Daily Skimm

Good morning.

My kids and teacher husband are officially on summer break (yes, NYC public schools really do go later than most), which means we’ve escaped to Maine for a week of family, fresh air, and a much slower pace. The Supreme Court, however, isn’t easing into vacation mode. Several major rulings, including this biggie, are expected this week. Meanwhile, the FIFA World Cup knockout stage is underway, and professional fútbol watchers already have a favorite to win it all. Could two soccer legends meet one last time? The odds are slim, but never say never. Wimbledon begins today, too, with a highly anticipated Serena Williams return (and yes, Naomi Osaka’s tournament outfit is already up for grabs). And with Taylor and Travis’s wedding potentially happening this weekend in NYC (rumored performers and all), I’m especially happy to enjoy the festivities from afar. Now, let's get to the headlines...

— Marina Carver / Senior Editor / Brooklyn, NY

US News

The Summer of Deadly Heatwaves

What's going on: If your phone hasn’t already alerted you, the first week of July will bring extreme heat to much of the central and eastern US. Certain areas can expect temperatures in the 90s and 100s, and the “feels like” reading could top 120 degrees. They’re calling it a “heat dome,” because “hell on earth” was too on the nose. A heat dome forms when high-pressure systems push warm air towards the earth’s surface and trap it there. These conditions don’t just make life miserable — they can drive up heat-related deaths, droughts, and wildfires. Europe is currently sweating through its own heat dome. A study published on Friday found the region's heatwave is the worst on record.

How do we deal?: Communities are increasingly having to treat heatwaves like hurricanes, blizzards, and tornadoes: as a recurring public safety threat. Many parts of the world are literally not built for extreme heat (and no, giving everyone in France an air conditioner won’t change that). Experts say adapting will require new housing designed for extreme temps, better power grids, more tree cover, and widespread public cooling centers. In the meantime, public health officials recommend taking heat alerts seriously, staying hydrated, cooling your body temp, and avoiding strenuous activity during the hottest parts of the day. And, check on your neighbors. 

Related: What the Climate Crisis Can Do to Your Body (Grist)

The News in 5

🗞️ A rescue team pulled a mother and her 9-month-old baby from the rubble in Venezuela this weekend — four days after twin earthquakes killed more than 1,450 people.

🗞️ Former Trump advisor John Bolton pleaded guilty over the weekend to mishandling classified information.

🗞️ A Michigan couple is facing murder charges after their 7-year-old son — who weighed 255 pounds — died of heart failure linked to morbid obesity.

🗞️ The White House just revealed plans for a new “Patriot Passport” in these colors. If you guessed gold, you're only halfway there.

🗞️ NASA is about to play the world's most expensive game of catch with a robot and a falling space telescope.

Public Health

A Matter of Life & Politics

A tale of two lifespans: Your congressional district might say more about your health than you think. People in Democratic-held House districts now live about two years longer on average than those in Republican-held districts, according to a new CNN analysis of data from the Congressional District Health Dashboard. Republican-held districts were also more likely to have above-average rates of diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease, and people living there are less likely to have health insurance. (See where yours stacks up here.) At the extremes, the life expectancy gap can be as wide as 15 years — from an average of 86 in Manhattan to 71 in rural Kentucky. 

Connecting the dots: This doesn't mean that Republicans are simply less healthy than their counterparts in blue states. Republican-held districts are increasingly more likely to include rural or small-town communities, where specialized medical care (let alone a PCP) can be a far drive away. And, over time, policy choices that state lawmakers have made — like whether to expand Medicaid or invest in health programs like smoking prevention — have likely played a role as well. And none of this happened overnight. An April 2025 study of nearly 180 million deaths over 100 years found that Southern states have lagged behind the rest of the country in life expectancy gains for generations.

Related: The Weight-Loss Breakthrough That Isn't a Drug (Yahoo)

Health

Endo an Era

What's going on: Endometriosis has spent years in the waiting room, hoping doctors and researchers can better understand, diagnose, and treat the chronic disease affecting one in 10 women worldwide. Now, new advances — including blood and imaging tests — could lead to faster and less invasive diagnoses. (Marilyn Monroe, you were born in the wrong era.) Reminder: Endometriosis is when tissue similar to the inside of the uterus grows on the wrong parts of the body, leading to inflammation and a broad range of symptoms like intense period pain, pain during sex, and infertility. It often takes patients years to get answers, thanks to a longstanding requirement that they undergo surgery first (which the American College of Gynecologists just revised) — not to mention decades of good old fashioned medical misogyny. 

What’s next: Many doctors hope for a rebrand similar to the one that PCOS just got that better reflects endo’s hormonal, metabolic, and whole-body impact. Researchers are increasingly understanding it as a systemic inflammatory disease linked to fatigue, immune dysfunction, and cardiovascular risks. These developments could mean earlier treatment, better pain management, more fertility options, and fewer years spent collecting dismissive doctors’ appointments like punch cards. 

Related: 5 Endometriosis Symptoms You Shouldn’t Ignore (Today) 

PS: Let your group chat know the real health story behind the headlines. Every Wednesday, we break down the stories and trends to give you the need-to-know in health, nutrition, and fitness in our weekly Well + Good newsletter. Sign up here.

Quick Hits

🎃 Of course, Heidi Klum is already planning her Halloween costume, and it sounds like it’ll be her scariest one yet.

🫘 If you’re working on your fiber intake, this type of bean is better than the rest. Sorry, chickpeas.

🗞️ Harry and Meghan’s first family trip to the UK in years is facing some serious snags “at the 11th hour.”

💇 This hair color trend from 2016 is back for summer 2026. Time to resurrect your Tumblr.

🎶 Madonna admitted she was once jealous of another pop star — and the reason is peak Madonna.

On Our Calendar

Monday, June 29

⚖️ Suspect in Correspondents’ Dinner shooting due in court

Cole Tomas Allen is slated to come back to federal court after pleading not guilty to charges that he attempted to assassinate President Trump.

📱 The iPhone turns 19 

The first-generation went on sale back in 2007. Here’s a glimpse at all it had to offer — remember learning pinch-to-zoom?

⚽️ Your $22 summer sports plan is here

For less than your last takeout order, catch Gotham FC vs. Washington Spirit at the Queens Classic at Citi Field on July 15. It’s on track to be the city’s biggest women’s sporting event yet. Get $22 tix with code THESKIMM.

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Skimm'd by: Anna Davies, Marisa Iallonardo, Molly Longman, Mallory Simon, Erika W. Smith, Kate Preziosi, and Marina Carver. Fact-checked by Sara Tardiff.