Daily Skimm

Good morning.

I’ve got a confession: I’ve gone off the screen-time deep end. I’m not going to say how much — some things are embarrassing, and also sacred. But I am desperate for some semblance of a screen-time schedule, and I’m ready to try out a few analog hobbies. First up, I’ll swap my bedtime doomscrolls for a book. I made it off my library’s waitlist for The Shampoo Effect by Jenny Jackson, so I’ll start there. When theSkimm’s Weekend team interviewed her last month, Jackson made a very compelling pitch for Colin from Accounts; I’ll stream that next. (The big screen is fine for this experiment, OK?) Finally, a major craving for my favorite zucchini quesadillas will keep my hands busy (and guarantees plenty of delicious leftovers). Keep your fingers crossed for me, and in the meantime, let’s get to the news…

— Kylie McConville / VP, Editorial / Astoria, NY

Troubled Waters

How Low Will the Colorado River Go?

What’s going on: The Colorado River water crisis has reached a new level... and it's not good. On Saturday, Lake Powell — the nation’s second-largest water reservoir — saw its elevation drop to 3,519.91 feet, its lowest point on record. The news comes less than two weeks after Lake Mead, the nation’s biggest reservoir, hit its own dangerously low level. The last time experts estimate water levels were this depleted was in 1957, before Lake Powell even existed. Together, the reservoirs sustain the Colorado River (called the “lifeblood of the Southwest”). The system provides water and electricity to 40 million Americans across seven US states — including Native American tribes — and two northern states in Mexico. While both bodies have steadily declined for the past two decades, the latest water line at Lake Powell is less than 30 feet from the minimum required to keep its largest dam generating hydropower. If that happens, nearly 500,000 households could risk losing power.

Are we at rock bottom?: Not yet... but the blueprints didn't factor in climate change. And now, the West is warming faster than the rest of the US, while the region's been locked in a "megadrought" for years. Last winter was one of the warmest and driest on record. It’s caused the Southwest’s water bank account to shrink by roughly 20% since 2000. Scientists agree that today's levels are "unprecedented," and federal officials have made strides toward a short-term solution to get through until next year. That doesn't mean the glass is half full. While most households in the Southwest won't lose water completely, others could be on borrowed time. In Northern Arizona’s Native American communities, one-third of households lack running water because neighboring states have blocked their access. A longer-term plan to limit water usage is at a standstill because the seven states that depend on the river don't agree on how much to scale back. Until they do, one scholar warns, “the ship continues to sink."

The News in 5

🗞️ Actress Hayden Panettiere, 36, has died, according to her representative. Her father asked for privacy "as our family takes time to process this unimaginable loss."

🗞️ Before it was downgraded to a tropical storm, Hurricane Lala killed at least one person in Hawaii, while severe flooding following a storm system in Indiana killed at least seven people.

🗞️ Kentucky’s Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear says he’s heard “absolutely nothing” from Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell after repeatedly asking the 84-year-old to publicly address his health.

🗞️ Families of sailors aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln blasted President Donald Trump after he said the ship’s record deployment of nearly 270 days at sea was “not nearly long enough.”

🗞️ A food safety rule designed to help the FDA trace outbreaks faster has already been delayed for 15 years. Now, it’s on the backburner again, this time until 2028. This won't help our trust issues.

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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.*

Starting today, Ana Luisa — our go-to brand for jewelry that looks expensive (but actually isn't) — is running a 48-hour flash sale, with select items at 30% off. Once you put on these huggies, you'll never take them off.

Keep scrolling...more recs below

Save the Date

Dems Hard Launch Their South Carolina Era

What’s going on: Talk about regional differences. On Saturday, the Democratic National Committee (DNC) approved its primary calendar for the 2028 presidential election. South Carolina will lead, with a primary vote scheduled for January 22. Nevada, New Hampshire, and New Mexico will follow. The new schedule gives states with large Black and Latino populations a more significant role in choosing the party’s nominee — a job every state wants. But why South Carolina? The DNC pointed to its diverse electorate, history of helping determine Democratic nominees, and ongoing voting rights and redistricting battles. Then-President Joe Biden first pushed Democrats to break with tradition and put South Carolina ahead of Iowa in 2024. The 2028 calendar shows that the change wasn’t a fluke.

