doesn’t Start in the Ovaries?

What’s in a name: PCOS just got a new name — could ovarian cancer be next? Researchers now believe most cases of the condition, and nearly all of the deadliest ones, begin not in the ovaries but in the fallopian tubes (which The New York Times describes as “gummy worm-shaped” ducts that carry eggs to the uterus… we can’t unsee it). That discovery has experts pushing to make tube removal (which is different from getting your tubes tied) a routine add-on during other abdominal surgeries like hysterectomies, gallbladder removal, or hernia repairs. Tube removal can cut ovarian cancer risk by roughly 80%, according to the American College of Surgeons — though many younger women may choose not to do this, since it makes getting pregnant without IVF impossible. Advocacy groups, meanwhile, now want to make offering this option a standard medical practice because ovarian cancer is so difficult to catch early.

A path to prevention: If you’re already going in for a routine procedure — and you’ve either finished completing your family, or kids aren’t in the picture — it could be worth asking your doctor if they’d offer this option. Of course, consult your gynecologist about whether tubal removal makes sense given your risk factors (here they are). Researchers also want to make sure this cancer-fighting movement doesn’t push women toward tube removal if they don’t want it, especially given America’s long, troubling history with forced sterilization, particularly of Black and Native American women, and disabled folks. Also of note: Many insurance plans only cover tube removal for cancer prevention when it's connected to another medically necessary surgery, and not as an elective procedure (though it might be covered for sterilization). Meanwhile, go to the doctor if you experience these symptoms, and if you’re going under the knife already, add this to your list of considerations.

PS: Your body didn't come with a user manual — so we’re building one, one Wednesday at a time. The Skimm Well + Good newsletter breaks down the biggest stories in health, nutrition, and fitness, plus the practical steps you can take to incorporate them in your real life. Sign up here.

Quick Hits

🥩 A new study finds that Big Protein might be “overselling” how much we actually need on a daily basis. Meatless Mondays, anyone?

🧢 Over 4,000 fans showed up to watch the first professional women’s baseball game in almost 30 years. Finally, a league of their own.

💊 Melatonin, or magnesium for sleep? It depends on what’s keeping you up at night.

🫐 Yes, you’re washing your blueberries, but are you doing it right?

🎨 Say it with us: “No more neutrals.” These paint colors will give your space the jolt it needs.

🚫 These are a few surefire ways to tank your Uber rating and possibly keep cars from picking you up. If only we could be as picky about our drivers.

👀 Dakota Johnson literally pulled this old T-shirt out of the back of her closet. You might even have the same one.

On Our Calendar

Monday, August 3

🏀 Barbie x Reebok: Angel Reese 1 sneakers drop

Reese’s signature shoe gets the Barbie-pink makeover, perfectly timed to match her newly released doll. Take a look.

🍉 National Watermelon Day

Here are 37 ways to use the summer staple — even the rinds. We’ll be trying number 12.

Psst…this is just the preview: Subscribe to theSkimm app and never miss a moment.

Main Character Energy

The Skimm Shopping team loves to read, and with two dedicated book editors on staff, we also take recommendations very seriously. To keep our audience in the know, we sat down to debate our top picks — the books you’ll actually find nestled on our shelves at home. Pick up…

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In Our Rotation

We've been browsing Etsy like it's our jobs (...because it is) and unearthed the chicest products.

This air-dry cream hydrates, smoothes, defines, and doesn't make your hair feel crunchy. We also love it for slick-backs.

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

A league of their own