The Excerpt
Episodes
Pope Francis' funeral to be held on Saturday
22 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The world continues to react to the death of Pope Francis. His funeral is set for Saturday in Vatican City. Plus, what do American Catholics want from...
BONUS | Opinion: Are Democrats disappointing you?
21 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We asked: Why did Democrats lose in November? Does the Democratic Party need to transition ideologically? Forum is a series from USA TODAY's Opinion t...
Pope Francis dead at 88
21 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Tennessean Religion Reporter Liam Adams discusses the life and legacy of Pope Francis.Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth shared Yemen attack plans with hi...
"Funny Because It's True" - New book reveals the beginnings of The Onion
20 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
If you haven’t heard of The Onion, a satirical news publication, you’ve no doubt come across the many memes and parodies inspired by its style. Th...
Kilmar Abrego Garcia tells senator of traumatizing stay in El Salvador prison
19 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Kilmar Abrego Garcia said he's been traumatized by his experience in Salvadoran custody. Plus, an ambiguous Supreme Court ruling may have invited the ...
Sen. Chris Van Hollen meets with Kilmar Abrego Garcia
18 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Sen. Chris Van Hollen met Thursday with Kilmar Abrego Garcia. But the wrongly deported Maryland man remains in custody.The U.S. will abandon Ukraine p...
SPECIAL | Is adding more nuclear power the solution to our growing energy needs?
17 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
While President Donald Trump seems intent on doing everything he can to revive the coal industry, nuclear energy appears to be enjoying a resurgence i...
IRS may revoke Harvard's tax-exempt status
17 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The IRS may revoke Harvard's tax-exempt status, following Trump threats.Sen. Chris Van Hollen demanded Wednesday that Salvadoran President Nayib Bukel...
SPECIAL | Is your genetic data secure?
16 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The recent bankruptcy of genetic testing firm 23andMe has raised alarm bells for privacy advocates and consumers worried about their personal informat...
Judge admonishes U.S. for failing to return Maryland man wrongly deported to El Salvador
16 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A judge Tuesday reprimanded the government for failing to return a Maryland man wrongly deported to El Salvador.USA TODAY White House Correspondent Fr...
Wrongly deported man not leaving El Salvador prison, Bukele says
15 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
El Salvador's president says a wrongly deported man is not leaving a Salvadoran prison.USA TODAY Money and Personal Finance Reporter Medora Lee discus...
BONUS | Opinion: Is President Trump using executive orders effectively?
14 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We asked: What do you think of President Donald Trump's use of executive orders - and the use of them by presidents in general? Forum is new series fr...
Authorities arrest suspect after fire at Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro's home
14 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A suspect is in custody after a suspected arson attempt on the home of Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro.USA TODAY White House Reporter Zac Anderson look...
Research team discovers new life flourishing under an ice shelf
13 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On a recent expedition to Antarctica, researchers made a startling discovery after part of a huge ice sheet broke off. In the frigid waters originally...
Judge demands daily updates on return plan for man wrongly deported
12 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The case of a Maryland man accidentally deported to a notorious El Salvador prison has galvanized public attention. Gabrielle Banks, an editor on USA ...
Supreme Court says US must begin process to release man deported to El Salvador
11 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Supreme Court has ordered the Trump administration to begin the process of releasing Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a man mistakenly deported to El Salvado...
SPECIAL | You're not crazy. Allergy season really is getting worse
10 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It’s allergy season and that means sneezing, coughing and itchy eyes for many. If you’ve wondered if your allergies are getting worse, you’re no...
Stocks soar as Trump pauses most tariffs
10 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
USA TODAY Money Editor Charisse Jones takes a look at the market response to President Donald Trump's move pausing reciprocal tariffs for most countri...
SPECIAL | The dream of quantum computing is closer than ever
09 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Microsoft says it has created a new state of matter to power quantum computers - one that’s neither liquid, solid nor gas. It’s the latest major a...
Trump's 'reciprocal' tariffs take effect
09 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
President Donald Trump's latest tariffs take effect Wednesday.USA TODAY Justice Department Correspondent Aysha Bagchi discusses the Supreme Court's mo...
Coming Soon: Untested
08 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
He terrorized women. He slipped through the cracks. But one detective refused to give up. Untested, an exclusive true crime podcast series from WITNES...
