Daily Skimm

Morning, all.

I managed to get the littles out of the city this weekend and into their grandparents’ backyard, where my anxiety re: tick season has replaced my anxiety re: wildfire season. What a time to be alive. If you need a go-to tick repellent, my woodsy brother swears by these patches. If you’re more of an indoor gal, then you know seeing The Odyssey is harder than getting home from Troy. (We’ve reached the Taylor Swift phase of ticketing.) After you’re done praying to the cinema gods, check out these seven books hitting the bestseller lists thanks to Christopher Nolan (just don’t ask him to read a Nancy Meyers script). Shoutout to Emily Wilson, the first woman to translate Homer’s epic into English, the main inspiration for Nolan’s script, and the latest to offend the manosphere. (Lupita Nyong’o is in good company.) Honorable mention to Madeline Miller, whose novel Circe is in my personal pantheon. And now, the news…

— Kate Preziosi / Editor / New York, NY

Troy Jackson holds a pulaski axe given to him during a gathering after being selected by the Maine Democratic Party to be their choice as the U.S. Senate nominee to replace Graham Platner on the ballot in November on July 25, 2026, in Bangor, Maine.

Politics

A New Maine Character

What's going on: Seventeen days after Graham Platner ended his Senate campaign following a rape accusation, Maine Democrats have picked his replacement. Meet (drumroll, please) Troy Jackson, a former State Senate president, a fifth-generation logger, a progressive Democrat, and another straight white dude. Like Platner, Jackson has an outsider energy that Dems hope can motivate voters to — say it with us — “see themselves having a beer with him.” While Jackson is mostly controversy-free so far, he does have a reputation for losing his temper (highlights include “the water bottle incident”). But there are two key ways he’s very different: He has substantially more political experience — he began his career as a Republican in the 90s — and substantially less campaign money.

What it means for Democrats: Jackson has to win over voters in less than 100 days on a shoestring budget, especially compared to his rival, five-term incumbent Republican Senator Susan Collins. (As he put it last week, “You know, Susan’s got $12 million. I got $12.”) And Jackson has to do this by striking a tricky balance: Ride the grassroots progressive wave that helped Platner win the primary… while distancing himself from Platner. Cue Republicans releasing their first attack ad this weekend calling Jackson “like Graham Platner, but worse.” Maine plays an outsize role in the midterms: Democrats must flip four Senate seats to take the majority, and Maine is one of just a few states up for grabs. If Jackson loses, the party’s path to a majority gets much narrower.

Related: What You Need To Know About Michigan’s Democratic Primary (USA Today)

The News in 5

🗞️ Three people were killed and others, including a 2-year-old child, were wounded in a shooting at a Seattle food festival near the Space Needle on Sunday.

🗞️ New CDC data reveals the US has surpassed 2025's measles tally... seven months into 2026. These states are driving the surge.

🗞️ Police shot and killed a suspect in this weekend’s deadly Berlin Pride attack after a nearly 24-hour manhunt.

🗞️ Anti-abortion activists are trying a controversial new tactic to cut off access to abortion pills. This time, it starts with waterways.

🗞️ The Pentagon has quietly changed how it reports Iran war casualties, making it harder to see the full picture. We have George Orwell on the line.

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In Our Rotation

If your car insurance bill makes you sigh, this free tool checks if you’re overpaying — and could save you $600+ a year. You’re welcome.*

Life hack: This viral brow serum will replace your brow pencil for good. Save 30% off with code THESKIMM30.*

Keep scrolling...more recs below

In the Thick of It

Bad Air Day

The air up there: Every Gilmore Girls fan knows about those “lazy-hazy-crazy days of summer.” But 2026 has put the emphasis on hazy. More than 250,000 people have been forced to evacuate wildfires in southwest Europe tied to this summer’s record heatwaves. And just last week, smoke from hundreds of Canadian wildfires pushed air quality into hazardous territory in the Northeast and Midwest. When the air quality index (AQI) is between 100-200, that’s the equivalent of smoking a quarter to a half a pack of cigarettes. Last week, Detroit’s AQI was 435. Now, new blazes are burning in parts of the West and Pacific Northwest. A major concern is polluting particles that are small enough to travel deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream. Short-term exposure can aggravate asthma and raise the risk of heart and lung problems.

