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Quote of the Day
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"It's more than the tooth fairy gives" – A seven-year-old girl, on raising nearly $20,000 to buy PPE for a local hospital. She has more wisdom than a wisdom tooth.
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The Story
The Army's punishing 14 senior officers at Fort Hood.
What happened?
The news came after an independent panel reviewed the climate and culture at the Texas Army base. Home to about 36,000 soldiers, Fort Hood is one of the largest Army bases in the US. In recent years, it's seen dozens of cases of sexual assaults, suicides, accidental deaths, and homicides. And in 2020, the number of homicides there rose to five – higher than the last four years combined. One, in particular, gained national attention (including from politicians and celebrities) and prompted the review.
Whose?
Spc. Vanessa Guillen. In April, 20-year-old Guillen disappeared from Fort Hood – soon after telling her family she'd been sexually harassed. For weeks the family demanded answers, accusing the Army of dragging its feet on the investigation into her disappearance. Over the summer, her remains were found about 30 miles outside of Fort Hood. Her accused attacker – a fellow soldier – died by suicide. Her story launched a wave of #IAmVanessaGuillen posts on social media from fellow service members sharing their experiences with sexual harassment and assault.
So what did the review find?
After 2,500 interviews and 31,000 responses to a survey, it found that Fort Hood's command climate was a "permissive environment for sexual assault and sexual harassment." That the Army's response and prevention program was "structurally flawed." And that many sexual abuse claims went unreported because soldiers feared retaliation. The review also noted that two decades of constant deployments drew attention away from soldiers' well-being. And contributed to social problems on the base.
What happens now?
Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy fired or suspended 14 officials from their duties – including a general. And called for a separate investigation focused on the base's Criminal Investigation Command unit – which is responsible for probing crimes on Fort Hood. The panel submitted 70 recommendations to end the toxic culture, focusing on things like protocols around missing soldiers and crime prevention. And as the Army continues its investigation, officers may face more disciplinary action.
theSkimm
The Army's move could be one of the largest disciplinary actions ever taken by the military service. And the investigation has provided a glimpse of what's been happening at Fort Hood for years, amid growing calls for transparency.
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What's pulling out the big briefcase...
Texas. Yesterday, state Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) announced a lawsuit in the Supreme Court challenging the presidential election results in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Georgia, and Michigan. Reminder: President-elect Joe Biden won those battleground states. And the Trump campaign's been challenging the results – baselessly claiming voter fraud – with no success. Now, Paxton's added to the legal drama, claiming that all four states used the pandemic to illegally change voting procedures to expand mail-in voting. (State officials have said they've found no evidence of election fraud.) Texas is asking the high court to declare the results unconstitutional. And to delay the Dec 14 deadline for the Electoral College to make Biden's victory official. Louisiana and Alabama's AGs support Paxton's move.
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What are the chances?: Since the suit is between states, the Supreme Court could take up the case if four justices agree to hear it. But legal experts and officials in PA, WI, GA, and MI have dismissed the lawsuit, saying it has no merit.
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The 411: Paxton's suit came on the same day as the "safe harbor" deadline in which states must certify their election results for Congress to accept them as valid. Any court challenges to state elections are typically settled by now.
...Oh and if what happened to Pennsylvania Republicans is any indication of how this new lawsuit will go, SCOTUS isn't interested.
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Who people are talking about...
Casey Goodson. Last week, the 23-year-old Black man was shot and killed by a sheriff's deputy in Columbus, Ohio. Authorities said Goodson was shot after he waved a gun and refused the deputy's command to drop his weapon. But Goodson's family says he wasn't holding a gun, but a sandwich. And that he was shot multiple times in the back as he was entering his home. The deputy was not wearing a body camera. And the Ohio AG said the state Bureau of Criminal Investigation (the state agency that typically investigates police shootings) won't take up the case because the police took too long to hand it over to them. And because the agency wasn't called to the crime scene. The DOJ and FBI are launching a federal civil rights investigation.
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What's giving people hope…
The FDA. Yesterday, it confirmed that Pfizer and BioNTech's vaccine is 'the real deal.' Reminder: Last month, Pfizer said trials showed their experimental vaccine was 95% effective at preventing COVID-19. And tomorrow, it heads to "science court" to present all its data before a review committee. Which could make or break its approval for emergency use in the US.
