This Lawsuit Could Stir the Pot

What's Happening

US News

This Lawsuit Could Stir the Pot

What's going on: San Francisco’s city hall is sounding a lot like Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) HQ… at least when it comes to groceries. In the first lawsuit of its kind, the city is going after 10 food companies, including Nestle USA and the Coca-Cola Company, for allegedly using “unfair and deceptive acts” to sell and market their ultraprocessed foods. The suit says these companies know their products can make people sick and should reimburse California for the cost of treating residents whose health has deteriorated as a result. None of the companies have commented. But a trade association representing many of them said the lawsuit is “demonizing food by ignoring its full nutrient content.”

What it means: It’s unclear whether the courts will bite, but San Francisco’s suit marks the latest effort to clean up Americans’ diets. Some cities and states have successfully introduced soda taxes or banned unhealthy foods in schools. Ultraprocessed foods make up an estimated 70% of the American food supply, and children get over 60% of their calories from these foods. Even stuff that’s marketed as healthy, like granola bars, can fall under that umbrella. And research has linked ultraprocessed foods to obesity, type 2 diabetes, and other health issues. Still, many people don’t have other alternatives: Food deserts and rising grocery costs limit their options.

Related: How To Read Nutrition Labels Before Adding That Snack to Your Cart (USA Today)

The News In 5

🗞️ President Donald Trump called Somali immigrants “garbage” during a Cabinet meeting and appeared to doze off at one point. His administration also paused all immigration processing for nationals of 19 countries.

🗞️ Been procrastinating on your REAL ID? TSA just hit snoozers with a steep fee.

🗞️ Tennessee’s House special election went to the GOP, but Democrats came this close to pulling off an upset.

🗞️ Sabrina Carpenter says the Trump admin crossed the line by using her song in a deportation video. Her words were short, but definitely not sweet.

🗞️ Prada and Versace just made it official after years of courtship. Congrats to the happy couple.

Tech

And We Thought Chucky Was Scary…

What's going on: For centuries, people have hated on porcelain dolls for their unsettling auras and unblinking eyes. But we’re here to tell you there’s a new toy in town that’s much, much creepier. There’s been a boom of stuffed animals and toys with AI chatbots stitched inside. The trend exploded in China and is now landing in US playrooms. These aren’t the cassette-loop teddy bears of the ’90s — the new models hop onto Wi-Fi, listen through built-in microphones, and fire off responses powered by large language models. Not only do consumer advocacy groups say these toys can harm kids’ safety and development, but some stuffies are going rogue. According to a recent report, one teddy bear discussed kink during testing, suggesting bondage and role play to improve relationships. The company behind the bear told CNN it was pulling the toy from the market and conducting a safety audit.

What it means: AI toys pose real danger precisely because a bot that looks as harmless as Winnie the Pooh can “have a free-flowing conversation with a child and there are no boundaries,” one expert told The Guardian. Although some companies bill their products as educational, analysts worry kids could become overly attached to the toys, instead of their caretakers, friends, or siblings, which could harm their development. There are also data concerns — the toys could share kids’ names, locations, and more, and could be subject to hacks. Manufacturers include settings and safety filters, but we’ve seen how long conversations can cause bots to go off script. That’s why advocates demand stronger research and regulations. Until that exists, parents will want to proceed with caution. 

Related: That Faithful AI Companion? It’s Actually a Criminal (The Atlantic)

Tech

ChatGPT Just Got a "Do Better" Memo 

What’s going on: OpenAI says it’s time for a reset. Chief Executive Sam Altman told employees the company is entering a “code red” phase to overhaul ChatGPT’s day-to-day experience (a phrase that would definitely get a female CEO dragged). According to The Wall Street Journal, Altman says the bot must be more personalized, faster, reliable, and able to answer a wider range of questions. He even paused other initiatives, including new AI agents for health and shopping and a planned personal assistant called Pulse, to make this happen. The stakes are high: As of October 2025, Altman said ChatGPT had 800 million weekly active users — or roughly 10% of the global population. 

What it means: This time, the pivot isn’t about hallucinations or stricter safety after below-the-board-and-belt chatter. WSJ reports that Altman’s memo points to real competitive pressure — especially from Google. Its newest Gemini model beat OpenAI on major benchmarks and sent Google’s stock soaring. (Perhaps ironically, Google called its own “code red” years ago to keep an eye on OpenAI.) And because OpenAI still operates without a profit and depends on constant new funding, it faces a disadvantage next to other tech giants that pour their own revenue into massive AI efforts. Bottom line: OpenAI needs ChatGPT to level up fast or risk the lead in the AI race.

Related: A Chatbot, a Philosopher, and a “Soul Doc” Walk Into a Prompt (Gizmodo)

Core Memory

On Our Calendar

A few things to jot down today…

🗓️ The Supreme Court will hear a challenge to a local Mississippi protest ordinance.

🗓️ NYC’s getting its annual glow-up with the Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting Ceremony.

🗓️ It’s National Package Protection Day. May your packages end up where they are supposed to.

Psst…For more dates worth knowing this week, check out the Skimm+ calendar.

The Best Home Gifts

To the friend who would rather stay home: we see you, we respect you, and we’re here with some gifts that’ll make your space even harder to leave.

• Sheet masks for at-home spa sessions

• A nice way to store their olive oil

• A scented candle in a bow-adorned holder

(More) gifts of the day: A puffy earbuds case, a puzzle book, and a Hailey Bieber-approved sherpa jacket*

 *PS: Whether they’re eyeing the latest AirPods or craving a new binge-worthy show, Apple Gift Card takes the guesswork out of gifting.

Know It All

Registered dietitians voted on the best peanut butter in the aisle. Who took the crown?

Game Time

Looking for a crossword that’s not impossible to solve? You’re in luck. This one even offers hints when you get stuck. The faster you finish, the better your score — and the more impressed the group chat will be. Go on.