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Earlier this week, the US's fourth-largest bank announced it's covering travel expenses for employees going out of state to seek abortions. It comes as Texas has made headlines for its restrictive abortion law, incentivizing private citizens to enforce it. Since then, Idaho has passed a similar bill. And Missouri is looking to take things a step further and block residents from getting abortion care outside the state. Enter: Citigroup.
I'm listening.
Citigroup CEO Jane Fraser — the first female CEO of a major Wall Street bank — has said she wants to make the company a "bank with a soul." Now, the decision could affect thousands of employees. That's because Citi has offices across the country. And a reported 8,500 employees in Texas alone. But while Citigroup is one of the largest companies to stand up to restrictive laws, it's not the first.
Who else?
Lyft and Uber pledged to pay their drivers' legal fees, should they be sued under Texas's law. Salesforce offered to help employees relocate from the state. And Texas-based companies Match Group and Bumble also created relief funds for their employees. But considering abortion is a divisive topic, Citigroup's decision wasn't well received by some.
Explain.
One Texas Republican leader called the policy "appalling" and urged others to boycott the bank. Jeb Bush's son — running to become the state's next AG — called it a "PR stunt by a 'woke' company." On the flip side, almost 60% of Americans think abortions should be legal in all or most cases.
theSkimm
Last year, states introduced hundreds of laws restricting abortion rights. And while the future of Roe v. Wade lies with SCOTUS, some companies are taking matters into their own hands.
Mariupol. Yesterday, rescuers worked to find survivors after Russian forces attacked a theater where hundreds of people were sheltering — including children. The southern port city — which links Crimea with Russian-backed enclaves — has been under heavy Russian shelling for over a week. Thousands of citizens have been without power, heating, and have resorted to boiling snow for water. Attempts to evacuate civilians have failed. And if Russian forces take Mariupol, Russian President Vladimir Putin's hold on Ukraine's southern coast would strengthen. Now, there are reports some survivors have been rescued. But it's still unknown how many.
PS: We spoke to war correspondent Jane Ferguson, who's inside Ukraine, on this week's Skimm This. Listen here.
Who's paying up…
The BBC. Yesterday, the UK broadcaster said it will pay Princess Diana's former private secretary Patrick Jephson a "substantial" sum. Last year, a judge found that BBC journalist Martin Bashir used "deceitful behavior" to lure Princess Diana into the explosive 1995 interview — the one in which she said "there were three of us" in her marriage to Prince Charles. The investigation found that Bashir used fake bank statements in an attempt to show that Princess Diana's inner circle was being paid to spy on her. Bashir has since apologized but reportedly says he doesn't believe the interview had any effect on Princess Diana. Now, the BBC is saying sorry and paying up. Jephson said he will be donating the money to a children's hospice in Princess Diana's honor.
What's keeping some Americans home...
Alcohol use disorder. Yesterday, a new study found heavy alcohol use led to more than 230 million missed workdays in the US between 2015 and 2019. That was before the pandemic. Since then, Americans have reported higher alcohol use to cope with the stress.
PS:Here's how to know if you have an unhealthy relationship with alcohol.
Who's taking home the title…
Lia Thomas. Yesterday, the University of Pennsylvania swimmer became the first transgender athlete to win an NCAA Division I title.
That's the percentage of people with full-time jobs who said they found it challenging to access counseling and other mental health care services in a recent survey. Lack of insurance coverage, difficulty determining what's covered, limited knowledge of available resources, difficulty finding providers, and long wait times to get appts were some of the most common barriers. Not great.
Feeling like there must be a better way? Collaborative care provider and benefits navigation company Eden Health agrees. They wanna help employers give their employees everything they need to get their mental and physical health taken care of. Psst…head here to learn more.
SkimmU Well
Design: theSkimm
Sometimes medical bills can look like a test you haven't studied for. But no fear — we have the answer key. Recap our final SkimmU course, Invest in Your Health, taught by Dr. Fahimeh Sasan, founding physician at Kindbody. We Skimm'd everything from fertility treatments to family planning, preventive care, and how to maximize your insurance. Plus, we answered your health budgeting Qs during our panel discussion with Kelly Lannan, senior vice president of emerging customers at Fidelity Investments. Watch now. PS: Catch up on all recordings of SkimmU Well courses online.
Merch Madness
Design: theSkimm | Photo: Dagne Dover, Allbirds
Introducing Merch Madness: an interactive tournament to find the smartest products in the game. Aka our very own bracket that lets Skimm'rs (hey, that's you) vote for the most useful items. We've got must-haves going head-to-head, like the crowd-fave Tushy bidet versus the ever-popular Dagne Dover backpack. Or the coveted Dyson Supersonic against the reliable Le Creuset Dutch oven.
Check back weekly to see which products come out on top, starting with our Sweet 16. Psst…follow us on Insta for a chance to win the Final 4. It's go time.
Skimm Picks
Here are today's recs to help you live a smarter life…
1. A podcast ep you won't wanna miss. In our latest episode of "Pop Cultured," sponsored by Fidelity, we chat with sports journalist Meredith Cash about WNBA All-Star Brittney Griner's detainment in Russia. And what this could mean for other players. Listen up.*
2. A bright and colorful way to celebrate women. Lilly Pulitzer is all about making (Palm Beach-style) waves. And in honor of Women's History Month, they've launched a brand new, limited-edition collection designed to inspire and empower. Check it out.*
3.A portable dog bath that doubles as a carpet cleaner. This all-in-one system washes your pup by day, and cleans up after 'em by night (or vice versa). Plus it comes with a microfiber mat, towel, shampoo, grooming clips, and spot formula. Raise the woof.*
4.Your one-stop sensitive skincare shop. Try saying that five times fast. Then check out Cetaphil's must-have cleansers, serums, exfoliators, and moisturizers. They're specifically formulated to defend against dryness, irritation, and other pesky problems. Stock up.*
5.A sleep-time drink that isn't tea. Psst…March is Sleep Awareness Month. And this non-alcoholic wine can help you get a better night's sleep. Without causing any hangxiety (hint: hangover anxiety). Plus, Skimm'rs get 20% off. Cheers to that.*
*PS: This is a sponsored post.
Skimm'rs
We like to celebrate the wins, big and small. Let us know how your friends, neighbors, coworkers (and yes, even you) are making career moves, checking off goals, or making an impact in the community.
Give love, get love…Abby Gray (TX). She wrote a children's book encouraging children to look for ways to help others after her husband formed a bond with his liver donor. Check it out here.
(Some) Birthdays…In Memory of Skimm Mom Gabrielle Weisberg (IL), theSkimm's Katie Ahrens (NY), theSkimm's Nate Landau (NY), theSkimm's Rachel Lee (VA), Ilia Macdonald (IN), Michael Rasmussen (FL), Jeanne Marcus (IL), Marirose Lula (NY), Sarah Baines (RI), Gabriela Franco (COL), Whitney Graves (NY), Jon Steinberg (NY), Dayne Wahl (RI), Ami Sawhney (OH), Coy Foley
PS: Paging all members of theSkimm. Reach out here for a chance to be featured.
Skimm More
Our love for Formula One is no surprise: it's a high-speed sport with Housewives-level drama. This week on "Skimm This," we cover the global car racing competition, its geopolitical controversies, and its glamorous destinations. And the drivers? Let's just say they're…hot wheels.
And if you're looking for other smart ways to spend your time…
Listentoour news podcast "Skimm This" for clarity on the biggest stories of the week.
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