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Quote of the Day

"Well, I just hate [that] I'm not going to be there"

— One woman on why she threw herself a funeral for her 80th birthday. We hope the guests were in the know.

Vive La Révolution

Student Protests Rock France

What’s going on: No one protests like the French — some even consider it a national sport. But this month’s student demonstrations, which have shut down around 900 schools, are much more than a typical uprising: They've expanded from local schools concerned about understaffing and subpar facilities to 40 cities and more than 250,000 protestors (union organizers estimate 450,000). While teachers started the conversation, students and social media have spread the message — and everyone from labor unions to parents has quite literally locked arms. But what stands out is the youth driving the movement… and the police response that's come under scrutiny, with arrests, tear gas, and water cannons. A 15-year-old lost his hand to a police stun grenade this week, and 18 police conduct cases are already under investigation. Of the more than 6,000 protestors detained so far, the overwhelming majority are minors. While many were released without charges, more than 1,800 are set to be prosecuted.

A history lesson, s'il vous plaît: In France, there’s a strong sense of accountability for how federally funded social systems, like trains and schools, should be run — and that they should ultimately serve the people. But protests aren’t just French-coded. They’ve been an effective tool for institutional change, from 1968’s transformative student protests to 2018’s Yellow Vest movement when the working class challenged a fuel tax. Still, if you think teen angst may be a factor, you wouldn’t be wrong, either. Some say the protests represent a broader nihilistic movement about concerns over the economy, the future, AI, and the next political party to take power. It’s a lot to fix, but one encouraging note? The government is definitely taking the demands more seriously as the protests progress.

Related: Blood, Fire, Blockades: Snapshots of the French Student Protests (Time Magazine)

The News in 6

🗞️ Alabama and Florida have declared states of emergency as Hurricane Isaias is expected to make landfall as early as Friday.

🗞️ US sent a formal diplomatic message to Russia asking for more transparency around the reported plague death. President Donald Trump said he also plans to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin “very soon.”

🗞️ The University of Arizona has suspended all fraternity activity as it investigates allegations of “physical assault, drugs and alcohol, [and] hazing,” with some cases under criminal investigation.

🗞️ A scientist found that while a woman’s brain shrinks during pregnancy, it doesn’t affect cognitive function. So pregnancy brain might just be, you know, fatigue from growing a human.

🗞️ Researchers have identified over 1,000 graves — mostly without names — in 29 states. They belong to children who died while incarcerated in youth detention centers from the 1800s to the 1950s, with Black children disproportionately represented.

🗞️ Tech founders say they may have a solution to rising diesel prices and the cost of trucking: autonomous trains. Anything to lower the price of our tomatoes.

✴︎

In Our Rotation

Our nominee for fall’s must-wear piece is… this streetwear-inspired track pant with a barrel-leg silhouette. The lightweight fabric and retro vibe make it the perfect upgrade for any casual outfit.*

Internet out during your busiest time? This convenience store POS has an offline mode that keeps the register running, plus 24/7 support if anything goes sideways. Get a demo.*

Keep scrolling... more recs below

Immigration

ICE-ing the Economy

What's going on: President Donald Trump claimed his mass deportation campaign would boost the economy by removing undocumented immigrants who he says strain resources and take jobs from Americans. But new research says cities like Minneapolis, which underwent Operation Metro Surge starting late last year, experienced a nearly 3% decline in weekly foot traffic to businesses, and a more than 6% drop in spending. The study compiled years’ worth of data — including news articles, cell phone records, and consumer credit and debit card purchases — that suggests billions of dollars of spending were collectively lost in cities where raids happened. In June, the Minneapolis government concluded they lost an estimated $700 million in five months from the surge. A separate study at Brookings published last month said employment dropped in US cities experiencing immigration enforcement raids.

More darkness ahead?: The research suggests ICE raids have forced business owners and consumers to operate in a fear-driven economy. But Trump doesn’t appear to be changing his plan anytime soon: ICE arrested nearly 50,000 in July, its biggest month for immigration arrests in his second term. A spokesperson for the president rejects the notion that these policies are hurting the economy, saying a “surge in illegal immigration under President Biden threatened the long-run fiscal health of the country, contributed to record-high inflation, and suppressed the wages of American workers.” Since Biden left office in January 2025, inflation has risen from 3.0% to 3.4%, while wage growth slowed to 3.0% last month. Despite lingering economic worries in Minneapolis, there’s reason to be hopeful: thanks to the World Cup and a “taco tour,” year-over-year foot traffic grew for the first time in August in certain areas since Operation Metro Surge began.

