What's Happening
Politics
When the Going Gets Tough, the House Calls Recess
What's going on: Recess is great when you’re a kid. Less so when it’s Congress ducking a tough vote. House Republicans abruptly canceled Thursday’s votes, heading out for their month-long summer break a day early. Why the rush? A brewing standoff over the Jeffrey Epstein case. Democrats on the House Rules Committee had planned to force a vote requiring the Trump administration to release the remaining Epstein files. Republicans, wary of going on record, decided to call it a day — or a recess — instead. By skipping town, they avoided the vote. But there’s a tradeoff: They also sidelined any chance of passing substantive legislation until they return in September.
Tell me more: After the recess call, the obvious question popped up: Can they just do that? Turns out, yes… and both parties have done this before. Back in July 2009, moderate Democrats delayed a key vote on the Affordable Care Act by pushing it past the summer break. This time, though, the move signals Republican unease over an issue that has preoccupied their base for years. The DOJ says it’s still working to unseal grand jury records related to Epstein, but don’t expect quick results. Still, not every Republican is ducking. Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN) successfully advanced a motion for the House Oversight Committee to subpoena Ghislaine Maxwell for a deposition.
Related: The Kennedy Center Opera House Could Be Renamed After This Trump Family Member (USA Today)
Health
The Postpartum Pill Was a Breakthrough — but It Has a Long Way To Go
What's going on: For thousands of women, a new pill offered hope for a break from the grip and darkness of postpartum depression. Zuranolone made headlines as the first pill approved specifically for the disorder. In clinical trials, Zuranolone eased symptoms in as little as three days — far faster than traditional antidepressants. But two years in, the results are mixed. Some women describe a dramatic lift. “I’m just excited to get a little bit closer to really being me again,” one woman told The New York Times. Others say it barely helped or made them too drowsy to care for their newborns — a dealbreaker for anyone in the throes of new motherhood.
What it means: The pill shows promise, but as one doctor told The New York Times: “No one’s illness is exactly the same.” Health experts say the next step is figuring out who it helps and why it falls short for others. The need is massive: One in eight women in the US experiences depression during or after pregnancy, per the CDC. And many still face trial-and-error treatments, limited support, and long waits for care. Even when the pill works, insurance delays and access issues make it hard to get. Which means for many moms, hope still comes with a catch.
Related: Experts Criticize FDA Panel Over Pregnancy Antidepressant Guidance (Today)
Business
That Return Label Might Be Free, but at What Cost?
What’s going on: It’s a tale as old as modern capitalism: Buy it, regret it, and return it. For shoppers, it’s routine. For businesses, it’s becoming a nightmare — especially when the item’s been used and can’t be resold. Loose return policies have opened the door to fraud: empty moisturizer jars, items filled with an unadvertised surprise, and worse. Some people treat store policies as loose suggestions. One woman even hauled her years-old couch back to Costco — and got every penny back. Even if the item is in perfect condition, processing returns still costs businesses money. That includes “bracketing” — when people buy multiple sizes or colors of the same item just to see what fits. And thanks to online shopping, returning things has never been easier: Toss it in a box, slap on a label, and skip the questions.
What it means: A report from Appriss Retail and Deloitte found that Americans returned $685 billion worth of goods in 2024 — and nearly $103 billion of that was fraudulent. While large retailers like Walmart and Amazon can absorb the hit, it can hurt small businesses. Some independent sellers on Amazon say things have gotten so bad, they’re trying to leave the platform entirely. Now, companies are starting to rethink the old mantra: The customer is always right. Retailers like REI and ASOS are banning shoppers who abuse return policies. Still, those changes are unlikely to stop customers who wonder: Why feel guilty for gaming a system that often feels stacked against them?
Related: Target Is Changing One of Its Most Beloved Policies (CNN)
Highlight Reel
BY SKIMM SPORTS
The week's sports news and culture stories, ranked.
Hang it in the Louvre: Germany’s Ann-Katrin Berger had the save of the tournament in the Euros. A photo France would soon like to forget.
Chaotic: While zipping through the Tour de France, a cyclist snatched a fan’s cardboard sign and stuffed it into his clothes. He did have a good reason, though.
Winning: This dynamic duo understood the assignment at the WNBA All-Star Weekend. No notes.
Pitch perfect parenting: An MLB All-Star got flak for feeding his baby on live TV. His reply? A grand slam in dad energy.
P.S. Subscribe to our Skimm Sports newsletter for more weekly highlights on and off the field.
Skimm Scripts
Q: What should I ask my aesthetic specialist during my first Dysport appointment?
Whether you're curious about injectables or ready to book, starting the convo can be intimidating. Here’s how to walk into your first consult with confidence:
Ask how Dysport smooths moderate to severe frown lines between the eyebrows — and if it aligns with your aesthetic goals.1
Ask for before-and-after examples so you know what to expect.
Find out how long it takes to see results (some patients may see them as early as 1 day after treatment, with typical results within 2-3 days).2-4†
Discuss how long results last — and if you’ll need repeat treatment. (Psst…95% of Dysport users were satisfied with only two treatments a year.)5‡
Talk through what to expect during your appointment — including what the process involves and how long it’ll take.
Curious if Dysport is right for you? Find an aesthetic specialist to learn more.
Dysport® (abobotulinumtoxinA) is a prescription injection for temporary improvement in the look of moderate to severe frown lines between the eyebrows (glabellar lines) in adults less than 65 years of age. Please read full Important Safety Information, including Distant Spread of Toxin Effect Boxed Warning, linked here.
