Skimm'd while applauding USA women's hockey

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FEBRUARY 22, 2018

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Skimm'd while applauding USA women's hockey


  QUOTE OF THE DAY  

"The bags are packed" – Atlanta's airport wants to fly people to Wakanda. Don't we all.

#NEVERAGAIN

The Story

Yesterday, survivors of the deadly Florida high school shooting took on lawmakers and the NRA at a heated town hall.

What's going on?

A gunman killed 17 people at a Florida high school last week in one of the worst school shootings in US history. Now, the survivors are demanding change. They're protesting around the country, calling for a ban on assault-style weapons. And tighter background checks. These students and now activists are using this tragedy as a rallying cry for gun control at a national level – and they're making a big impact.

Tell me more.

Yesterday, President Trump sat down with victims' families from some of the deadliest school shootings, including Parkland, Columbine, and Sandy Hook. They gave emotional pleas and called for change. Trump didn't forget his talking points. And said he'd be "very strong" on background checks. As well as suggested that teachers should carry concealed weapons.

What's the latest?

Last night, Florida survivors and their families sat down to talk action in a powerful televised town hall. Trump and FL Gov. Rick Scott (R) turned down their invites. But Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL), Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL), and Rep. Ted Deutch (D-FL) showed up. With Rubio taking most of the heat. He said he's "willing to reconsider" limits on high-capacity magazines. Spoke about the loopholes of an assault rifle ban. And ducked answering Qs about taking money from the NRA. Speaking of, the NRA spox stuck to her talking points and made no new friends in the audience.

theSkimm

The Sandy Hook survivors were too young to be part of the national gun control debate at the time. The Parkland survivors are a different story – they're passionate, TV-ready, and mobilizing quickly.

REPEAT AFTER ME...

What people are watching...

The US embassy in Montenegro. Someone threw an explosive device at it. The attacker died, but it looks like no one else was hurt. A lot is unclear – police are looking into it.


Who people are talking about…

Reverend Billy Graham. Yesterday, the pastor who set the evangelist movement apart died at age 99. For more than six decades, he was one of the most influential religious figures in the US. And became known as "America's pastor." He met every sitting US president from Harry Truman to Barack Obama, and was a trusted adviser to many of them. He also met a young Queen Elizabeth II...but you already knew that from "The Crown." But he had a few scandals along the way – like the hot water he got into for some anti-Jewish remarks that were caught on tape in the Nixon White House. And in 2012, when he came out in support of a state amendment to ban same-sex marriages in North Carolina. Graham preached to hundreds of millions of people around the world. And wrote more than two dozen books. RIP.


What to say to your friend who works on Wall Street...

No snitching. Yesterday, the Supreme Court said whistleblowers in the corporate world must alert the gov to get protections. Back in 2014, a real estate company fired an employee after he complained to senior management about some sketchy activity. The kind that's illegal. So he sued. The case made its way up to the Supremes, but they threw it out. That's because they unanimously decided that Dodd-Frank – a 2010 financial law – doesn't protect employees if they get fired or demoted after filing complaints in-house. Instead, they'll have to take it up with the SEC if they want to be protected. In other news, federal courts said they'll begin tracking and releasing sexual harassment data on judges. Meaning you'll know if a federal judge is accused of sexual harassment. Seems logical.


What to say when you're due for your annual...

Hear about this? Yesterday, a federal advisory panel recommended a new vaccine against hepatitis B. Hep B: a virus that infects the liver and is mainly spread through the bodily fluids of an infected person. This vaccine was licensed for use in the US last year and is the first new hep B vaccine in 25 years. This isn't something you usually hear about since these kinds of vaccines are a thing in childhood shots. But you're hearing more about it because of the opioid crisis. The US is in the middle of an unprecedented drug epidemic and around 100 Americans die every day from an opioid overdose. The crisis has led to a rise of hep B cases because of things like contaminated needles. This new vaccine is specifically for adults – especially those with high risk of infection like people with drug problems or health care workers – and would be two shots over a month.


What to say when you see a puppy…

Cute. This one, not so much.

PEOPLE MORE FIT THAN YOU

The Olympics are almost over. Tear. Here's what you need to know before it closes up shop…


US women's hockey team: They faced off against rival Canada in the final and won gold. For the first time in 20 years. The game went into overtime and then a shootout. Special shoutout to goalie Maddie Rooney, who held down the fort. And the Lamoureux sisters, who helped the US bring. It. Home.


Marit Bjoergen: The winter version of Michael Phelps. The cross-country skier from Norway just became the most decorated Winter Olympian ever. With 14 medals.


Kikkan Randall: The only mom on Team USA in PyeongChang. She finally got the gold on her 18th try at her last Olympics. She's not like a regular mom.


Leslie Jones: The Ghostbuster. Also the unofficial winner of the Olympics. She made Internet dreams come true by joining forces with Adam Rippon for commentary on ice dancing. And cheered up Maame Biney.

SKIMM LIFE

For when it's National Margarita Day…

Skimm HQ is here for it. And celebrating with this spicy marg. Salt not mandatory.


For when you need a refresher on how to mix a marg…

Skimm'ologist is on it. Follow us on Insta, we'll be making our own mix of the above recipe later today.

SKIMM BIRTHDAYS

* indicates Skimm'bassador. Make a wish.

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