Latest Episodes
Great Lengths: Democrats on the Mic, March for Life, Grammys Drama
January 24, 2020
House Democrats are wrapping up three days of opening arguments in the Senate impeachment trial of President Trump. Before Trump’s...
Noble Intentions: Quarantines, Genocide Prevention, Profit-Sharing
January 23, 2020
China is turning to massive quarantines to stop the spread of coronavirus. Now, millions are impacted as transportation comes to a halt...
Check Up: Coronavirus, Impeachment Managers, Negotiating
January 22, 2020
Hundreds of people have been infected by a virus that originated in China. Now, a case has been diagnosed in the US, too. We’ll explain...
About The Show
In today’s world, context is clarity. "Skimm This" breaks down the most important stories of the day and explains why they matter. All in 10 minutes. Every Monday through Friday. All at 5PM.
More Episodes
Great Lengths: Democrats on the Mic, March for Life, Grammys Drama
January 24, 2020
House Democrats are wrapping up three days of opening arguments in the Senate impeachment trial of President Trump. Before Trump’s...
Noble Intentions: Quarantines, Genocide Prevention, Profit-Sharing
January 23, 2020
China is turning to massive quarantines to stop the spread of coronavirus. Now, millions are impacted as transportation comes to a halt...
Check Up: Coronavirus, Impeachment Managers, Negotiating
January 22, 2020
Hundreds of people have been infected by a virus that originated in China. Now, a case has been diagnosed in the US, too. We’ll explain...
All Talk: Davos, Impeachment Trial Rules, Big Endorsement
January 21, 2020
The world’s biggest movers and shakers are packing up their skis and heading to a place called Davos in the Swiss Alps. That’s right:...
Warning Signs: Media Access, Privacy Please, China’s Birth Rate
January 17, 2020
All eyes are on the Senate in the run up to next week’s impeachment trial. But new rules could make it difficult, or even impossible, to...
Take An Oath: Impeachment Trial, New Russian PM, Prohibition
January 16, 2020
Something new started today: the impeachment trial of the President of the United States. We’ll explain how a one-man media circus gave...
Back in Business: Impeachment, US-China Trade, Electable Ladies
January 15, 2020
The “i” word is back in the headlines after the House of Representatives sent articles of impeachment to the Senate today. Did Speaker...
Showdown: DOJ vs Apple, Democratic Debate, Longest Rap
January 14, 2020
One month after a deadly shooting in Florida, the Justice Department is still trying to figure out what happened. But there’s one thing...
Damage Control: Protests in Iran, Aussie Bushfires, Royal Shake-Ups
January 13, 2020
Iran is suddenly on the defensive, facing critics inside and outside the country after it admitted to shooting down a passenger plane...
What Now?: Plane Crash Investigation, Puerto Rico, Space Explorers
January 10, 2020
Days after a deadly plane crash in Iran, questions remain over what exactly happened. We’ll explain why major media outlets and western...
Skimm Special: Harry and Meghan
January 10, 2020
First there was Brexit, now there’s Megxit. If you checked Instagram (or just the internet) this week, you probably saw the news that...
Let’s Negotiate: War Powers, Impact Reports, Pay Raises
January 9, 2020
Members of Congress had a heated debate today over limiting President Trump’s ability to start a war with Iran. We’ll explain who holds...
Where To?: Iran-US Tensions, Great Escapes, ‘Megxit’
January 8, 2020
At times this week, it looked like the US and Iran were heading toward an all-out war. And those concerns only intensified last night...
Another Look: The US in Iraq, Deepfakes, Christmas Trees
January 7, 2020
The latest drama between the US and Iran is catching Iraq in the crossfire. After a deadly US drone strike in Iraq, Iraq’s parliament...
Heating Up: Iran Fallout, Weinstein Trial, Australia Fires
January 6, 2020
The year is off to a rocky start for the US and Iran. Last week, the US killed a top Iranian general linked to attacks on hundreds of...
Sea Changes: Impeachment, Climate Crisis, Anti-Austerity Protests
January 3, 2020
Last year brought with it some big stories about change - stories that we’ll probably see more of in 2020. So before we ring in the new...
Power Players: The People Who Shaped 2019
December 30, 2019
When the history books are written, we think a few names from 2019 will stand out. Greta Thunberg helped make climate change protests...
Money Moves: Trade War, Interest Rates, Unemployment Rate
December 27, 2019
With New Year's resolutions right around the corner, we want to talk about money. If you’re looking to make a fresh start, knowledge is...
And the most complicated story of 2019 was...
December 23, 2019
We asked our listeners which 2019 story you still want explained. At the top of the list: Brexit. Totally fair. British voters chose to...
Making the Cut: Voter Purges, Impeachment Trial, Brexit
December 20, 2019
Some election officials are making a list, checking it twice – and cutting hundreds of thousands of people from their voter registration...
Taxation and Representation: Obamacare in Limbo, Debate Diversity, and Wakanda
December 19, 2019
The future of Obamacare is limbo again, after a federal court struck down the individual mandate as unconstitutional. We’ll explain how...
The Rest is History: Impeachment Vote, Teen Vaping, Missy Robbins
December 18, 2019
Today the House of Representatives prepared to impeach a President of the United States for the third time in US history. The...
Big Deals: Budget Breakthroughs, Boeing, Happy Birthday Simpsons
December 17, 2019
The House just passed a budget bill to fund the federal government through next September. The budget was only possible after lots of...
Keep On Keepin’ On: Trade Deals, Protests in India, Climate Talks
December 16, 2019
The Trump administration reached two blockbuster trade deals last week – or so we thought. Turns out there are still some big question...
Two Roads Diverge: Late-Night Impeachment Quarrels, Brexit’s Open Road
December 13, 2019
Today the House Judiciary Committee gave the go-ahead for a full House vote on impeachment, but the process was anything but tidy....
