Skimm'd while figuring out how to get free pancakes

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FEBRUARY 27, 2018

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Skimm'd while figuring out how to get free pancakes


  QUOTE OF THE DAY  

"I wouldn't know what to do" - Oprah apparently doesn't know how to pump her own gas. Wish we could say the same.

THINGS ON THE SUPREME RADAR

DACA

The Story

The Supreme Court is staying out of the fight over DACA.

Tell me more.

DACA is the Obama-era program that protects hundreds of thousands of undocumented immigrants brought to the US as kids from deportation. Last year, the Trump administration moved to get rid of the program, giving Congress until next week to find a fix. Cue the lawsuits to keep it in place. Last month, a federal judge ruled that DACA can stay for now. The Trump administration appealed. And asked the Supreme Court to step in. But yesterday, the Supremes said 'we'll pass.'

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Now, DACA can stay while it goes back to the lower courts. This could all go out the window if Congress comes up with a plan. But it doesn't look like that's happening anytime soon.


Unions

The Story

The Supremes will decide whether all public-sector workers have to pay union fees.

Tell me more.

Back in the '70s, the Supreme Court ruled that it's up to the states to decide whether public sector workers who don't join a union still have to pay dues. Unions say these requirements make sure there aren't any 'free riders' getting the benefits without paying up. Critics say workers shouldn't be forced to pay for something they disagree with.

Why are we hearing about this now?

An Illinois public sector worker sued the state, saying that forcing non-members to pay fees to unions whose views they may not share violates his free speech rights. Now, the Supremes are hearing the case and it could affect millions of workers in dozens of states.

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The Supremes heard a similar case in 2016, but the court was split on the issue while then-President Obama's Supreme Court nomination was held up by the Senate. Now, President Trump's appointee Neil Gorsuch is on the bench and he'll cast the deciding vote.

REPEAT AFTER ME...

What to say when your coworker trash talks you to your boss…

Won't stand for this. Thousands of teachers in West Virginia are expected to shut down schools in their fourth day of protests today. Teachers there are almost the lowest paid on average in the country. Last week, the state passed a law that would up their salary 4% in the next few years. But teachers said 'not good enough.' And that they want better salaries and better health care ASAP. So teachers from every school across the state didn't show up to work on Thursday. Or Friday. Or Monday. The walkouts have impacted more than a quarter of a million students. But the governor's expected to meet with teachers around the state on all this. TBD on how that all goes.


What to say when some Georgia Republicans want to kill a tax break for Delta...

Taking sides. Yesterday, a federal appeals court decided that companies can't fire employees for being gay. In 2010, a skydiving instructor filed a lawsuit for allegedly being fired after telling a client he was gay. Now, the court's taking the instructor's side. The judges say he's protected under Title VII – part of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 that says employers can't discriminate based on things like race, religion, or sex. And that sexual orientation falls under sex. Unclear if the employer will appeal to the Supremes. Meanwhile, yesterday it came out that the first transgender recruit joined the US military. This comes as the Pentagon missed its Feb 21 deadline to release details on its transgender military ban.


What to say when you get cut off in a meeting...

Not finished yet. Yesterday, more details came out about allegations against Ryan Seacrest. Last year, his former stylist at E! accused Seacrest of sexual misconduct. Seacrest denied the allegations and said he'd cooperate in the investigation. Earlier this month, E! said after looking into it that there was "insufficient evidence to support the claims." Now, a media report dropped additional info. The woman reportedly alleges she dealt with years of sexual abuse by Seacrest including that he groped her and rubbed against her in his underwear multiple times. Her employment reportedly ended shortly after discussing the situation with HR execs in 2013.


What to say when you have the winter blues…

You might want to see a doctor about that. Some doctors are recommending that people older than 12 years old get checked for depression at least once a year. Only about half of all young people who have depression are diagnosed before they become adults. And this comes at a time where suicide rates are really high among teens. Some of the goals with these new guidelines are to help get rid of the stigma around mental health and help diagnose people who have depression at a younger age.


