Daily Skimm: You’re a Derry Girl now, James

The Story

New Yorkers are still reeling from yesterday's attack.

What happened?

Yesterday, a man wearing a gas mask opened a smoke canister on a moving subway in Brooklyn during rush hour. And opened fire — injuring at least 17 people and leaving a city on edge. Schools in the area went into lockdown. Officials have named a 62-year-old man — with addresses in Wisconsin and Philadelphia — as a person of interest. The crime isn’t being investigated as an act of terrorism. NYC officials say surveillance cameras that could’ve captured the shooting weren’t working. It comes as violence has been on the rise on NYC's subway system and across the country.

What do you mean?

Last year, more than 400 felony assaults were reported on the subway. Earlier this year, the city mourned 40-year-old Michelle Go after she was pushed in front of an oncoming train. A survey by Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) found that former subway riders cited crime as a top concern. The city has responded to the violence by testing out platform barriers at three stations. As well as by cracking down on loitering at stations.

And the rest of the country?

Gun violence has continued to go up. At least 10 major US cities set new homicide records last year, including Philadelphia and Portland. And there were 485 murders in NYC — reportedly the highest in 10 years. It comes as Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders saw more than 9,000 hate crimes since the beginning of the pandemic. And as Congress hasn’t passed major gun control legislation since 1994.

theSkimm

NYC has added police officers to its subway system since crime ticked back up at the start of the pandemic. But the violence hasn't stopped. And yesterday saw some of commuters' worst fears come true.

States v Roe: Oklahoma

Welcome to our series on abortion rights and restrictions. theSkimm is tracking state actions in the lead-up to a landmark Supreme Court decision expected by July. Here’s the latest…

Yesterday, Oklahoma Gov Kevin Stitt (R) signed a bill making it a felony to perform an abortion. Anyone (including doctors) found guilty of administering the procedure faces a max fine of $100,000 and up to 10 years in prison. There are no exceptions for rape or incest — only for medical emergencies.

Last month Idaho joined Texas in allowing residents to sue abortion providers and anyone else helping to perform abortions for tens of thousands of dollars. Meanwhile, dozens of states have intro’d abortion restrictions since January alone.

Here’s where states stand on abortion. A ruling from the Supreme Court on the fate of Roe v Wade is expected within three months.

Whose party is over…

British PM Boris Johnson. Yesterday, Downing Street shared that police slapped Johnson with a fine for his role in the “partygate” scandal. ICYMI, Johnson and staffers broke COVID-19 lockdown rules to attend parties during the height of the pandemic. Now, Johnson says he’s paid the fine — while ignoring the calls for him to resign.

What's the bane of our existence and the object of all our desire...

Money. Inflation is now the highest since 1981. That's according to the Consumer Price Index, which measures the average price of things like food, housing, and gas. The bump (8.5% since last year) comes despite efforts by the Fed to curb it with higher interest rates. But that move alone has some whispering 'recession.' In the meantime, a well-diversified portfolio could help you earn enough to beat inflation.

Who people are mourning…

Gilbert Gottfried.

Who's giving meaning to 'a whole new ball game'...

Alyssa Nakken.

Over 1,300

The number of endangered or threatened species in the US today. Aka how many kinds of plants and animals we’ve gotta step up to keep around.

The good news? The Endangered Species Act has a 99% success rate when it comes to preventing extinction. And we can all play a part in bringing that to 100%. Walmart’s already gotten started. For the past 17 years, they’ve been working with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to conserve critical habitats for birds, fish, plants, and wildlife. And we've teamed up with them to tell the story of three incredible women who have dedicated their careers to protecting the planet — and those living on it. Ready, set, read.

Here are today’s recs to help you live a smarter life…

1. A plant-based powder that’s a major metabolism game-changer. Women-founded brand Sakara’s best-selling super powder is digestion-aiding, bloat-easing, cravings-curbing goodness you can add to any beverage. And for a limited time, Skimm'rs get 20% off.*

2. A personal finance app that does the hard work for ya. Like negotiating bills on your behalf, canceling unwanted subscriptions, aaaand tracking your expenses. All in one place. The best part? It takes less than two minutes to get started.*

3. A delicious, easy-to-prep lunch option that isn’t an overpriced salad. Yeah, we went there. But only because this brand’s nourishing, chef-crafted bowls, smoothies, and more are full of whole fruits and vegetables. And delivered right to ya. Here’s up to $40 off your first box.*

4. Birth control minus the weird side effects. This FDA-cleared app uses your body temp to help prevent pregnancy naturally (read: sans hormones). And it’s scientifically proven to work. Pro tip: Skimm’rs get 20% off their first annual subscription and a free thermometer. Bless.*

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.

Getting real…Lynn P (NJ). She and her partner documented their raw IVF journey with the hopes of educating others dealing with infertility. Check it out here.

(Some) Birthdays…Beckley Mason (NY), Allison Williams (NY), Betsy Mullen (VA), Claudia Hayward (IL), Hannah Storum (CA), Jaqueline Moreno (CA), Maureen Alley (WI), Viviane Rowan (NJ), Stephanie Wilkins (IL), Kalani Reed (UT), Susana Rosa (NJ), Stefanie Getz (MO), Deb Goggia (MA), Ashley Krug (NJ)

PS: Paging all members of theSkimm. Reach out here for a chance to be featured.

Fewer mask mandates means more toothy smiles. We talked to two New York-based dentists (and their hygienists) about which dental care products are best, how and when you should be brushing, and more. You’ll be singing “my shiny teeth and me” in no time.

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