The Excerpt
USA TODAY’s daily news podcast, The Excerpt (formerly 5 Things), brings you a curated mix of the most important headlines seven mornings a week. We also deliver special deep-dive episodes on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons on the most compelling topics in culture, entertainment, sports, politics, and more. Give us fifteen minutes a day, we'll give you all of the headlines, none of the chaos. Hosted by Taylor Wilson and Dana Taylor.
Episodes
Iran has launched waves of missiles at Israel in response to recent airstrikes.
USA TODAY White House Correspondent Bart Jansen has the latest on Kilmar Abrego Garcia's legal situation.
The Army marks its 250th anniversary Saturday with a parade and festival. Most Americans think the military parade is 'not a good use' of money.
A judge blocks the State Department's planned mass layoffs.
President Donald Trump reports more tha...
Israel has launched strikes against Iran targeting its nuclear program.
An appeals court blocks the ruling directing President Donald Trump to return control of the National Guard to California.
USA TODAY Pentagon Correspondent Tom Vanden Brook discusses what he learned in an exclusive talk with Army Secretary Dan Driscoll about Saturday's $40 million military parade.
15,000 foreigners sign up to pay $5 million for U.S. resid...
It’s been a busy few months in the world of federal pardons. It started on day one of the Trump administration with more than 1500 people pardoned for their roles in the January 6th Capital riot. And the pardons just keep coming. The past few weeks we’ve seen a spate of controversial clemency grants, including a couple of reality TV stars who were found guilty of defrauding community banks out of tens of millions of dollar...
USA TODAY White House Correspondent Bart Jansen tells us how three Democratic governors today will push back against federal immigration enforcement actions during a House hearing.
President Donald Trump and Chinese officials announced they have agreed to a framework for a trade deal.
USA TODAY Senior National Political Correspondent Sarah D. Wire explains what to expect during "No Kings" Day protests this weekend. They'll b...
The story of the American alligator is one of survival. From 1967 to 1987, they were officially listed as an endangered species. But the wetlands of Louisiana, Florida’s Everglades National Park and many other southern habitats are now teeming with roughly five million alligators. And their story continues to evolve. Recent studies suggest alligators shape how carbon is stored in soil. Could alligators be an unexpected all...
USA TODAY National Correspondent Trevor Hughes joins us again from Los Angeles as protests also spread to other cities.
USA TODAY Pentagon Correspondent Tom Vanden Brook discusses President Donald Trump's push for 20,000 troops to help his immigration crackdown.
Trump says he's restoring the names of military bases that honored Confederate soldiers.
Water from the faucets of at least 42 million Americans is contaminated with ...
700 Marines have been deployed to Los Angeles. But California has sued the Trump administration to block deployment of the National Guard and the Marines. Plus, USA TODAY National Correspondent Trevor Hughes reports from on the ground in Southern California.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has fired all of a committee that advises the federal government on vaccine safety.
Under President Donald Trump's second administration, LGBTQ+ rights are back in the spotlight as he issues executive orders banning transgender military servicemembers and rescinding funding from educational institutions that allow trans athletes to compete in sports. So far in 2025, more than 500 bills targeting the LGBTQ+ community have been introduced across America.
Tensions escalated in Los Angeles late Sunday between law enforcement and protesters as California National Guard troops arrived.
USA TODAY National Immigration and Border Reporter Lauren Villagran takes a look at Trump's 'invasion' claims.
Proud Boys who stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6 sue the government for $100 million.
USA TODAY White House Correspondent Bart Jansen discusses disputes among Republicans about parts of Trump'...
John Arthur’s vows to Jim Obergefell came during a unique wedding ceremony that changed the course of American history. It was 2013 and at the time, Arthur was dying of ALS. Due to the generosity of friends and family the couple were able to exchange vows from within a medical plane parked in Maryland, where gay marriage was legal. Obergefell and Arthur’s fight to get their marriage recognized by their home state of Ohio w...
Kilmar Abrego Garcia has been returned to the U.S. He now faces human trafficking charges.
