The Suspected Gilgo Beach Killer Faces New Charges

What's Happening

US News

The Suspected Gilgo Beach Killer Faces New Charges

What's going on: Yesterday, prosecutors indicted Rex Heuermann on two new murder charges — nearly a year after he was accused of killing four women whose remains were found near Gilgo Beach on Long Island, NY. The murders drew national attention, leading to a 2020 Netflix film. Now, DNA evidence has helped officials charge Heuermann with the deaths of Sandra Costilla, whose remains were found in 1993 in the Hamptons, and Jessica Taylor, who disappeared in 2003 while working as an escort. Prosecutors said they also found a file used to “methodically blueprint” his killings. Heuermann has pleaded not guilty to all charges against him and is being held without bail as he awaits trial.

What it means: For years, police have been investigating the deaths of at least 10 people, most of them female sex workers, whose remains were found near Gilgo Beach. The new charges expand the timeline of officials’ investigation into Heuermann. In the meantime, the case has shined a light on the treatment of US sex workers and could bring families of the victims closer to closure.

Related: A Murder Trial in Boston Has Captured the Public’s Attention (AP)

Health

A New Report Has Some Not-So-Sweet Findings

What's going on: A new study has linked the sugar substitute xylitol to a higher risk of cardiovascular problems like heart attack and stroke. And of course, the low-calorie sweetener is in a lot of products — from sugarless gum, toothpaste, and baked goods to peanut butter and pancake syrup. Researchers followed more than 3,000 people for several years and found those who suffered from a cardiovascular event reportedly had higher levels of xylitol in their blood. They also found that xylitol may cause blood platelets to clot, which can cause heart attacks and strokes.

What it means: Sugar substitutes have grown in popularity as healthy alternatives. Now, the study could have some doing a double take and limiting their intake of xylitol. Some health experts say more research needs to be done, since the body also produces xylitol. Researchers acknowledge that while xylitol is linked with a higher risk of heart attack and stroke, that doesn’t mean it causes them to happen. Still, add it to the list of things to look out for.

Related: Might Need To Pour One Out for the Diet Coke Girlies (NBC)

Finance

Millennials Are Optimistic About Their Finances...for Once

What's going on: A new survey found that some millennials think they’re faring better than boomers after all. Of the 950 respondents, 41% said it’s been easier for them to achieve financial milestones than when their parents were the same age, while 40% said it’s been more challenging. Most of them remained optimistic with seven in 10 believing they can achieve their life goals, which include financial independence and stability, traveling, and long retirement. BRB while we try to figure out who these millennials are.

What it means: It might not be all doom and gloom. Millennials' rosy outlook on their bank statements could be chalked up to having more experience and knowledge when it comes to financial planning, compared to when their parents were their age. The wealthiest millennials are also better off than the wealthiest boomers (emphasis on wealthiest), according to research published by the University of Chicago Press. But that doesn’t change the very real reality that millennials on average have more student loan and credit card debt than older generations, lower levels of home ownership, and lower marriage rates — factors that greatly impact wealth accumulation.

Related: Millennials Swear By Gentle Parenting, But Does It Actually Work? (Business Insider)

Quick Hits

🥺 Jennifer Aniston was moved to tears while talking with Quinta Brunson (warning, you might be too). Meanwhile, Nicole Kidman might've overshared about season 3 of “Big Little Lies.”

👯 If your boss is putting too many meetings on your calendar, it might be time for a “digital twin.”

💪 The devil works hard, but 50 Cent's PR team works harder.

👰 The “royal non-royal” wedding people are going to be talking about.

😏 Everyone is trying to answer this question: “Is somebody gonna match my freak?”

Let's Unpack This

Why do some countries want tourists to stay home?

More than 85 million people worldwide jumped at the chance to travel last year, according to the UN’s World Travel and Tourism Council. But with more people catching flights instead of feelings, it seems like the world could be dealing with a spike in bad tourists. Some couldn’t resist etching their initials into monuments like the Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy or an 8th-century temple in Japan. Others became too rowdy in the streets after partying in places like Bali and Ibiza. 

Andrea Bonior, a licensed clinical psychologist, told the Washington Post that some of the wild antics might be a symptom of “main character energy” being spurred by social media. “There’s an element of being the star of your own story,” she said. 

Many locals want tourists to leave that energy at home. There have been protests in Ibiza and the Canary Islands, telling partiers to stay away. Even in Miami, the local government told spring breakers they weren’t welcome this year thanks to their history of disorderly behavior (the city had to call a state of emergency one year). Amsterdam launched a “Stay Away Campaign” last year, targeting young Brits who want to party. Venice, Italy, became the first city to charge day visitors a small fee and Barcelona removed a bus route from Google Maps to stop tourists from hitching a ride. 

Frédéric Dimanche, a professor of hospitality and tourism at the Toronto Metropolitan University, told theSkimm that many locals rely on the financial benefits of tourism and don't want to keep all tourists away. He said what many actually want is for their governments and local officials to do a better job at managing the influx of visitors. Residents also want to make sure they aren't squeezed out of their homes due to rising costs, according to Dimanche. He also has some tips for people traveling abroad — be aware that you are “visiting somebody’s home” and “respect the locals.”

Extra Credit

Listen

Charli XCX’s new album, “Brat,” is out, and it’s the ideal soundtrack for getting sweaty on the dancefloor...or, let's be honest, your living room. But that doesn’t mean the UK pop star’s songs lack substance. Layered with catchy beats and “brash, bombastic synth-pop,” Charli goes deep, singing about insecurities, her career, and a future that maybe includes motherhood (“Should I stop my birth control? / ‘Cause my career feels so small / In the existential scheme of it all”). It’s heavy stuff for any 31-year-old to think about — but one thing’s certain: she’s going to dance her way through it.

Settle This

You just got a DM from your ex's ex, and they're asking if you want to compare notes. What do you do? — From theSkimm's Rashaan Ayesh (NC)

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Game Time

Kick your weekend off with Pile-Up Poker, a brand-new game where poker meets solitaire. Create as many poker hands as possible to earn cash and climb the leaderboard. We’re all in.

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