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"We have lost the plot"

— A gynecological oncologist on the latest wellness trend that has women looking inward. New Goop candle loading...

Rep. Max Miller remains defiant he will stay in his position despite calls for him to resign over abuse allegations.

Politics

When Domestic Abuse Claims Aren’t a Deal Breaker

Note: The following story mentions domestic violence and abuse.

What’s going on: This past weekend, Rep. Max Miller (R-OH) made it clear that he will not drop his reelection bid, despite domestic abuse claims against him. Earlier this year, Emily Moreno, his ex-wife and the director of a conservative think tank, detailed in court documents allegations of physical abuse by Miller that include scalding her with hot water, pushing her into a wall, putting a gun to her head, and breaking their 2-year-old daughter’s collarbone. She’s not the first woman to accuse Miller of violence. In a livestream on X on Sunday, Miller denied the allegations and doubled down on his campaign for a third term. Afterward, Moreno’s father — who is US Senator Bernie Moreno (R-OH) — said on X that, “Max Miller needs serious psychological help. He is a danger to my daughter, and I hold my breath every minute he has custody of my granddaughter.”

How is this man still on the ballot?: Mostly because Republicans haven’t abandoned him yet. President Donald Trump has yet to publicly withdraw support for Miller. Most Republicans — aside from Sen. Moreno and a handful of others — seem to be following Trump’s lead. Speaker Mike Johnson said he wanted to let investigations “play out,” before adding, “There’s all sorts of domestic events going on with 435 members of Congress all the time, it’s not my business to get engaged in it.” (Memo to Mike Johnson: It is your business.) The House Ethics Committee has opened an investigation into Miller, which he asked for. In addition to the abuse claims, the committee is also looking at illegal drug use allegations. That could take months to complete. In the meantime, Miller could secure another term in his reliably red congressional seat. And he seems willing to take that risk. In an interview, Miller said he looks to Trump as an example, citing his “resilience” in the 2016 presidential race. According to Ohio law, if Republicans want to replace Miller on the ballot, he needs to drop out this week — and they need to pick a new name by EOD Monday. Tick tock.

The News in 6

🗞️ The FDA approved the first-ever flu vaccine using mRNA technology, which can be produced faster and make it easier for health officials to respond to new strains.

🗞️ Temporary Protected Status for Haitians has officially ended. At least 350,000 people in the US now face potential job loss and deportation.

🗞️ After more states reported cyclosporiasis outbreaks, an updated map of confirmed cases shows where the illness has spread.

🗞️ Three people have been arrested for allegedly threatening witnesses in the Nolan Wells investigation.

🗞️ Video footage shows a Russian drone (often called a "human safari") targeting a Ukrainian vegetable vendor in the city of Kherson.

🗞️ President Donald Trump’s helicopter flew too close to a passenger plane, reviving concerns about DC's crowded airspace.

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In Our Rotation

Our editor tried TikTok-viral teeth whitening strips ahead of her wedding — but do they actually work?

Usher in the new school (or office) year with these fresh outfit ideas.

Keep scrolling...more recs below

Water, Water, Everywhere

But Not a Drop To Drink

What’s going on: Sparkling, still, or contaminated water? That’s the question fracking has put on the table. Though it’s made the US the biggest global producer of natural gas, it’s also created hundreds of billions of gallons of radioactive wastewater full of cancer-causing chemicals. The fossil fuel industry “gets rid of” that waste by injecting it deep underground –– often without the knowledge of the people living above it. (Hello, Erin Brockovich, are you hearing this?) The New York Times reports that in at least one Ohio city, this water is now bubbling to the surface. Locals fear this has poisoned the city’s water supply for generations to come — something scientists warned about years ago. It’s another example of a familiar pattern: Booming industries move into town seeking big profits, and leave bigger environmental problems in their wake.

The new fracking?: Yesterday’s fracking wells may be today's data centers. The trillion-dollar sector comes with serious energy and environmental costs, including air, water, and soil pollution. Still, the Trump administration has recently given the go-ahead to construct more than 80 gas-burning power plants just to power data centers. But, the midterms are proving to be a powerful check against this rapid industrial growth –– with seven out of 10 Americans saying “not in my backyard.” Michigan’s Abdul El-Sayed won the Democratic Senate primary this week after making fighting data center construction a central part of his campaign. And then there's Francesca Hong, a Democratic gubernatorial candidate in Wisconsin who wants to “control-alt-delete” them. Even in Texas, the backlash against data centers is so fierce that Gov. Greg Abbott (R) put their construction on pause to audit how they'll impact local communities. For now, the least we can do is hold off on all those unnecessary AI prompts.

