Electric Bills Are the New Eggs

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US News

Electric Bills Are the New Eggs

What's going on: Eggflation seems to be in the rearview, but your wallet is likely still hurting. The latest culprit in the affordability crisis: electricity costs. In at least 26 states, the price to keep the power on has risen faster than average inflation, according to The New York Times. One expert told the Associated Press that the utility bill is “the new ‘cost of eggs.’” You can blame AI data centers, upgrades to the energy grid (who can forget the 2021 disaster in Texas), and even electric vehicles for the rising demand for power — driving prices up and up. Voters are over it and used their frustration to help Democrats secure wins in New Jersey, Virginia, and Georgia this past November. Analysts say Republicans also plan to run on affordability in next year’s midterms.

What it means: Electricity costs aren’t going to ease up any time soon, and most Americans will likely face higher bills by the time next year’s elections roll around. That’s hitting households hard — 80 million people already struggle to pay their utility bills, and while some states protect folks from having their heat shut off in the winter, not all do. There is help: Federally funded assistance programs can offset some costs, and there are strategies for lowering your bills, like making sure your windows and doors are well sealed. Just add it to the growing list of cost-saving measures.

Related: The AI Data Boom’s Latest Hurdle? Rural America (CNBC)

The News In 5

🗞️ Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says this is the “most complicated” issue in the US peace plan discussions.

🗞️ One of President Donald Trump’s personal lawyers is in hot water yet again (not Rudy this time). 

🗞️ The FDA just approved glasses that can slow nearsightedness in children. A true game-changer. 

🗞️ Wait, why is Costco suing the Trump administration? Chaos in Aisle 12.

🗞️ Plain cheese pizza just might be a symbol of the economy. The supreme days might be over in more ways than one.

Work

Not "Professional" Enough?

What's going on: Whether you’ve sat in an ER or navigated a hard diagnosis, chances are a nurse probably helped you through it. But nursing advocates warn a new proposal from the Trump administration could deter the next generation of nurses — and deepen the national shortage. As part of a broader student-loan overhaul set to take effect in July 2026, the administration released a draft list of which graduate programs qualify as “professional” — a label that determines how much students of higher education can borrow. Students in medicine, dentistry, and pharmacy would qualify for up to $50,000 a year in loans, with a $200,000 lifetime cap. Nurses (and others left off the list) would face a much stricter limit: $20,500 a year, with a $100,000 lifetime total. Experts note that’s barely a drop in the tuition bucket.

What it means: This rule could shut students out of advanced nursing degrees — and discourage others from pursuing nursing altogether. One professor told CBS it creates real obstacles to growing a workforce often forced to step into critical roles. That’s a problem everywhere, but it’s especially urgent in rural areas, where nurses often fill in when doctors aren’t available. Experts say the ramifications could ultimately lead to fewer providers, longer wait times, and communities left without the care they need.

Related: These Workers Are Willingly Ditching Work From Home. Yes, Really (NYT Gift Link) 

Care

It Might Be Time To Love Thy Neighbor

What's going on: There’s something about this time of year that inspires generosity. It is Giving Tuesday today after all. But while some send cash to nonprofits, others are joining a growing movement to help others. Enter: “mutual aid” — a grassroots, community-based approach rooted in solidarity, not charity. Neighbors share goods or services with neighbors — no hierarchy, no paperwork, no waiting required, just trust. Kashish Ali has been doing it for years, telling AP that family and friends have given her thousands of dollars to buy groceries for local community fridges. Ali said, “This was a way to get almost instant gratification.”

What it means: As government services and nonprofits struggle to keep up amid political and economic uncertainty, more communities are stepping in to fill the gaps. Mutual aid can be as simple as sharing food, exchanging clothes, or offering to look after your neighbors’ kids when childcare plans fall through. It might not come with the tax deduction that billionaires love to go after, but it does ensure that the goods and services are available immediately. It’s a reminder that giving can also mean supporting your own community — and that sometimes the fastest way to make an impact is right down the block. 

Related: The Psychology Behind Giving Has Us Asking: Are We Doing It for Ourselves? (AP) 

On Our Calendar

A few things to jot down today…

🗓️ Tennessee holds a special election for a House seat — the ultimate test for Democrats in an off-year. 

🗓️ 50 Cent’s documentary on Sean “Diddy” Combs releases on Netflix. 

🗓️ The New York Knicks battle the Boston Celtics. Think Timothée Chalamet is traveling for this one?

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

Know It All

Who is singing the national anthem at the Super Bowl? 

Extra Credit

Drive

Your daily commute just got a glow-up. Meet Ford’s BlueCruise^† hands-free highway driver assistance feature — aka tech that assists with steering, braking, and centering on pre-mapped highways called Hands-Free Blue Zones. The result? A confident ride that helps take the edge off traffic and gives you a little more energy for what really matters. Because when the drive feels effortless, you can show up in life ready for anything.*

^†Available feature on select vehicles. BlueCruise requires an active plan or trial – see ford.com/bluecruise for details. Terms apply. BlueCruise is a driver-assist feature and does not replace safe driving or driver’s attention, judgment, and need to control the vehicle. Only remove hands in a hands-free Blue Zone. Always watch the road and be prepared to resume control. See Owner’s Manual for details and limitations.

Game Time

Start your Tuesday off right with Typeshift, a fun new game that challenges you to create words from a set number of letters. Warning: It’s very addicting. Start playing.