Skimm This: Falling Birth Rates, the FAA and Boeing, Office Distractions

It’s May 15th. Today, we Skimm’d This:

• Today, a new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report said the birth rate in the US is the lowest in 32 years. The baby bust could have a massive ripple effect throughout the country. We’ll explain why.

• The acting head of the Federal Aviation Administration faced a grilling on Capitol Hill today about airplane safety. We’ll explain why some members of Congress had a lot of questions.

• A new study shows that 75 percent of influencers are women … and they only make 77 percent as much as their male counterparts. Yikes. There are reasons.

• And finally: You’re not the only one who gets distracted when your co-workers are taking a call. Listen to see if your work pet peeve made new global list of top office distractions.

theSkimm: 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 down 2 percent from 2017 - and was the lowest in 32 years. We’ll explain why fewer babies could be a problem for the economy. Meanwhile, the acting head of the Federal Aviation Administration was taking heat on Capitol Hill today. This hearing comes two months after the administration grounded the Boeing 737 Max airplanes following two deadly crashes. We’ll tell you why lawmakers are concerned about how the FAA gives planes the green light. Also on today’s episode: social media influencers are feeling the gender pay gap, and how your co-workers are keeping you from doing your job.