Daily Skimm

Quote of the Day

"Daisy Davenport"

— The American Girl Doll of 2027, who’s described as being all about the outdoors. And yes, you can get matching jean jackets for you and your doll.

Measles

The State of an Outbreak

What's going on: Pennsylvania is battling the deadliest measles outbreak in the US since the ‘90s, with four deaths in the last two months. State health officials have confirmed 731 measles cases and 141 hospitalizations this year, and experts say the unconfirmed cases are likely much higher. This week, Pennsylvania tapped the CDC for emergency assistance, but with a catch: The CDC needs to recognize the four deaths as measles-related first. The request highlights an ongoing spat between Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Gov. Josh Shapiro (D-PA). RFK Jr. previously accused Shapiro of “the weaponization of infectious disease fears for political gain.” He has publicly questioned whether the deaths were really linked to measles and instructed the CDC not to include them in the national measles count. Shapiro told CNN that RFK Jr. is “someone who is not, I think, connected or grounded in reality.”

Looking elsewhere: If Pennsylvania withdraws the CDC request, it’ll have to continue relying on county health departments — many of which face funding challenges, and some of which have only existed since the pandemic. Still, local efforts aren’t without success. Delaware County holds a vaccination day for students, runs a mobile vaccine clinic, and publishes vaccine information by school level so parents can see the rates at their kids’ schools. Pennsylvania is also among 30 states that have turned to sources outside the CDC for childhood vaccine guidance. So far, the state’s push to boost vaccinations has led to more than 46,000 measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) doses in August 2026, compared with roughly 31,000 in August 2025. But there’s still a lot of work to be done. “It’s a really hard place for public health right now with so much divisiveness being promoted,” one county health official told The Guardian.

Related: RFK Jr. Says He’s a “Friend in the White House” to Anti-Vax Activists (The Associated Press)

The News in 5

🗞️ Charlie Kirk’s family has filed a wrongful death notice against Utah Valley University, citing that a lack of security made Kirk vulnerable.

🗞️ The Pentagon has seen a “tenfold” increase in cybersecurity vulnerabilities, thanks to computer networks that date back to the ‘90s and the rise of AI. Please tell us national security isn’t running on Windows 95.

🗞️ More than 84,000 Melissa & Doug fire truck toys sold at Target were recalled after a piece was found to pose a serious choking risk.

🗞️ The FBI is warning ICE agents about fake “tradwives” on dating apps who are on a mission to dox them. Love's borders are... complicated.

🗞️ Bought pork between 2014 and 2018? You could get a cut of a $117 million price-fixing settlement. Hope your bacon memory is crisp.

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In Our Rotation

PhD scientists have cracked the gut-GLP-1 connection — and turned it into the probiotic Halle Berry swears by. Did we mention it’s 48% off, plus HSA/FSA eligible?*

Grill nights, upgraded. Get custom boxes of humanely raised, antibiotic-free meat delivered. New members snag $100 off, plus free ground beef and bacon for life with code SKIMM.*

Keep scrolling... more recs below

Women’s Health

First the Ban… Now the Lawsuits

What’s going on: The family of a 37-year-old Texas woman who died of preeclampsia while 20 weeks pregnant is suing the state over its abortion ban. Tierra Walker repeatedly asked to terminate her pregnancy because she was suffering from seizures and vomiting and feared the pregnancy would end her life, the lawsuit alleges. Walker had reason to worry: She’d developed preeclampsia three years prior while pregnant with twins, who were stillborn. After discovering she was pregnant again during a September 2024 ER visit, Walker made repeated trips to the hospital, as well as an extended stay for most of October. Her teenage son found her unresponsive in her bed in December 2024, days after her final ER visit. Walker’s family accuses Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a San Antonio hospital, and several doctors of enforcing “a merciless blanket prohibition” on abortion that ultimately killed her.

Tell me more: The Walker family’s lawsuit is the first of its kind in Texas and against Paxton, who is running for Senate. The Texas AG hasn't responded to the lawsuit and is a staunch defender of his state’s near-total abortion ban (which does allow for exceptions if the mother’s health is at risk). He has gone after medical providers and organizations in other states for sending abortion medication into Texas. Similar lawsuits are playing out elsewhere. In Georgia, Amber Thurman’s family sued a hospital where they say she was denied care after taking abortion pills. She died of an infection inside the hospital while waiting for a D&C to remove tissue. In Oklahoma, two mothers represented by the Center for Reproductive Rights are suing after they were forced to leave the state to terminate unviable pregnancies. “Oklahoma turned the hardest day of my life into weeks of needless suffering on top of our grief,” one of the plaintiffs said.