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What's trying to chew up your wallet…
Apple. Yesterday, the tech giant unveiled its new AirPods Max for the very low price of...$549. Tastes sour.
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18%
The percentage of women in the US that suffer from migraine, according to research.
Compared to 6% of men. So even if you don't live with migraine, chances are you may know someone who does. And migraine days are tough. Think: intense throbbing headache, nausea, and sensitivity to light and sound may all happen. It can be even harder when other people don't understand what you're going through. So learn more, then pass it on. Because knowledge is power – and this disease is misunderstood waaay too often.
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Even if your health insurance plan is 'avoid the doc at all costs,' you should still get coverage. It's your safety net for the unexpected (hi, 2020). Mark your cal: open enrollment for health insurance ends next week in most states. If you're not getting coverage from an employer for 2021, it's time to scrub in. Slowly back away from Google...we Skimm'd how to pick the right plan.
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Here are our favorite picks to help you take a break today...
1. Your December horoscope. Here's what's in store for you and your relationships this month. Fa-la-la-la-la, good luck to you.
2. A guide to winter skincare. We're just some girls, standing in front of our mirrors, asking our dry skin to love us.
3. A wellness program that helps you say 'bye' to unhealthy habits. (Even during the holidays.) It uses psychology to change your behavior in a way that actually sticks. So you're not just focusing on short-term results. Plus, Skimm'rs get a 14-day free trial. Embrace the science.*
PS: Want more? Sign up to get weekly recs in your inbox.
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*PS: This is a sponsored post.
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For when you're trying to remember the good things from 2020...
Dig deep. The Ascent just released their top financial product picks for the year. They say this card is a really good thing. It has no annual fee and 0% interest until 2022. Oh, and gives 5% cash back on groceries, gas, and other everyday stuff. Sign us up.*
For when no matter how hard you try, your gift wrapping is always terrible...
Skip the whole thing. This brand's got thoughtful holidays gifts like cruelty-free cashmere sweaters and fleece made from recycled materials. And they'll wrap everything for you for free in reusable gift wrapping. Oh, and Skimm'rs get $10 toward their purchase. Joy to the world.*
For when you're in need of the ultimate 2020 gift...
Meet your deep cleaning BFF. This appliance turns water, salt, and vinegar into an eco-friendly disinfectant that kills 99.9% of germs. And it helps keep you safe from COVID-19. Pssst…Skimm'rs get 25% off and free shipping on bundles. Stay clean.*
For when your WFH wardrobe needs an update…
Start with your bra. This female-founded company makes no-wire ones that are so soft, you'll forget you're wearing it. Plus, you can buy one for under $35. And Skimm'rs get 15% off their first purchase. Get comfy.*
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*PS: This is a sponsored post.
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Just like us, McDonald's knows that community matters more than ever in times like these. That's why they're dedicated to giving back (see: committing to donate $100 million to Ronald McDonald House Charities® by 2024). Together, we're highlighting Skimm'rs who are making an impact in their communities. More fries for them.
Baby showering with...Jan R (CA). She helps collect and donate gently used baby clothes for Gently Hugged, a nonprofit. Each donation contains a year's supply of essentials for a newborn and a handmade blanket. She and a team of volunteers help 50 to 60 newborns each month.
No place like home...Kristin N (FL). She's an RN in an ICU. During the pandemic, she's been working 60+ hours a week while her daughter's been away from home, staying with family. Now, her daughter's back home and the family's navigating a new 'normal' together.
(Some) Birthdays...Noah Gold (NY), Julie Miller Davis (CO), Christina Bolil (VA), Paige Scofield Contijoch (CA), Jennifer Dixon (OH), Laina Petrinec (CA), Katie Sweatman (CAN), Katie Langwell (OK), Nicole Zampolin (NY), Mary Ellen Albin (NJ), Marina Doyle (VA), Pooja Kini (IL), Erika Johndrow Tarquini (MA), Carrie Rhoads (AZ), Taunya Robinson (CA)
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Skimm’d by Maria del Carmen Corpus, Mariza Smajlaj, Niven McCall-Mazza, Kamini Ramdeen, and Clem Robineau
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theSkimm50 West 23rd Street, Suite 5B; New York, NY, 10010, United States Update Profile
