Go ahead, look at your tongue

But first: something to smile about — Check out what we Skimm’d for you today October 4, 2024 [Subscribe]( [Read in browser]( [daily_skimm] [Together with]( [operation smile]( But first: [something to smile about]( --------------------------------------------------------------- [Update location]( or [View forecast]( Quote of the Day "I got a big wake-up call to start living like a free woman" — [Kesha]( on feeling liberated. We are who we are. [Facebook]([Twitter]([Email](mailto:?body=Kesha is back and it’s about time #theSkimm%0A3Ftype%3Demailurl%26r%3DSKIMM%26utm_source%3Demail%26utm_medium%3Ddsshare%23custom) What's Happening [A screen at the entrance of Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church displays the celebration of life for Tyre Nichols ] US News Three Former Memphis Officers Convicted on Some Charges in Tyre Nichols Case What's going on: Yesterday, a federal jury found three former Memphis police officers [guilty of witness tampering]( in connection with the death of Tyre Nichols, but acquitted them of the most serious civil rights charges. One officer was convicted of violating the 29-year-old Black man’s civil rights by causing bodily injury. In 2023, five officers — all Black men — severely beat Nichols during what was [supposed to be a routine traffic stop](. Body-camera audio showed the officers laughing as Nichols lay on the ground for several minutes before an ambulance was called. Nichols died three days later from blunt-force injuries to the head. All five officers were fired and indicted on state and federal charges, with two former officers [previously pleading guilty]( to some of the federal charges. After yesterday’s verdict, Nichols’s stepfather told The New York Times: “We’re all very, very happy that these guys have been put in jail. This is a long time coming.” What it means: The case has once again put a spotlight on the police brutality that Black men face in this country. It has also prompted activists to call for an end to “hot-spot” policing units, which focus resources on areas with high crime rates. In this case, the five former officers used to belong to the Memphis Police Department's Scorpion street crime unit, which faced [accusations of using excessive force](. Although that unit has been disbanded, there has yet to be a significant overhaul of how officers in Memphis are expected to conduct themselves. Additionally, police reform at the federal level has stalled; the [George Floyd Justice in Policing Act]( passed the House twice but failed to progress in the Senate. Related: [Police Brutality Led To Reform but Rising Crime Fears Are Undermining Progress]( (WaPo Gift Link) US News A Couple in an Uber Accident Can't Sue Because of…the Terms of Service What's going on: A New Jersey couple’s legal woes might cause you to think twice before you agree to those lengthy terms and conditions. In 2022, Georgia and John McGinty were riding in an Uber when the driver ran a red light and T-boned another car. The couple suffered injuries, and Georgia had to undergo several procedures. However, when the McGinty’s tried to sue Uber over the incident, [a court blocked their case](. The reason? Their daughter had used Georgia’s account to order food on Uber Eats and agreed to the terms of use, waiving trial rights. Uber argued that, as a result, the couple cannot pursue a jury trial, and any future disputes must be settled through private arbitration. The couple said they plan to appeal the court’s decision, [according to Today](. What it means: This case highlights the complexities of the agreements that many people sign without much thought. Earlier this year, a man sued Disney because his wife died from an allergic reaction after eating at a park restaurant in 2023. Disney argued [the case should be sent to arbitration]( because the family had agreed to the terms and conditions while signing up for its streaming service, Disney+. After public backlash, the company withdrew its motion, and the case is now moving forward. So maybe read the terms and conditions next time (or ask an AI-powered chatbot to do it for you). Related: [What to Know Before Agreeing to a Terms of Service Agreement]( (USA Today) Business Cracking Open a Canned Cocktail? Careful, It's Packing a Harder Punch What's going on: It’s never been easier to enjoy a cocktail on the go, but now spiked seltzers and prepared mixed drinks might be giving you an unexpected fast buzz. That’s because brands are [rolling out versions with higher alcohol content]( to stand out in the booming ready-to-drink (RTD) beverage market. These drinks have brought in $13.1 billion in sales in the past year and represent 12% of total alcohol sales. Originally marketed as [lighter, healthier alternatives](, hard seltzers hooked consumers seeking convenience. But people aren't just reaching for 5%-ABV hard seltzers for a picnic anymore; they’re opting for canned gin and tonics, negronis, and margaritas with a lot more punch. The thing is, for better or for worse, you just can’t make a low-alcohol Manhattan. What it means: [Companies are cashing in]( on knowing that time is money: Why buy all the ingredients for an old fashioned if you can buy premade, single-serve options instead? Plus, have you seen the drink prices at bars lately? But, the risk is in the fine print: many people don’t check labels, making accidental overconsumption more likely. And those hard seltzers were meant to be [healthier if had in moderation](. Upping the alcohol content changes that. Experts acknowledge it can already be easy to lose track of how much alcohol you’re drinking when you do so less often. That’s also true when those refreshing seltzers go down so easily. So, if you’re about to crack open a prepackaged