On Saturday, a 33-year-old gunman opened fire at an outlet mall in the Dallas suburb of Allen, killing eight people and wounding at least seven others. Authorities said a police officer — who was already at the Allen Premium Outlets — tracked down the shooter and killed him. The victims' ages ranged from 5 to 61 years old. Officials said the gunman used an AR-15-style rifle to carry out the attack. Now, investigators are looking into whether he was motivated by white supremacist ideology. Federal authorities are also investigating if the shooting could have been an act of domestic terrorism.
What are people saying?
The shooting has, once again, put a spotlight on gun reform. President Biden urged Congress to pass gun control legislation, saying he would "sign it immediately." Meanwhile, Gov. Greg Abbott (R-TX) said it was important to address the "root cause" behind the increasing "anger and violence," which he identified as "mental health problems." He also said the state's working on measures "to get guns out of the hands of dangerous criminals." Meanwhile, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) and other Republican lawmakers received criticism for offering prayers rather than advocating for gun control laws. It's not the only tragedy communities are reeling from.
Go on.
Yesterday, a driver killed eight people and injured nearly a dozen others after hitting them at a bus stop in the border city of Brownsville. The majority of the victims are believed to be Venezuelan immigrants who were waiting across the street from a migrant shelter. Brownsville Police said the driver, identified as Hispanic, has been charged with reckless driving and "more than likely" will face additional charges. Officials are investigating if the collision was intentional and looking into whether the driver was intoxicated.
theSkimm
These tragedies have left communities shaken. Now, as many look for answers in Brownsville, others are continuing to call on lawmakers to tighten gun laws amid another mass shooting.
California. Over the weekend, the state's Reparations Task Force voted to recommend that CA apologize for slavery and potentially give billions of dollars in payments to Black residents. In 2020, Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) signed legislation creating the country's first state task force on reparations. Since then, the nine-member committee has been working on a plan to compensate descendants of free and enslaved Black people for the state's history of voting, housing, policing, and education disparities. Now, the task force wants CA to issue a formal apology to those affected and create a new agency to calculate reparations with "cash or its equivalent" for eligible residents. It's up to lawmakers to decide whether to take up the recommendations and create legislation to move forward. One hurdle: Some say the state can't afford to issue reparations that could total more than $500 billion.
What's got people concerned...
The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. Over the weekend, the UN's nuclear watchdog said the area near the plant is "becoming increasingly unpredictable and potentially dangerous." The warning comes as Ukrainian officials say that Russia has been evacuating residents near the plant — hinting that fighting could be escalating in the area. Zaporizhzhia is the largest nuclear power plant in Europe and has been under Russian control for over a year. None of the plant's reactors are running, but it's still loaded with material that could cause a radiation disaster. Now, the UN's nuclear watchdog is calling on Ukraine and Russia to create a security zone to prevent any chances of a radiation leak, or risk a "severe nuclear accident."
What's seeing changes...
The Arab League. Yesterday, the organization of Middle Eastern and African countries said it's welcoming Syria back into the group. In 2011, the league suspended Syria in a move to condemn President Bashar al-Assad's regime and Syria's civil war. Now, the league wants to normalize ties with Syria after finding that isolating the country isn't working in the org's best interest. US officials maintained they wouldn't follow in the league's steps.
The pandemic made a lot of things clear: one being that the bulk of care work still falls to women. In our State of Women report, 79% of millennial women said they were concerned about the unpaid domestic labor that 76% said still falls largely to women.
The good news? Women are taking action — by prioritizing themselves, their careers, their relationships, and each other. We know because we asked. Check out what Skimm'rs had to say here.
Here are today's recs to help you live a smarter life…
1. A bralette and underwear set that's the absolute breast.
2. A star-studded movie that'll make you laugh 'til you cry.
Diane Keaton, Jane Fonda, Candice Bergen, and Mary Steenburgen head on an unforgettable bachelorette trip to Italy in "Book Club: The Next Chapter." Scandalous humor, misadventure, and romance included. Only in theaters Friday.*
Psst...looking for more discounts on brands Skimm'rs love? Check out all of our exclusive promo codes here.
Skimm'rs
We like to celebrate the wins, big and small. Let us know how your friends, neighbors, coworkers (and yes, even you) are making career moves, checking off goals, or making an impact in the community.
Stars align…Chelsea P (CT). She started her own astrology business to offer an open and non-judgmental space for those who want to have more tools in their lives.
(Some) Birthdays…Abby Zittoun (CT), Allison Maola (PA), Mike Magee (IL), Amanda Mazzenga (WA), Cristina Allegretti (NY), Julie Mikkelson (Il), Laura Amico (NY), Madeline Erker (NE), Mary Myers (WA), Rachel Swartz (VA), Sheri Saari (HI), Verica Nakeva (NJ)
PS: Paging all members of theSkimm. Reach out here for a chance to be featured.
Skimm'd by: Melanie De Lima, Anacaona Rodriguez Martinez, Chantal Vaca, and Maria del Carmen Corpus
Photos by Joe Raedle via Getty Images, Stocksy, Brand Partners
— A sports announcer after a Dodgers fan caught a foul ball with a drink in one hand and his daughter strapped to his chest. A league of his own.
Eyes On
Bluesky
The Story
Watch out, Twitter. It may be nothing but Bluesky ahead.
Go on.
