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Skimm for December 28th

Skimm’d after contributing to Star Wars’ success

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“‘Star Wars’ continues to be a bright, shining beacon of light” – A movie industry analyst getting emo about “Star Wars” making $1 billion at the box office. The Force is still strong with that one.

FTW?

THE STORY

There might be some good news in the fight against ISIS in Iraq. Finally.

WHAT’S THAT?

Earlier this year, ISIS said ‘mine’ to Ramadi. Hint: a key city in Iraq just 60 miles from Baghdad. This led US Defense Sec. Ash Carter to question whether Iraqi troops had their head in the game. Now, it’s looking like they’re very much back in it. Yesterday, Iraqi troops – with some airstrike help from the US-led coalition – pushed ISIS fighters out of Ramadi . Iraqi officials say it could be a couple of days before they can officially call it, but things are looking good.

theSKIMM

This could be the first big win for Iraq and the US-led coalition since ISIS went on an epic land-grabbing spree last year. Next up: Mosul. Aka Iraq’s second-largest city and ISIS HQ in the country. #Resolutions

REPEAT AFTER ME...

WHAT PEOPLE ARE TALKING ABOUT...

Chicago. Over the weekend, two black people were shot and killed by police , who were responding to a call about a domestic disturbance. Police were called in after 19-year-old Quintonio LeGrier reportedly threatened his dad with a baseball bat. LeGrier was shot and killed by police, and there have been questions over whether he suffered from mental illness. The other victim – 55-year-old Bettie Jones – was shot accidentally. This comes after video was recently released of black teen Laquan McDonald being fatally shot 16 times by Chicago police last year. That sparked protests in the city, leading the police chief to resign. Meanwhile, the Justice Department’s opened up an investigation into the Chicago PD’s use of force. Windy City woes.

WHAT TO SAY WHEN IT DRIZZLES ON YOUR BEACH VACATION...

Not complaining. Since late last week, parts of the Midwest and South have been hit hard by heavy rains, flash floods, and tornadoes. Dozens of people have been killed, including 11 people in Dallas who died when the city was hit by a group of tornadoes over the weekend. As if things haven’t been bad enough, a huge snowstorm is now moving through Texas, New Mexico, and Oklahoma. Meanwhile, parts of the UK were hit by serious flooding over the weekend. Thousands of people are being evacuated with more heavy rains expected this week. Officials say El Nino’s partly to blame for all the crazy, and this kind of weather could keep up for the next few months. Big El No-no.

WHAT TO SAY WHEN YOUR FRIEND CANCELS PLANS WITH ‘I’M NOT FEELING WELL’...

Calling your bluff. So is Peyton Manning. Over the weekend, Al Jazeera released an undercover report claiming that several big-time athletes doped, including the injured Denver Broncos QB. To which Manning said ‘liar, liar, credibility on fire.’ The report — subtly titled “The Dark Side” — claims that human growth hormone was sent to Manning’s wife while he was being treated for a neck injury in 2011. Al Jazeera cited its source as a pharmacist at the clinic that allegedly sent the HGH. It looks like that pharmacist might have actually been an unpaid intern. Oops. The former intern has since admitted that his statements were “absolutely false.” Oops he did it again. Manning’s said he’s “disgusted” by the report and is considering suing Al Jazeera. Other athletes mentioned have also deny, deny, denied the allegations.

WHAT TO SAY WHEN YOU KEEP PUTTING OFF THAT XMAS RETURNS TRIP...

At least people in Kentucky had an excuse. Over the weekend, brawls at one of KY’s largest malls forced the mall and surrounding businesses to shut down. “Brawls” meaning violent fights involving up to 2,000 people somewhere between age 13 and their early 20s. Only minor injuries were reported, and investigators still haven’t figured out what caused the Kentucky fried catfight. Authorities described it as “crazy.” Seems accurate.

THING TO KNOW

Baby boomer...as in people born around the late 40s to around the early 60s. Your mom. Even though she gets told ‘you two look like sisters’ on the reg.

Gen X...as in people born around the 60s to around the early 80s. Think your cousin with young kids.

Millennial...as in people born around the 80s to around the early 2000s who get eye-rolls for checking Instagram during family dinner. Probably you.

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*indicates Skimm’bassador. Go big.

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