This week, the EPA is expected to introduce the country's toughest-ever restrictions on vehicle emissions.Reminder: Transportation is the biggest contributor to US greenhouse gas emissions. These new rules are expected to reduce tailpipe and other vehicle emissions, and encourage automakers to accelerate EV production and sales. The ultimate goal? For as many as two-thirds of the cars in the US to be EVs by 2032. And to steer the US toward cutting greenhouse gas emissions in half from 2005 levels by the end of decade — a pledge made as part of the Paris Agreement.
Not to make this about me, but…
No, they're not coming after your current gas-powered cars. In spite of pleas for more stringent action from environmentalists, the EPA is stopping short of bans or mandates on cars that don't meet newer and more rigorous standards. Instead, this approach focuses on having automakers be more careful about new models — which could eventually tilt the market, but won't affect the cars sitting in US driveways today. That said…
Tell me.
Some states are already changing lanes. Last year, California became the first state to ban the sale of gas-powered cars by 2035. Since then, others (see: Maryland, New York, Massachusetts) have announced they're following suit. And as nearly all states are implementing incentives to boost the deployment of electric vehicles, automakers are racing to add EVs to their lineups. Abroad, countries are setting firmer lines. In March, EU countries gave the final 'OK' on landmark legislation that would end sales of CO2-emitting cars in 2035. And, by 2030, they'll require vehicles to have CO2 levels that are 55% lower than 2021 levels.
theSkimm
Up to this point, the US has only set targets for zero-emission passenger vehicles — not federal regulations. That could soon change. But with the planet on the brink of catastrophic climate change, TBD if EVs will be enough.
What's Happening
📰 In news…
Apparently classified documents covering everything from the war in Ukraine to info about other countries were posted on social media — and at least one US official says they "look real." The Justice Dept and Pentagon are looking into it. Meanwhile, Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas responded to last week's bombshell ProPublica report, saying he'd been advised that the luxury trips "from close personal friends" did not have to be disclosed. Also playing defense: The Biden admin, after a long-awaited report finally acknowledged mistakes in the Afghanistan exit. And VP Kamala Harris made a trip to Tennessee, where she met with the pair of lawmakers expelled from the state's General Assembly. In other state news, the wave of anti-LGBTQIA+ legislation continues to grow: The North Dakota Senate reportedly advanced 10 bills in a single day, while Republican governors in Indiana and Idaho signed bills banning gender-affirming care for minors. That was followed by GOP legislators in Kansas, who approved a similar proposal — though it's likely to be vetoed by the state's Democratic governor. Oh and ahead of a very busy Easter weekend, Pope Francis expressed that he's a-ok with sex and dating apps.
⛳️ In sports…
In golf, the 2023 Masters picked up where it left off yesterday (well, minus Tiger), after play was suspended for the second time due to bad weather. It comes as many already had their eye on the (golf) ball. Speaking of balls, a new study suggests that climate change may play a role in the increasing number of MLB home runs. And after some overtime drama, LSU's athletic department said it will accept First Lady Dr. Jill Biden's invite to the White House. Meanwhile, San Francisco will kick off next year with a new women's soccer team. In other women's soccer news, the USWNT revealed its new and improved uniforms ahead of the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup. And, Olympic gold medalist Sunisa Lee says she's temporarily stepping away from gymnastics due to a kidney issue.
📈 In business…
As Tesla cuts prices for the fifth time this year, a Reuters investigation shows its employees may need to cut it out with making memes from customers' car cameras. More car news: Honda recalled nearly 564,000 CR-Vs over rust concerns, while Volkswagen recalled 143,000 Atlas SUVs over airbag sensor issues. And the DOJ charged the founder of student loan software company Frank with fraud, after she was, ahem, not so frank. Meanwhile, US employers added 236,000 jobs in March— signaling a slight hiring slowdown in a still strong jobs market. Speaking of jobs, some restaurants are putting their faith in robot employees, while others are using tech to deliver layoffs.
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Sunday Scaries, Who?
Here's one tip for a better start to your week.
Feeling stressed, overwhelmed, or under the weather? A certain smell might help you feel better. Enter: Aromatherapy, aka when you inhale essential oils or massage them into your skin. Some studies say it may support emotional or physical well-being — but no matter what, it just smells good. Here are a few ways to get started.
Pick your oil. Different oils can allegedly support different things. Lavender oil, which is great for beginners, reportedly helps alleviate stress, pain, and sleep problems. Or, if you're looking for something that'll supposedly brighten your mood, try lemongrass oil. If you're having issues with inflammation, some swear by frankincense, which is sometimes known as the "king of oils."
Choose your method(s). If you want to make your entire home smells great by using essential oils, a diffuser is a great option. But you don't necessarily need one, because there are plenty of other ways to add aromatherapy to your home. Think: putting oils on your toilet paper to scent your bathroom, putting oils on cotton balls to scent your dresser drawers, or using them in a DIY linen spray. Whatever you choose, make sure to read up on all the do's and don'ts first. Just a few: Be careful breathing it in, never apply it directly to your skin without first mixing it with another liquid or cream, and remember that less is more.
Save the Date
Like ours, your work and personal calendars are probably hectic. So here are some events you should know about...
National Siblings Day. Show your sibling some love and text them something other than a meme today.
From now until April 23, Dairy Queen is offering its iconic Blizzard for just 85 cents. No chill.
The first weekend of Coachella begins — with headliners Bad Bunny, BLACKPINK, and Frank Ocean.
PS: Want more events like this on your cal? theSkimm App gives you a heads-up on when everything from holidays to sports games to awards shows are going down. Download it here.
News Quiz
Stumped by our news quiz yesterday? Here's the answer.
