The Excerpt

Ascension to the role of President of the United States, arguably the most powerful job in the world, has to be a heady experience. But what happens when the term runs out? Stepping down from the American presidency is clearly a sizable career pivot. How do these leaders decide what’s next and what can we learn about identity and self-fulfillment from the choices they made? Bestselling author Jared Cohen joins The Excerpt to talk about “Life After Power," his new book about how seven presidents moved into the final chapter of their lives.

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House Republicans voted to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. What's next?

USA TODAY National Political Correspondent David Jackson looks at how Donald Trump is tightening his grip on the Republican Party.

Democrat Tom Suozzi beats Republican Mazi Pilip in a special election for the seat of former Rep. George Santos.

USA TODAY Education Reporter Alia Wong talks about a Parkland librarian's search for healing on the 6th anniversary of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas shooting.

Black cemeteries are being 'erased.' Advocates are fighting to save them.

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Donald Trump asks the Supreme Court to continue to delay his federal criminal trial on charges he tried to overturn the 2020 election while he appeals an unfavorable immunity ruling. USA TODAY National Reporter Maureen Groppe tells us what this means for Trump's federal criminal trial.

Meanwhile, a Georgia judge will hold televised hearings to hash out allegations of misconduct by the prosecutor in another Trump criminal case.

President Biden announces a possible ceasefire deal in Gaza while sending aides to privately apologize to Arab Americans for his administration's mistakes and missteps on the war in Gaza.

USA TODAY Border and Immigration Reporter Lauren Villagran talks about political rhetoric about the border continuing to ramp up.

And USA TODAY's ad meter top spot goes to State Farm for its commercial featuring Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito. See how all 59 Super Bowl ads ranked here.

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Washington has been something of a mess lately. USA TODAY Washington Bureau Chief Susan Page explains.

Former President Donald Trump threatens NATO.

Israel kills at least 50 Palestinians, while freeing multiple hostages in a Gaza raid.

USA TODAY Money & Personal Finance Reporter Medora Lee talks about death taxes.

There's a repeat Super Bowl champion.

Questions about taxes? Check out a Reddit AMA from noon-1 ET, where USA TODAY's Money reporters will have you covered.

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For American sports lovers, the Super Bowl is a bettor's dream. This weekend it’s estimated that a record 68 million Americans will be placing wagers on the big game. As legal online gambling grows in reach and accessibility, what impact does that play on the landscape of sports and fan participation? Richard Morin, Editor of Sports Betting Partnerships at USA TODAY, joins The Exceprt to talk about the opportunities as professional sports continues to embrace gambling.

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President Joe Biden promises to hit former President Donald Trump over the border. USA TODAY White House Correspondent Joey Garrison reports.

The S&P 500 hits another milestone.

USA TODAY Health Reporter Eduardo Cuevas talks about the link between plastic and preterm pregnancies.

New reports highlight the urgency of climate change.

A photo of a sleeping polar bear has won the Natural History Museum's 2023 Wildlife Photographer of the Year award.

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The Supreme Court hears arguments in the case that might decide whether Donald Trump can stay on certain ballots. USA TODAY Reporter Maureen Groppe has the latest.

Donald Trump picks up two more caucus wins.

The Senate advances aid for Ukraine and Israel.

President Joe Biden is accused of having a 'poor memory' by his own Justice Department.

Advocates go hyper-local with the abortion rights fight. USA TODAY Congress and Campaigns Reporter Savannah Kuchar has more.

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Mention immigration at any gathering these days and it's likely to generate strong emotions. The images of repeated humanitarian crises at the border tug at the heartstrings of some and enrage others. It can be hard to have a conversation about the issue, as divisive as it is today. Veteran Immigration Reporter Lauren Villagran sits down with veteran broadcaster and author Ray Suarez to have a more nuanced conversation about the issues. Can we apply a historical lens to our identification as a "nation of immigrants" to create the space for a more nuanced conversation? Ray's new book "We Are Home," an oral history of new immigrants, hits bookshelves this April.

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The Senate has killed a deal on the border and foreign aid. Meanwhile, USA TODAY Congress, Campaigns and Democracy Reporter Ken Tran looks at what's next for House Republicans after a pair of embarrassing defeats.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called a Hamas peace offer 'delusional.'

What if the government abolished your 401(k)?

The SAT is going digital, among other changes. USA TODAY Education Reporter Alia Wong discusses.

Orcas trapped by sea ice in Japan weren't spotted the day after they were seen by a drone. Officials are hoping they got away safely. Listen to our recent episode about their fascinating behavior or watch on YouTube here.

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At the 2024 Grammy Awards, a Black woman and a white man sang together about people down on their luck and dreaming of better lives. It was a moment that hit an emotional note with millions of people all over the world. The song was Fast Car, first released in 1988. Social media exploded with praise and admiration for Tracy Chapman, the song’s composer, and country singer Luke Combs, who recorded an award-winning cover version last year. What made this moment such an inflection point? Life and Entertainment Managing Editor Laura Trujillo joins The Excerpt to talk about how this pairing speaks more to what we share instead of what divides us.

More stories on this moment:

Why Tracy Chapman's 'Fast Car' duet with Luke Combs drove me to tears

Watch Tracy Chapman, Luke Combs duet at 2024 Grammy Awards

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