State of Affairs

What Americans really think about politics. [For the best experience, read in browser.]( September 20, 2023 It seems like the U.S. is more divided than ever, but a new survey reveals one thing Democrats and Republicans have in common: they're unhappy with politics. We’ve got [more on the political fixes Americans want to see](. Then, we’ve got [Phil Mickelson’s candid remarks about his struggle with addiction](. On the lighter side, we rounded up [the best Apple Watch bands for every occasion]( and [the humidifier that can improve your sleep](.   In the News [politician stands at a podium with hands reacting negatively]( Getty/KCM State of Affairs It's pretty disheartening to follow the budget fights and investigations dominating Washington, D.C. at the moment. Unsurprisingly, a lot of people are losing faith in the system as a result. A new report from the nonpartisan Pew Research Center has found that 65% of Americans feel exhausted when thinking about politics, while another 55% feel angry. But, all isn't lost: If the record voter turnout we saw in 2018, 2020, and 2022 is anything to go by, Americans aren’t giving up just yet. What's more, the survey reveals they have [ideas for fixing the broken system](. [READ MORE]( PASS THIS STORY ALONG: mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20this%20story%20from%20Wake-Up%20Call%21&body=https%3A%2F%2Fkatiecouric.com%2Fnews%2Fpolitics-and-policy%2Famericans-pessimistic-state-of-politics%2F   More Stories [ Danny Masterson and Bijou Phillips in profile]( Getty Images Cutting ties: Danny Masterson's wife Bijou Phillips has filed for divorce days after her husband was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison for rape. The pair, who've been married since 2011, have a nine-year-old daughter. According to the filing, Phillips, a model and actor who was in court for Masterson's sentencing, cited "irreconcilable differences" as the reason for the split and is seeking spousal support and legal fees. Paralyzed by divisions: Republican infighting is bringing the House to its knees as a small cohort of conservative rebels yesterday blocked a motion to start debating a military funding bill, and a larger group stalled an agreement on a short-term measure to avert a [government shutdown at the end of the month](. Even the bills hardline Republicans are rejecting would have little hope of success in the Democratic-led Senate — yet they're threatening to oust Speaker Kevin McCarthy if their demands aren't met. Called to action: The secretary-general of the United Nations issued a stark warning to world leaders at the opening of the General Assembly yesterday, urging heads of nations to cooperate in the face of "existential threats" like climate change and artificial intelligence. “Our world is becoming unhinged. Geopolitical tensions are rising. Global challenges are mounting. And we seem incapable of coming together to respond,” he said. "Not random": Illinois police have confirmed that the deaths of a suburban family of four on Sunday night was "not a random incident," and are investigating them as murder. The victims have been identified as Alberto Rolon, 38, Zoraida Bartolomei, 32, and their two sons, who were seven and nine years old. The family's three dogs were also killed. Their neighbor Carol Love told WBBM: “This stuff doesn’t happen here. It’s very unnerving."   In Focus [Illustration of a plate filled with red hearts, next to a knife and fork]( Getty Images What you eat plays a crucial role in how healthy your heart is — and how gracefully you age. If you don’t pay attention to your daily habits, you might be doing your cardio health a huge disservice. We chatted with a pro specializing in heart health about the science-backed tips she shares with her clients, [the cardio health supplement she swears by](, and other ideas for how to optimize your overall cardiovascular wellness. [READ MORE](   Must-Reads [Phil Mickelson with a golf club]( "It's Like a Hurricane" Golf legend Phil Mickelson gets very personal about how his struggle with gambling addiction affected his family and relationships. [Read More »]( [Woman flexing her arms and her shadow is a superhero with a billowing cape]( Know Yourself Being the life of the party is a skill that’s just as useful at the office as it is at happy hour. An expert shares tips for harnessing that power. [Read More »]( [Feet on black background with beam of light shining on the big toes]( Toe the Line Obscure problem alert: Does one of your toes stick out like, well, a sore thumb? Here’s whether you should be concerned. [Read More »](   What To Watch For [A mother and two adult sons holding hands]( Getty Images Endometrial cancer is the most common cancer of the female reproductive organs in the United States, and since it’s Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month, now is the perfect time to get educated about [the symptoms you may not realize could be signs of endometrial cancer](. We've got the scoop on what factors may increase your risk, when it's time to check in with your doctor, and what your path to diagnosis may look like. [READ MORE]( [Sponsored by Merck](   Extra Credit Slap on the wrist: Whoever said you can’t wear an Apple Watch to a wedding just hasn’t found the right band. We found [the best accessories for your wearable tech](, from sporty to sophisticated. Bite size: Is meal prepping dessert a thing? We think so. [Ina Garten’s mini cheesecake bars]( are less work than baking an entire circular version from scratch. The recipe calls for lots of chilling, meaning you can relax too! Designer discount: Looking to ball on a budget? Shopbop is marking down high-quality items, but only through today. Use [code FALL20]( to score serious savings on everything from jeans to jewelry.   Breathe Deep [3 humidifiers on purple background]( KCM Flu season is upon us, which means things are about to get dry: Dry throats, dry skin, dry coughs. Enter, the humidifier. These handy gadgets can help relieve congestion, soothe scratchy throats, and plump up parched complexions. We rounded up our top 3 picks for any budget. Best bargain: This [humidifier is under $60](, which gets you the most bang for your buck. It's portable and compact, but can still support a large bedroom and lasts up to 50 hours in one charge. Best beginner humidifier: [This bedside humidifier]( can help reduce the spread of viruses indoors, and it’s especially adept at addressing winter skin concerns. But we think the best thing about it is that its parts are dishwasher safe. Best splurge: By now, we know that Dyson's tech-forward home goods don't come cheap, but they're the definition of an investment. This [top-of-the-line pick]( is a humidifier, purifier, and cooling unit in one — it does it all.   [The Shop Edit. Love shopping as much as we do? Subscribe to our latest newsletter and you'll never miss another trend, money-saving sale, or hard-to-find gem!]( Thanks for reading Wake-Up Call and being part of our community! If you have questions or comments, drop us a line at info@katiecouric.com. See you tomorrow! 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