Daily Skimm

Good morning.

I don’t know about you, but September came in swinging. Between new routines for the kids, a to-do list that multiplies overnight, and the sudden urge to buy school supplies I don’t actually need, I could use an “errand friend.” Turns out, that’s real — and I’ve added it to the list of things I didn’t know I wanted. Speaking of underrated joys: the newest Girl Scout cookie is a play on one of my favorite ice cream flavors (though Samoas will always be my ride or die). And if you want some seasonal comfort, here’s a list of movies that deliver all the (soon-to-be) fall feels. I already cued up #8. Before we get to the news, we want to hear from you. We work hard to make theSkimm smarter, sharper, and more useful every day — but the best ideas don’t always come from us; they come from you. So tell us what you think. We welcome (brutal) honesty.

— Marina Carver / Senior Editor / Brooklyn, NY

What's Happening

Health

RFK Jr. Puts (Some) Muscle Behind MAHA Agenda

What's going on: Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. just released a sweeping 128-point blueprint to tackle childhood chronic disease. It lays out many MAHA-friendly ideas across food, pharma, and the environment — from redefining ultraprocessed foods and revising dietary guidelines to scrutinizing infant formula and boosting breastfeeding through a “safe supply of donor human milk.” The plan also calls for tighter oversight of pharma ads, a review of prescriptions for kids, and a new vaccine framework, alongside screen-time campaigns and a reboot of that fitness test. On pesticides, it punts more than RFK Jr. promised, pushing more research and precision farming instead of restrictions.

What it means: The report is considered a win for farming and chemical industries, as special interests lobbied President Donald Trump to soften Kennedy’s tougher proposals. Supporters also praised the plan’s efforts to improve food labeling, dietary guidelines, and FDA oversight of additives. Still, public health experts pointed to contradictions within the Trump administration — for example, promoting healthier SNAP benefits while cutting its funding. Critics also say the plan lacks a clear recipe for action by not always specifying how the government can follow through on some of the recommendations.

International

Nepal's Protests Turn Deadly After Social Media Ban

What's going on: A sweeping government ban on social media has spiraled into bloodshed in Nepal. At least 22 people are dead as protests escalated and security forces opened fire on demonstrators. The clashes erupted after the government blocked 26 social media platforms last week — including WeChat, YouTube, and LinkedIn — saying they failed to register with authorities. The violence has since grown into some of the worst unrest the country has seen in decades: protesters have torched government buildings, police stations, and politicians’ homes, and the chaos has continued even after the prime minister resigned and officials lifted the bans.

What it means: The ban tapped into mounting frustration over corruption, unemployment, and inequality — especially among Nepal’s Gen Z, who’ve been at the forefront of the demonstrations. For families who depend on remittances from thousands of relatives working abroad, losing social media cut off vital links and lit the fuse. Recent scandals — from embezzled airport funds to elites and “nepo kids” flaunting wealth — have only reinforced the sense that the system serves the powerful, The New York Times reported. Similar unrest erupted in Dhaka, Bangladesh, last year, where young people also clashed with security forces over inequality and corruption. Now, the pressing question for Nepal amid the ongoing violence is: Who’s in charge?

Economy

Revenge of the Debit Card

What's going on: Americans have officially entered their “it’s not you, it’s interest rates” era. As they grow more debt-averse and anxious about the economy, the humble debit card is having its comeback moment. Credit card balances hit $1.2 trillion earlier in 2025, according to the New York Fed. The surge has left many consumers wary, with average interest rates sitting at — and in some cases exceeding — a historic 21%. That helps explain why debit use is exploding in popularity, with a 2022 S&P Global survey finding most people prefer it. Part of this growth is marketing. From Venmo to the BNPL provider Klarna, everyone’s tried to get in on the debit card boom (banks make money when funds are parked in checking, so it’s no wonder). They’ve hired celebs like Aimee Lou Wood and Travis Kelce to try to make debit look “cool” (well, cool for a piece of plastic that says you can’t afford Ariana Grande tickets).

What it means: Fear has fueled this shift, along with broader concerns about the economy, ads, and cultural factors. Especially with student loans weighing folks down, many — particularly the younger generation — have a “growing fear” of credit cards. Debit card usage is one way to take back control, experts say (it’s also more functional than a piggy bank). On the one hand, debit cards, which went mainstream in the 1990s, offer an alternative to having to pay interest, overdraft fees be damned. On the other hand, they can come with their own set of risks, including fewer protections if you’re the victim of fraud.