Daily Skimm

Good morning.

My 13-year-old niece visited for the weekend, sending me straight into “cool aunt” mode. Top of mind: distract her from screens and keep the conversation going, because apparently middle schoolers are increasingly turning to AI for friendship. This guide with 118 tips to avoid doomscrolling arrived right on time. We took a walk (No. 28), stocked up on friendship bracelet supplies (No. 57), and she even helped with her baby cousin (not listed, but highly effective). The extra support meant I finally decorated for fall — my favorite item: this skeleton spoon rest I got at Walmart, a small touch that keeps the spooky spirit alive in the kitchen. Also keeping the Halloween vibes going: a candy corn perfume (a final batch goes on sale Oct 1) and Apple TV’s free stream of It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown. I might even have the nieces over for a little watch party (this screen time is approved). Now, let’s get to the news…

— Maria Corpus / Editor / Madison, WI

President Donald Trump speaks to the Republican Midterm Convention at the American Airlines Center in downtown Dallas on Wednesday, September 9, 2026.

It’s Not Always a Party

More Republicans Say: "It's Not You, It's My Reelection Campaign"

What's going on: As the midterms approach, President Donald Trump has repeatedly told voters to “pretend that I am on the ballot.” But some candidates hope they do the exact opposite. With less than 40 days to go until Election Day, more Republicans running for Congress are distancing themselves from the president. Last week, Rep. María Elvira Salazar (R-FL) released a campaign ad criticizing his approach to immigration. Meanwhile, some Republicans joined calls for an immediate end to the Iran war. Others have taken a more subtle approach: Several skipped the recent midterm convention (nicknamed “Trump-a-palooza”), and one candidate simply redesigned his campaign website to make Trump’s endorsement less prominent. Many are also thinking carefully about Trump’s presence on the campaign trail.

Sounds awkward: It’s common for candidates to distance themselves from an unpopular incumbent president (Trump’s approval rating recently reached a new low of 32%). It happened with Democrats in 2014 and Republicans in 2018. But this time around, analysts say the GOP could lose both the House and the Senate — similar to the midterm elections in 2006 amid backlash to the Iraq war and the federal response to Hurricane Katrina. Still, how voters react is difficult to predict. One Republican pollster told Axios that few respond to polls, adding that many could also stay home on Election Day. “It’s clear that Republicans are in full panic mode,” Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) told The New York Times last week. Some Republicans would agree: “It’s ‘Not great, Bob!’, as they say on Mad Men,” one GOP strategist said.

Related: How the Vice President “Vance-Splains” Trump’s Message (The Wall Street Journal gift link)

The News in 5

🗞️ UK police arrested five men on suspicion of planning a terrorist attack near an air base used by the US.

🗞️ A former Cornell student sued Cornell University and seven members of the Chi Pi fraternity, alleging she was drugged and gang raped at a frat house in October 2024. She said that after she went to campus police, only two were expelled and none were arrested.

🗞️ ICE arrested nearly 51,000 people in August alone, according to The New York Times, part of a summer full of record highs. Most of those arrested had not been charged with a crime.

🗞️ Take me out to the ball game? The MLB approached the Trump administration about building a baseball stadium in Grand Teton National Park, The Washington Post reports. Conservation advocates call the idea “ludicrous.”

🗞️ Zoo Atlanta’s newest VIPs just landed: Giant pandas Ping Ping and Fu Shuang arrived on loan from China on Sunday.

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In Our Rotation

Starting today, you can get 30% off everything — yes, everything — at Athleta. We recommend picking up a pair of these cult-favorite ankle pants before your size sells out.

These illuminated glass pumpkins add a hint of glimmer to your fall decor, and you can keep them up right through Thanksgiving. Very Tuscan Wine Mom-coded.

Keep scrolling... more recs below

Game On

The W Is in Her Playoff Era

What’s going on: The WNBA playoffs tipped off Sunday, capping a blockbuster 30th season. More eyes are on the W than ever, with two new teams in Portland and Toronto and record TV audiences (again). But as the league enters its next era, two top leaders are heading for the exit. Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, who steered the league through explosive growth and controversy, will step down at year’s end. And WNBA champion, MVP, and longtime WNBPA president Nneka Ogwumike ended her 15-year career this week. Ogwumike helped players secure fully paid maternity leave, major salary increases, and expanded revenue-sharing — a legacy her team honored in an emotional moment by naming their practice facility's player sanctuary after her. But before the WNBA turns the page, eight playoff teams have a championship to settle.

Anyone’s ballgame: The Minnesota Lynx claimed the top seed behind Napheesa Collier and rookie sensation Olivia Miles, but the eighth-seeded New York Liberty and World Cup MVP Breanna Stewart plan to put up a fight. Then there are the reigning champs: The Las Vegas Aces have won three of the past four titles, but an amped A’ja Wilson and Jewell Loyd (who recently spoke to theSkimm) will have to beat Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever’s league-best offense first. As for the sophomore act? The Golden State Valkyries made history last year as the first expansion team to reach the playoffs in their debut season. Last night, they made history again, winning their first ever playoff game against the Dallas Wings and Paige Bueckers, who despite her team’s loss, set records in her playoff debut. And Atlanta Dream star Angel Reese showed why she was (again) named AP Defensive Player of the Year, nabbing 12 rebounds in her team’s victory over the Washington Mystics. Now all that's left is to choose a team worth yelling at your TV for.