Extra Credit
Protect
You packed the gear, filled the cooler, and planned the perfect hike. But while you’re en route to your favorite national park, the government’s proposing a 25% cut to National Park Service funding, forcing rangers to do triple-duty as pseudo EMTs, firefighters, and janitors. The fallout’s already happening with fewer rangers, trash-filled campgrounds, and signs telling hikers to “self-rescue” in case of an emergency. If we want our parks to be around for the next generation, join the fight to protect our national parks.*
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†Based on subject self-assessment. The onset of response at day 1 was 15% (16/105) in GL-1 and 33% (65/200) in GL-3. In the DREAM study, the onset of response at day 1 was 33% (66/200). The median time to onset of response was 3 days in GL-1 (55/105; 52%) and GL-2 (36/71; 51%), and 2 days in GL-3 (110/200; 55%).
‡GL-1 and GL-3 evaluated subjects for at least 150 days following treatment. Based on a ≥1-Grade GLSS improvement from baseline utilizing data from 2 double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled pivotal studies (GL-1, GL-3) in a post hoc analysis.
References:
1. Dysport prescribing information. Galderma Laboratories, LP; 2023.
2. Rubin MG, Dover J, Glogau RG, Goldberg DJ, Goldman MP, Schlessinger J. The efficacy and safety of a new U.S. Botulinum toxin type A in the retreatment of glabellar lines following open-label treatment. J Drugs Dermatol. 2009;8(5):439-444.
3. Monheit GD, Baumann L, Maas C, Rand R, Down R. Efficacy, safety, and subject satisfaction after abobotulinumtoxinA treatment for moderate to severe glabellar lines. Dermotol Surg. 2020;46(1):61-69.
4. Brandt F, Swanson N, Baumann L, Huber B. Randomized, placebo-controlled study of a new botulinum toxin type A for treatment of glabellar lines: efficacy and safety. Dermotol Surg. 2009;35(12):1893-1901.
5. Schlessinger J, Cohen JL, Shamban A, et al. A multicenter study to evaluate subject satisfaction with two treatments of AbobotulinumtoxinA a year in the glabellar lines. Dermotol Surg. 2021;47(4):504-509.
Important Safety Information
Indication: Dysport® (abobotulinumtoxinA) is a prescription injection for temporary improvement in the look of moderate to severe frown lines between the eyebrows (glabellar lines) in adults less than 65 years of age.
WARNING: DISTANT SPREAD OF TOXIN EFFECTS
What is the most important information you should know about Dysport? In some cases, the effects of Dysport and all botulinum toxin products may affect areas of the body away from the injection site. Symptoms can happen hours to weeks after injection and may include swallowing and breathing problems, loss of strength and muscle weakness all over the body, double vision, blurred vision and drooping eyelids, hoarseness or change or loss of voice, trouble saying words clearly, or loss of bladder control. Swallowing and breathing problems can be life threatening and there have been reports of death. You are at the highest risk if these problems are pre‐existing before injection. These effects could make it unsafe for you to drive a car, operate machinery, or do other dangerous activities.
Do not have Dysport treatment if you: are allergic to Dysport or any of its ingredients (see the end of the Medication Guide for a list of ingredients), are allergic to cow’s milk protein, had an allergic reaction to any other botulinum toxin product, such as Myobloc® (rimabotulinumtoxinB), Botox® (onabotulinumtoxinA), or Xeomin® (incobotulinumtoxinA), have a skin infection at the planned injection site, under 18 years of age, or are pregnant or breastfeeding.
The dose of Dysport is not the same as the dose of any other botulinum toxin product and cannot be compared to the dose of any other product you may have used.
Tell your doctor about any swallowing or breathing difficulties and all your muscle or nerve conditions such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis [ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease], myasthenia gravis, or Lambert‐Eaton syndrome, which may increase the risk of serious side effects including difficulty swallowing and difficulty breathing. Serious allergic reactions have occurred with the use of Dysport. Dry eye has also been reported.
Tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions, including if you have surgical changes to your face, very weak muscles in the treatment area, any abnormal facial change, injection site inflammation, droopy eyelids or sagging eyelid folds, deep facial scars, thick oily skin, wrinkles that can’t be smoothed by spreading them apart, or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding or planning to become pregnant or breastfeed.
Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins and herbal and other natural products. Using Dysport with certain other medicines may cause serious side effects. Do not start any new medicines while taking Dysport without talking to your doctor first.
Especially tell your doctor if you: have received any other botulinum toxin product, such as Myobloc® (rimabotulinumtoxinB), Botox® (onabotulinumtoxinA), or Xeomin® (incobotulinumtoxinA), in the last four months or any in the past (be sure your doctor knows exactly which product you received), have recently received an antibiotic by injection, take muscle relaxants, take an allergy or cold medicine, or take a sleep medicine.
Common Side Effects
The most common side effects include nose and throat irritation, injection site pain, upper respiratory infection, blood in urine, headache, injection site reaction, eyelid swelling, eyelid drooping, sinus infection, and nausea.
Ask your doctor if Dysport is right for you.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA.
Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1‐800‐FDA‐1088.
Please see Dysport Full Prescribing Information including Medication Guide at DysportUSA.com.
© 2025 Galderma Laboratories, L.P. The Dysport trademark is used under license. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
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