Get context, not just headlines. Every weekday The Excerpt brings USA TODAY's award-winning journalists from across the nation together to unpack America's most pressing stories — from politics and culture to sports and entertainment — with host Dana Taylor.
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Sep 29, 2026 · 15:20
Bad actors rarely remain on a single platform. Sean Litton, then-president and CEO of the Tech Coalition, explains how they can move between social media, gaming, messaging and…
Sep 28, 2026 · 7:51
A record number of employees are leaving ICE , even as the agency hires thousands of workers to expand enforcement operations. Ignacio Calderon, a USA TODAY data reporter, breaks…
Sep 25, 2026 · 12:41
Texas is rarely considered a political battleground, so why are Republicans spending heavily to defend it? USA TODAY Chief Political Correspondent Phillip M. Bailey explains…
Sep 24, 2026 · 14:13
From Iran and Cuba to Ukraine and NATO, President Trump's UN visit touched nearly every major foreign policy challenge facing the United States . Francesca Chambers, USA TODAY…
Sep 23, 2026 · 10:30
This fight is bigger than which reporters enter the White House . BrieAnna Frank, USA TODAY First Amendment reporting fellow, explains why fewer journalists with firsthand access…
Sep 22, 2026 · 17:06
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear joins USA TODAY Washington Bureau Chief Susan Page on The Excerpt to talk about his new book, the midterms and if he will run for president in…
Sep 21, 2026 · 11:20
A pregnant mother's struggle with untreated depression became a lasting lesson in what can happen when patients don't feel listened to . Ken Alltucker, a national correspondent…
Sep 18, 2026 · 10:58
Illinois Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton could make history if she's elected to the U.S. Senate , but her campaign is also rooted in a deeply personal family story. USA TODAY…
Sep 17, 2026 · 17:38
After an Anthropic researcher quit and warned about the risks of advanced AI, pressure is mounting on lawmakers to respond. USA TODAY Congressional Correspondent Zach Schermele…
Sep 16, 2026 · 20:34
Oprah Winfrey opens up about trusting her intuition and embracing reinvention as she promotes a new immersive event in Las Vegas April 2-4. In a wide-ranging conversation with…
Sep 15, 2026 · 19:17
Author and USA TODAY National Enterprise Editor Jeremy Redmon joins The Excerpt to discuss “Tell the Kids I Love Them,” his memoir about war, fatherhood, love and loss . Through…
Sep 14, 2026 · 12:54
HBO’s The Pitt enters Emmy night with a leading 25 nominations , but the biggest story may be what its success says about television’s future. Ralphie Aversa, USA TODAY senior…
Sep 11, 2026 · 20:17
Thomas E. Franklin, former Bergen Record photographer, reflects on September 11, 2001, recounting his journey into Ground Zero and the split-second decisions that led to one of…
Sep 10, 2026 · 16:25
Twenty-five years after the attacks, today’s students know 9/11 through history lessons rather than personal memory . Dexter Southfield Head of School Peter Folan joins USA…
Sep 9, 2026 · 17:17
Twenty-five years after 9/11, Mike Kelly, columnist for The Record of northern New Jersey and author of “After Ground Zero,” reflects on the ordinary Americans whose lives were…
Sep 8, 2026 · 11:16
In the now 25 years since the attack on 9/11, our world has drastically changed . The way we live our lives, the way we travel, the way we interact with our government, the way…
Sep 4, 2026 · 19:00
Flock cameras capture license plates and vehicle details, creating a searchable record of where cars have been seen. USA TODAY Investigative Data Reporter Austin Fast explains…
Sep 3, 2026 · 15:32
Opposition to Big Tech is creating a rare point of agreement across the political divide . USA TODAY National Reporter Christopher Cann explains why communities are resisting…
Sep 2, 2026 · 12:38
Being White House press secretary means long days, constant travel and being available almost around the clock. For parents of young children, those demands can come with a high…
Sep 1, 2026 · 12:59
The end of Temporary Protected Status for many Haitian immigrants has transformed Miami's Little Haiti . Businesses are quieter and churches are emptier, while many families…
Aug 31, 2026 · 11:05
Democrats sharply criticized President Donald Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Act. But many are now championing one of its biggest health care investments: a $50 billion Rural…
Aug 28, 2026 · 8:40