Now Boarding: Trade Courts, Parental Leave, Ugly Sweaters
December 12, 2019
The World Trade Organization’s top court stopped functioning this week after the US blocked the appointment of new judges. That means...
Upgrades: New NAFTA, Executive Order, Campaign Transparency
December 11, 2019
People on both sides of the aisle in DC might finally be on the same page about something: a new trade deal with Mexico and Canada....
High Crimes: Hearings at the Hague, Articles in the House, and Shifty DNA
December 10, 2019
The government of Myanmar is in court this week over allegations of genocide, and the actions of the country’s Nobel Peace Prize-winning...
One More Time: Another Russia Report, Olympic Bans, Hong Kong Protests
December 9, 2019
If you thought you were done hearing about Russian interference in the 2016 election – think again. The Justice Department Inspector...
Going Viral: Measles in Samoa, Uber Safety Data, Yuletide Insults
December 6, 2019
Health officials in the island nation of Samoa are fighting a deadly measles outbreak. We’ll explain why anti-vaxxers in Samoa and in...
Look Back in Anger: Abuse Claims, Pension Strikes, Talkative Robots
December 5, 2019
A handful of states are passing laws to help victims of child sexual abuse seek justice. We’ll explain why one new law in New Jersey...
I Fought the Law: Impeachment, Hospital Bills, Salon Chemicals
December 4, 2019
The impeachment inquiry into President Trump jumped to a new House committee today, and it’s starting to feel a bit like law school....
You Get What You Give: Champagne Tariffs, Giving Tuesday, Rapinoe
December 3, 2019
President Trump is handing out tariffs left and right, and countries aren’t psyched about it. The latest target? French champagne, among...
Feuding: NATO Summit, Gun Rights, Black Friday vs. Cyber Monday
December 2, 2019
The UK is hosting a big NATO summit this week to celebrate the alliance’s 70th birthday. But budget fights and membership debates could...
What’s Going On: Mass Imprisonment in China, Impeachment Drama, ‘Dear Santa’
November 26, 2019
Newly-leaked government documents are pulling back the curtain on China’s mass detention of ethnic minorities. We’ll get into how the...
Following: Navy Secretary Out, Michael Bloomberg, Wild Turkey
November 25, 2019
The Secretary of the Navy is out. We’ll connect the dots between President Trump’s controversial pardons of service members and what...
Can’t Let It Go: Israeli Political Drama, Debating Pot, ‘Let It Go’ 2.0
November 22, 2019
It was a busy week in Israeli politics, between a US announcement on West Bank settlements and talk of new elections next year. Then:...
Bring Da Ruckus: Impeachment Hearings, Paid Family Leave, Throwback Theme Park
November 21, 2019
Today was the last day of scheduled impeachment hearings, and we heard from two officials who had front row seats to events at the...
We Hear You: Impeachment, Iran Protests, Grammy Noms
November 20, 2019
The US ambassador to the European Union walked into the impeachment inquiry hearing this morning, and threw just about everybody under...
Neverending Story: Impeachment Hearings, Savvy Scammers, OK Boomer
November 19, 2019
Lawmakers sat for a LONG time today during marathon impeachment hearings on Capitol Hill. Today we finally heard from officials who...
Pardon Me?: War Crimes, Hong Kong Schools, Bye Bye Bei Bei
November 18, 2019
President Trump pardoned Army officers accused of war crimes, and the decision has sparked a heated debate over whether this is a good...
Escalating: Impeachment Drama, Bill Blockers, People-Movers
November 15, 2019
Former US Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch testified in the ongoing impeachment hearings today. She described how her...
Float On: US-Ukraine Relations, Google Cache, Swimming Cows
November 14, 2019
Thanks to the ongoing impeachment inquiry, we’re hearing about Ukraine a lot lately. Turns out: the US and Ukraine have a history. We’ll...
Brace Yourself: Impeachment Hearings, Greta at Sea, Really Old Booze
November 13, 2019
The impeachment inquiry hearings into President Trump finally went public today. There was the usual partisan drama, but also some...
Out in the Cold: DACA, Bolivia’s President, Arctic Air
November 12, 2019
The Supreme Court heard one of the biggest cases of the term: whether the Trump admin can end DACA. That’s the Deferred Action for...
Dark and Stormy: Hong Kong Protests, Concussion Research, Impeachment Smells
November 8, 2019
The pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong took a dark turn this week, amid the death of a young student and two violent attacks on...
Hold Up: The US v. Gilead, ‘Recanvassing,’ Buying a House
November 7, 2019
The US government is suing a major pharmaceutical company over its HIV prevention drugs. We’ll tell you why, and explain how it’s...
Brave New Worlds: Shadow Diplomacy, Cartel Violence, Voting Methods
November 6, 2019
The outlines of a power struggle between US diplomats and President Trump’s personal attorney are emerging out of transcripts from the...
One Day You're In: Paris Agreement, Election Day, Being 'Single'
November 5, 2019
The Trump administration formally told the United Nations that it’s pulling out of the Paris Climate Agreement, making the US the only...
Smoldering: PG&E’s Future, Iraq Protests, Party Houses
November 4, 2019
Firefighters are gradually putting out California’s wildfires, but the state’s big power company is just starting to feel the heat as...
Getting Started: 5G in China, Cystic Fibrosis Drug, NaNoWriMo
November 1, 2019
Earlier today, China turned on the fifth generation of super-fast Internet, AKA 5G. We’ll connect the dots between what the tech can do...
Spooktacular: Impeachment Rules, Twitter Ads, Dressed-Up Pets
October 31, 2019
The House of Representatives set the ground rules for its impeachment investigation into President Trump today. The next phase of the...
New Heights: Middle East Protests, Sea Levels, Phone Bills
October 30, 2019
Anti-government protests have erupted in Lebanon and Iraq. Young people are leading the charge, and are calling for major economic...
