US News

And on Today’s Livestream

What's going on: Over the weekend, President Donald Trump said he is considering livestreaming the firing squad execution of former Army Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, who was convicted of killing 13 people and injuring 32 others in the 2009 mass shooting at Fort Hood. “I know what the military would like to do, but I’ll make a decision,” Trump said on Saturday. His comments came one day after saying he “absolutely” supported Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s idea to livestream the execution. Vice President JD Vance said that Hegseth’s plan might not happen, and if it did, he wouldn’t watch it. As members of the Trump administration publicly go back and forth, politicians — including some Republicans who support the death penalty — and survivors of the Fort Hood shooting have criticized the idea. "I don't want this to be viewed upon as a spectacle, like a pay-per-view event, or like going to a basketball tournament," one survivor told ABC News.

Is this legal?: It’s not immediately clear. Execution by firing squad is legal in five states and federally, although the US military hasn’t put anyone to death in this way since 1945. But livestreaming one might not be; they are generally witnessed by a small group of family, legal counsel, government officials, and select members of the media. In 2001, a judge denied an internet company’s request to livestream the execution of Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh, citing the Federal Bureau of Prisons’ media restrictions. However, this situation is different because the government would be requesting the livestream. Given this, Hasan could file a new appeal in federal court — which might make its way to the Supreme Court — but he and his lawyers haven’t yet said if they will.

Related: Christa Pike Is Back in Prison After Botched Execution Attempt (NPR)

Out of Bounds

When Athletes Reach a Breaking Point 

What’s going on: Coco Gauff was supposed to defend her Wuhan Open title this week. Instead, the 22-year-old withdrew from the tournament after a grueling run at the China Open that she says left her physically exhausted and mentally drained. At one point, Gauff said she felt so depleted that she struggled to see the ball and thought she might pass out. But the physical toll was only part of it. Earlier in the tournament, a disputed call went her way and sparked a wave of racist abuse online. “The amount of racist comments/dms I've received in the last few hours is insane,” Gauff wrote on X, adding that fans could disagree without resorting to racism. The United Nations’ human rights office condemned the backlash against Gauff, writing that the attacks “illustrate that Black female athletes are specifically targeted for vitriol and racial abuse.”

So many fouls: Gauff's experience adds to a debate about how much athletes are expected to endure. Tennis stars like Iga Świątek have criticized the relentless schedule, while soccer players have raised similar concerns. But for women of color, the pressure doesn't end when the match does. During the 2025 European soccer championship, England’s Jess Carter faced so much racist abuse that she stepped away from social media and said she was afraid to leave her hotel room or play in the final. WNBA star Alyssa Thomas also faced racist messages and death threats after a foul against Caitlin Clark, and raised concerns about her safety and privacy after players’ addresses were leaked. These incidents raise a larger question about what real protections should look like, who should enforce them, and how they can reach athletes across sports and at every level.

Related: After Backlash, NBA Finally Includes WNBA in Official Letter on Betting Harassment (The Athletic)

Matilda Was Ahead of Her Time

The Reading Rainbow of Truth

What's going on: Whether it's the fact Pizza Hut's Book It! program isn't hitting like it used to — or it's simply the phones — reading for pleasure is down. Especially among teens. And while many parents want their kids to read in part because of the sheer joy of the hobby, there may be an even bigger incentive: new research shows that teens with stronger reading skills are better able to spot misinformation online. A study from the Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis found that when it comes to misinformation and teens, socioeconomic status makes a big difference. But stronger reading skills can help close those gaps. Remember your teacher closing a book and then asking, “So, what was the lesson there?”

Someone call LeVar Burton: In 1997, Congress created the National Reading Panel, which included text comprehension as one of the main pillars of focus. Beyond learning how to read and understand text, researchers thought it was essential because comprehension could extend a child’s lifelong learning capabilities. Stats from earlier this year have shown that more than half of teens report using AI to get help with schoolwork. Using these tools has been linked to a decline in reading skills, and as the technology becomes more widespread, the lack of critical thinking has concerned experts. Because teachers face the pressure of state standardized testing, reading whole books as part of a lesson is less of a priority. Teens should be encouraged to question AI answers, to find credible sources when searching for information, and to push back when they hear something — whether it’s on YouTube, social media, or from a friend. Reading more can help all of that. So tell them to take a look… it’s in a book.

Related: The Teen Safeguards for ChatGPT Are Raising Some Red Flags (NPR)

In Case You Missed It

Skimm Shopping is constantly on the hunt for new products, and as the season changes, the team releases curated lists worth a read-through. So in case you’ve been offline lately (bravo), here are the team’s newest guides:

• The best ballet flats for fall. Shoutout to this pair that one editor wore all around Paris

• Walmart launches that are, dare we say, chic

• What the team is wearing, including a tried-and-true Quince cardigan

• An in-depth review of a real-life matchmaking service, because we also hate swiping

Quick Hits

🛍️ Costco has joined the grocery store tote bag game with a new two-pack. As one commenter put it, "What's the hot dog capacity?"

👟 Your sneakers might be too comfortable. Some doctors warn that extra cushioning can put extra stress on your muscles and joints. So much for walking on air. 

👻 It’s not just you: the “Sunday Scaries” are getting worse. Turns out that rising workloads and shrinking job security have many starting work before the weekend is over. 

☕ Meghan Markle and Malala Yousafzai met up for tea and announced a new partnership promoting girls’ education. We’ll raise a cup of English breakfast to that.

📺 The New Girl cast reunited for a major honor. Cute. Now give us season eight.

🛍️ Kelly Clarkson claimed a Brooklyn home goods shop treated her like Julia Roberts’ character in Pretty Woman, and the store responded by saying Clarkson wanted to buy a bird automaton that wasn't for sale. Oh, the Instagram drama.

💄 Dark, bold lipsticks are back and making a statement — just look at Dakota Johnson and Florence Pugh.