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Quote of the Day

"The camera switched to selfie mode, and I thought, ‘I look good'"

— Everyone’s favorite octogenarian, still serving looks, hot takes, and delicious cakes after all these years.

U.S. Sailors prepare to stage ordnance on the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) in support of Operation Epic Fury on February 28, 2026 at Sea.

Men & Missiles

Make Stockpiles Big Again

What's going on: Operation Epic Fury has turned into Operation Missile Critical. Several media outlets report that the US military’s critical defense missile stockpile has been severely depleted. That includes “virtually all” of the long-range missiles in fighting with Iran, and more than 80% of a specific defensive missile that shoots down incoming fire. US commanders are now conserving supplies. In addition to putting US troops at a disadvantage, experts say this kind of shortage could hamstring the military in future conflicts. If you’re wondering, “but what about the $1.15 trillion that Congress just approved for the military?,” part of it is earmarked for new missiles. But the Center for Strategic and International Studies says that effort takes time that the US doesn’t have.

It’s a war of words: And Trump and the media are on opposing sides (for a refreshing change of pace). In June, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the military’s stockpiles are great and getting stronger. In a Truth Social post, President Donald Trump wrote that the US has “massive amounts of munitions” and threatened to prosecute anyone who says otherwise. But The Washington Post reports that the president confronted Hegseth at Camp David last week, saying he thought the shortage issue “had been fixed.” Hegseth allegedly blamed his deputy. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell denied this exchange happened and separately said, “America’s military is the most powerful in the world and has everything it needs."

The News in 6

🗞️ Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche can be heard in leaked audio discussing plans for a national abortion ban with right-wing faith leaders. Meanwhile, newly confirmed CDC Director Erica Schwartz said she plans to make “abortion surveillance” a priority.

🗞️ Trump-backed Rep. Andy Ogles (R) lost his primary in Tennessee in an upset, amid criticism of his anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim sentiments.

🗞️ By law, the government must provide legal aid for unaccompanied migrant kids in deportation court. It just awarded a $150 million contract to a Trump-linked firm.

🗞️ FCC commissioners may have broken the law while reviewing Paramount’s $111 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. Floor seats will cost ya.

🗞️ A New Mexico judge ordered Meta to pay $567 million — on top of the $375 million it already owes — to address the harms that its platforms pose to children.

🗞️ We have these two women to thank for the European boycott that pressured FIFA to cancel its plans to sell off part of the World Cup. Way to stick it to the man.

✴︎

In Our Rotation

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Sidelined

The Most Extreme Trans Athlete Ban Yet

What’s going on: This November, Washington state voters will decide on a ballot initiative that would bar transgender athletes from girls' sports teams. It would require athletes from kindergarten through high school to prove their sex assigned at birth with an annual genetic screening, testosterone testing, or a genital exam. Experts call the ballot proposal the “most extreme” of its kind. Details on how the ban would be enforced are sparse, but parents are concerned that it could include internal pelvic exams — which is not part of a routine sports physical (despite the initiative’s wording). The ballot measure’s supporters say that a ban is necessary to ensure girls’ competition is “fair,” but some Washington teens interviewed by The Cut said they’d rather drop out of their sport. As one girl put it, she doesn’t want to feel “uncomfortable or violated” during her annual sports physical.

How do trans kids impact girls' sports?: Available data shows that only a tiny percentage of trans athletes play in American high schools — many of whom simply want a chance to compete and hang out with their friends. A recent study in The British Journal of Sports Medicine found that the physical performance of trans female athletes is usually on par with that of their cis counterparts. Meanwhile, states that are inclusive of trans kids tend to see more girls participate in sports overall, which brings all kinds of long-term health and mental health benefits.

Cheers

The Booze Belt

What’s going on: Over a hundred years after Prohibition, we’re turning down drinks — and this time, it’s by choice. Americans are shifting away from alcohol consumption, which has hit a nearly 90-year low among US adults. Young people are leading the charge, often citing their health: A recent study found that even low levels of drinking can raise cancer and heart disease risks. Less booze may be good for immunity, but it’s not always great for community — namely, the local economies that depend on alcohol sales. Take Kentucky, where Jim Beam and Jack Daniel's recently cut hundreds of in-person roles. Most US restaurants and bars that have always made their profits in alcohol sales aren't bringing in nearly as much from their zero-proof cocktails. Then there’s Napa Valley, where vineyard owners are literally letting grapes die on the vine rather than shoulder the costs of hanging onto bottles that don't sell. Even Las Vegas is down on its luck, thanks to declines in drinking and food purchases.

A sobering glimpse: The alcohol industry is intertwined with communities in other ways, too. Brown-Forman (which owns Jack Daniel’s) is a major patron of arts and culture in Louisville. Last fiscal year, it gave away over $14 million as one of the region’s biggest philanthropic groups. That money could dry up in the future if sales are down. But there are plenty of other “third space” disruptors hoping to fill the boozy void by giving people a place to socialize and spend money. Sober bars are on the rise. Data shows that the mere opening of a Starbucks boosts economic activity. Maybe women's sports bars, which quadrupled in number last year, have it right: Come for the sports, stay for the vibes.

