We know it’s early, but we wanted to share some news. We are proud to announce that theSkimm has been acquired by Everyday Health Group. You can expect the same commitment to trusted, relevant information and even more Skimm experiences. Thank you for your continued support, for letting us be part of your morning routines, and for your trust. We are so grateful and excited to keep building things that you love.
— Carly & Danielle
What's Happening
Politics
Ready or Not, Big Changes Are Coming to Social Security
What's going on: It could soon get a lot harder to collect those Social Security checks. Starting March 31, Social Security recipients who aren’t able to verify their bank information and identity online will have to do it the old-fashioned way: in person. That’s because the Social Security Agency (SSA) is ditching phone verification for bank information and ID checks. (At least the agency claims it will be able to process all direct deposit changes in one business day instead of the original 30.) Elon Musk and President Donald Trump say the changes are to address fraud that’s running rampant — claims that have been proven false. Meanwhile, the DOGE layoffs that have hit the federal government are heading to the SSA (think: cuts to its workforce and dozens of office closures).
What it means: The changes won’t just overwhelm the agency’s operations — they’ll also likely make it harder for millions of elderly and disabled Americans to get the financial help they need. Many don’t have access to computers to verify their identity online, and getting to an office could be tough — assuming they can even get an appointment. One expert says wait times are already over a month, with staffing at a 50-year low. These changes likely won’t go over well with some voters, who are already flocking to town hall meetings to press Republicans on the issue. Lawmakers have historically avoided touching the popular retirement program during budget battles. The White House has said Trump has no plans to cut Social Security, Medicare, or Medicaid benefits.
Tesla Dealerships Are Burning — and So Is the Brand
What's going on: One of the first shots— or Banksy-esque spritzes if you will — was the spray painting of a Cybertruck, in a move some labeled “dark woke.” Then things escalated. In recent weeks, vandals have hit Tesla dealerships, shattering windows, burning cars, and damaging charging stations in protest of Elon Musk’s political influence and claims that he “bought” his way into the White House. Attorney General Pam Bondi called the Tesla torching “domestic terrorism” directed at Musk, with some in the MAGA world pressuring the Justice Department to take action. It’s not just in the US — a Tesla display got yanked in Canada this week over safety concerns. Amid Tesla’s plummeting stock price, Musk recently appeared on the verge of tears in a Fox Business interview, admitting his businesses are struggling.
What it means: The literal fires might just be the start of Tesla’s troubles. Critics say they’re symbolic of the larger rot taking hold of the company as Musk shifts his focus from business to politics.Big-name investors like Barstool’s Dave Portnoy have called him out for spreading himself too thin, arguing that Musk needs to refocus on Tesla and its shareholders. Meanwhile, some Tesla owners (including a US senator) have vowed to sell their cars. Analysts say the backlash isn’t exactly shocking. EV buyers tend to be eco-conscious (read: often liberal) — the Obama administration helped them get on the road. Some analysts are now warning that if Musk really wants to be a political kingmaker, he might have to watch his actual kingdom burn in the meantime.
What's going on: Cue the techno music from Challengers — drama is unfolding in the tennis world. The Professional Tennis Players’ Association (PTPA), a player advocacy group co-founded by tennis pro Novak Djokovic, has filed an antitrust lawsuit in New York against pro tennis’ governing bodies, accusing them of treating players unfairly. The complaint claims the ATP, WTA, the International Tennis Federation, and the International Tennis Integrity Agency, operate like a “cartel” by capping prize money, stifling competition, and limiting players’ ability to earn money off the court. The PTPA has filed similar lawsuits in London and Brussels. Notably, Djokovic is not listed as a plaintiff, though he remains involved as a member of the PTPA’s executive committee.
What it means: Beyond money matters, the lawsuit also raises some serious concerns about player welfare. That includes an “unsustainable” 11-month season, “invasive” phone searches, and drug testing that players say feels more like overkill than oversight. The PTPA says it’s not trying to blow up the sport (no LIV Golf-style drama here). Instead, players want a boost in prize money, more recovery time, and standardized tennis balls, which they blame for wrist and forearm injuries. The ATP is accusing the PTPA of choosing “division and distraction through misinformation over progress,” while the WTA called the lawsuit “regrettable and misguided.” Safe to say, this match is going into extra sets and a resolution might not come quickly.
Think your life is full of drama? Your problems will feel like a breeze compared to the high-stakes drama in these Hulu Original series. Get ready to stream a much-needed distraction with…
Nine Perfect Strangers: Based on a best-selling book, this show follows stressed city dwellers to a wellness retreat run by a Russian guru (played by Nicole Kidman) — and we hear season two is aaaalmost ready 😉.
The Handmaid’s Tale: This multi-award-winning series returns for its final season April 8. Praise be because we need to know if resistance leader June (Elisabeth Moss) finally escapes the terrifying world of Gilead.
Paradise: This political thriller slash murder mystery stars James Marsden as a former US president (swoon) and Sterling K. Brown as his head of security (double swoon).
Here are today’s recs to help you live a smarter life…
Therapy can help self-care stick — and this brand makes it easy to schedule virtual sessions when it works for you. Plus, Skimm’rs get 25% off month one.*
Stop paying over $800 for flights to Hawaii when you can pay $165 roundtrip. How? Try this travel club for $1 in the next 12 hours and save hundreds on every flight.*
Until Monday, buy one pair of Quay sunglasses and get another for free with code SNEAKPEEK. This chic oversized pair is giving "I'm hiding from the paparazzi."
Psst…love our recs? Follow @skimmshopping on Instagram for more products, gifts, and services that are actually worth the hype (and the price tag).
Settle This
Now that Southwest is ditching free checked bags, some fliers are finally sharing the wildest things they’ve checked thanks to that perk. Which one of these was not on the list (yes, the other three are real)?
Today, March Madness officially tips off — with the first round of the men’s NCAA tournament beginning at 12:15 pm ET (the game is between No. 8 seed Louisville and No. 9 Creighton). Will the powerhouse SEC prove it’s the new titan of college basketball? Can UConn snag a three-peat victory? Or, will one of the Cinderella teams, like the Colorado State Rams or Drake Bulldogs, shake up everyone’s brackets? Who knows, but don’t forget to also tune into the women’s tournament (the first round starts tomorrow at 11:30 am ET), where, for the first time, UCLA is the top overall seed in program history.
For more recs...
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Game Time
Brick Breaker meets word search in Spelltower, your new favorite game. For every word you find, letter tiles disappear. The fewer tiles left when you run out of words, the better your score. Try it.
