— The TSA on making sure an American treasure was preserved for World Cup tourists. It’s undefeated for a reason.
Elections
There’s No SAVE-ing This
What's going on: One of President Donald Trump's biggest election-related initiatives is back on ice. Yesterday, a federal judge blocked the administration from using an updated version of the SAVE database, a federal tool that helps states verify citizenship status. (Not to be confused with the SAVE America Act.) The admin had expanded the system last year by merging immigration records with Social Security data (what could go wrong?) to create a register that contains sensitive information on more than 60 million Americans. In her 75-page ruling, Judge Sparkle Sooknanan accused the government of “knowingly” trampling on Americans' right to privacy. She added that the database wasn’t always accurate, which caused states to unlawfully remove voters.
The bigger ballot battle: Trump has repeatedly argued that states need better tools to identify noncitizens at the polls, despite ample evidence that it’s extremely rare. Meanwhile, voting-rights groups warned that mistakes in the SAVE database would keep eligible Americans — especially naturalized citizens — from voting. Those concerns carry real weight: At least 25 states have already used the updated system to screen tens of millions of voter registrations. So while the federal government can appeal the decision, the database is just one part of the problem. Courts have repeatedly told Trump that election rules largely fall to Congress and the states to decide, not the White House. It isn’t just about who can access voter data, but who gets to set the rules in the first place.
🗞️ As Ukraine ramps up attacks on Russia, Moscow suspended gasoline sales to civilians in one crucial territory.
🗞️ A new Associated Pressinvestigation found the US Drug Enforcement Administration monitored hundreds of thousands of fentanyl pills entering New Mexico, but took no action.
🗞️ President Trump and some of his biggest supporters now struggle to see eye to eye, according to some reports. Have they listened to the new Olivia Rodrigo breakup album?
🗞️ Scientists studying lung cancer might have accidentally unlocked a way to reverse gray hair.
What's going on: The UK appears to be going through prime ministers faster than they go through beans on toast. Current PM Keir Starmer announced his resignation on Monday after just under two years in office (you’ll never guess who scooped him). It might not seem like much, but it’s longer than the last two PMs lasted. (Remember Liz Truss and the slow-rotting head of lettuce?) Starmer’s resignation follows what The New York Times described as a "mutiny" inside his Labour Party, albeit a very polite British one. He’ll remain PM until the party selects a new leader, likely by September. The front-runner is Andy Burnham, the former mayor of Greater Manchester. If he reaches the two-year mark, it may qualify as a golden era.
Sounds messy: It is — and it shows the US is far from alone when it comes to chaotic domestic politics. Whoever succeeds Starmer will be the UK’s seventh prime minister in a decade. Analysts trace the country’s current political turmoil back to Brexit in 2016: then-PM David Cameron resigned after calling for a referendum in which a slim majority of UK voters opted to leave the EU, and no one has come close to his six-year tenure since. Things might get even messier in the next few months: Starmer could have endorsed Burnham as his replacement (like former President Joe Biden did for Kamala Harris in 2024), but he didn’t, and The Washington Post predicts a "bruising intraparty battle” could ensue. But probably not literally bruising. This isn’t Congress, after all.
What’s going on: Summer fun doesn’t come cheap these days. In May, airfare was up 26.7%, and hotel prices rose nearly 5% since last year. One survey found high costs like these forced up to 75% of Americans to rethink their summer plans. Many have faced a tough choice: Either cut that Italy trip short, push back dates, or remain stateside. As for the latter option? More and more people have embraced the “we have that at home” meme to see what that “America the Beautiful” song is all about.
Any port in a storm: The collective budget-friendly vacation pivot has led to more domestic travel, or “playcations.” Expedia research found Americans are eyeing the great outdoors: Florida and California beaches have seen a 50% boost in online searches compared to last year, and interest in national parks and natural landmarks is up 65%. Yellowstone National Park just marked its busiest May on record. The good news? This tourism boosts the local economy, and, if you squint, the California coast looks positively Mediterranean (though it’s a blessing and a curse for the underfunded National Park Service). Wherever you go, do as the World Cup tourists do and appreciate the beauty in the little things, like America’s gas stations and Golden Corrals.
Top prospects like AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson are expected to come off the board early. Catch it at 8 pm ET on ABC and ESPN.
🗳️ Congressional primaries in three states
Voters in Maryland, New York, and Utah choose nominees for their midterm picks. Here’s who’s on the ballot.
☕ Score Starbucks for Free at Target
Target Circle Deal Days start — and members can snag specific drinks free at in-store Starbucks spots.
📚 Long Island Girls hits bookshelves
The novel follows Susan and Eliza’s almost-teen romance to a reckoning much later. Author Gabrielle Korn gave us a peek into her life — including her unapologetic (but relatable) indulgence.
Psst…this is just the preview:Subscribe to theSkimm app and never miss a moment.
Amazon Prime Day
We all have a love-hate relationship with Amazon, and yet when the infamous Prime Day rolls around, we can’t help but get sucked into the savings. This year, we searched far and wide for deals on everyday items we would prefer to not spend full price on. Check out:
