Daily Skimm

Quote of the Day

"My lover, ChatGPT"

— Kelly Clarkson, jeopardizing her universal approval rating by coming out as passionately pro-AI. But does she serenade it with “My Life Would Suck Without You”?

A student walking past a sign that says "Cornell Police"

Law & Order

A Tale of Two Systems

What's going on: In the days since a former Cornell student filed a civil lawsuit alleging she was gang raped by a group of seven fraternity members in 2024, her case has put a spotlight on how campus police and the criminal justice system respond to sexual assault. According to The New York Times, in November of 2024, Cornell police and the school’s Title IX office conducted hours of interviews with Jane Doe, which they summarized in a six-page report that was shared with Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten. Among other things, the summary failed to include this clear statement from Doe: “I can say with 100% confidence I was raped.” Van Houten, who reopened the case earlier this week, said that this summary was the main piece of evidence that his department considered two years ago when it declined to press charges. On Thursday, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said she’d “lost faith” in Van Houten’s ability to oversee the investigation and was appointing state Attorney General Letitia James to take over.

Tell me more: University police officers that are employed on 1,300 college campuses in the US are trained like regular law enforcement officers. But they also receive additional training on Title IX — which, among other things, helps ensure that campus sexual assaults are investigated. Cornell’s Title IX committee held at least a dozen hearings on this case following the alleged gang rape, collecting hundreds of pages of evidence that included emails, text messages, and interviews. It’s unclear how much of that evidence was ultimately reviewed by the DA’s office. While some legal experts say university proceedings can often lead to more accountability than the criminal justice system — where less than 10% of sexual assault cases end in a conviction — others say they mainly exist to protect a school's reputation. One law professor interviewed by the BBC describes both systems as often being “virtually impossible to navigate” for survivors.

The News in 5

🗞️ The Supreme Court agreed to decide whether ICE can hold millions of undocumented immigrants indefinitely.

🗞️ Christa Pike’s attorneys say she is in critical condition after Tennessee’s failed attempt to execute the death row inmate earlier this week. They say officials spent an hour trying to establish an IV and used seven needles in one arm.

🗞️ President Donald Trump’s economic approval hit a new low at 26%, according to the latest AP poll. Eighty-three percent of Americans disapprove of how he's tackled the cost of living, including 5 in 10 Republicans.

🗞️ The family of Renee Good, who was killed by an ICE agent in Minneapolis in January, filed lawsuits against the ICE officer who shot her, as well as five current or former Trump administration officials.

🗞️ A New Jersey data center ran dozens of gas-powered generators without permits for nearly a year, with one expert estimating they released 140 tons of harmful air pollution. The facility has since been fined $1 million. Feels like that may barely compute.

✴︎

In Our Rotation

Two things we're loving right now: this rich moisturizer and this fleece crew sweatshirt.

Until October 8, get up to 50% off fall items at Old Navy. We wouldn't wait, though — you can get an extra 30% off with code EXTRA. That promo ends today.

Keep scrolling... more recs below

Health

A Trend We Don't Love

What's going on: Besides unaffordable housing and endless student loans, here's another thing for millennials and Gen Z to worry about. According to a new study in Neurology, strokes among adults 20 to 54 have nearly doubled over almost three decades, even as rates for older adults have gone down. Doctors have long known that oral contraceptives increase stroke risk in younger women (Hailey Bieber said that doctors attributed her birth control as a likely cause of her “mini-stroke”), but this study found other major factors at play. High blood pressure, diabetes, and irregular heartbeats were all significantly more common in younger stroke patients. Another factor could be marijuana, which was responsible for a large part of the increase in substance use among younger adults who had strokes.

Your cheat sheet: As a refresher, a stroke happens when blood flow to part of the brain is blocked or a blood vessel ruptures. The increase in this study was driven by ischemic strokes, the blocked-blood-flow kind. They’re still uncommon in younger adults, but because the symptoms can be subtle (think: slightly drooping arm, word slurring, even uncontrolled hiccups), it’s important to recognize the signs and act on them. Remember BE FAST: sudden Balance loss, Eyesight changes, Face drooping, Arm weakness, or Speech difficulty mean it’s Time to call 911 (even if the symptoms go away). On the prevention front, it’s the checklist that makes you roll your eyes and say, “I know.” Like exercising regularly, avoiding smoking, and working with your doctor to keep your blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol in check. Oh, and pregnancy is also a risk factor, making it even more important to stay on top of your numbers.

Related: Are You at Risk for a Mini-Stroke? (Everyday Health)

PS: Health news shouldn’t make you feel panicked, it should make you feel prepared. Subscribe to our Skimm Well + Good newsletter, where every Wednesday, we break down top health headlines into advice that actually fits into your life. Sign up here.

Impulse Purchases

The Collab Industrial Complex

What's going on: Imagine applying your Jell-o x Tower 28 lip gloss and then slipping it into your Dunkin’ x L.L. Bean tote bag, right next to your Mane x Cinnabon hairbrush, before heading to work. There’s been a true deluge of unexpected brand collaborations lately, including those three all in the last month. For the companies involved, an offbeat collaboration — or what Business Insider calls “Franken-products” — can mean free marketing and reliable profits. But customers seem to be losing interest, especially as disposable income continues to shrink and the crowded market makes it harder for brands to generate buzz. Did you even notice that Liquid Death and Spotify launched a $495 Bluetooth-enabled funeral urn in February?

My wallet is tired: High-low designer collabs — think Missoni x Target or Stella McCartney x H&M — have been a retail mainstay since at least 1999. But while the appeal of a popular designer making more affordable clothes is obvious, many partnerships between two brands in unrelated spaces — like last year’s $345 Tecovas cowboy boots made from Chili’s red restaurant booth material — don’t have an obvious customer base (unlike Triple Dippers). These collections can also mean one brand gets caught in backlash against another (see: Callaway Golf and Good Good). Particularly creative or high-quality collabs can still break through; Emma Chamberlain’s West Elm collection appears to have boosted the home brand’s stock. Because you too need a ceramic glasses holder in the shape of a pigeon. "I don't know if there's as much collab fatigue as there is fatigue around unoriginal ideas," an art collective founder told Business Insider. If a brand is just slapping two logos on a sweatshirt, consumers might simply skip it and wait for the next.

Related: Protein-Maxxing Might Be the Ultimate Collab (The New York Times gift link)

TOGETHER WITH RULA

Help Yourself

In a recent Instagram poll, 19% of you said cost is what’s getting in the way of taking care of your mental health, which is fair. Mental health care shouldn’t feel like a luxury purchase. Rula breaks that barrier by connecting you with licensed therapists and psychiatrists, at $15 a session on average with insurance.^†

Now through World Mental Health Day on October 10, new patients who book their first session also get a $50 Taskrabbit credit^‡ — because one less thing on your to-do list means more room for the appointment that matters most. Match with a therapist who gets you in minutes, and meet with them as soon as tomorrow.

Learn More

Quick Hits

🧼 Kate Middleton says she loves washing the dishes and Prince William always does the drying. Every chore sounds a little nicer inside a palace though, doesn’t it?

📸 Aubrey Plaza made her first red carpet appearance since welcoming her baby, and (sorry) we can only say, “Mother.”

🎬 A crowd of 1,100 people screamed their way through the new three-hour Elizabeth Holmes documentary at the New York Film Festival. Nathan Fielder, what did you do?

🧛 Bridgerton heartthrob Jonathan Bailey has a new role: He’s playing Dracula in a new Audible adaptation. Suddenly, we’re audiobook people.

🎶 Spotify data shows that many of us are already listening to Christmas music. Does the “Monster Mash” mean nothing to you?

🎤 Josh Hartnett’s daughters are Swifties, and he loves Midnights. We need his “Cleveland!” review.

🫁 Feeling stressed? Try this simple breathing technique next time you’re stuck in traffic.

Skimm This

And the winning skimm is…

“How my dog thinks she is answering the door”

Horse topiary in Kung Fu position outside of Chinese museum

Let’s hear it for Nicole S. from Scottsdale, AZ, who won with 64% of the vote this week. Congratulations — we think this calls for a treat.

We'll be back on Tuesday with our next Skimm This. Stay tuned.

On Our Calendar

Friday, October 2

🍿 Digger out in theaters

In this dark comedy, Tom Cruise — who looks nothing like himself — stars as an oil man whose company triggers multiple tsunamis. Half of Europe is about to drown and his, let's say, eccentric character has to fix it. What could go wrong?

🎥 Verity hits the big screen

Colleen Hoover’s bestselling thriller gets the Hollywood treatment. The cast — including Dakota Johnson, Anne Hathaway, and Josh Hartnett — is stacked, the trailer is intense, and the spice is bringing another movie to mind.

Saturday, October 3

📅 Mean Girls Day

What’s better than a rewatch of the 2004 classic? The news that Lindsay Lohan and Mean Girls director Mark Waters are teaming up for this upcoming movie. Is buttered popcorn a carb?

Sunday, October 4

📚 Banned Book Week begins

For 44 years, this event has raised awareness about censorship and its impact. These are the most-challenged books right now — including one from this popular author.

🚶‍♀️ World Walking Day

The goal: Get people across 100 countries moving. Track your steps here. (Weighted vest optional.)

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

✴︎

In Our Rotation

We found the best ballet flats on the internet right now — not too preppy, not too stuffy, actually comfortable. Run, don't walk.

If you keep breaking out, this simple product swap may help.

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

Buffalo Wild Wings called on the star of which TV show to promote its spooky season-inspired menu?

A. "American Horror Story"

B. "Buffy the Vampire Slayer"

C. "Wednesday"

Love solitaire? Then you'll be obsessed with Pile-Up Poker. Climb the leaderboard.

Spotlight on

🥳 Some Birthdays

Leah Bell (GA), Bridgitt Staudt (SC), Lauren Dietrich (TX), Christian Mendez (NJ), Gabby Yu (Philippines), Meghann Junge (IA), Erin Wynn (UT), Allie Davis (TN), Pankti Kadakia (NY), Kelcey Mooney (England), Marci Levy (IL), Lacretia Taylor (CO), Alissa Gubitoso (PA), Erin Kiniry (FL), Julie Knapp (OH), and Kate Phillips (KS)

Together with

Quote of the Day

"My lover, ChatGPT"

Law & Order

A Tale of Two Systems

The News in 5

✴︎

In Our Rotation

Health

A Trend We Don't Love

Impulse Purchases

The Collab Industrial Complex

TOGETHER WITH RULA

Help Yourself

Quick Hits

Skimm This

And the winning skimm is…

“How my dog thinks she is answering the door”

On Our Calendar

Friday, October 2

🍿 Digger out in theaters

🎥 Verity hits the big screen

Saturday, October 3

📅 Mean Girls Day

Sunday, October 4

📚 Banned Book Week begins

🚶‍♀️ World Walking Day

✴︎

In Our Rotation

KNOW IT ALL

Buffalo Wild Wings called on the star of which TV show to promote its spooky season-inspired menu?

Spotlight on

🥳 Some Birthdays

Kelly Clarkson’s new romance