For the Record: The Armenian Genocide, Impeachment, Palladium
October 29, 2019
The US House of Representatives is taking a historic vote today to recognize the Armenian Genocide of 1915. We’ll break down why mass...
Say Goodbye?: ISIS Leader, Missouri Abortion Clinic, Phishing
October 28, 2019
The leader of ISIS died during a US military raid in Syria over the weekend. We’ll explain who Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi was, and what his...
More Than Meets The Eye: Impeachment Inquiry, Chile Protests, TikTok
October 25, 2019
It’s been a busy week for the impeachment investigation into President Trump. Some key witnesses testified about the US-Ukraine...
Cancel It?: Student Loans, Revenge Porn, Trading Fees
October 24, 2019
A top Education Department official is calling it quits, and on his way out the door he’s urging the federal government to cancel most...
Turn Around: Facebook Updates, Teachers Strike, Bird Alerts
October 23, 2019
It’s October 23rd. Today, we Skimm’d This: Facebook co-founder Mark Zuckerberg has been in the news a lot recently, and today he was in...
Questionable: Ceasefire, Drone Deliveries, the ‘World’ Series
October 22, 2019
After five days, the ceasefire between Turkey and Kurdish fighters in Syria has come to an end. As the clock ran down, the Kurds said...
Making Changes: Canadian Elections, Opioid Settlement, and Floppy Disks
October 21, 2019
It’s Election Day in Canada, and polls are showing a virtual tie between the two biggest parties. We’ll connect the dots between the...
New Vocab: Impeachment Latin, El Chapito, All-Female Spacewalks
October 18, 2019
The impeachment inquiry is forcing us to dust off our Latin dictionaries and look up “quid pro quo” and “emolumentum.” These words are...
Let's Make a Deal: Brexit, Syria Ceasefire, Auto Worker Strike
October 17, 2019
With just days to go before a Brexit deadline, UK and EU leaders shook hands on a new withdrawal agreement today. But that hardly means...
Getting Involved: Russia in Turkey, Hong Kong Solidarity, and Good Samaritans
October 16, 2019
Russian and Syrian troops swooped into parts of northern Syria this week, just days after US troops pulled out. Given the history...
Drawing Lines: DC Depositions, Racism in Sports, Amazing Authors
October 15, 2019
Three senior US officials have answered questions from House lawmakers in recent days, even as the White House has pushed to limit or...
The Law of the Land: Previewing the Supreme Court’s Big Year Ahead
October 11, 2019
The Supreme Court got back to work this week for a potentially historic term. The court’s reinforced conservative majority is expected...
Not Done Yet: Turkey’s Syria Invasion, Climate Activism, Long Commutes
October 10, 2019
Turkey launched an attack on Kurdish fighters in northern Syria this week, bringing violence to a region where thousands of ISIS...
Power Struggles: Trump vs. Congress, Fighting Fires, Lithium Batteries
October 9, 2019
The White House’s refusal to cooperate with an impeachment inquiry in the House of Representatives is setting the stage for a...
On Watch: Chinese Surveillance Companies, Discrimination, The Cosmos
October 8, 2019
The US government is taking names. The Commerce Department says its adding 28 Chinese companies to a trade blacklist. We’ll connect the...
Ready for Battle: Turkey in Syria, Trump's Taxes, Red Blood Cells
October 7, 2019
Democrats and Republicans are speaking out against the surprising pullback of US troops from northern Syria, saying the Kurdish forces...
Unmasked: Ukraine Texts, Hong Kong Protesters, and Dino Bones
October 4, 2019
The former US special envoy to Ukraine has handed over some of his texts as evidence in the House’s impeachment inquiry into President...
Remedies: Injection Sites, Wine and Cheese Tariffs, and IPO Woes
October 3, 2019
A federal judge just gave a boost to supervised injection sites, saying a clinic in Philadelphia doesn’t violate drug laws. Activists...
Gettin' Fresh: Impeachment Inquiry, Boeing Whistleblower, Algae
October 2, 2019
House Democrats are ratcheting up the impeachment inquiry. And now, all eyes are on the State Department, which is trying very hard not...
Super-Massive: China's 70th, Global Banking, and Galactic Mysteries
October 1, 2019
Today marked 70 years since the founding of the People’s Republic of China, and the country threw a huge birthday party for itself....
Competing Interests: Refugee Crisis, Campaign Finances, Mortgage Rates
September 30, 2019
Four years after the European migrant crisis reached its peak, European leaders are being called on to once again to address a situation...
Time After Time: Egypt Protests, US Refugee Program, Landmines
September 27, 2019
Protesters tried to mobilize across Egypt today for a second week of anti-government demonstrations. But security forces were out in...
Power Moves: Whistleblower Complaint, Israeli Politics, and ‘Gini Index’
September 26, 2019
The mysterious whistleblower complaint everyone’s talking about...is finally public. So: we got lots of new details. And lawmakers in...
Call Me Maybe: Trump and Ukraine, Juul CEO, and 'Apply Thru'
September 25, 2019
It’s the phone call heard ‘round the world: the White House released what it says is a rough transcript of President Trump’s...
What Lies Beneath: UN Speeches, Brexit Ruling, Lost Continent
September 24, 2019
The UN General Assembly kicked into high gear today and President Trump urged world leaders to take a page out of his ‘America First’...
Words vs. Action: Trump and Ukraine, UN Climate Summit, and Retirement
September 23, 2019
It’s only Monday, but President Trump probably can’t wait for the weekend. A mysterious whistleblower complaint is still dominating the...
Balancing Act: Climate Strikes, Pacific Islands, and Japanese Whisky
September 20, 2019
The world was gripped by massive student-led climate strikes today. Some say the demonstrations were the largest climate protest in...
Step Up: Whistleblowers, Russian Protests, and the Washington Monument
September 19, 2019
A whistleblower is sending Washington into a tizzy today. The House Intelligence Committee is demanding information about a complaint...