cocktail, just check that label before your next sip. Related: [The Case for Putting an Age Limit on Nonalcoholic Beverages]( (CNN) Quick Hits 📖 Melania Trump is [weighing in on abortion rights]( and the far right is upset. --------------------------------------------------------------- 😋 McDonald's [new Big Mac]( isn't a hamburger. We’re kind of lovin’ it. --------------------------------------------------------------- 📰 Garth Brooks is responding after a hair-and-makeup artist [accused him of sexual assault](. --------------------------------------------------------------- 👅 What could your [tongue reveal about your health](? A lot apparently. --------------------------------------------------------------- 🛒 Costco is now selling [a new precious item]( they hope you’ll want to stock up on. --------------------------------------------------------------- 👀 Jennifer Aniston knows you’ve heard plenty of rumors about her. She admits [some of them were true.]( Skimm the Vote 2024 [Election 2024 Countdown]( The VP debates are behind us, campaigns are in the homestretch, and it’s time to make your voting plan. With just one month left until you cast your ballot, we created a simple way for you to get the voting information you need. Visit our [Skimm the Vote 2024 voter prep portal](, where you can research your ballot, register to vote, check your registration status, and more. Next stop: the polls. [Make a plan]( Skimm Tested Want to know if a product is really worth buying? Our series [Skimm Tested]( – where we try popular products – can help you figure that out. [Understance bras]( - [Understance bras](…Cute, comfortable support in sizes for every body? Finally, bras that check all the boxes. - [Celebrity alcohol brands](…We blind tasted-tested five celebrity-backed alcohol brands to see which you should actually sip. - [Redness-reducing skincare](...Do these serums, cleansers, and gels make a difference for our rosacea-prone writer? Find out. Skimm Picks Here are today’s recs to help you live a smarter life… The easiest way to eat healthy nowadays? [Hungryroot](. They’ll ship fully-prepped ingredients you can cook and enjoy in under 10 minutes. [Take this quiz]( to start building your personalized plan.* --------------------------------------------------------------- If you're sick of seeing Adidas Sambas everywhere, try [Gola Badminton Court Sneakers](. They were good enough for Josh O'Connor in Challengers, so they're good enough for us. (Psst...[here's how we're styling them](.) --------------------------------------------------------------- In the mood for a deal? Grab this classic [handbag](, these mixed-metal[earrings](, and [more stuff on sale]( this week. --------------------------------------------------------------- Now that it's autumn, you can put away your summer skincare and reach for these [transitional products]( that'll keep your skin happy as the weather cools down. 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 [Social media apps] In a recent poll, Gen Z shared their regrets about social media. Which platform did half wish [had never been invented](? [A. X/Twitter]( [B. TikTok]( [C. Snapchat]( Extra Credit [Coldplay] Listen Coldplay’s 10th studio album may be titled Moon Music, but for an optimal listening experience, we’d recommend staying earthside. The [ambitious Max Martin-produced project]( is part two of 2021's Music of the Spheres and includes CDs made primarily of recycled materials. Featuring tracks like “feelslikeimfallinginlove" and “🌈” (yes, that’s a literal rainbow emoji), Moon Music is predictably corny — but don't let that stop you from blasting it in the car anyway. 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 [Pile-Up Poker cards animation]( Kick your weekend off with [Pile-Up Poker](, a brand-new game where poker meets solitaire. Create as many poker hands as possible to earn cash and climb the leaderboard. [We’re all in](. Meet Us On The Leaderboard [Flipart]( | [Spelltower]( | [Crossword]( | [Typeshift]( | [Pile-Up Poker]( This is worth your money [Product Image]( Redi Shade Blackout Shades [$26.69 at Amazon]( Stay ahead with the Skimm Well newsletter, where expert advice and tools help you confidently manage your health. [Subscribe now]( Spotlight on 🥳 Some Birthdays Skimm Dad Donny Weisberg (IL), Disa DiBuono Simpson (IL), Darci DiBuono Pinello (IL), Ronnie Pollidoro (NY), Gabe Malitzky (NY), Alexa von Tobel (NY), Steve Schlafman (NY), Pam Novak (IL), Abby Adcock (NC), Macy Johannsen (MN), Ariel Schwartz (OH), Maggie Schmidt (CT), Adriana Sotelo (IL), Nithya Subbiah (FL) Skimm'd by: Rashaan Ayesh, Mallory Simon, Maria del Carmen Corpus, and Marina Carver. Fact-checked by Jordan Mamone. --------------------------------------------------------------- Photos by Lucy Garrett and Matt Jelonek/Contributor via Getty Images, Brand Partners, and Matt Jelonek/Contributor via Getty Images Design by theSkimm --------------------------------------------------------------- *PS: This is a sponsored post. Want to wake up with us every morning? [Subscribe to all theSkimm has to offer](. --------------------------------------------------------------- [Instagram Icon]( [Tik Tok Icon]( [Linkedin Logo]( [Twitter icon]( [Facebook icon]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Skimm'd something we missed? skimmthis@theSkimm.com Issues? [help@theSkimm.com](mailto:help@theskimm.com) [Advertise with us]( | [Careers]( [See our full sponsor agreement]( | [Unsubscribe or Update Your Preferences]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright (c) 2024 theSkimm, All rights reserved. TheSkimm, Daily Skimm, and all Skimm-based marks are trademarks or registered trademarks of TheSkimm, Inc. 53 West 23rd Street, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10010