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A leaked Trump administration plan to end Russia’s war in Ukraine https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/11/25/ukraine-peace-plan-us-russia/87461645007/ has triggered debate among U.S. allies and sharp pushback from Kyiv. As negotiations continue in Moscow and European capitals, critics say the revised proposal still favors Kremlin demands and risks locking in territorial losses for Ukraine. USA TODAY White House correspondent Francesca Chambers explains what’s changed in the peace plan, where talks stand and whether either side is any closer to a deal. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
There have been 21 U.S. military strikes against Venezuelan vessels https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/12/01/why-trump-venezuela-us/87551239007/ since September, with a total of 83 casualties, all without Congressional approval or oversight. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump has recently cautioned airlines to avoid Venezuelan airspace, encouraged Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to flee and said land strikes could “start very soon.” Is all of this really about combatting the drug trade or could the primary motivation even be more simply to get rid of Maduro? USA TODAY Domestic Security Correspondent Josh Meyer joins The Excerpt to break down this fast-evolving and complex story. Let us know what you think of this episode by sending an email to podcasts@usatoday.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The Trump administration has begun carving up the Education Department https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/11/22/president-trump-education-department-dismantling/87351880007/, signing six new agreements that shift major K-12 and higher ed programs to other federal agencies. USA TODAY Congress reporter Zach Schermele explains why these moves are happening now, how they build on a Supreme Court decision that allowed an earlier transfer to the Labor Department and what’s at stake for school districts that rely on Title I funding and federal oversight. He also breaks down concerns around special education, the future of student loan services, and whether these changes could widen disparities the department was created to fix. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
After less than a year, the Department of Government Efficiency, better known as DOGE, is done https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/11/23/donald-trump-elon-musk-doge/87434764007/. The controversial cost-cutting initiative was initially led by the equally controversial tech billionaire Elon Musk. Did DOGE succeed in what it set out to do? While much has been made of the steep cuts in the number of federal employees, there was also what Musk called a mandate from President Donald Trump to “delete the mountain” of government regulations and remake the government with AI. USA TODAY Politics Reporter Kathryn Palmer joins USA TODAY’s The Excerpt to dive into all things DOGE. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Since its inception back in 2001, Wikipedia has become a trusted source for information. The online encyclopedia took hold despite initially being a punchline for late-night talk show hosts like Stephen Colbert. But nearly 25 years on, its founder has gotten the last laugh all while teaching the world about trust. The engine of the world’s largest encyclopedia runs on the work of volunteers. And at its helm is Jimmy Wales, the Wikipedia founder, who joins USA TODAY’s The Excerpt to share insights from his new book, “The Seven Rules of Trust,” on bookshelves now. Have feedback on the show? Please send us an email at podcasts@usatoday.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
In 1960, 26-year-old Jane Goodall arrived with her mother at Gombe Stream Chimpanzee Reserve in western Tanzania. What followed was truly a story for the ages. Her work transformed how humans interact with and understand the natural world. Dr. Jane Goodall passed away last month at the age of 91. Dr. Goodall will be remembered as an ethologist and conservationist whose life and work not only made an indelible mark on our understanding of chimpanzees and other species, but also of humankind and the environments we all share. Author Douglas Abrams, who co-wrote “The Book of Hope” with Jane Goodall, joins USA TODAY’s The Excerpt to discuss her legacy of hope. Have feedback on the show? Please send us an email at podcasts@usatoday.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
On Monday, a judge ordered that charges against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James, both targets of President Donald Trump, be dismissed https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/11/24/james-comey-letitia-james-indictments-dismissed-trump/87449991007/. What led to both cases being tossed, and where does the Justice Department go from here? USA TODAY National News reporter Aysha Bagchi joins USA TODAY’s The Excerpt to break down the charges, the dismissals and the response from the Trump administration. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