USA TODAY White House Correspondent Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy discusses some of the concerns from LGBTQ+ advocates this Pride Month over Trump administration actions.
The Supreme Court blocks the disclosure of DOGE operations. Plus, the court lets DOGE access Social Security data.
USA TODAY Domestic Security Correspondent Josh Meyer has the latest on the feud between Elon Musk and President Donald Trump. Plus, Josh takes a look at how the feud might end.
Here's what you need to know about this week's travel ban.
The Department of Homeland Security is ending its Quiet Skies surveillance program.
The Supreme Court sides with a straight woman in a 'reverse discrimination' case.
USA TODAY National Correspon...
The 2025 NATO summit will be held in The Hague later this month. Among the topics of discussion will be defense spending, strengthening the alliance, support for Ukraine and bolstering defense capabilities. With the summit fast approaching, how might European powers fill the leadership and aid vacuum left by the U.S. as the Trump administration's appetite for foreign conflict dissipates? Max Boot, senior fellow at the Coun...
USA TODAY Senior Congress Reporter Riley Beggin has the latest after Elon Musk launched an attack on President Donald Trump's sweeping tax and policy bill.
A new analysis finds nearly 11 million Americans would lose insurance under Trump's tax bill.
Trump bans travel from twelve nations.
The Education Department says Columbia University fails to meet accreditation standards.
With AI tools like ChatGPT becoming ubiquitous on college campuses, students and educators alike are navigating a rapidly shifting academic landscape. Beth McMurtrie, a senior writer at The Chronicle of Higher Education, joins The Excerpt to talk about how students are using AI—from brainstorming and revising to outright cheating—and the ethical dilemmas that follow.
Let us know what you think of this episode by sendin...
The wife and five children of the 45-year-old suspect in the assault on pro-Jewish demonstrators in Colorado are facing deportation.
President Trump is moving forward with tariff hikes on aluminum and steel.
USA TODAY Education Reporter Zach Schermele tells us what Harvard alumni are doing to support the university after recent federal funding cuts.
What an Instagram video could tell authorities about an escaped New Orl...
A 45-year-old suspect has been charged with a federal hate crime in the attack on a Colorado pro-Israel protest.
Russia and Ukraine hold peace talks after Ukraine's recent drone strikes.
USA TODAY Supreme Court Correspondent Maureen Groppe takes a look at the high court's move to take up a challenge to a grace period for mail-in ballots.
A new study has found a link between chronic cannabis use and an increased risk of cardio...
People from across the country weighed in on the impact Indiana Fever's point guard Caitlin Clark is having on the WNBA and women's sports in general. Forum is a series from USA TODAY's Opinion team that is dedicated to showcasing views from across the political spectrum on issues that Americans are starkly divided on. If you'd like to weigh in on a different topic, you can find more questions at usatoday.com/forum. And if...
The FBI is investigating the attack in Colorado as an act of terrorism.
USA TODAY Senior Congress Reporter Riley Beggin discusses some potential changes to President Donald Trump's tax bill in the Senate.
Some parents are 'unschooling' their kids. What does that mean?
USA TODAY National Correspondent Trevor Hughes talks through concerns about an emerging surveillance state.
One of President Donald Trump’s focuses during his second term is his desire to reshape the arts in America. In February, he announced that he would serve as board chair of The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and dismissed half of its board members. In their place are Trump loyalists like White House chief of staff Susie Wiles, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and Second Lady Usha Vance, among others. More broadl...
Popular Podcasts
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
History is beautiful, brutal and, often, ridiculous. Join Ben Bowlin and Noel Brown as they dive into some of the weirdest stories from across the span of human civilization in Ridiculous History, a podcast by iHeartRadio.
Listen to 'The Bobby Bones Show' by downloading the daily full replay.
The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show. Clay Travis and Buck Sexton tackle the biggest stories in news, politics and current events with intelligence and humor. From the border crisis, to the madness of cancel culture and far-left missteps, Clay and Buck guide listeners through the latest headlines and hot topics with fun and entertaining conversations and opinions.