New Normals: Tent Courts, Interest Rates, and ‘They’
September 18, 2019
The Trump Administration is unveiling new immigration courts that look a little different than what you might expect. They’re actually...
Making Waves: Auto Strikes, Impeachment Hearings, and Channel Swimming
September 17, 2019
Autoworkers across the country are joining the picket line in a strike against General Motors. They say the company needs to give them...
Awaiting Results: Israeli Elections, Saudi Oil, and Science Prizes
September 16, 2019
Israelis might be feeling a little déjà vu: they’re heading back to the polls tomorrow to vote for parliament for the second time this...
Now What: Gun Control, The Bahamas, and #MeToo
September 13, 2019
The top ten Democrats in the presidential primary faced off last night for their third debate, and three big ideas emerged from their...
Legal Speak: Terms of Impeachment, Opioid Settlement, and the Dem Debate
September 12, 2019
The House Judiciary Committee formalized its process for potentially impeaching President Trump. Everyone on Capitol Hill has something...
Making the Case: Gig Economy Reform and Canadian Elections
September 11, 2019
California lawmakers are making moves to reform how businesses treat their gig economy workers. Election season is underway, and Prime...
On the Market: John Bolton, NC Special Election, and New iPhones
September 10, 2019
White House National Security Advisor John Bolton is turning on his ‘out of office’ – for good. President Trump tweeted that he fired...
Back to Work: Gun Control Bills, Big Tech Investigations, and Volfefe
September 9, 2019
Congress is back to work after summer vacation. One big issue lawmakers could tackle? Gun control. It’s been a couple of decades since...
Spin-Off: Mortgage Giants, Hurricane Dorian, GOP Primaries
September 6, 2019
The Trump Administration wants to spin off Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac as private companies. We’ve got the A to Z on Fannie and Freddie...
Deadlines: Iran Deal, Climate Crisis, NFL Kickoff
September 5, 2019
It’s almost the end of the week, and deadlines are looming – in Iran. They’re giving major players in Europe until tomorrow to help them...
Game-Changing: Brexit Lingo, Hong Kong Bill, and Cherokee Nation Delegate
September 4, 2019
‘Blimey’ isn’t the only British phrase being thrown around in the UK today. All kinds of parliamentary phrases have been flying as the...
At What Cost: Taliban Talks, China Tariffs, and a Very Long Cruise
September 3, 2019
US and Taliban negotiators are reportedly closing in on a deal that lead to a drawdown of US troops in Afghanistan. The deal could be a...
Out of Office: AI and Jobs, Hong Kong Arrests, and Pigs on the Run
August 30, 2019
Automation and artificial intelligence are supposed to make jobs easier, but sometimes they can take away jobs altogether. This Labor...
Lift Off: US Space Command, Vaping, ‘Planet’ Pluto
August 29, 2019
Today President Trump announced the lift-off of a new part of the military: the United States Space Command. We’ll explain what it might...
Incoming: UK Parliament Suspension, Hurricane Dorian, Greta Thunberg
August 28, 2019
Today UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson asked the Queen to suspend parliament, and she said she would. We’ll explain why this is a...
Reckoning: Opioid Rulings, Epstein, and Rescuing Rhinos
August 27, 2019
Johnson & Johnson was hit with a $572 million penalty for its role in fueling the opioid crisis in Oklahoma. The drug company says it...
Tiebreak: G7 Conclusion, GOP Challengers, and Althea Gibson
August 26, 2019
G7 leaders are heading home after their latest summit in France. We’ll take a look at three of the big issues they tried to tackle, and...
Cruel Summer: The Amazon, Beach-side Summits, and Taylor Swift
August 23, 2019
As fires continue to burn across the Amazon, Brazilan President Jair Bolsonaro has blamed NGOs for starting the fires and is picking...
Unraveling: Intel Sharing, Title X Funding, and Amazon Fires
August 22, 2019
Today, South Korea said it will stop sharing military intelligence with Japan. We’ll look at the reasons why, and examine the possible...
Indefinitely, Maybe: Brexit, Migrant Detention, and Robots
August 21, 2019
The UK’s new Prime Minister Boris Johnson flew to Berlin this afternoon for talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. In a quick press...
Let’s Get Digital: Taxes, Texas, and College Football Rankings
August 20, 2019
France wants big tech firms to pay a 3 percent tax on profits they make in the country. We’ll explain why the companies are siding with...
Pride and Prejudice: Portland Protests, Open Arms, Humanitarian Day
August 19, 2019
Dueling protests by right-wing and anti-fascist groups in Portland, Oregon over the weekend are raising questions about the definition...
Done Talking: North Korea, Greenland, and Superdeep Diamonds
August 16, 2019
Today North Korea called off peace talks with South Korea and launched its sixth missile test in a month. We’ll examine when and why...
Keeping Track: Lead in the Water, Israel Visit Ban, and Greta Thunberg
August 15, 2019
Thousands of residents in Newark, NJ are grappling with a growing crisis over lead in drinking water. Officials are handing out bottled...
Huddled Masses: Green Cards, Abuse Victims, and Berlin Bees
August 14, 2019
The Trump administration is changing immigration rules to make it more difficult for welfare recipients to obtain green cards. We’ll...
Grounded: Hong Kong Protests, Cracker Plants, and Chlamydia Vaccine
August 13, 2019
Protesters and riot police clashed at Hong Kong’s International Airport today in ongoing demonstrations against the government. We’ll...
Burning Questions: Jeffrey Epstein, Russian Missiles, Endangered Species
August 12, 2019
Jeffrey Epstein’s apparent suicide has left his accusers and the public demanding answers about why he was removed from suicide watch....
SPECIAL EPISODE: A Deep Dive Into Deepfakes
August 9, 2019
Imagine a computer downloading footage or photos of you from the internet and using them to create a video of you saying something...