A woman told USA TODAY that nearly a year ago she walked into the OBGYN's office in Fort Hood https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/11/20/texas-army-obgyn-sexual-abuse-lawsuit/87246162007/, an Army base in Texas, because she wasn't sure what to take for her sinus infection during her pregnancy. She said that the doctor, Major Blaine McGraw, then sexually abused her. She said that when she told him to stop, he laughed. The woman is one of more than 1,400 patients of Major McGraw’s who the Army says it has contacted in a snowballing investigation alleging sexual exploitation. USA TODAY National Security Reporter Cybele Mayes-Osterman joins USA TODAY’s The Excerpt for more on this disturbing story. Have feedback on the show? Please send us an email at podcasts@usatoday.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
In states like Texas, California, Kansas and beyond, politicians are fighting to redraw congressional maps that could shape power in America for years to come. The question many are asking is whether 2025’s redistricting efforts are about upholding democracy or diluting representation? USA TODAY Chief Political Correspondent Phillip M. Bailey and USA TODAY Politics Reporter Kathryn Palmer join The Excerpt to hash out what the implications are for the 2026 midterm elections. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Former Vice President Dick Cheney was remembered this week at a Washington memorial as a defining figure in modern Republican politics. USA TODAY Washington bureau chief Susan Page breaks down his complicated legacy, from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars to the rise of the MAGA movement. She explains Cheney’s push to expand executive power, the backlash over enhanced interrogation, and why Cheney ultimately endorsed Kamala Harris over Donald Trump. Have feedback on the show? Please send us an email at podcasts@usatoday.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
A USA TODAY exclusive investigation found thousands of in-custody deaths https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/investigations/2025/11/20/sepsis-deaths-lawsuits-prisons-jails-infection-investigation/85755243007 that could have been easily prevented. USA TODAY Investigative Data Reporter Austin Fast explains what the records reveal about sepsis, medical neglect and the human cost for families left behind. He shares stories from jails and prisons across the country, including people who died waiting for basic care and inmates who feared punishment for asking for help. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Before a Supreme Court ruling in 2018 opened the flood gates to legalized sports betting across the country, the proposition bet or prop bet – picking one statistic in a game to place a wager on that has nothing to do with the game’s outcome - wasn’t a big factor in online sports betting. Now it’s ubiquitous https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2025/11/10/mlb-betting-scandal-timeline-cleveland-guardians-emmanuel-clase-luis-ortiz/87196123007/, causing a huge headache for leagues and making fans question the integrity of the games. USA TODAY Sports Reporter Steve Gardner joins The Excerpt to explain. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
If the meteoric rise of New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani illustrates one thing, it’s this: affordability, or a lack thereof, has energized young voters. But that’s not the only term voters and politicians are buzzing about. Mamdani is also a member of the Democratic Socialists of America https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/11/15/zohran-mamdani-victory-nyc-democratic-socialism/87231501007/. What does that even mean in 2025? USA TODAY Chief Political Correspondent Phillip M. Bailey joins The Excerpt for more on all things Mamdani and what it might mean for the party that lost control of all three branches of government in the 2024 elections. Have feedback on the show? Please send us an email at podcasts@usatoday.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The Epstein files are back in the news, with fresh speculation about how deep President Donald Trump’s involvement goes. A new trove of 20,000 pages released last week has everyone talking about how much Trump knew and when did he know it? Cue the coming House vote on releasing the full batch of documents that has been supposedly sitting on US Attorney General Pam Bondi’s desk since she took office. What has this latest batch of Epstein documents https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/11/13/donald-trump-jeffrey-epstein-congress-emails-live-updates/87245782007/ reveal? And what are the chances that we’ll see even more before the year is out? USA TODAY White House Correspondent Bart Jansen joins The Excerpt to discuss the fallout. Have feedback on the show? Please send us an email at podcasts@usatoday.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Teenagers are increasingly using AI chatbots for friendship, emotional support, and even romance. When 14-year-old Soul Setzer III formed an intense bond with a character on Character AI, his mother didn’t know what was happening until it was too late. USA TODAY Wellness Reporter Alyssa Goldberg walks us through the lawsuit, the platform’s design, what her own testing revealed and new research showing how widespread — and risky — AI relationships have become for minors https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/health-wellness/2025/10/20/character-ai-chatbot-relationships-teenagers/86745562007/. https://988lifeline.org/ Have feedback on the show? Please send us an email at podcasts@usatoday.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