We’re now six months into the US-Israeli War in Iran , a war with seemingly no end in sight. It’s cost American taxpayers tens of billions of dollars and the lives of 18…
Aug 27, 2026 · 20:48
Dolly Parton was more than a country music legend . She was a songwriter, storyteller, philanthropist and cultural force whose work helped people feel seen. From timeless songs…
Aug 26, 2026 · 9:58
For months, sailors aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln remained at sea as their expected return home was pushed further and further back . Their families watched graduations,…
Aug 25, 2026 · 13:10
At Camp Simcha in New York’s Catskill Mountains, children with cancer, chronic illnesses and complex disabilities receive round-the-clock medical care while swimming, climbing,…
Aug 24, 2026 · 11:21
For years, Republicans have had a lock on those who base their vote on their religious preferences and values, something that has only grown with the rise of the evangelical…
Aug 21, 2026 · 16:52
Picture this: A software engineer logs onto Zoom for a coding interview. No interviewer ever shows up. Another job seeker has sent out roughly 5,000 applications to no avail. And…
Aug 20, 2026 · 11:33
Content creator wasn't a career path most colleges considered a generation ago. Today, it's one of the fastest growing ambitions among young people. Arizona State University is…
Aug 19, 2026 · 14:46
Nearly six months into the war with Iran, Republicans are growing increasingly anxious about what the conflict could mean for the midterms . Rising gas prices and broader…
Aug 18, 2026 · 16:51
Despite a major setback earlier this year when the Supreme Court ruled against his use of emergency authority in enacting tariffs back in April 2025 on what he called “Liberation…
Aug 17, 2026 · 11:22
The DNC is doubling down on South Carolina as the first state in its presidential primary calendar , a decision that could reshape the race for the 2028 Democratic nomination.…
Aug 14, 2026 · 14:10
A Wyoming coal town facing an uncertain future has become the testing ground for a novel nuclear power plant backed by Bill Gates and Warren Buffett . Supporters view the…
Aug 13, 2026 · 14:29
When Vermont’s Sterling College shut down, it brought into focus a growing crisis for higher education in rural America. With hundreds of small private colleges facing severe…
Aug 12, 2026 · 15:00
"Looksmaxxing" has exploded online as young men pursue physical perfection – from chiseled jawlines to extreme body alterations. But from "softmaxxing" skincare to risky DIY…
Aug 11, 2026 · 10:18
With less than 90 days before the midterms, the Trump administration is asking the Supreme Court to let it move forward with an untested system that would give the U.S. Postal…
Aug 10, 2026 · 9:42
The wildfires burning in Spokane, Washington are a wake-up call to many, especially in the western United States. Recent deadly fires in Paradise, Marshall, Lahaina and Los…
Aug 7, 2026 · 14:38
Before the crowdfunding giant Kickstarter hired a 33-year-old CEO in the fall of 2022, revenue had been falling…. as much as 20 percent earlier that year. Since then, the company…
Aug 6, 2026 · 11:05
In a nail-biter Democratic senate primary in Michigan, progressive insurgent Abdul El-Sayed defeated establishment candidate Representative Haley Stevens , a four-term centrist…
Aug 5, 2026 · 15:26
The Colorado River supplies water to one in 10 Americans and supports farms that produce about 15% of the nation’s food. After the seven states that rely on it failed to agree on…
Aug 4, 2026 · 18:13
We’ve seen some Republican lawmakers break with President Donald Trump on key votes, foreign policy and economic strategy. But do these isolated disputes point to a true…
Aug 3, 2026 · 11:07
The Trump administration has changed how some asylum applications are handled , allowing certain cases to be sent directly to immigration court without first going through an…
Jul 31, 2026 · 11:58
At more 5,500 miles, the U.S.-Canada border is the longest international border in the world. As a new bridge opens between Detroit and Canada amid rising trade tensions, USA…
Jul 30, 2026 · 10:11
Millions of young adults are not working, not in school and not in training. A new RAND report looks at why so many 18-24-year-olds are disconnected from the paths that usually…
Jul 29, 2026 · 14:51
Most people are familiar with hospice, a compassionate, holistic approach to caring for someone who is terminally ill and has no chance of recovery. But did you know there’s also…
Jul 28, 2026 · 16:40
