November 21, 2025

What's Happening

US News

That's Miss Crash Dummy to You

What's going on: For decades, carmakers have relied on so-called “female” crash-test dummies that are 4'11" and 108 pounds — and were designed in the 1970s. The cherry on top? Carmakers haven’t even been required to use them...until now. Yesterday, the Department of Transportation (DOT) updated the rule and introduced a new crash-test dummy modeled on the average woman — THOR-05F. We wouldn’t be surprised if a man named it that. While the dummy has actually been on the market for years, it apparently took transportation regulators over four decades to realize the average woman doesn’t weigh less than 110 pounds? The DOT said the new model will “ultimately enable better assessment of brain, thorax, abdominal, pelvic, and lower leg injury risk for small female occupants.” That all sounds very important to us.

What it means: A more accurate female crash-test dummy could finally make driving safer for women. Recent research shows that women face a 73% higher risk of serious injury in the same head-on collision as men. If they’re behind the wheel or riding up front, their risk of death jumps 17%. Car companies still won’t use the new dummy in official safety tests until 2027 at the earliest — though they can start building its specs into their designs. Buckle up.

Related: How the Education Department Shake-Up Could Affect Your Student Loans (CNBC)

Work

Santa's Elves Are Struggling This Season

What's going on: Saint Nick may slide down the chimney, but he doesn’t cover the credit card bill that follows. Hundreds of thousands of Americans usually get a seasonal job to help, but that plan may not hold in 2025. The New York Times reports that many major companies are scaling back their plans to hire seasonal workers. Kroger and UPS are just a few of the big names seemingly keeping their holiday headcount low. As if getting a full-time job isn’t hard enough, the competition for a temporary role is just as stiff. (The latest jobs report says it all.) An Indeed analysis found that searches for seasonal jobs are up 27%, while postings have risen only 2.7% from last year. Everyone is getting coal.

What it means: Side gigs — even short-term ones — usually help bridge the gap on rising expenses, and for some workers, they can even lead to a permanent role. When that option dries up, the squeeze feels even tighter. Still, don’t let this news deter you if you’re looking for a side hustle. Indeed suggests widening your search: reach out to your network, browse sites built for seasonal gigs, and tap a career center for extra lift. If stability sounds better than a one-off gig, a portfolio career could make sense. And hey, asking for a raise or bonus is still free. Worst case, your boss says no. Here’s hoping our parents put cash in our stockings instead of lip balm. 

Related: How To Build a Holiday Budget You Can Use Every Year (NerdWallet)

Health

Your Doctor Would Like You To… Party More?

What's going on: Consider this the plot twist of modern medicine: Your doctor might skip the prescription pad and instead tell you to try ballroom dancing or join a book club. It’s called “social prescribing.” It steers patients toward group activities that might boost connection and ease loneliness. The practice started in the UK — where a whopping 1.3 million got social prescriptions in 2023 — but now it’s coming to the US. Some doctors collaborate with arts programs or run clubs to make referrals, hoping their social matchmaking skills will help patients lead healthier, happier lives. A doctor’s note to sit around and gossip with others? Sign us up.

What it means: While being social might be just what the doctor ordered, that can be easier said than done for introverts or anyone with social anxiety. And for some, getting a “social prescription” might feel as cringe as a doctor telling you to cut out starch (thanks but no thanks, doc). But connection — which can lead to longer and healthier lives — doesn’t need to be forced or clinical. It helps to find people with similar interests, think: a photography meet-up or cooking class. Relationships are medicine — even if they arrive on a slightly awkward doctor’s note.

Related: How Much Can That SAD Lamp Really Help You? (NYT Gift Link)

On Our Calendar

A few things to jot down today…

🗓️ President Donald Trump hosts New York Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani at the White House. 

🗓️ Thank goodness. Wicked: For Good hits theaters. 

🗓️ Miss Universe 2025 has been crowned. 

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

Know It All

Martha Stewart says this is the best time to serve Thanksgiving dinner.

Extra Credit

Act

Your utility bill isn’t going up by accident. Electricity rates have jumped 11% in 2025 — and experts say this anti-clean energy agenda is to blame. It includes blocking affordable wind and solar projects and gutting programs that keep the heat on for millions of families. The result? Higher bills, fewer options, and an even colder winter ahead. Learn more from Climate Power about how you can take action.*

Game Time

Kick your weekend off with Pile-Up Poker, a brand-new game where poker meets solitaire. Create as many poker hands as possible to earn cash and climb the leaderboard. We’re all in.