What to say when Iceland's feeling the heat…

Rome could use some of that.

THING TO KNOW

Avo box

The trendy new way of proposing. People are putting engagement rings inside avocados. Where the pit usually is. Yes, we've officially reached peak millennial.

SKIMM LIFE

For when you're getting a head start on spring cleaning…

Clean out that room. Then fill it up with new clothes, jewelry, sunglasses, makeup, and a looot more. This sends you all the fashion pieces you need for the season. Right to your doorstep. Plus Skimm'rs get a discount off their first box. Cha-ching. Get into it here.*


For when you're on a health kick…

Our Skimm'r of the Week Racine Tucker-Hamilton (Washington, DC) has your back. And heart. She works at WomenHeart – a coalition that teaches people about heart disease and advocates for women living with or at risk of the disease. That's 48 million women. Learn more here.


PS: We'll be featuring a Skimm'r of the Week every week. And at the end of 2018, we'll pick our Skimm'r of the Year. Everyone's in the running. Have someone you want us to consider? Tell us.


For when you're into crime novels…

Watch "Babylon Berlin." Skimm HQ is binge-watching it. Think: Cabaret, crime, and '20s glam. It's as crazy as it sounds in the best ways.

*PS This is an affiliate partner, which means if you purchase or sign up theSkimm may get something in return. Thanks.

SKIMM BIRTHDAYS

* indicates Skimm'bassador. Party time.

Todd Glickman IL, Alex Dilorio OH, Hiba Hashim NJ, William Mack NY,*Kalli Scherlis AL, *Laura Dale CA, *Nina Vascotto NY, *Alisha Wieckmann VA, *Brittany Sakowitz TX, *Taylor Chesnut TN, *Shannon Pratt OH, *Elizabeth Fenner TX, *Jay Patel, *Hailee Kessler NJ, *Livi Farber MD, *Kalie Manke MN, *Marjolein Zelinsky GA, *Kayla Smith IL, *Andrea Cable PA, *Riley Angarella CA, *Chrissy Smith NJ, *Elizabeth Walls KS, *Marissa Lannacone, *Lara Cooley NY, *Nadia Prinz CT, *Heidi Shenk OH, *Sarah Baker UK, *Sophie Hoegh NY, *Andrea Carelli OH, *Laura Logan VA, Brenda McBride PA, Zoë Eagan AR, Ed Vick FL, Natalie Davis TX, Dale Oberst Hopmans CA, Kelsey Wessels DC, Tia Malkin-Fontecchio PA, Tricia Handza PA, Marjo Zelinsky GA, Kristin Malhotra OH, Jon Saelinger NY, Daniel Urdaneta NY, Madison Ellis VA, Syzanne Snider CO, Eshcol Curl OH, Joanne Hunter CT, Fatima B. Khan NY, Carl Tinkham PA, Kara Romano Brick NY, Ann Hart Steele CA, Carolyn Becic OR, Jenna Marcucci NY, Kate Ricca NY, Deborah Whitman AL, Jo Ann Wright MD, Chelsea Aaron FL, Cate McRitchie LA, Daniel Ting TX, Jean Warwick ID, Sonia Sakhrani NY, Kristin Herrel TX, Alyssa Siano NY, Catherine Smith AL, Mary Ann Benedetti SC, Jade Yaa Kankam-Nantwi, Lindsey-Rae Ackerman CA, Caitlyn E Jurica TX, Kevin Studer IL, Kelsey McGillis NY, Elizabeth Walls, Kristi Mathis MI, Sara Beisel NY, Marley Leitner IL, Meg Wilson SC, Kara Grossman NY, Karen Brohard CA, Ava Lillian NY, Caroline Davis GA, Dawn Wood IL, Joanna Meng CA, Jessica Clavijo WI, Diana Sweeney WA, Suzanne Snider CO, Carol Ann Bettini, Christine Nieves Rodriguez, Madison Koogler TX, Shauntelé Patterson NJ, Kimberly Currier, Tracy Parker TX