Lay Of The Land: Climate Report, Immigration Raids, Iowa State Fair
August 8, 2019
The UN’s latest climate change report says the way we are using land is seriously damaging the planet. We dive into the main findings,...
Pressure Points: Venezuela Sanctions, Gun Laws, and "Impeachment"
August 7, 2019
The Trump admin still has issues with Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro -- and it’s using new sanctions to try to squeeze him out of...
Language Matters: Mass Shootings, China Currency, and Toni Morrison
August 6, 2019
We’re still learning more about the two mass shootings that took place in Texas and Ohio over the weekend. Lawmakers are placing blame...
No More Words: Mass Shootings in US, Tensions in Kashmir, and Hong Kong Protests
August 5, 2019
This weekend in the US, there were two deadly mass shootings: one in Texas, and one in Ohio. They were less than 13 hours apart, and at...
Dark and Stormy: Nuclear Treaty, Trade, and Happy Hour
August 2, 2019
The US officially pulled out of a historic Cold War arms control deal today. The Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty helped the US...
Burden of Proof: Criminal Justice Reform, A$AP Rocky, and Robocalls
August 1, 2019
Onstage at last night’s democratic debate, candidates went after each other on their criminal justice records. Things got heated -- and...
Making The Most Of It: Medicare For All, Interest Rates, and Grasshoppers
July 31, 2019
Medicare for All was all the rage at last night’s democratic debate. And not necessarily in a good way. We’ll tell you why Dems are...
Keeping Watch: Dems Debate, Capital One Data Breach, and Robot Contacts
July 30, 2019
Live from Detroit, it’s round two of the 2020 democratic primary debates. You know the drill: ten candidates tonight, and ten more...
Next Level: Trump vs. Cities, John Ratcliffe and Greta Thunberg
July 29, 2019
This weekend President Trump unleashed a Twitter tirade against the city of Baltimore and Maryland Congressman Elijah Cummings. Trump...
Tour de Force: Russia, OITNB and Cycling
July 26, 2019
Russia targeted U.S voting systems. Right, we’ve heard that before. From Robert Mueller, for example. He really wanted to talk about...
Not Messing Around: North Korea, The Death Penalty, Heatwave
July 25, 2019
North Korea is playing with fire – literally. Just a couple weeks after President Trump visited Kim Jong Un in North Korea and agreed to...
Digging deeper: Mueller Testifies, Facebook Settlement, and Self-Care Day
July 24, 2019
Today, Democrats and Republicans told former special counsel Robert Mueller: ‘have a seat - actually, have two.’ Mueller said he was...
Changes: UK Prime Minister, SNAP Benefits, and Wrestling
July 23, 2019
The UK has a new prime minister. Between dealing with Brexit and tensions with Iran, Boris Johnson has a long ‘to do’ list to tackle....
On The Rise: Tensions with Iran, Puerto Rico Protests and India's Moon Mission
July 22, 2019
Today, Iranian officials announced that they’ve broken up a CIA spy ring and that they’ve arrested 17 suspected spies. Iran’s claimed...
SPECIAL EPISODE: To The Moon And Back
July 19, 2019
Tomorrow is the 50th anniversary of the “giant leap for mankind.” You may have heard of it. On today’s episode, we break down the Apollo...
Alienated: US and Turkey, FaceApp, and Area 51
July 18, 2019
Turkey just ordered a new missile defense system from Russia. And now the US is telling Turkey: no F-35 fighter jets for you. Basically,...
On the Outs: Libra in Congress, Planned Parenthood, and Netflix
July 17, 2019
Today, the head of Facebook’s global cryptocurrency project got a bipartisan grilling from the House Financial Services Committee....
Transfer of Power: Asylum Rule, Ursula von der Leyen and Emmy Nominees
July 16, 2019
The Trump administration has issued a new rule that’ll mean most migrants heading to the US-Mexico border likely won’t be eligible for...
Doubling Down: Trump Tweets, Puerto Rico, and Prime Day Protests
July 15, 2019
Over the past few days, President Trump’s sent out a series of tweets about a group of “‘Progressive’ Democrat Congresswomen.” He...
Incoming: Citizenship Data, ICE raids, and Tropical Storm Barry
July 12, 2019
President Donald Trump has dropped the idea of adding a citizenship question to the 2020 census. But he says he has a back-up plan to...
Don’t @ Me: Social Media Summit, Student Loans, and World Population
July 11, 2019
Today, the White House hosted a social media summit. None of the big players (think: Facebook, Twitter) were reportedly on the guest...
Free Falling: Interest Rates, UK Ambassador’s Resignation, and Ticker Tape
July 10, 2019
Today, the Federal Reserve’s top guy Jerome Powell spoke. He doesn’t do that much. But when he does - it’s important. Especially when it...
Picture This: ID Photos, Drug Prices, and Emojis
July 9, 2019
In a new study, researchers at Georgetown University say FBI and ICE agents are giving millions of people ID checks. Their focus: your...
The Big One: Jeffrey Epstein, The Census, and the World Cup
July 8, 2019
Jeffrey Epstein, a multimillionaire money manager, was in a New York federal court today to face sex trafficking charges. The indictment...
Upping the Ante: Campaign Fundraising, Immigration, and Hot Dogs
July 3, 2019
‘Tis the season where all the 2020 candidates are letting us know what their campaign bank accounts look like. Some have a lot to brag...
Calls For Action: Border Facilities, Hong Kong, and Women’s World Cup
July 2, 2019
About a dozen lawmakers took a field trip to Texas yesterday. To visit two border facilities where migrants are being held. And some...
Visiting Hours: Trump in North Korea, OPEC, and Cori Gauff at Wimbledon
July 1, 2019
This weekend, President Trump became the first sitting US president to set foot in North Korea. This was Trump and North Korean leader...
