The Federal Funds That Never Arrived

US News

The Federal Funds That Never Arrived

What’s going on: One domestic violence advocacy center in rural Washington used to have five full-time advocates — now it has two. And one spends up to six hours a day driving survivors to find a nurse trained to perform sexual assault exams. They’re not alone. Thousands of centers like this are stretched thin because more than $200 million in federal grants meant for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and trafficking still haven’t gone out, according to The 19th. Congress had set aside $713 million for the DOJ’s Office on Violence Against Women, which distributes that money under a decades-old law. The holdup? A new executive order requires every grant to clear an extra layer of political sign-off first. Because, of course, what this process needed was more red tape.

What it means: For many of these organizations, this is their main funding stream — the money that keeps the lights on, the phones answered, and, in some cases, saves lives. The stakes aren’t abstract: About half of women homicide victims are killed by a current or former partner. The money also supports programs for older survivors and services tailored to specific communities. Over the past year, organizations have been forced to lay off therapists and advocates, cut children’s programs, and turn away survivors from shelters. For a lot of women, this means fewer places to go or no help at all. Anonymous domestic violence hotlines remain available 24/7 via the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.

Related: Did the Acting AG Just Pass a Trump Loyalty Test? (NBC News)

The News in 5

🗞️ A major international economic report warns that a global recession may be on the horizon — and it’s all because of…

🗞️ A sports announcer suggested a gay college volleyball player be punched in the face for his legendary celebration moves. The backlash was swift.

🗞️ Just as French officials planned to ban this American rapper from performing, he decided to postpone his show. 

🗞️ This world leader’s viral videos might be the source of RFK Jr.’s inspiration. Workout buddies in the making?

🗞️ The NFL reporter at the center of a scandal involving the Patriots’ head coach just resigned — but not without saying her piece.

Travel

A Star-Spangled Airline Merger? 

What's going on: Fasten your seatbelts and brace for turbulence because a potential mega-merger could shake up the aviation industry. Before a war in the Middle East and a partial government shutdown distracted us, Reuters reports that United Airlines pitched President Donald Trump a big idea in late February: What if it merged with competitor American Airlines? News of the talks broke yesterday, and no one knows the details. But if it does happen, the two would control about 40% of domestic flights. One expert predicts that a marriage between the two would be “an absolute disaster for the flying public.” It could lead to fewer options, higher ticket prices, and even more fees (because there can always be more). And you thought flying was already expensive…

Could this take off?: Typically, a merger of this size would face intense legal scrutiny and have as much chance of happening as us drinking airplane coffee. But the Trump administration isn’t like its predecessor (which successfully challenged two potential airline deals), and it enjoys a good merger. So far, United, American, and the White House have been radio silent on the potential deal. Experts seem to agree that this acquisition has no chance of surviving, but one anonymous investor told Reuters that United has learned the art of the deal: “Start with a big ask, then concede a little.” Like the bathroom line when the seatbelt light turns off, we’ll just have to wait and see what happens next.

Related: Delta’s Coach Seats Are Getting a Refresh. Can We Make the Bathrooms Bigger Next? (Parade)

Slopageddon

The Internet May Have Destroyed Our Ability To Call BS

What’s going on: There’s a famous scene in How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days in which Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughey play the card game “Bullsh*t.” They use their powers of deduction and steaming-hot chemistry to see if the other person is lying. We may need to play a refresher round, because the internet is slowly obliterating our bullsh*t detectors, according to Wired. Social media is awash with misinformation on everything from the Iran War to who was at Coachella. It’s so bad that automated, bot-driven traffic makes up about 51% of all internet activity, one report found. It doesn’t help when outdated news makes the rounds, public figures repost misinformation, or when the president’s online presence leans into bot-like aesthetics. Even the midterms aren’t safe from deepfakes, just ask Rep. James Talarico (D-TX). 

Let's cut the BS: All this muddies already murky digital waters. Even experts and the chronically online struggle to tell what’s real. AI has gotten smarter and largely ditched the obvious tells like extra fingers. Sometimes spotting the difference between an AI-altered photo and the OG can be harder than playing a game of “Where’s Waldo?” Still, a few tweaks can upgrade your own BS radar: Beware of posts that look too “cinematic,” run reverse image searches, look for multiple angles of the same photo, and keep an eye out for discrepancies. Or ask your very-online-friend for a gut check. And of course, don’t be afraid to pull an Andie Anderson and call bullsh*t.

Related: The Today Show Found a New Way To Use AI — Sort Of (NBC News)

Quick Hits

💬 An etiquette expert says these 11 phrases should be left out of the conversation. We all know at least one man who needs to read this list. 

🌸 If you’re a first-time gardener or a long-time plant whisperer, skip these tools unless you want your flowers to bloom with a side of microplastics. 

🛟 “Catastrophizing” describes a feeling that many of us can’t shake off. These techniques could help you.

👑 We finally know how Harry and Meghan like to be addressed. At least it’s easy to remember. 

👀 Madonna is the latest icon to make this cryptic social media move. Strike a pose.

🔥 Hudson Williams’s spicy Peloton ad is the most Ilya thing we’ve watched all week, and it’s only Wednesday.

We Needed This

On Our Calendar

Things to jot down today…

🗓️ It’s Tax Day. Submit your return — or file for an extension to buy you time until October.

🗓️ On Jackie Robinson Day, every MLB player, coach, and ump will take the field in his iconic number 42.

🗓️ Margo's Got Money Troubles is out on Apple TV. It’s an “endearingly offbeat” release with a stacked cast, led by Elle Fanning.

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

Know It All

One famous dad couldn’t help himself and got in on the fun while visiting his daughter at college. Who jumped behind the bar? 

Skimm'd by: Rashaan Ayesh, Erika W. Smith, Mallory Simon, Molly Longman, Maria del Carmen Corpus, and Marina Carver. Fact-checked by Sara Tardiff.