In honor of World Kindness Day — we’ve partnered with the Humankind team at USA TODAY for a deeper exploration on the topic of compassion. What drives us to carry out acts of kindness for total strangers https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/humankind/2025/11/10/big-hearts-create-small-moments-of-magic-in-world-kindness-week/87198997007/ and how can we actively cultivate this selflessness as a society? Abigail Marsh, Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience at Georgetown University, joins The Excerpt to talk about empathy and altruism — why we help, even when it costs us. Have feedback on the show? Please send us an email at podcasts@usatoday.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Nobody seems to have gotten everything they wanted out of the longest shutdown in U.S. history https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/11/12/shutdown-live-blog-updates-house-vote-end/87104879007/. Not the Democrats. Not the Republicans. And definitely not the American people whose healthcare premiums https://www.usatoday.com/story/graphics/2025/11/10/end-of-aca-insurance-tax-credits-could-hurt-you/87194065007/ are set to dramatically rise in 2026, whose SNAP benefits https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/11/10/federal-judge-snap-recipients-state-provided-benefits/87194473007/ aren't yet fully funded and whose air travel has been greatly disrupted. Was it worth it? USA TODAY Congress reporter Zach Schermele joins The Excerpt to talk through the fallout. Have feedback on the show? Please send us an email at podcasts@usatoday.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
College football season this year is…. different. How so, you ask? It’s not just the breakout success of Indiana’s Hoosiers and the crushing disappointment of Penn State, although those are both noteworthy developments. It’s the golden parachutes https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2025/10/31/college-football-coach-buyout-tracker-counter-how-much-schools-spending-fired-coaches-millions/86671970007/ being doled out to bad coaches from public schools. Some of the biggest parachutes we’ve so far include Penn State’s payout to coach James Franklin to the tune of $49 million dollars. We also have another big payout to Brian Kelly at LSU. So far across the country, we’re looking at millions in go-away payouts for failing college football coaches from public colleges, colleges where many students continue to take on exorbitant debt to earn a degree. Is this okay? USA TODAY Senior National College Football Writer Matt Hayes and USA TODAY Sports Project Reporter Steve “Berk” Berkowitz join USA TODAY’s The Excerpt to dig into all of it. Have feedback on the show? Please send us an email at podcasts@usatoday.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
After record highs in 2024, border crossings have collapsed. ICE raids, deportations and new asylum limits are now driving a wave of reverse migration https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/politics/immigration/2025/10/29/reverse-migration-mexico/86066649007/. Arizona Republic Immigration Reporter Daniel González shares what he saw in Mexico and Panama — and what comes next. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
It wasn’t so long ago that America’s fisheries were in a state of collapse, with cratering fish stocks and well-meaning but impractical government regulations threatening the livelihoods of 1.6 million people and a $180 billion dollar industry. But then, an unlikely alliance of environmental activists and commercial fishermen kind of miraculously turned things around https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/11/07/fishermen-activists-join-forces-crazy-fish-tale/87122579007/, leaving the nation’s four million square miles of fishing grounds healthier -- and more profitable -- than they’ve been in decades. Buddy Guindon, a commercial fisherman on the Texas Gulf Coast, and Scott Hickman, a charter fisherman who once saw Buddy and his ilk as ruthless competitors for ever-more-elusive fish join The Excerpt to share their stories. Have feedback on the show? Please send us an email at podcasts@usatoday.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
By imposing sweeping tariffs on foreign imports, President Donald Trump has turned US trade policy on its head. The question now before the Supreme Court https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/11/05/supreme-court-trump-tariffs-live-updates/87085415007/ is whether the president has the legal authority to increase tariffs without explicit congressional approval. Last month, President Trump said he might attend yesterday’s Supreme Court arguments in the case. He did not, but his statement underscores his investment here. Should he lose, the U.S. will have to return billions of dollars already collected, a logistical nightmare. USA TODAY Supreme Court Correspondent Maureen Groppe joins The Excerpt to discuss yesterday’s oral arguments in the case. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Zohran Mamdani’s victory in the Nov. 4 election https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/11/05/mamdani-new-york-mayor/87069843007/ not only makes him the leader of the Big Apple; It also turns him, for better or worse, into one of the most high-profile Democrats in the country. New York mayors always command national attention because of their role running America’s biggest city. Mamdani won’t take office until January. But for months, his face has been splashed across Americans’ television screens and news feeds. He’s the mayor-elect of New York. Will he also be America’s mayor? USA TODAY National Correspondent Michael Collins joins The Excerpt to explain. Have feedback on the show? Please send us an email at podcasts@usatoday.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program — or SNAP — feeds 42 million Americans. But during the ongoing government shutdown, it’s been caught in the political crossfire. USA TODAY Senior National Reporter Sarah D. Wire explains how states are scrambling to keep benefits flowing, what the Trump administration’s new work rules mean for recipients and how food banks are bracing for a surge in demand. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