A for Effort

This Was Made by Human Hands

What's going on: As Skechers’ alarmingly crotch-forward AI ads flood NYC subways, some brands are loudly saying “no” to AI-generated advertising. Instead, they’re going out of their way to show the human effort behind their campaigns. Meet “effort signaling” — demonstrating the process of making things by hand as a way to indicate skill and value. It spans price points, from Abercrombie & Fitch hiring an artist to make jean-shaped pasta for an Instagram Reel, to Hermès commissioning illustrators to create hand-drawn animations for a new store opening. “The more you can show the length of time to produce anything is now the biggest signifier of value,” brand consultant Miranda Shanahan told Vogue.

Don Draper would be proud: Consumers are increasingly vocal about their dislike of AI, leaving scathing comments and even booing. This can happen even when an ad wasn’t actually made with the tech, like a recent Gohar World video that the brand had to clarify was made by humans. This kind of marketing isn’t entirely new: In 2024, Dove vowed to never use AI to represent real women. But the haters seem to be getting louder; LinkedIn even introduced a “seems like AI slop” button in July to address the issue. An Ipsos study from earlier this year backs up what brands have noticed: AI advertising “consistently underperforms on emotional engagement” and “struggles to drive business outcomes.” To paraphrase Ben Wyatt, do you think AI could make this?

Related: Meet the Anti-Smartphone Influencer (The New York Times gift link)

Moms Who Get It Awards

When babies become toddlers, new categories of stuff reveal themselves. Suddenly you need not just rattles but art supplies and games; not just onesies but outfits and rain boots. As you make the trip from little to big (and bigger) kid, we have you covered:

L.L.Bean’s Kids' Northwoods Boots. They’re sturdy and warm, and (if you play your cards right) can be used for at least two winters.
The high chair that’s simple, dependable, and easy to clean (and that’s really all we ask).
A great book series, aka the gift that keeps on giving and giving.
Roomy, durable, and design-forward backpacks from Pottery Barn Kids.
And the rest of our toddler- and kid-ready recs

Quick Hits

🚪 The home upgrade you didn’t know you needed: A tiny door connecting your garage and kitchen so you can unload your Costco haul with ease. Our kind of Narnia.

😂 Ben Affleck recreated a famous scene from Good Will Hunting, swapping Matt Damon with Kerry Washington. It is apple season, after all.

🍸 Put down the mulled cider: We’re going back to the ‘90s with the bright green appletini (paging JD). But you can make it a little fancier this time.

👜 Telfar played a chic prank on Paris Fashion Week attendees by holding the real fashion show in Brooklyn and livestreaming it. What’s French for “gotcha”?

🐼 A new form of cute aggression: The way Anna Kendrick literally shoved everyone (including the bride) out of the way so she could see her favorite animal at her brother’s zoo wedding.

💜 Royal purple has been declared this autumn’s “it” color. This wasn’t in our wardrobe color theory.

📈 Turns out, 80% of people who follow this type of plan enjoy life more comfortably.*^†

On Our Calendar

Thursday, October 8

🎤 New episode of Well Played out

Could Tom Brady and Gisele Bündchen’s split have been written in the stars? Literally? Cohosts Blake and Caroline dig into the new Brady biography, plus why the A’ja Wilson-Fever fan incident continues to make waves. Catch it on Spotify, YouTube, and Apple Podcasts.

🍿 Law & Order SVU season premiere

Season 28 kicks off tonight at 8 pm ET on NBC. Ahead of the premiere, Kelli Giddish — aka Sergeant Rollins — gave us the scoop on her real-life friendship with Mariska Hargitay.

☄️ Catch the Draconid meteor shower

A celestial event I don’t have to set an alarm for? Yes, please. This annual meteor shower begins peaking at about 9 pm ET tonight. Here’s what to watch for.

😋 National Salmon Day

Your easiest weeknight meal just got a little more interesting. Enter: “boyfriend salmon.”

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

✴︎

In Our Rotation

This nootropics capsule can help with focus, clarity, memory, and cognitive function, which we could honestly use more of these days. Use code FALLNC25OFF for a discount.

If you love the way your hair looks after getting a glaze at the salon, this will give you the same results at home (and for way less money).

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

Which skimm gets your vote?

A. “My unread books watching me add another to my TBR” — Sara S., New York, NY

B. “That one friend describing how this guy is ‘different from all the rest,’” — Jess C., Indianapolis, IN

C. “My Gen Z coworkers when I say ‘I did a thing,’” — Leah R., New York, NY

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

Together with

Quote of the Day

"Well, I just hate [that] I'm not going to be there"

Vive La Révolution

Student Protests Rock France

The News in 6

✴︎

In Our Rotation

Immigration

ICE-ing the Economy

A for Effort

This Was Made by Human Hands

Moms Who Get It Awards

Quick Hits

On Our Calendar

Thursday, October 8

🎤 New episode of Well Played out

🍿 Law & Order SVU season premiere

☄️ Catch the Draconid meteor shower

😋 National Salmon Day

✴︎

In Our Rotation

Skimm This

Which skimm gets your vote?

Costco fans, you’ve gone too far