The Heat Is On: Biden and Harris, G20, and the World Cup in Europe
June 28, 2019
Senator Kamala Harris is getting a lot of attention today after last night’s democratic primary debate. She called out former VP Joe...
Take Two: SCOTUS, Dems Debate 2.0, and Rapping G20 Grannies
June 27, 2019
Today, the Supremes dropped the mic on two big issues: partisan gerrymandering and a citizenship question on the census. These rulings...
Center Stage: 2020 Debates, Mueller’s Return, and Moon Rocks
June 26, 2019
The first 2020 Democratic primary debate begins tonight in Miami. But don’t forget: this is a two-night event. Featuring a total of 20...
It’s Personal: Sanctions, E. Jean Carroll, and Climate Change
June 25, 2019
The Trump administration is sanctioning top Iranian officials, including Iran’s Supreme Leader. The US has been sanctioning Iran for a...
No Quick Fix: Immigration, Middle East Peace, and Women’s Soccer
June 24, 2019
Immigration and Customs Enforcement was scheduled to target 2,000 families in raids across the country this weekend. But with hours to...
Take It Back: US and Iran, Police on Social Media, and Harry Potter
June 21, 2019
President Trump says he approved military strikes on Iran planned for last night – but that he called them off with ten minutes to...
Meet Me In The Middle: China and NK, UK Prime Minister, and Phone Bone
June 20, 2019
Today, China’s President Xi Jinping and North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un kicked off a two-day summit with the red-carpet treatment. This...
Owning Up: Reparations, Jamal Khashoggi, and Joy Harjo
June 19, 2019
Hundreds of people showed up to a House subcommittee hearing today on Capitol Hill. The topic? A bill that would create a commission to...
Ready to Launch: Libra, Trump’s 2020 Campaign, and Boaty McBoatface
June 18, 2019
It’s only June, but Facebook’s ready for Libra season. The social media giant is about to roll out a new global cryptocurrency called...
Decisions, Decisions: Iran Nuclear Deal, SCOTUS, and Gloria Vanderbilt
June 17, 2019
The Iran Nuclear Deal is on the rocks. This is the deal Iran, the US and a bunch of major EU and other powers signed back in 2015 to...
History Rhymes: the US and Iran, Flint, and Father’s Day
June 14, 2019
There were explosions on two oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman this week. The US is pointing the finger at Iran, who’s saying ‘not us.’...
Fake It Till You Make It: Russia Probe Inquiry, ‘Deepfakes’, and Dads
June 13, 2019
Special Counsel Robert Mueller dropped the mic a couple weeks ago, but Washington still has some unfinished business with the Russia...
Waving Flags: Hong Kong Protests, Executive Privilege, and Pulse
June 12, 2019
There were massive protests in Hong Kong today over a bill that would allow fugitives to be extradited to mainland China. Hong Kong is...
Game Time: ‘Safe Third Country’, Iowa, and Kickoff
June 11, 2019
The US and Mexico struck a deal on immigration before President Trump could impose tariffs on all Mexican imports. But now, Trump is...
Everything's Goin' My Way: Mueller Report, Health Care, and Ali Stroker
June 10, 2019
This week, lawmakers in Congress are nose-deep in a page-turner: the Mueller Report. Mueller’s not talking … but Dems are hearing from...
Flip it and Reverse it: Emissions Rules, Robocallers, and the Women’s World Cup
June 7, 2019
Major automakers wrote a letter to two of their pen pals: President Trump and CA Gov. Gavin Newsom. They’re asking them to, pretty...
Not Forgotten: D-Day and Today, Hyde Amendment, and Long Weekend Forever
June 6, 2019
World leaders gathered today to mark the 75th anniversary of D-Day, and remember those who fought and those who lost their lives. But...
Work, Work, Work: Arms Sales, Mexican Tariffs, and a Mass Wedding
June 5, 2019
The Trump administration wants to sell $8 billion worth of weapons to Saudi Arabia and some other Middle East countries. But many US...
Old Wounds: Tiananmen Square, Cuba, and High Heels
June 4, 2019
It’s been 30 years since Beijing's Tiananmen Square massacre, in which the Chinese government turned the military on its own people....
Breakin’ Up is Hard to Do: Big Tech, Trump’s UK Visit, and T-Swift
June 3, 2019
Two major government agencies reportedly have their eyes on Google and Amazon. Because they’ve got antitrust issues. We’ll explain why....
Pressure’s On: Mexico Tariffs, Hollywood Boycotts, and Drake
May 31, 2019
President Trump is threatening Mexico with tariffs. Because of immigration. While the US, Mexico and Canada are trying to seal the deal...
Now You See Me: Israel’s Parliament, Women Suing the FBI, and Spelling
May 30, 2019
Israel’s parliament has dissolved. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu couldn’t get enough support to form a government, and now the...
Is This Thing On?: Mueller Speaks, Abortion in Missouri, and Graduation Trees
May 29, 2019
Special Counsel Robert Mueller turned off his “do not disturb” mode today to give a brief statement. The message: his Russia...
Extreme Measures: Opioid Crisis, Mount Everest, and Burnout
May 28, 2019
Oklahoma is taking the pharmaceutical company Johnson & Johnson to court today. This is the first state trial connected to the opioid...
Do It Yourself: Theresa May, Julian Assange, and $20
May 24, 2019
British Prime Minister Theresa May is saying “I’m out.” She is only the second woman to hold the position and is leaving after three...
Taking Action: McDonald’s Strikes, HUD and Transgender Rights, and Office Sweaters
May 23, 2019
Some McDonald’s workers were on strike today … while the company held its annual shareholder meeting. Employees are asking for better...
Testing Democracy: EU Parliamentary Elections, DC Drama, and Mars 2020
May 22, 2019
Europeans head to the polls starting tomorrow for the European Parliamentary elections. This is the second-biggest election in the...