Trump Administration can resume some deportations under Alien Enemies Act
08 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A Supreme Court ruling will allow the Trump administration to resume the deportation of certain immigrants.The U.S. stock market had a turbulent day a...
BONUS | Opinion: Hearing differing perspectives with Forum
07 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
People are passionate about their views, and we'll continue to bring you that pulse from readers and listeners like you. Today you’ll hear from Seni...
Trump defends tariffs amid market mayhem
07 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What's next for the market response to tariffs?USA TODAY Justice Department Correspondent Aysha Bagchi discusses why Trump's moves to punish law firms...
For many U.S. immigrants, legal status is suddenly out of reach
06 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Among the nation's nearly 14 million estimated unauthorized immigrants, more than two million didn't sneak over the border or overstay a visa but rath...
Judge orders US to bring deported Maryland man back from El Salvador prison
05 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
USA TODAY White House Correspondent Michael Collins discusses a judge's decision to order a deported man sent back to the United States.Stocks plunge ...
Major stock indexes have worst day in years
04 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
USA TODAY Money and Personal Finance Reporter Medora Lee takes a look at a historically bad day for the markets.The Trump administration gives states ...
SPECIAL | Space junk: the impact of global warming on satellites
03 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What happens when today’s treasure – satellites that give us access to broadband internet and accurate weather forecasts among other things – be...
Trump announces 10% tariff on all imports
03 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
USA TODAY White House Correspondent Francesca Chambers takes a look at President Donald Trump's Wednesday tariff announcement.51 senators voted to end...
SPECIAL | “Bourdain” author shares her story in new memoir
02 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Women in the culinary world have long fought to be heard, respected and given full credit for their contributions. With a career spent both cooking an...
Democrats win Wisconsin, Republican margins sag in Florida
02 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A liberal won Wisconsin's Supreme Court election Tuesday, while two Florida Republicans won their special elections to fill U.S. House vacancies.USA T...
Trump’s biggest round of tariffs is coming
01 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
USA TODAY White House Correspondent Joey Garrison has the latest ahead of Wednesday's expected tariff announcement from President Donald Trump.Republi...
BONUS | Opinion: Does our country's low birth rate concern you?
31 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We asked: Do you agree with Millennials and Gen Zers who are waiting longer to have kids - or deciding not to have them at all? Could anything help to...
Trump says 'there will be bombing' if Iran does not make nuclear deal
31 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
President Donald Trump, in an interview with NBC News, said 'there will be bombing' if Iran does not come to an agreement with the U.S. over its nucle...
Taxes are different this year: what filers should know
30 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Tax season is in full swing and there are a few changes this year. Not only has President Donald Trump proposed several substantive and not-so-substan...
Trump administration moves to fire remaining USAID staff
29 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Over the next three months, the State Department is set to assume USAID’s remaining "life-saving and strategic aid programming," according to an int...
Trump withdraws Stefanik's nomination as UN ambassador
28 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
USA TODAY Congress Reporter Riley Beggin takes a closer look at President Donald Trump's withdrawal of Rep. Elise Stefanik's nomination as UN ambassad...
SPECIAL | How bowel frequency impacts your health
27 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We eat for a variety of reasons, most importantly to sustain life. Unsurprisingly, the decisions we make about what we consume can have a huge impact ...
Trump announces 25% auto tariffs
27 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
President Donald Trump has announced new tariffs - this time on automobiles.USA TODAY Supreme Court Correspondent Maureen Groppe breaks down a busy we...
SPECIAL | Is education in America fair and balanced for all kids?
26 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Are schools providing the best education possible for all their students? This episode's guest argues that the U.S. school system is where children ar...
Democrats grill Trump officials over Signal leak
26 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
USA TODAY Congress Reporter Savannah Kuchar discusses the reaction on Capitol Hill following a report that secret plans for U.S. airstrikes were discu...
Trump officials shared secret war plans in chat that included journalist
25 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
USA TODAY Domestic Security Correspondent Josh Meyer breaks down what happened when officials shared detailed secret plans for a U.S. strike on Iran-b...
BONUS | Opinion: What do you think of how Trump's handling our economy?
24 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Trump and Republicans campaigned aggressively in 2024 on the economy. So now that he’s in office, we asked: do you think that President Trump is doi...
U.S. and Russia discuss Black Sea ceasefire
24 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
U.S. officials are meeting with Russian officials Monday for talks in Saudi Arabia.USA TODAY National Correspondent Trevor Hughes explains that expert...