Biological weapons are illegal, but the threat of an intentional release or catastrophic lab accident remains. Investigative journalist and best-selling author Annie Jacobsen…
Jul 27, 2026 · 13:18
AI is increasingly shaping decisions about health care, employment, prices and other parts of everyday life. But while the European Union has adopted a sweeping regulatory…
Jul 24, 2026 · 15:48
Elon Musk becoming the world's first trillionaire is the kind of milestone that says something about making it in America. After all, this is a country that has long celebrated…
Jul 23, 2026 · 14:33
The human and financial costs of the U.S. war in Iran continue to rise as the number of service members killed rises to at least 18 and President Donald Trump seeks an additional…
Jul 22, 2026 · 13:47
The unemployment rate fell in June, but beneath that encouraging headline are signs that the U.S. job market may be losing momentum . Employers added just 57,000 jobs, previous…
Jul 21, 2026 · 12:01
President Donald Trump built his political coalition with overwhelming support from white working-class and rural voters. But rising grocery prices, health care costs, tariffs…
Jul 20, 2026 · 12:19
The question of whether college is worth it has gotten more complicated as costs rise and students weigh other paths after high school. USA TODAY Personal Finance Reporter Daniel…
Jul 17, 2026 · 20:34
Antisemitism is spiking in the U.S. and around the world . Will Carless, USA TODAY national correspondent and host of Extremely Normal, talks to two experts about hatred against…
Jul 16, 2026 · 20:53
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche may be one of the most divisive nominees President Donald Trump has nominated in recent weeks and his fingerprints are on some of the…
Jul 15, 2026 · 10:39
A completed, unpublished Dr. Seuss manuscript was recently discovered in author Theodor Geisel’s archives at UC San Diego. How was the book found, and what does it reveal about…
Jul 14, 2026 · 10:45
The Democratic Party’s left wing is no longer knocking on the door—it’s kicking it in . The same energy that helped elect Zohran Mamdani has fueled a string of insurgent…
Jul 13, 2026 · 9:44
An historic El Niño is forming in the Pacific that could cause catastrophic weather around the world. Add to that the hurricanes, fires and floods that have created disaster…
Jul 10, 2026 · 17:24
Who will be the Democratic presidential nominee in 2028? What will the price of gold be at the end of the week? Who will win the World Cup? All of these are relatively benign…
Jul 9, 2026 · 12:25
Crafting is having a moment. From knitting and crochet to embroidery and quilting, more people — especially younger adults — are picking up hands-on hobbies. But this trend isn’t…
Jul 8, 2026 · 15:39
With climate change, the threat of wildfires, and human encroachment among other things, our trees and forests are in desperate need of guardians. From tropical rainforests,…
Jul 7, 2026 · 17:40
It’s the worst-cast scenario no one wants to talk about: what happens if America's nuclear missile silos are attacked? The Minuteman III is a powerful intercontinental ballistic…
Jul 6, 2026 · 11:30
A large-scale and delicate system of ocean currents that has been active for millions of years and that’s responsible for our warm climate is in danger of collapse due to climate…
Jul 3, 2026 · 20:46
To mark the 250th anniversary of the United States , USA TODAY sent reporters out on the road, and into history, to follow the journeys that built America – from the Underground…
Jul 2, 2026 · 22:05
There’s no shortage of news coming from Washington these days: The war in Iran, disputes between the president and Congress over legislation such as the bipartisan housing bill…
Jul 1, 2026 · 13:17
Another Supreme Court term has wrapped with major rulings that reshape key national debates. The court upheld birthright citizenship , rejecting a central push from President…
Jun 30, 2026 · 17:44
It’s being called the wedding of the century! Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are getting married , and it looks like it’s going to be big! New York City, Madison Square Garden BIG…
Jun 29, 2026 · 11:06
A bipartisan group of secretaries of state is warning that the federal government may no longer be a reliable hub for election threat information , according to an internal memo…
Jun 26, 2026 · 11:21
The Supreme Court has ended a humanitarian program that let many Haitian and Syrian immigrants stay in the United States temporarily , a decision that could upend the lives of…
Jun 25, 2026 · 14:49