A-FORE!-dable Housing

No Ifs, Ands, or Putts

What’s going on: Whether you live in a city or the ‘burbs, the fight over where to build affordable housing is growing ever more contentious. Enter: golf courses. Huge plots of land that would provide housing and mean your partner can't disappear for six hours on a Saturday. (Don't get us wrong, we love recreation.) Las Vegas is betting big on the Desert Pines Redevelopment project, which would create more than 1,000 affordable multifamily units and 280 market-rate homes on a former golf course. It’ll take a decade to complete, and includes a community center, early education center, job training center, and commercial space. If all goes well, it could be teed up as a model for others to follow.

Other cities double bogey: Las Vegas is one of the few cities to actually move forward on turning golf courses into housing opportunities. Last year, New York Mayoral Candidate Brad Lander pushed to convert some of the city’s 2,500 acres of golf courses into affordable housing... and clearly that wasn't a hole-in-one. Denver had a similar proposal, but pushback was so strong the city abandoned the plan in favor of building a public park instead. Virginia Beach tees up next: its City Council is set to vote on a plan that would convert parts of a city golf course into a new child care center and 659 new mixed-income homes. Cities often avoid building affordable housing where there would be outcry, particularly from wealthy residents. In some cases, that outcry makes sense (unlike my golf game, which never does): Residents who moved into their homes expecting to live near a recreation space now face a different reality. But in a state like Nevada where they’re short 120,000 affordable homes, experts argue that city officials can no longer afford to sidestep that divot.

Related: A Missed Deadline Will Force the Department of Education To Pay Out $23 Billion (The New York Times gift link)

Quick Hits

🌕 Part of a SpaceX rocket crashed into the moon, but that might be a good thing. Can someone send Ms. Frizzle up there?

✨ Feeling blah? Experts say you should try doing this to strangers. Cute shoes, by the way.

🍝 An Italian chef swears by this protein-packed pasta sauce recipe. If you’re thinking his secret ingredient is cottage cheese, guess again.

⛔ One of the Little Rascals admitted he took something from the movie set… and no, it wasn’t the car. Oh...tay?

🍪 Ever wanted to know what Ted Lasso’s biscuits taste like? Turns out, you're not alone.

🫘 “Fiber-maxxing” is all well and good until it backfires — but these tricks can help you avoid that. We didn’t even know number five was a thing.

On Our Calendar

Thursday, August 6

🎤 New episode of Well Played out

This week, theSkimm’s cohosts, Blake and Caroline, chat about Ted Lasso and the latest season of Netflix’s Quarterback. Plus: Did Martha Stewart do Jalen Brunson dirty? Check it out on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.

🗳️ Primary day in Tennessee

Voters statewide head to the polls to cast their ballots. Thanks to redistricting, all eyes are on this GOP race for a House seat.

🛍️ H&M x Wardrobe.NYC collection drops

Fall dressing just got easier. It includes staples inspired by the minimalist brand’s archive — like blazers, jackets, skirts, and bodysuits. Take a peek.

🤸‍♀️ US Gymnastics Championships start

The road to the next Olympics begins here. Watch some of the country's most elite women’s and men's gymnasts (including these famous Paris Olympians) compete in Phoenix through Sunday. 10/10.

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

(Not So) Silly Little Treats

Retail therapy is very real — and sometimes it’s the pocket-sized purchases that bring us outsized amounts of joy. These small-but-special treats will give you that zing of satisfaction (and you’ll actually use them constantly):

An AirTag keychain in cheeky shapes
This ultra-luxurious lip balm (pro tip: choose “auto-replenish” to get 20% off)
A Y2K-inspired charm bracelet
The perfect crispy chocolate chip cookies (use code SKIMM20 for 20% off)
Apple-shaped sticky notes for back-to-school season

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In Our Rotation

So many of our all-time favorite beauty products are drugstore purchases (for under $20).

Sometimes, the least expensive products make the biggest difference in your daily routine.

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

On Tuesday, we asked you to skimm this photo — and hundreds of you delivered. We narrowed it down to three. Now, it's your turn: Which skimm gets your vote?

Princes George and Louis at the Commonwealth Games

“You vs. the company new hire” — Carrie R., Seal Beach, CA

“When your parents say you can go out, but you have to take your little brother.” — Megan H., Tallahassee, FL

“Me when my extroverted friend finally gets me to a social gathering.” — Tanja B., Woodinville, WA

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

Iguana know more