Good morning.
The economy takes center stage this week in more ways than one. President Donald Trump heads to northeastern Pennsylvania on Tuesday to tout his economic policy, even as nearly two-thirds of respondents in a recent NBC survey say he hasn’t delivered on his promise to bring down costs. Back in DC, the Federal Reserve will announce its final interest-rate decision of 2025 on Wednesday. Economists expect a Christmas cut after the government’s latest jobs report. And here in Brooklyn, I’m digging into this viral holiday gift rule as we roll into gift-giving season. Now, let’s get to the news…
— Marina Carver / Senior Editor / Brooklyn, NY
What's Happening
US News
A Shot in the Dark
What’s going on: One of the first things your newborn gets — besides a name and a swaddle — may see a major change. A CDC advisory panel voted to reverse a 30-year recommendation that all newborns receive the first dose of the hepatitis B vaccine within 24 hours of birth. The new guidance says pregnant women who test negative for hepatitis B should consult with their doctor about the timing of their child’s first shot, suggesting they wait until the baby is at least two months old (when routine infant vaccination begins) if they skip the birth dose. The panel, appointed by Health Secretary (and vaccine skeptic) Robert F. Kennedy Jr., voted 8-3 on Friday. The decision still needs sign-off from the CDC’s acting director, who usually follows the panel’s recommendation. Experts warn the move could leave some babies vulnerable and note 90% of infants who catch hep B develop chronic infection.
What it means: This recommendation could shape doctor guidance and insurance coverage. Right now, many major plans say they’ll keep covering the vaccine through 2026. Hep B can spread during childbirth or through contact with infected blood or fluids (like saliva), and 70% of people who have it don’t know. That means your baby could catch it from anyone in their orbit — whether it’s people holding them, feeding them, or dropping off a casserole in those messy, sleep-deprived early days. If you’re pregnant, ask your OB or midwife whether you’ve been screened. If you haven’t, the shot’s quick, and the CDC has recommended it for little ones for decades. And if coverage shifts, talk to your doctor to figure out the best way to keep your baby protected.
Related: Norovirus Is Hitting Harder and Earlier — Here’s How To Stay Safe and Healthy (Everyday Health)
The News In 5
🗞️ Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says the Gaza ceasefire deal could enter its second phase soon.
🗞️ The Supreme Court will hear arguments challenging this 127-year-old precedent.
🗞️ A West African democracy just survived a live-broadcast coup attempt.
🗞️ Paramount would like a word about Netflix buying Warner Bros.
🗞️ The Louvre really can’t catch a break. But who doesn’t love a water installation?
Health
A Troubling Trend Among HIV Rates
What's going on: Racial disparities in health show up everywhere — from COVID-19 outcomes to maternal mortality. Another one that deserves more awareness: HIV diagnoses, especially among Black women in the South. The virus in women is relatively rare. But while Black women represent only 13% of the US female population, they make up more than half of women diagnosed with HIV. And although treatments have advanced — with many people living long, healthy lives and stigma slowly easing — researchers say this trend signals a public health problem that needs far more attention.
What it means: In the post-Roe South, a lot of women have fewer options for care, which means less prevention information, fewer chances for routine testing, and delays in treatment. Many skip reproductive health visits because clinics are too far or pricey — and even when they do get seen, not every doctor offers HIV tests. On top of that, federal cuts to HIV prevention programs and DEI-related restrictions threaten the very research and outreach that help protect vulnerable communities. Advocates say one of the most effective ways to push back is simple but powerful: Talk about HIV openly, share accurate information, and dismantle the stigma that keeps people from getting the care they deserve.
Related: A Veteran Cancer Researcher Left the FDA — and Things Got Messy (CNN)
Health
The "Decaf Curious" Era Is Here
What's going on: Lorelai Gilmore would hate to see this news coming. More people are calling it quits on caffeine. And, finally, the world has decided to support these brave souls. What does that look like? More coffee shops now offer low- and no-caffeine options beyond the day-old decaf pot and sad bags of chamomile. Expanded offerings include the Japanese green tea hojicha, barley tea, and, of course, matcha (so much so that there’s a shortage). The shift is showing up in internet trends too, like the “quarter-zip and matcha” (which isn’t as positive as it sounds) and the “West Village girl” aesthetic (ditto). But The New York Times says matcha's rise is part of the story — there’s also a general “desire for a gentler form of caffeine.” Guess we’ll take “gentler” anything these days.
What it means: Most people who give up the good stuff do it for their health, and experts say it lines up with the drop in alcohol use we’ve seen in recent years. So if coffee gives you the jitters, spikes your anxiety, sets off heart palpitations, or kicks up your acid reflux… decaf might be your new best friend. (And if you’re still seeking an energy boost, here are four options to consider.) Analysts expect cafés to keep experimenting, though some warn this could spark the same cultural appropriation issues we’ve seen in other wellness trends. In other words, sip wisely (which, yes, is possible, even without caffeine).
Related: Would You Like a Side of Destiny With That Coffee? (CNN Travel)
On Our Calendar
A few things to jot down today…
🗓️ SCOTUS hears arguments in a case that will test President Trump’s power over independent agencies.
🗓️ Golden Globe nominations drop. Time to talk about the biggest snubs.
🗓️ It’s Pretend to Be a Time Traveler Day — what decade would you go to if you could?
Psst…For more dates worth knowing this week, check out the Skimm+ calendar.
Editor-Approved Holiday Gifts
Curious to see what’s on our editors’ wish lists this year? Here’s the inside scoop:
(More) gifts of the day: a colorful water bottle, a cozy sweater, and the lip treatment we’ve been using since high school
*PS: Want to give the gift of choice? Thanks to Apple Gift Card, you’ll know they’re getting exactly what they want this holiday.
Know It All
Kids invested $70 million into the stock market this year, according to family money app Greenlight. Which was among their top stock picks?
Game Time
Wake your brain up this Monday with a game of Flipart. Just rotate the pieces to fit within the frame and get ready to feel the rush when they all fall into place. Get into it.
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