Is a statue of your partner the ultimate gift?

But first: make the most of swimsuit season — Check out what we Skimm’d for you today August 14, 2024 [Subscribe]( [Read in browser]( [daily_skimm] But first: [make the most of swimsuit season]( --------------------------------------------------------------- [Update location]( or [View forecast]( Quote of the Day "We'll all be on some fabulous Greek or Croatian island having a blast" — Christine Baranski, giving [an update on Mamma Mia 3](. Gimme, gimme, gimme. [Facebook]([Twitter]([Email](mailto:?body= Chiquitita we’re ready for "Mamma Mia 3" #theSkimm%0A3Ftype%3Demailurl%26r%3DSKIMM%26utm_source%3Demail%26utm_medium%3Ddsshare%23custom) What's Happening [Pallets of imported flowers wait to be inspected by United States Customs and Border Protection agriculture specialists, at Gourmet Trading, in Redondo Beach, CA, ahead of the Mother's Day holiday, Wednesday, May 10, 2023] US News Federal Agency Reaches Settlement Over Pregnancy Discrimination What's going on: US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reached a [$45 million settlement]( with over 1,000 female employees on Monday and agreed to update its policy for pregnant workers. The case against CBP dates back to at least 2016, with hundreds of employees alleging that the agency routinely downgraded their positions upon learning of their pregnancies. The women said they were placed on light duty regardless of their ability to do their work — undermining their career growth and ability to earn overtime pay. CBP did not admit to wrongdoing, but as part of a settlement to be finalized by next month, the agency will train all managers and supervisors on the rights of pregnant employees. The lawyers representing the female employees will also monitor the agency’s compliance for three years. What it means: One lawyer involved in the case told The New York Times the settlement highlights the need to create work environments that support pregnant employees. It also demonstrates the importance of having laws like the 1978 Pregnancy Discrimination Act and the [Pregnant Workers Fairness Act]( that went into effect last year (yup, just last year). Around 5,300 pregnancy discrimination charges are filed each year, but only about 2% are reported to federal or state regulators, according to a [2021 analysis](. While CBP’s discrimination took place in a male-dominated workplace (only about 24% of CBP employees are women, according to recent agency statistics), it can happen anywhere — even in [workplaces committed to empowering women](. Related: [The WNBA Allegedly Discriminated Against One of Its Pregnant Players]( (CNN) Politics Another “Squad” Member Tested, As Some States Brace for Abortion Referendums What's going on: Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) [won her primary]( in Minnesota yesterday, turning the tide after two other members of Congress’ progressive “Squad” lost their primaries in recent weeks. Earlier this summer, Rep. Cori Bush (D-MO) and Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-NY) [lost their races]( after the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), [the US’ largest pro-Israel lobby](, spent millions of dollars to challenge them. Unlike the Bush and Bowman primaries, AIPAC — which has targeted candidates who aren’t supportive of Israel — didn’t invest heavily against Omar’s campaign. While Omar has [criticized]( Israel, she also had the support of top House Democratic leaders. Omar is now expected to win the general election. Speaking of Election Day, other states are gearing up to weigh in on access to reproductive health care. Tell me more: [Arizona and Missouri]( just joined several other states that will have abortion on the ballot this November. Voters will decide whether to guarantee a right to abortion in each state’s constitution. [At least 11 states]( have either approved or are attempting to put abortion-related questions on the ballot. Abortion — a hot button issue that has been [favorable]( for Democrats in the post-Roe era — could help flip two Arizona seats in the House, where Republicans are fighting to hold on to their slim majority. The issue’s [impact on turnout]( in the key swing state could also be decisive in the presidential election. Related: [The Wisconsin Senate Matchup Many Are Watching]( (NBC News) Economy Is Home Depot An Economic Bellwether? What's going on: Home Depot just issued [a warning about the economy](. Yes, you read that right — this specific news didn’t come from the Federal Reserve, economists, or Wall Street, but a store that sells toilets and drywall. In its [second quarter report](, the home improvement company lowered its sales expectations for the year, citing decreased customer spending on home renovation projects, partially due to fears about the current financial climate. CNN noted that Home Depot is “a bellwether of consumer spending and the housing market,” because its business is directly linked to folks having enough money for home improvements (or to build entirely new houses). The company partly blamed [high interest rates]( for this. What it means: While Home Depot has a good sense of consumer spending in the home improvement arena, it’s clearly not the definitive measure