Americans are stretched thin and you probably know why: Housing. It’s become increasingly, persistently unaffordable, and for many, simply out of reach. Americans are moving…
Jun 24, 2026 · 15:17
President Donald Trump is testing his own party’s patience on Capitol Hill. Last week, he told Senate Republicans to cancel a major confirmation hearing, complicating their…
Jun 23, 2026 · 16:46
In “The God Test,” Robert Wright argues that the real challenge of AI isn’t just building smarter machines—it’s deciding whether we can evolve, morally and politically, fast…
Jun 22, 2026 · 14:43
BookTok helped readers find community online. Now, some fans are taking that connection into the real world through literary tourism. USA TODAY Books Reporter Clare Mulroy joins…
Jun 19, 2026 · 14:38
Foreign and national dignitaries, former presidents, acclaimed musicians and actors, friends, neighbors and family joined Former First Lady Michelle Obama and President Barack…
Jun 18, 2026 · 16:04
President Donald Trump wrapped up his attendance at the G7 yesterday, sharing news of a 14-point agreement with Iran. Does this realistically signal the end to the war in Iran?…
Jun 17, 2026 · 15:26
As concerns grow over children’s mental health, addictive algorithms and age-inappropriate content online, governments around the world are considering tougher rules for social…
Jun 16, 2026 · 15:49
America spends a lot of time talking about age in politics: how old is too old to lead, whether younger candidates are getting shut out, and if members of Congress should have…
Jun 15, 2026 · 16:03
From immigration to elections, ballrooms to tax immunity, much of President Donald Trump’s second term agenda is mired in the courts . While a Republican-controlled Congress has…
Jun 12, 2026 · 16:15
PCBs, or polychlorinated biphenyls, were built to last. So, beginning in the late 1920’s billions of pounds of it were produced across the country for use in construction…
Jun 11, 2026 · 10:06
What’s it like to party not TILL but AT the break of dawn? In an era when so many interactions happen through screens, a growing number of people have become more intentional…
Jun 10, 2026 · 15:26
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is here , and it is unlike anything the sport has staged before. Spanning three countries and expanding in size, this tournament will redefine what a…
Jun 9, 2026 · 12:09
Among the Republicans running for governor of politically competitive states in 2026 are people like Arizona Rep. Andy Biggs, Georgia Lt. Gov. Burt Jones and U.S. Representative…
Jun 8, 2026 · 14:29
For over 50 years, CBS’ legendary “60 Minutes” has been a stalwart of the investigative reporting tradition. But a recent shakeup to leadership and on-air talent may put that…
Jun 5, 2026 · 15:43
Music documentaries are a major part of the festival circuit, but this year at Tribeca, they’re becoming something bigger : live events, legacy projects and cinematic extensions…
Jun 4, 2026 · 17:35
Melinda French Gates is one of the biggest donors to women’s health through Pivotal, her foundation. Now she’s investing another $215 million to improve women’s health. This…
Jun 3, 2026 · 16:23
The United States is marking its 250th anniversary at a moment of deep division over politics, rights, power and who belongs in the nation’s story . Steven Olikara, founder and…
Jun 2, 2026 · 11:03
In a surprise move, the Trump administration announced that it was retreating from a $1.776 billion-dollar Anti-Weaponization Fund that would have been established as part of a…
Jun 1, 2026 · 19:48
In the prologue of “All We Say: The Battle for American Identity” author Ben Rhodes asks two questions that get right to the heart of this battle. What does it mean to be an…
May 29, 2026 · 17:20
As Democrats turn the page on 2024, a new high-stakes fight is underway over which states will kick off the 2028 presidential primaries . Twelve states made their pitches to the…
May 28, 2026 · 14:09
On May 16, the World Health Organization called the Ebola outbreaks in eastern Congo and Uganda a global health emergency. So far, there have been more than 900 suspected cases…
May 27, 2026 · 14:08
A significant change to the green card application process announced last week could upend the lives of hundreds of thousands of people in America. The change, released by the US…
May 26, 2026 · 14:07
Millions of children in the U.S. live with grandparents, aunts, uncles and other relatives, often after a family crisis. But many kinship families take in children with little…
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