Latest Episodes
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...
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
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...
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...