On The Books: Trump’s Finances, CBD, and 'Milkshaking'
May 21, 2019
Three House committees want to dive into President Trump’s business financials. Specifically, they want the deets from his accounting...
Battle Lines: Foreign Fighters, Google, and ‘Game of Thrones’
May 20, 2019
John Walker Lindh, a US citizen convicted of helping the Taliban, will be released from federal prison this week. And some lawmakers in...
Numbers Game: Immigration Issues, Indian Elections, and Time Off For Loan Debt
May 17, 2019
Yesterday, President Trump announced a new proposal to overhaul the US immigration system - specifically shifting the priorities in the...
The Fine Print: Abortion Laws and Personhood, SAT Adversity Score, Pricey Coffee
May 16, 2019
Missouri’s the latest in a line of states taking on a hot-button issue: abortion. State lawmakers across the country are passing bills...
Looking For Fixes: Falling Birth Rates, FAA and Boeing, Office Distractions
May 15, 2019
There’s a baby bust in the US: A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that last year’s birth rate was...
I Spy: Facial Recognition, Russia Investigation, WhatsApp
May 14, 2019
Facial recognition technology is creeping into all aspects of life, and San Francisco could be the first city in the US to block it....
Que Sera, Sera: US and Iran, Julian Assange, Doris Day
May 13, 2019
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo crashed a meeting of EU foreign ministers today ... and he had Iran on the brain. Tensions between the...
Going the Distance: US-China Trade Talks, Space Race 2.0, Mother’s Day
May 10, 2019
Today, trade talks between the US and China left with them saying ‘no deal.’ Right after the US raised tariffs on $200 billion of...
Tariffs and Tithing: Uber’s IPO, Catholic Church, Trade Talks with China
May 9, 2019
Uber’s heading to Wall Street tomorrow to make its debut on the stock exchange. But the ride-sharing company has seen a lot of backlash...
Preventative Measures: Maternal Health, Executive Privilege, Bowerbird Project
May 8, 2019
There’s a mom crisis in the US. A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that about 700 women die every...
Tensions Rising: Iran, Contempt of Congress, Magic Mushrooms
May 7, 2019
The Trump admin has announced they’re sending a carrier strike group and a bomber task force to the Persian Gulf - saying Iran has...
One In A Million: Biodiversity In Danger, Chinese Tariffs, and the Royal Baby
May 6, 2019
A UN report is warning that one species - us - is threatening a million other species with extinction. Today, we’ll explain why...
Reining It In: Sanctuary Cities, Spread of HIV, Kentucky Derby Horses
May 3, 2019
Florida’s governor is set to sign a bill telling counties and towns they can’t offer sanctuary to undocumented immigrants. We’ll explain...
Putting Up A Fight: Venezuela, Assange Extradition, and Holocaust Remembrance Day
May 2, 2019
Venezuela still doesn’t know who’s in charge. We’ll talk about why the US was predicting a peaceful transition of power - and why now...
Star Players: AG Bill Barr, Caster Semenya, and Lucy Liu
May 1, 2019
Democrats on Capitol Hill had a lot of questions about the attorney general’s pen pal - Robert Mueller. South African elite runner...
Update Available: Infrastructure, Venezuelan Protests, and Burkinis
April 30, 2019
Infrastructure across the US needs a reboot. President Trump met with top Democrats to try to figure out how to make – and pay for – the...
Paying For It?: US Ransom Policies, Boeing, and Fake Meat
April 29, 2019
The White House confirmed that North Korea sent them a bill for American prisoner Otto Warmbier – to the tune of $2 million. But the...
Trade Ya: China’s Belt And Road Initiative, Gun Laws, Seaweed Bottles
April 26, 2019
Top officials from around the world met in China today to hear more about their Belt and Road Initiative — a reboot of the Silk Road to...
I’m Heeeere: Joe Biden, Kim Jong-un, The Kids
April 25, 2019
Former VP Joe Biden is (finally) in. He announced today he’s running for president in 2020 - as the 20th candidate to join the race. So...
Accounting, Please: Boy Scouts, Big Pharma, Avengers
April 24, 2019
Thousands of Boy Scouts leaders and volunteers have been accused of sexually abusing children - in cases that go back decades. Lawyers...
Will They or Won’t They: Impeachment and Citizenship on the Census
April 23, 2019
Democrats and progressives have been talking about whether to impeach President Trump since he was elected. And even though the Mueller...
Shut It Down: Social Media in Sri Lanka, Border Vigilantes, Plastic Straws
April 22, 2019
After massive terror attacks in Sri Lanka killed nearly 300 people on Sunday, the gov there has blocked Facebook and other social media...
Talking About Troubles: Violence in Northern Ireland, 4/20, and Dancing Bans
April 19, 2019
A young journalist was killed last night during a riot in Northern Ireland. Her death is highlighting tensions along the Irish border....
Reports and Rapport: Mueller, US & NK, Facebook
April 18, 2019
The Mueller report is here. It’s long. It’s complicated. And some of it’s still secret. We’ve Skimm’d what we know so far, and we’ll...
Alarm Bells: Asylum Seekers, Red Flag Laws, TSA Hair Pat-Downs
April 17, 2019
The Justice Department is changing policies for asylum seekers waiting for immigration hearings. We’ll explain why fleeing persecution...
Outbreaks and Breakouts: Measles, GOP Contenders, Climate Change Arrests
April 16, 2019
The measles virus is still spreading, and tight-knit communities are more vulnerable than others. We’ll explain why -- and tell you...
Notre Dame Fire, Campaign Cash, and FUCT
April 15, 2019
The Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris went up in flames today -- we’ll tell you what we know so far. In the US: 2020 presidential candidates...
Levelling the Playing Field: Reparations, 5G, Game of Thrones
April 12, 2019
Georgetown students want to help make amends for history. They voted to add a little extra to their tuition to pay reparations to the...