Related: Trump’s Canadian Tariffs Are Hurting Napa Valley, Too (The Guardian)

TOGETHER WITH ELI LILLY AND COMPANY

Thing To Know

And now for some good news: annual lung cancer screenings can reduce the risk of mortality by 20%. Yep, 20%. Here’s why that matters: Early detection of lung cancer through screenings helps give people the best opportunity to benefit from treatments, including novel ones.

Thanks to comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP), your care team has the potential to get to the root cause of what’s driving the cancer. CGP looks broadly across a tumor's DNA for changes that may be driving the cancer, helping you and your healthcare provider determine if you may benefit from a targeted treatment option.

Bottom line: If you or a loved one are at risk for lung cancer (or think you might be), ask your provider about lung health screening and the value of CGP. More info = informed decisions.

Learn More

Quick Hits

🎵 A$AP Rocky gave fans an update about Rihanna, and we needed this like, FourFiveSeconds ago.

🍅 A food writer tested eight ways to keep tomatoes fresh, and the best method took us by complete surprise. Our summer BLTs thank you.

💨 Here is the airplane habit that travelers agree is the worst, and you might be part of the problem. Seatbelt fastened, please.

☀️ The world’s most powerful solar telescope just captured stunning new images of the sun’s surface, and you gotta see this glow up.

🫶 Kylie Kelce confirms this is the reason her husband, Jason, cried at Travis and Taylor’s wedding. Just girl dad things.

🌈 Lisa Frank is still marketing to us ‘90s kids with a grown-up brand collab. Color us pleased.

Skimm This

And the winning skimm is…

“When your parents say you can go out, but you have to take your little brother.”

Princes George and Louis at the Commonwealth Games

Hundreds of you skimm’d this photo of princes George and Louis at Scotland’s Commonwealth Games. But Megan H. from Tallahassee, FL, took the crown, with 56% of the vote. Now, let’s celebrate. Baby brothers optional.

See you next week.

On Our Calendar

Friday, August 7

🍺 International Beer Day

See which topped this 20-brew taste test. Testers drank them in Solo cups, naturally.

⚽ NWSL: Gotham FC vs. San Diego Wave

First-place Gotham takes on the fourth-place Wave at home at 8 pm ET. Before the game, check out what happened the last time they met. That final goal, though.

Saturday, August 8

🏈 Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremony

The Hall of Fame welcomes five new members. Surprisingly, this famous coach didn’t make the cut.

⚽ NWSL: Washington Spirit vs. North Carolina Courage

Trinity Rodman and the Spirit take on Ashley Sanchez and the Courage at home. The match kicks off at 6:30 pm ET on Ion.

Sunday, August 9

📚 Book Lovers Day

Curl up with one of our 80+ favorite books, handpicked by Skimm editors.

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

✴︎

In Our Rotation

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The surfer girl aesthetic is back. This striped matching set has a laidback, beachy vibe, but it wouldn't look out of place in the city.

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

KNOW IT ALL

A new Very Serious Study ranked the top state fairs in the nation. And the deep-fried, down-home winner is…

20th June 1953: Two young women eating candy floss at a fun fair in Battersea Park, London.

A. The Iowa State Fair

B. The Washington State Fair

C. The Minnesota State Fair

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Spotlight on

🥳 Some Birthdays

theSkimm’s Margaret Wheeler Johnson (NY), theSkimm’s Mallory Simon (NY), Tristram Carver (NY), Madison Ottenbacher (NY), Morgan McDougald (SC), Amy Goettle (TX), Jeanne Dupre (LA), Jeff Bridges (CO), Maegan Lovell (WA), Ashley Sandy (VT), Bridget Smith (NY), Annika Puth (DC), Nicki Doane (HI), Jason Starrett (LA), and Frank Duan (WI)

Together with

Quote of the Day

"The camera switched to selfie mode, and I thought, ‘I look good'"

Men & Missiles

Make Stockpiles Big Again

The News in 6

✴︎

In Our Rotation

Sidelined

The Most Extreme Trans Athlete Ban Yet

Cheers

The Booze Belt

TOGETHER WITH ELI LILLY AND COMPANY

Thing To Know

Quick Hits

Skimm This

And the winning skimm is…

“When your parents say you can go out, but you have to take your little brother.”

On Our Calendar

Friday, August 7

🍺 International Beer Day

⚽ NWSL: Gotham FC vs. San Diego Wave

Saturday, August 8

🏈 Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremony

⚽ NWSL: Washington Spirit vs. North Carolina Courage

Sunday, August 9

📚 Book Lovers Day

✴︎

In Our Rotation

KNOW IT ALL

A new Very Serious Study ranked the top state fairs in the nation. And the deep-fried, down-home winner is…

Spotlight on

🥳 Some Birthdays

It’s just plane annoying