The Excerpt

The discovery of the fossilized jaw and skull of a pliosaur, a giant prehistoric marine reptile, has set enthusiasts on fire. What might these new bones teach us about how this ancient creature lived? One man with a front row seat to it all was legendary paleontologist Steve Etches, a plumber-turned-scientist who has been collecting fossils, from what’s known as the Jurassic Coast in southern England, for over 40 years. Steve joins The Excerpt to share the extraordinary story of finding and collecting this rare fossil, currently on display at the Etches Collection Museum of Jurassic Marine Life.

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The Supreme Court will consider presidential immunity in April, delaying former President Donald Trump's election interference trial. Plus, a judge rules Trump must post a bond for the full $454 million judgment against him. And an Illinois judge has ruled Trump is disqualified from the state's 2024 election ballot.

USA TODAY Washington Bureau Chief Susan Page looks at the legacy of Sen. Mitch McConnell, as he announces he'll be stepping down from his leadership post.

Hunter Biden denies President Joe Biden was involved in family business.

USA TODAY White House Correspondent Joey Garrison previews President Joe Biden's trip to the border.

Lawmakers reach a short-term solution to avoid a partial government shutdown.

Leap year baby Mary Lee Forsyth turns 25 (but is really 100).

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The Alabama Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos are children, chilling IVF advocates.

Former President Donald Trump beat former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley, while President Joe Biden faced his toughest opponent yet in the Michigan primary.

USA TODAY National Correspondent Trevor Hughes looks at the potential impact of Alabama's IVF ruling on voters.

President Joe Biden met with Congressional leaders amid government shutdown talks.

USA TODAY Health Reporter Karen Weintraub talks about the lack of treatments for long COVID.

A Texas nuclear weapons facility has suspended operations due to nearby wildfires.

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The Supreme Court appeared skeptical Monday of controversial laws to regulate social media companies. USA TODAY Supreme Court Correspondent Maureen Groppe reports.

In international news, the Palestinian prime minister and Cabinet have resigned which could make way for a technocratic government to run post-war Gaza. Meanwhile President Biden says a Gaza ceasefire could come by 'end of the weekend.' And Hungary's Parliament voted yesterday to ratify Sweden's bid to join NATO. 

USA TODAY Money and Personal Finance Reporter Medora Lee looks at several Congressional fights that could affect your wallet.

A New York City journalist's death is the city's latest lithium-ion battery fire fatality.

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USA TODAY White House Correspondent Francesca Chambers looks at what's next for former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley and the Republican presidential field after Haley's big loss to former President Donald Trump in her home state.

Israel and the U.S. continue to differ on resolutions in Gaza.

USA TODAY National Correspondent Trevor Hughes breaks down the high turnover rate plaguing election offices nationwide.

Florida's surgeon general is under fire for defying CDC recommendations as measles cases spread in the state.

Flaco, the New York City owl has died.

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This Black History Month we wanted to celebrate the role of Black churches in advancing a more just and progressive society. But why have so many historic Black churches been abandoned or fallen into disrepair? Juan Floyd-Thomas, Associate Professor of African American Religious History at Vanderbilt University, joins us on The Excerpt to discuss the effort to preserve these historic sites, part of the backbone of the Civil Rights Movement.

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It's the second anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

President Joe Biden sees a dip in his approval rating.

USA TODAY Domestic Security Correspondent Josh Meyer reports on the latest from the decision on whether or not to disqualify Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis from the Georgia Trump election fraud case.

The Gymnastics Winter Cup begins.

Was the Bidens' now-banished dog Biter-in-Chief?

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Former President Donald Trump vowed to support Christians during a Thursday speech.

USA TODAY Education Reporter Alia Wong discusses the divide over whether to include LGBTQ+ discussions in school.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is suing a Catholic migrant aid organization for alleged human smuggling.

USA TODAY Personal Finance Reporter Daniel de Visé looks at a looming retirement crisis for younger Boomers.

What happens during a mass cell service outage? We got a glimpse Thursday.

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In the U.S., journalism has long contributed to the checks and balances of power, playing a crucial role in holding our elected officials accountable. But as people find alternative ways to get information and ad dollars move elsewhere, newsrooms continue to shrink. With two global wars and a presidential election approaching, is it time to sound the alarm? Jay Rosen, journalism professor at New York University and editor and owner of the blog PressThink, joins The Excerpt to share his insights.

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