Hard Science

Spooky, Scary Skeletons

What's going on: There seems to be a quick fix for everything, but there’s no magic pill for strong bones. A major review of 69 trials involving nearly 154,000 adults found that calcium and vitamin D supplements, taken alone or together, did little to prevent fractures in most older adults. In other words, popping a calcium gummy doesn’t mean you’ve checked “bone health” off your list. Researchers are pointing to exercise, including strength and balance training, as a better way to help your bones and prevent falls and related injuries.

Hate to break it to ya: While the review focused primarily on people over 65, this is a Future You problem worth paying attention to now. Most people reach peak bone mass in their 20s, and declining estrogen around perimenopause can accelerate bone loss. Thankfully, you haven’t missed your chance. Strength training and weight-bearing exercises, including brisk walking and dancing, help keep bones strong. A varied diet matters, too: think calcium-rich yogurt or tofu, plus vitamin D, which helps your body absorb calcium. For coffee fiends, there’s emerging research to suggest that your morning cup might protect against bone loss, too. You can also ask your doctor if you qualify for a DEXA scan to check bone density. Because “I’ve fallen, and I can’t get up” is maybe one ‘80s pop culture event that doesn’t need a reboot.

Related: The Connection Between Bone Density and Cognitive Decline (Everyday Health)

PS: The health advice you’ve been following might be as outdated as a Labubu. Find out which trends researchers actually back every Wednesday in our Skimm Well + Good newsletter. Sign up here.

TOGETHER WITH HUNTER DOUGLAS

Shades of Life

A sleeping baby. A relaxing bath. A restorative yoga practice. There are certain moments in life that call for the perfect light.

That’s where Hunter Douglas comes in. For decades, they’ve become the experts in designing premium window treatments that make a house feel like a home. We’re talking thoughtful designs, precise light control, artful details, and exceptional quality that elevate your everyday comfort and living.

But don’t just take our word for it. Explore their window treatments for every shade of life and see for yourself.

Explore Now

Quick Hits

😭 Our kitchen trust issues now extend to ground cinnamon, which has been recalled in six states due to elevated lead levels. Nope, not the autumn ingredient we were looking for.

✈️ If you’re hoping to be home for the holidays, the window to lock in low airfare is shrinking fast. Dare we say, we miss Spirit.

🙏 The best way to organize food storage containers is also the bulkiest: Keep the lids on for maximum convenience. Good luck, apartment dwellers.

🎬 Tom Holland, Margaret Qualley, and Sabrina Carpenter are teaming up for a Fred Astaire biopic. This dance card is ridiculously stacked.

👱‍♀️ Eighties hair is making a comeback for fall, so excuse us while we perfect our pineapple updo. BRB, looking at mom’s old pics for inspo.

☕ The secret to barista-level lattes has been sitting in your pantry this whole time.*

On Our Calendar

Monday, September 28

👠 Paris Fashion Week begins

Designers like Christian Dior, Saint Laurent, Stella McCartney, and Balenciaga will strut their spring/summer 2027 collections on the runway. Can’t make it to Paris? *Checks bank account.* Try watching from your couch. Sorry, Anna.

🍻 National Drink Beer Day

Consider this your Stateside Oktoberfest. These brews topped a recent list of German beers, and they’re all sold in the US. Cheers.

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

TOGETHER WITH AMGEN & ASTRAZENECA

Ask an Expert

Q: I live with asthma symptoms like coughing, wheezing, and chest tightness, which feels normal at this point. How do I know if that’s actually a problem, and what should I do to get the help I need to feel better?

Featured Expert

Payel Gupta, M.D.

Triple board-certified allergy, asthma, and immunology specialist who treats adults and children in New York City. Her response has been edited for length and clarity.

Payel Gupta, M.D.: When you've lived with asthma for a long time, it's easy to normalize symptoms, but that doesn't mean your asthma is well controlled. Some people may have challenges managing their asthma due to certain risk factors such as where they live, income, air quality, access to medical care and adherence to asthma medications, among others. These risk factors can lead to increased asthma symptoms and attacks which can be especially difficult to manage during Asthma Peak Season (happening now), when asthma-related ER visits spike.^†

To help determine your level of asthma control, it is important to track the frequency and severity of your symptoms such as chest tightness, wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, rescue inhaler use, and nighttime waking. Tell your doctor about recent asthma attacks, including whether you needed steroids or visited an urgent care or ER.

Bring that info to an asthma specialist and talk about your goals — fewer attacks, better breathing, and symptom relief. If you're regularly having asthma symptoms or attacks, your current medication(s) may not be enough, and a specialist can help find the right treatment.

Learn More

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In Our Rotation

This under-$10 serum is protective, hydrating, and ideal for layering under moisturizer when the weather gets cold. For more of our transitional-weather skincare recs, click here.

This healing body spray is made for eczema flare-ups, but our editor swears by it for stubborn pimples on her back and arms.

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

The higher the hair…