The Excerpt

Are high school graduates better off picking up a welding torch instead of a college textbook? As demand grows for skilled labor, more students—and their parents—are questioning whether the traditional college-for-all model still makes sense. Is it time to stop treating college as the default path? Steve Klein, a researcher at Education Northwest, talks to The Excerpt about the benefits and biases around trade careers, the reality of financial independence without a four-year degree, and how schools can better prepare students for the future.

Let us know what you think of this episode by sending an email to [email protected].

Episode Transcript available here

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

President Donald Trump is weighing U.S. actions amid Israel and Iran's ongoing strikes. Plus, MAGA infighting grows on the issue. And there are risks for Trump of 'regime change' in Iran: Just ask George W. Bush.

USA TODAY Supreme Court Correspondent Maureen Groppe breaks down the high court's move to uphold Tennessee's ban on transgender minors using puberty blockers and hormone therapy.

The Social Security crisis is coming a year earlier than we thought.

Karen Read has been acquitted of murder in the death of her police officer boyfriend.

The FDA approves a new twice-yearly HIV shot.

USA TODAY Chief Political Correspondent Phillip M. Bailey discusses the importance of Juneteenth and how some communities are marking the day.

Let us know what you think of this episode by sending an email to [email protected].

Episode Transcript available here

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

There are an estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants in the U.S. Every one of their stories is different and the broad strokes coverage you often hear can’t possibly touch on everyone’s reality. So Alix Dick and Antero Garcia decided to focus on the story of just one undocumented person - Alix herself. Their new book “The Cost of Being Undocumented: One Woman’s Reckoning with America’s Inhumane Math“ is on bookshelves now. Co-authors Alix Dick and Antero Garcia join The Excerpt to share their journey of discovery of what it means to be undocumented.

Let us know what you think of this episode by sending an email to [email protected].

Episode Transcript available here

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Pentagon has shifted warplanes and an aircraft carrier to the Middle East. Plus, President Donald Trump threatens Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on social media. And Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Tucker Carlson urge Trump to stay out of Iran, exposing a MAGA rift.

USA TODAY National Correspondent Will Carless discusses how as ‘lone actor’ attacks rise, Trump is dismantling the program aimed at spotting them.

A poll finds the majority of Americans oppose Trump's tax bill.

USA TODAY Washington Bureau Chief Susan Page breaks down what some recent primaries can tell us ahead of midterms next year.

The Florida Panthers are Stanley Cup champions again.

Let us know what you think of this episode by sending an email to [email protected].

Episode Transcript available here

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

USA TODAY White House Correspondent Francesca Chambers breaks down President Donald Trump's decision to abruptly leave the Group of Seven summit.

Multiple lawmakers push to curb Trump's war powers on Iran.

A federal prosecutor said Monday that the man accused of shooting two Minnesota lawmakers went to the homes of two other state officials the morning he launched a targeted "political assassination."

USA TODAY Government Accountability Reporter Erin Mansfield discusses the trickle-down effect of Trump's NIH budget cuts.

Trump Organization launches a new mobile cell service.

Let us know what you think of this episode by sending an email to [email protected].

Episode Transcript available here

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We're putting the spotlight on dads today, asking readers to share about why it's so important to honor our fathers or paternal figures in our lives. Forum is a series from USA TODAY's Opinion team, 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 your submission is selected for print, we might invite you to add your voice to a future special bonus episode like this one.

Let us know what you think of this episode by sending an email to [email protected].

Episode Transcript available here

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A suspect has been arrested in the fatal shooting of Minnesota lawmakers over the weekend.

Iranian missiles struck Tel Aviv and Haifa before dawn on Monday.

'No Kings' organizers say protests drew large crowds. How large? Plus, Republican Sen. Rand Paul criticized the military parade backed by President Donald Trump.

USA TODAY Money Reporter Bailey Schulz discusses what some economists are saying about the Trump administration's immigration crackdown.

President Trump directs ICE to expand deportations in large Democratic-run cities.

USA TODAY National Correspondent Deborah Barfield Berry tells us how families are reflecting on the Charleston church massacre a decade later.

Let us know what you think of this episode by sending an email to [email protected].

Episode Transcript available here

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In the high-stakes world of cryptocurrency, cybercrime is no longer the only concern for investors. A rise in street crime tactics means that some wealthy crypto owners have fallen prey to physical attacks and coercion. You may have seen a recent headline regarding a crypto owner who was kidnapped and tortured in a Manhattan townhouse by criminals who were attempting to steal his bitcoin. These brazen physical attacks have come to be known as “wrench attacks.” How can crypto investors protect themselves, and their stash, from both cybercrime and violent crime? Nick Neuman, CEO of Casa, a cryptocurrency company that specializes in providing security solutions for digital assets, joins The Excerpt to share his insights.

Let us know what you think of this episode by sending an email to [email protected].

Episode Transcript available here

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 than $600 million in income.

USA TODAY Sports Reporter Tom Schad tell us how the presence of ICE and CBP at this month's FIFA Club World Cup games is raising concerns, despite being a normal practice.

Let us know what you think of this episode by sending an email to [email protected].

Episode Transcript available here

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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. residency and a path to citizenship. Plus, the Department of Homeland Security ends temporary protections for 530,000 immigrants.

USA TODAY Senior National Political Correspondent Sarah D. Wire tells us governors aren't on the same page about using the National Guard for protests.

A miracle in seat 11A? The apparent sole survivor of Air India 171 walked away from the wreckage.

Let us know what you think of this episode by sending an email to [email protected].

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.