On July 4th 2026, America will celebrate its 250th birthday. The United States is the world’s oldest and still-evolving experiment in democracy. From a political perspective, how have the last 250 years shaped the way this nation governs itself? And how have we, the governed, evolved in how we see ourselves? USA TODAY Washington Bureau Chief Susan Page, a journalist who has had the privilege of interviewing ten presidents out of a total of just 45 over the course of her career, joins The Excerpt to share her thoughts on this noteworthy occasion. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
True crime, horror movies, even haunted houses — psychologist Coltan Scrivner says they all tap into a survival instinct. He explains how morbid curiosity evolved to help humans face threats and why those drawn to darkness might be more compassionate than we think. Have feedback on the show? Please send us an email at podcasts@usatoday.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
At 28, Malala Yousafzai’s life so far has been anything but ordinary. When she was just 15, she was shot by the Taliban on her way to school, targeted for advocating for girls’ rights to education. At 17, she became the youngest person ever to win the Nobel Peace Prize, opening schools and speaking around the world with the Malala Fund. Now Malala is sharing a different side of herself in a new memoir, “Finding My Way.” USA TODAY Books Editor Clare Mulroy sat down with Malala to talk about her new memoir and how she feels about embracing her more ordinary self. Have feedback on the show? Please send us an email at podcasts@usatoday.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
It has been 29 days since the federal government entered a shutdown, now just a week away from this becoming the longest government shutdown in US history. As the government has ground to a halt, millions of Americans face financial uncertainty while essential services tied to food assistance, heating, and healthcare hang in the balance. What will it take to reopen the government? USA TODAY Congress Reporter Zach Schermele joins The Excerpt to break down where we are with it all. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The stock market is surging again, led by a handful of tech giants betting big on artificial intelligence. But is this genuine growth or déjà vu from the dot-com era? USA TODAY personal finance reporter Daniel de Visé joins host Dana Taylor to examine what’s driving record highs on Wall Street, why the “Magnificent Seven” stocks wield so much influence, and what warning signs analysts are watching. From inflated valuations to money-market hedges, this episode unpacks whether AI optimism is fueling the next great bubble and how everyday investors can prepare. Have feedback on the show? Please send us an email at podcasts@usatoday.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
What do you get when you mix the NBA with the Italian mafia and then add in some poker? Perhaps one of the most explosive gambling scandals https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/2025/10/24/inside-the-nba-reaction-gambling-scandal/86876564007/ the sports world has ever seen. Over thirty people have now been indicted according to U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella, Jr. as part of two investigations known as Operation Royal Flush and Operation Nothing But Net. Beginning as early as 2019, defendants in the case are accused of using wireless cheating technology to run rigged poker games in places like the Hamptons, Miami, Las Vegas and Manhattan. How did defendants allegedly pull it off? USA TODAY Sports Reporter Mark Giannotto joins The Excerpt to unpack this muti-layered story. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Who doesn’t like a weekend getaway? A nice hotel room, spa treatments, room service, sure – but a cabin with strangers? Adult sleepaway camps are having a moment https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/health-wellness/2025/10/06/adult-sleepaway-camp-all-inclusive-women-only/86425567007/, but what’s driving the boom? These retreats promise connection in a time when many adults feel lonelier than ever. Are adult sleepaway camps a good way to make genuine connections or are they just a bit of fun? USA TODAY Mental Health reporting fellow Rachel Hale packed a bag and set off for luxury camp Camp Social, where the tagline is “99% arrive solo, 100% leave as friends.” She joins USA TODAY’s The Excerpt to share her experience as an adult camper. Have feedback on the show? Please send us an email at podcasts@usatoday.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