A breath of practical advice: When the AQI is at an unhealthy level, close the windows and wear a well-fitting N95 if you have to go out. If you can, invest in a properly sized HEPA purifier for your home. No purifier? Get crafty: The EPA says a newer box fan paired with a MERV-13 filter can make an effective DIY air cleaner. Of course, the standard advice — “just stay inside with filtered air” — isn’t realistic for everyone. Many lower-income communities and communities of color are already more likely to face higher levels of everyday air pollution thanks, in part, to historic redlining, while people in poorly sealed housing or in outdoor and frontline jobs may be less able to escape wildfire smoke. Clean air, unfortunately, has become something else money can buy.

Related: What Are the Best Ways To Clear My Home of Wildfire Smoke? (Wirecutter)

PS: Breathe a little easier knowing what to do with the latest health news. Every Wednesday, the Skimm Well + Good newsletter breaks down the biggest stories in health, nutrition, and fitness, and the practical steps you can take to incorporate them in your real life. Sign up here.

Publishers to Google…

It’s Not Us, It’s You

What’s going on: Google AI summaries are convenient, and that's part of the problem — for news organizations, at least. Why read a Wirecutter article on Trader Joe's skincare steals when AI can synthesize it for you in seconds? Without those clicks, publishers are suffering. According to search measurement firm Semrush, both CNN and Business Insider have seen their Google web traffic plummet 31% in the last year, as did Politico (20%), and USA Today (18%). Google doesn't think it's so bad, saying its AI program sends “billions of clicks to websites every week.” But The Wall Street Journal reports that many major companies — including Reddit, USA Today, Politico, The Economist, People Inc., and Reuters — might soon bar Google from using their content. More like degenerative AI, amirite?

A losing battle: For years, media has been at the mercy of Big Tech, which controls how people find information. Though some outlets were reluctant to embrace the internet (see: newspapers), they eventually updated their business models. This time around, media companies seem to recognize an existential threat when they see one — and are using their leverage as producers of trusted information. Some are cutting licensing deals with AI companies. Others are pivoting to AI-proof strategies, like human storytelling and live events. Yet, industry leaders still expect web traffic to fall 40% over the next three years. There are many ways this could go, but it’s worth underlining that Google — arguably the most powerful company of the internet age — is facing the loss of some of the biggest names in news media. Life comes at you fast.

Related: Even the Kids Are Over AI (Wired)

Quick Hits

✈️ The secret to surviving jet lag might be hiding on your dinner plate. Mangia.

📸 Aubrey Plaza's latest baby bump photo is exactly as unhinged as you'd expect. April Ludgate would approve.

🧑‍🍳 Betty Crocker and Pillsbury just transformed this magical childhood classic into boxed desserts. We’re spellbound.

💍 Emma Roberts tied the knot over the weekend. One famous wedding guest almost stole the show.

🍞 If your gut could write a grocery list, this fruit would be on it.

🍿 Marvel finally revealed who's inheriting the Black Panther suit. Talk about vibranium-sized shoes to fill.

On Our Calendar

Monday, July 27

🍿 Furious premieres on Hulu

Emmy Rossum plays an FBI agent hunting a female serial killer who targets men. Twist: They may share a common purpose. One critic said it “trumps every other crime series released this year.” And, the trailer is intense.

😋 National Crème Brûlée Day

Four words: Crème brûlée grilled cheese. You’re welcome.

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

Last Week’s Bestsellers

Every week, our shopping team analyzes what’s selling so we can keep introducing you to things you actually find useful. If you’ve ever been curious about the inner workings, here’s a sneak peek into last week’s top items:

Free Assembly’s line at Walmart, specifically this affordable maxi dress
This chic one-piece from Quince (summer’s not over yet)
A sticky bra that actually works and is key for summer weddings
The light racerback tank that’s a wardrobe staple

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In Our Rotation

These super-soft sleep shorts hold up to 11 super tampons' worth of liquid and have a front-to-back gusset. In other words, you don't need to stress about getting up in the middle of the night to change.

Our Senior Commerce Director is newly obsessed with these muscle recovery devices. Read her full review here.

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

Which iconic brand is hoping you’ll want to leave your shower smelling like its famous beverage?

A. Mountain Dew

B. Pepsi

C. Dr. Pepper

Still catching up from the weekend? Jumpstart your brain with Flipart. Feel the rush.

Lip Smackers were the blueprint