It's the latest app vying to be a true Twitter rival. Compared to its competitors (Mastodon, Artifact, Post), some users say Bluesky is the closest yet. Not so surprising, since it originally started as a project within Twitter, under then-CEO Jack Dorsey. Open the app and you'll notice it looks a lot like Twitter — you can post short messages, share pictures, and scroll through an algorithmic or chronological feed. But there are a few differences: You can't block a user or send a direct message. Most notable, though, is the backend. It's an open, decentralized network. Meaning, users will eventually be able to create their own apps and communities within it and no single person will be able to own or control it. All of which has Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Chrissy Teigen, and other big names spreading their wings and pursuing greener pastures, err, bluer skies.
Count me in. Now, how do I join?
Unfortunately, it's not that simple. It's still in development, so right now, it's invitation-only. You either have to know someone with an invitation code or sign up for the online waitlist. But many think it'll be worth the wait: So far, more than a million people have said 'sign me up.' That comes as Elon Musk continues to ruffle some major feathers over at Twitter. Since Musk became "Chief Twit" in October, there's been a series of glitches and seemingly haphazard decisions (see: the blue check mark fiasco). Not to mention that Musk has loosened content moderation, which has led to a rise in misinformation and hate speech. That might explain why Black tech workers on Twitter were reportedly some of the first to flock to Bluesky.
theSkimm
In the months since Musk's takeover, many platforms have tried to give former Tweeters a place to land. While Bluesky appears to be its most serious contender, it's still far from Twitter's more than 230 million active users, as reported last year. TBD if it'll make it to the Twitter, oops, bitter end.
What's Happening
🗞 In news...
In Texas, people are grappling with another mass shooting, after a gunman opened fire at a crowded, Dallas-area mall, killing at least eight people and injuring seven others. On Tuesday, President Biden will sit down with top congressional leaders to discuss the debt ceiling. It comes after Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen warned that without action in Congress, the US may not be able to pay its bills as soon as June 1 — which, reminder, could impact millions of Americans and trigger a global economic crisis. In other White House news, the Biden admin met with tech CEOs about the risks of AI and unveiled a plan that includes investing $140 million in "responsible" research and development. Plus, for those keeping up with the Thomases: New investigations from ProPublica and the Washington Post are raising more questions. Meanwhile, in 2024 developments, Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD) and Gov. Jay Inslee (D-WA) announced that their days in office are coming to an end.
Despite the Fed's efforts to cool the economy, US job growth beat expectations in April — with employers adding 253,000 jobs. Now, all eyes are on the next batch of inflation data (aka, the consumer price index), which comes out Wednesday. Meanwhile, nearly half of Americans are worried about the safety of money deposited in the bank, according to a new poll. Perhaps that'll change since regional bank stocks rebounded slightly on Friday. Speaking of money in the bank, some of the millions of taxpayers who used Intuit's TurboTax may be getting some money back, thanks to a $141 million settlement. And Olive Garden's owner wants a stake in, well, steak. While Burger King isn't having its way — and will reportedly close up to 400 restaurants this year.
Bookmark'd
Here's a look at the reads we've saved, texted, and emailed to our friends…
No, that's not backwards. You're probably (unfortunately) familiar with the pleasure gap. Meet Vella. They're here to bridge it, with products created to make pleasure a priority for every body. The best part? Skimm'rs get 30% off with code SKIMM30. Go get you some:
Here are today's recs to help you live a smarter life…
1. Hand-blended teas that promote a healthy heart, body, and mind.
Woman-founded wellness brand Modestine Tea crafts organic blends that boost energy, relieve indigestion, balance hormones, and reduce night sweats and menopausal symptoms using natural ingredients like tulsi, lemongrass, ginger, and hibiscus. Psst…Skimm'rs get 15% off.*
Psst...looking for more discounts on brands Skimm'rs love? Check out all of our exclusive promo codes here.
Sunday Scaries, Who?
Here's one tip for a better start to your week.
As you've probably noticed, knitting has been having a moment (hi, Michelle Obama). But now that the weather is warmer, it's time to trade in your knitting needles and get hooked on crochet. Particularly since the easy, breezy style seems to be everywhere — in the form of tops, bucket hats, bikinis, and yes, Harry Styles's cardigans. Even better? Some say crocheting is easier and faster than knitting, plus it may deliver the same mental health benefits, like reduced stress and an improved mood. That's likely thanks to needlework's rhythmic, repetitive hand motions, which can induce a relaxed state. If you're ready to get started, here's the stitch...
Gather the right supplies. Beginners only need two tools: yarn (ideally made from wool or acrylic) and a crochet hook (ideally 5.0mm or 5.5mm), according to some experts. While not necessary, you could also invest in metal darning needles, which are helpful for finishing a project, and locking stitch markers, so you don't miss any stitches.
Pick a project. To avoid unraveling (you, not the project), choose something that'll take about 30 minutes to complete. That could be a dishcloth, beanie, or mug cozy. Keep in mind: Basic, single crochet patterns are great for newbies, but you can also look for anything that's marked "for beginners."
Watch a few tutorials. Are you a visual learner? In that case, a great place to start is on YouTube. Creators like TL Yarn Crafts, Ami Amour, and Henri Purnell all have videos that'll help guide you through the process. Or, you could download an app like Patternum and AllFreeCrochet. But if you do better with in-person instruction, you always have that option, too. Just do a quick Google search to find a class near you.
Save the Date
Like ours, your work and personal calendars are probably hectic. So here are some events you should know about...
Get your engines ready for the F1 Miami Grand Prix. The race kicks off at 3:30 pm ET.
It might not have a host or be a live event, but according to MTV, the Movie & TV Awards show must go on. And it will, at 8 pm ET.
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.