Feeling secondary: Some party leaders in Iowa are, to put it lightly, not happy about the change. Iowa’s disastrous 2020 caucuses led Democrats to break with the old order, but it seems the state had hoped it’d get another chance. State Rep. Ross Wilburn (D) said that it “signals to voters here in the Midwest that their voices don’t matter.” And New Hampshire isn’t exactly planning to wait its turn. Because state law requires NH to hold the nation's first presidential primary, officials could choose to defy the DNC calendar and move its election up. (It wouldn't be the first time.) Meanwhile, Republicans — who are expected to launch their primary in the Iowa caucuses — are not letting the opportunity to dunk on the Dems go to waste. "We love Iowa," said RNC Chair Joe Gruters last week. “The Democrat Party hates Iowa.”

Related: Iowa Voters Say Cancer Concerns Trump Economy (The Guardian)

Vax Attacks

Just a Little Extra Jab

What’s going on: Pediatricians’ offices are hotbeds for germs and delays at the best of times. Now a new policy led by President Donald Trump’s admin could increase both. Last week, Trump signed an executive order to decrease the recommended number of diseases children should be vaccinated against from 18 to 11. Vaccines for COVID-19, flu, rotavirus, hepatitis A and B, and meningococcal disease would instead fall under "shared clinical decision-making” — aka discuss it with your doc. The order pushes for vaccines to be given at separate visits when possible, even though the childhood vaccine schedule already spreads doses across multiple appointments. It also calls for the combined MMR shot (measles, mumps, and rubella) to eventually become three separate shots. There’s just one problem: those individual shots don’t currently exist in the US.

The waiting game: The American Academy of Pediatrics opposes the overhaul and is sticking with its own schedule. Pediatricians also say “shared decision-making” can add time to already packed appointments. Addressing families’ vaccine concerns could make for longer visits, contributing to delays and burnout. Meanwhile, there’s no evidence that spacing routine vaccines out makes kids safer, and delaying doses can leave them exposed to preventable infections. What’s now handled in one wellness visit could become five to nine separate shots (in as many visits). And if the executive order holds, fewer automatic recommendations could mean more back-and-forth for parents and caregivers. Even though insurance companies have committed to cover all vaccines recommended by the CDC through 2027, according to their trade association, the change could potentially lead to more out-of-pocket costs.

PS: Parenting already comes with approximately 4,000 health questions before breakfast. Every Wednesday, Skimm Well + Good breaks down what the latest health news actually means for you and your family. Subscribe here.

Together with Hallmark

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Which moment would you send a greeting card for?

advice for the baby cousin about to graduate college (how??)

A. Family celebrations

your niece lost her first tooth AND had her first dance recital!

B. Big milestones

your work BFF has been crushing it lately

C. Everyday wins

D. All of the above

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A handwritten card hits every time. Thankfully, celebrating life’s special moments (big and small) is made easier with the help of a Hallmark greeting card.

Quick Hits

🧘 Physical therapists want you to do these six easy exercises to stay limber — nothing fights “tech neck” like cat-cow.

🫢 Kaia Gerber casually revealed that she was exorcised as a child. Celebrities’ lives really are different.

🥤So long, chia seeds. Dietitians say prunes are an underrated smoothie add-in for more fiber, natural sweetness, and keeping you fuller for longer.

💇 Taylor Swift got a new, shorter haircut that looks straight out of her 1989 era. Alexa, play “Style.”

🍲 The best way to cool off in summer is… hot soup? We're willing to try anything.

🐣 Salma Hayek is now a grandmother, if you wanted to have a crisis about the passage of time today.

On Our Calendar

Monday, August 17

🍿 Black Reel TV Awards

The awards honor the best in Black entertainment — and this year, Ironheart and Abbott Elementary top the nominations list. Find out who wins here.

🏸 World Championships of badminton start

The 30th edition of the tournament kicks off in New Delhi, India — and the stadium’s team got crafty with a fix to a potential distraction. No monkeying around here.

🛍️ National Thrift Store Day

Celebrate with a visit to your local thrift shop. Just try to avoid these seven mistakes.

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

Well Played

In this week’s episode of Well Played, Blake and Caroline discuss Hilary Duff making the rounds like LeBron James, bouncing from Florida to Los Angeles to Philly on her latest tour. So… who’s gonna tell Hilary that she needs to make a pilgrimage to Cleveland? Meanwhile, Caroline recaps the snooze fest that was the Hall of Fame game, an unhinged speech by one of its inductees, and why the Hall of Fame voting committee should consider Tom Brady’s nose-pinching-when-swimming for his future candidacy.

Start Listening

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In Our Rotation

This male fertility supplement is pretty genius — not least because it comes in individual packets, so he won't forget to take them.

We love this easy Old Navy tank for its double-layered material that keeps bra straps hidden. It's almost always on sale.

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 soup-er summer tip