of the overall economy — it’s no [Waffle House hurricane index]( for finance. The company even noted in a disclaimer that its projections should not be relied on. To get a clearer picture of what’s happening at large, you’re better off looking at indicators like unemployment rates and interest rates. In fact, the Federal Reserve is expected [to cut interest rates]( next month, with [mortgage rates already trending down]( — a positive sign for homebuyers. Maybe, for now, the company should stick to what it knows: selling grills and creating the perfect setting for a [proposal flash mob]( (remember that?). Related: [Traveling Is Getting Better For The Rich...But Worse For Those Of Us Who Aren't]( (Vox) Quick Hits 🧑‍⚕️ “[This is going to die with me](” — people are speaking out about why they don’t want to have their IUDs removed. --------------------------------------------------------------- 😬 Katy Perry’s new music video is [making waves for the wrong reasons](. --------------------------------------------------------------- 🥹 We’re tearing up over this Olympian’s [surprise welcome home party]( and Flavor Flav’s [gift for Jordan Chiles](. --------------------------------------------------------------- 🗽 If he wanted to [he would](? We see you Zuck. --------------------------------------------------------------- 🎬 Justin Baldoni’s latest comments are [raising eyebrows](. And no, the It Ends With Us cast drama will never. actually. end. --------------------------------------------------------------- 👀 We’re officially [meddling in this medal controversy](. Who’s with us? Scorecard The week's sports news and culture stories, ranked. [The Tour de France Femmes] Winning: This sports agent’s [fedora collection](. Chaotic: [Rachel Dratch’s impression]( of Olympic breakdancer Raygun is so spot-on it hurts. Hang it in the Louvre: The [Tour de France Femmes kicked off]( in the Netherlands, and the champion will be celebrated on Sunday in the French Alps. Psst…Tune into our last episode of [Well Played](. We'll be back 9/3 to kick-off the NFL season. Skimm Picks Here are today’s recs to help you live a smarter life… Intensify your intimacy with [this doctor-recommended vibrator]( that’s clinically proven to heighten arousal and alleviate dryness — thanks to its ultra-flexible shape that hits all the right spots. [Here’s 30% off](.* --------------------------------------------------------------- [This mascara]( creates long, lifted lashes that look like extensions, minus the damage. Oh, and it lasts all day without smudging, flaking, or clumping. [Just check the 30K+ five-star reviews](.* --------------------------------------------------------------- Psst…your emotional support water bottle is [dirtier than you think](. Our advice? Snag [this five-piece bottle and straw cleaning set]( on sale before the back-to-school crowd does.* --------------------------------------------------------------- [These sales]( will give you that nostalgic back-to-school feeling. Find a fresh pair of [sneakers]( in the "It" fall color and a [skincare set]( to prep for the colder months ahead. Psst…love our recs? Follow [@skimmshopping]( on Instagram for more products, gifts, and services that are actually worth the hype (and the price tag). Settle This [Liquid Death cans] Can you guess the flavor of Liquid Death’s [newest sparkling water](? [A. Pickle]( [B. Hot fudge sundae]( [C. Pumpkin spice]( Extra Credit [Cover art for Karla Cornejo Villavicencio’s "Catalina"] Read Like most college seniors, Catalina faces that looming question, “What’s next?” But for her, this question is especially loaded. Because while the “[blue-collar brainiac](” from Queens may be getting an Ivy League degree, she’s also undocumented. In this magnetic debut novel, aptly named[Catalina](, Karla Cornejo Villavicencio’s protagonist must navigate an uncertain future — for both herself and her undocumented grandparents — along with Harvard’s elite social circles, which she observes with skepticism. And of course, it wouldn’t be a coming-of-age story without a budding romance. For more recs... Check out the Daily Skimm Weekend newsletter, in your inbox every Saturday and Sunday. We'll help you spend your leisure time well. Game Time [puzzletime]( Looking for a crossword that’s not impossible to solve? You’re in luck. [This one]( even offers hints when you get stuck. The faster you finish, the better your score — and the more impressed the group chat will be. [Go on](. Meet Us On The Leaderboard [Flipart]( | [Spelltower]( | [Crossword]( | [Typeshift]( | [Pile-Up Poker]( Shop smarter with the Skimm Shopping newsletter—your guide to curated products, books, and more to solve your everyday needs. [Subscribe now]( Skimm'd by: Chantal Vaca, Molly Longman, Maria del Carmen Corpus, and Marina Carver. Fact-checked by Sara Tardiff. --------------------------------------------------------------- Photos by Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times, JULIEN DE ROSA / AFP via Getty Images, Joseph Okpako/WireImage), Brand Partners, One World Design by theSkimm --------------------------------------------------------------- *PS: This is a sponsored post. Want to wake up with us every morning? 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