Sideline Warning

The Parent Trap

What’s going on: Girls just wanna have fun — and they’d like the adults to chill. At least when it comes to sports. New nationwide research from Girl Scouts of the USA found 83% of girls ages 5-13 care more about fun than wins. But grown-ups can suck the fun right out of it: Nearly one-third of girls involved in sports or other activities say they've wanted to quit after an adult made them feel inadequate. Among 11-13-year-olds, that jumps to 42%. Girl Scouts VP Sarah Keating told theSkimm that parents should embrace that the outcome for girls in sports "can be joy, confidence, and a lifelong love of the game.” The research also found that most parents don't believe they are the problem — and many don't think anyone's putting pressure on their daughters to perform. Right on cue, enter Team Moms: Baseball. The reality-TV edit surely amps up the drama, but the energy looks awfully familiar — parents at an elite youth baseball academy pledge to do “whatever it takes” to get their kids to the big leagues. Strike one.

Keeping girls in the game: That pressure peaks at an age when sports can already start losing girls. Research has found some of the first major declines in girls’ participation around ages 12 and 13. And families face their own stressors: A recent poll found cost is the top reason parents pull kids from sports, and 58% of parents told the Girl Scouts the time and money required for activities feels unsustainable. Put it together, and youth sports can start to feel awfully high-stakes on both sides of the sideline — even when the girls themselves are mostly there to have fun. Girl Scouts says its findings helped shape a revamped Sports and Recreation program set to debut next year, with new badges for team sports, swimming, climbing, winter sports, and more. May we suggest one for parents who can make it through a whole game without screaming at the umpire?

Related: The Sports Bra Problem Keeping Girls on the Sidelines (The Conversation)

Together with Visa

She Knows Ball

This week on Well Played: Why Sue Bird’s roster picks caused a stir — and won gold for Team USA.

Watch Now

Quick Hits

👑 Princess Diana’s brother Charles Spencer shared shocking details of King Charles III’s reaction to Diana’s death. It's so serious that the Palace released its own statement denying it.

🦁 Meryl Streep will be the voice of Aslan the lion in Greta Gerwig’s upcoming Narnia movie. She really can play anything.

❤️‍🩹 If you struggle with self-esteem, this simple memory reconsolidation exercise can help you heal. Little You just needs a hug.

🤔 The decades-old, unsubstantiated Richard Gere gerbil rumor is getting a 12-episode investigative podcast. Journalism has finally entered the hole.

🍼 Millie Bobby Brown and Jake Bongiovi welcomed their second child, a year after adopting their daughter. Keep the faith — and the diaper bag packed.

📿 Statement necklaces are back, but this time, they’re inspired by the 1980s. The bigger, the better.

🎶 One Swiftie may have deciphered the message hidden in Taylor Swift’s Emmys sketch, and it contains an album release date. Their minds.

On Our Calendar

Friday, September 18

🎶 iHeartRadio Music Festival begins

The two-day event kicks off in Las Vegas with BTS, Cardi B, Kenny Chesney, Weezer, and the Goo Goo Dolls, to name a few. Someone burn this lineup to a CD. Or, just watch it on Hulu and Disney+ at 10:30 pm ET.

🛍️ Gap x A.P.C. collection drops

Meet your fall wardrobe upgrade: This 1960s-inspired, 37-piece collaboration with the Paris-based label includes striped tops, denim jackets, and wool sweaters. Oh, and did we mention it starts at $28? Très chic.

Saturday, September 19

🤸‍♀️ National Gymnastics Day

Sure, you could practice your back handspring. Or, a safer bet: Try Olympian Jordan Chiles’s (very relatable) wellness habit.

Sunday, September 20

🏀 Setting the Tempo premieres

This four-part series follows the launch of the first Canadian WNBA team: the Toronto Tempo. It drops on ESPN at 8:30 pm ET. Watch a sneak peek.

🙏 Yom Kippur

Starting just before sundown, through tomorrow, the Day of Atonement is seen as the holiest time of the year in Judaism. Many observe it through fasting, reflection, and seeking forgiveness.

Skimm This

And the winning skimm is…

“When your 9 to 5 is over and the bra comes off”

With a whopping 60% of the vote, Clare V. from Phoenix, AZ, takes home the week’s Skimm This crown. Time to celebrate — bra optional.

See you Tuesday for the next round. You know where to find us.

Fashion You’ll Actually Wear Week

In our version of Fall Fashion Week, we’re bringing you clothes and accessories that actually make sense for daily life. These pieces will become your old faithfuls:

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In Our Rotation

Looking for something to do this weekend? Click around these sales.

Sofie Pavitt has become a go-to skincare brand for celebrities and editors alike (including our own). This bestseller mini set is the perfect way to test it out for yourself.

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

Spirit Halloween is taking its talents to happy hour, teaming up with a brewer to turn what seasonal treat into a beer flavor?

A. Caramel apple

B. Candy corn

C. S’mores

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

Spotlight on

🥳 Some Birthdays

Melissa Bartman (PA), Isabelle Vail (France), Jessica Phillips (TX), Lauren Mathews (GA), Bianca DiFalco (Canada), Pennie Thrower (NC), Ana Gonzalez (FL), Becky O’Donnell (TN), Dayna Larson (IL), Chelsie Paulson (Australia), Diana Campbell (CO), Clara Smidt Nielsen (Scotland), Jessica Van Dyk (MI), Natalie Seward (CA), and Courtney Chapman (OK)

Meryl’s next role