"So Long, Farewell: Julian Assange, Sudan’s President, and Nipsey Hussle"
April 11, 2019
There were a couple of big arrests today in London and Sudan. And both men could be leaving on a jet plane to face charges. The U.S....
In the Pipeline: Oil, Gas, and Taxes
April 10, 2019
President Trump flew to Texas today to visit the heart of the oil and gas industry, and he signed two controversial executive orders...
The Middle Men: Drug Prices and the (No Spoilers) Mueller Report
April 9, 2019
Crazy high drug prices have gotten bipartisan attention lately. Back in February, drug companies pointed fingers at Pharmacy Benefit...
In or Out: The Israeli Elections and the West Bank, Cabinet Shakeups and the Border and NCAA Finals
April 8, 2019
Israel is getting ready to head to the polls, and Prime Minister Netanyahu is giving voters one more thing to think about: the West...
It’s Complicated: Saudis and the US, Ecuador and Julian Assange, Cats
April 5, 2019
Tensions between Saudi Arabia and the US are heating up. Congress voted to end US military support for the kingdom’s proxy war in Yemen...
Why Dems Are So Obsessed with President Trump’s Tax Returns
April 4, 2019
President Trump has gotten a lot of heat for keeping his tax returns under lock and key. Now, Dems are cutting out the middle man and...
Sharia Law in Brunei and NATO’s 70th
April 3, 2019
Human rights groups all over the world are calling out Brunei for harsh new laws. People caught participating in gay sex could now be...
Facebook vs. Fake News
April 2, 2019
India is headed to the polls soon. Social media there has turned into a mess of fake news. Sounds familiar. Facebook is trying to avoid...
Cutting Aid and Clearing Officials
April 1, 2019
The Trump Administration is thinking about cutting aid to a few Central American countries. It’s pointing to the border crisis. But how...
No Deal Brexit. But We Have Lyft-off.
March 29, 2019
Third time’s the charm. Except when it comes to British Prime Minister Theresa May’s plan to get a Brexit deal approved. Bollocks....
Hustling for Healthcare and Decoding 5G: Medicaid Work Requirements and Huawei
March 28, 2019
A DC judge struck down laws in Arkansas and Kentucky that would require Medicaid recipients to work in exchange for getting free or...
The Border Wall Budget and Theresa May’s (Br)exit Strategy
March 27, 2019
The Pentagon is checking its account - and making bank transfers - to figure out how it’s going to pay for President Trump’s border...
Nevermind: Trump Admin to the ACA, Chicago Prosecutors to Jussie Smollett, NASA to its All-Female Spacewalk
March 26, 2019
The Trump Administration wants to take down the Affordable Care Act aka Obamacare. Spoiler: this won’t be the last time you’ll hear...
Robert Mueller’s Day Off (And What it Means for Everyone Else)
March 25, 2019
Mueller…? Mueller…? After two years, Special Counsel Robert Mueller finally turned in his report to the DOJ. And probably had a great...
Disputed Territories: The Golan Heights and Abortion Rights
March 22, 2019
President Trump tweeted earlier this week that the US should recognize that Israel’s the boss of a disputed area called the Golan...
Free Speech on College Campuses, NZ Gun Reform, and Balls
March 21, 2019
President Trump just signed an executive order requiring colleges to support free speech. Which has a lot to do with conservative groups...
Anti-Trusting Tech
March 20, 2019
The European Union wants big tech companies to play nice with the competition. They don’t think Google’s doing that. So the EU hit...
Friends in Brazil and Floods in the Midwest
March 19, 2019
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro and US President Trump caught up in the Oval Office today. They’re big fans. Of each other. Which is...
Why Voting Districts Look Like Abstract Art, French Yellow Vests and Ballsy Women
March 18, 2019
Gerrymandering: drawing district lines so that some people have more power at the polls. And a big talker ahead of the 2020 election....
White Nationalism and the Internet
March 15, 2019
Mass shootings at two mosques in New Zealand are forcing a conversation about the spread of white nationalism … and the internet....
‘20 Questions: Citizenship and Beto O’Rourke
March 14, 2019
There are big questions coming up in 2020. Politicians are trying to get ahead of them. Today, Commerce Sec. Wilbur Ross took the mic on...
Behind Bars: The CA Death Sentence and Paul Manafort
March 13, 2019
California Governor Gavin Newsom hit ‘pause’ on capital punishment in his state. Opening up the floor for a national debate on the death...
How Rude: Brexit’s Backstop and How “Aunt Becky” Got Her Kid Into College
March 12, 2019
British parliament rejected PM Theresa May’s latest Brexit plan today. ICYMI, the EU and the UK are getting a divorce. But three years...
Just Won’t Budget
March 11, 2019
President Trump just released his financial wishlist. On it: $718 billion for the Pentagon, way more than the spending cap. But he might...
Do Not Pass Go: How Judges Hand Down Prison Sentences
March 8, 2019
Paul Manafort got muuuch less prison time than prosecutors recommended on Thursday. Which got everyone talking. So today we’re breaking...
Introducing: Skimm This
March 8, 2019
A daily news podcast from theSkimm that’s breaking down the most complex stories of the day and connecting the dots on why it's...
How the Military Handles Sexual Assault
March 7, 2019
Senator Martha McSally (R-AZ) has everyone talking about how to fix the military’s process for handling allegations of sexual assault....
The Border Crisis: A Family Matter
March 6, 2019
The federal government is arguing about whether families migrating across the US-Mexico border are a national emergency. We’ll break...
Measles and Mardis Gras
March 5, 2019
You’ve been hearing a lot about the anti-vaccination movement. We’ll give you the context behind the headlines. In other health news,...
A Tale of Two Presidents: Venezuela’s Political Crisis
March 4, 2019
Two guys are fighting over Venezuela. One’s got the military behind him. The other has … pretty much everyone else on his side. In other...
