The Excerpt

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was grilled Wednesday on Capitol Hill, where he talked about measles, vaccines, fluoride and more.

USA TODAY Education Reporter Zach Schermele discusses why the Trump administration's policies could jeopardize the tens of billions of dollars foreign students bring to colleges and cities.

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem accused a House Democrat of defending a terrorist after he suggested she was ignoring a court order to return Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was mistakenly deported.

Harvard scientist Kseniia Petrova has been charged with smuggling as she fights deportation.

USA TODAY Senior Reporter Jessica Guynn takes a look at a wave of legislation targeting diversity, equity and inclusion that's moving through Republican-controlled statehouses.

Why are woodpeckers attacking cars?

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’s something to cold hard cash. You can hold it; you can smell it; it feels a certain way in your pocket. Earlier this year, President Donald Trump directed the Treasury Department to stop minting pennies. What happens as the world of currency goes increasingly digital? Will traditional currencies soon become a thing of the past? And who stands to benefit, and who might this rapid shift be hurting? Neha Narula, Director of the Digital Currency Initiative at the MIT Media Lab, joins The Excerpt to take a closer look at this transition period for money and how it might evolve.

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.

Lawmakers spent hours debating legislation that would enact sweeping tax cuts, raise the debt ceiling and add restrictions to benefit programs. 

President Trump pledges to end sanctions against Syria to "give them a chance of greatness.”

Cassandra “Cassie” Ventura Fine testified against ex-boyfriend Sean “Diddy” Combs. Plus, USA TODAY Domestic Security Correspondent Josh Meyer breaks down what is at stake for the Hip-Hop mogul.

Eric and Lyle Menendez are eligible for parole after a Los Angeles judge hands them a new sentence. 

Baseball star Pete Rose has been posthumously removed from Major League Baseball’s permanently ineligible list. USA TODAY MLB Reporter Gabe Lacques tells us more about this decision.

Have feedback on the show? Please send us an email at [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.

U.S. Stocks surged Monday after this week's US-China tariff deal. But a rally in Asian stocks overnight fell off and the dollar also wobbled.

USA TODAY White House Correspondent Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy talks through President Donald Trump's drug price executive order.

Hamas has freed US-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander, as Israel says no to a ceasefire. Meanwhile, Gaza's population faces critical risk of famine.

The Trump administration welcomed 49 white South Africans to the U.S., after granting them refugee status as alleged victims of racial discrimination.

A screwworm threat forces the U.S. to halt cattle imports from Mexico.

USA TODAY Youth Mental Health Reporting Fellow Rachel Hale discusses how sports betting addiction is gripping some young men.

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 moms today, asking readers to share about why it's so important to honor moms or maternal 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.

The U.S. and China have reached an agreement to reduce tariffs.

The Trump administration floats suspending habeas corpus. What does that mean?

USA TODAY National Correspondent Trevor Hughes discusses what deporting people facing criminal charges can mean for justice.

President Trump says he will sign an order aimed at cutting drug prices to match other countries.

USA TODAY Justice Department Correspondent Aysha Bagchi explains how Diddy's lawyer defended a 'sex cult' leader in an eerily similar case.

Pope Leo XIV warned of a 'piecemeal' third world war in his first Sunday address.

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.

Tina was a sweet golden retriever, named after the legendary Tina Turner. Her passing led owner Niall Harbison down the path of a new personal mission: to rescue and rehabilitate abused street dogs in Thailand, his adopted country. Niall captures the story of Tina and his dog rescue journey in his new book "Tina: The Dog who Changed the World." Niall joins The Excerpt to discuss Tina’s legacy and what’s next in the fight to save even more dogs while bringing about a fix to this persistent global issue.

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.

Pope Leo XIV celebrated his first mass as leader of the Roman Catholic Church Friday.

USA TODAY Senior Congress Reporter Riley Beggin discusses how some Republican lawmakers are at odds as they work on a bill dealing with President Donald Trump's priorities.

The National Science Foundation eliminates its equity division and cancels dozens more grants.

India and Pakistan step up military strikes.

USA TODAY Investigative Reporter Gina Barton gives us a peak of Untested. Listen to the exclusive series here.

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 National Correspondent Phaedra Trethan gives us an introduction to Pope Leo XIV.

The acting FEMA administrator has been replaced after contradicting President Donald Trump on abolishing the agency.

USA TODAY White House Reporter Zac Anderson breaks down a trade deal between the U.S. and U.K.

President Trump's budget aims to cut billions from environmental programs.

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.

What if the second half of life could be just as healthy, active, and fulfilling as the first? Drawing on the latest science, world-renowned cardiologist and researcher Dr. Eric Topol challenges outdated ideas about aging and reveals how factors like exercise, sleep, social connection and cutting-edge AI tools can help us extend not just our lifespan—but our healthspan. Dr. Topol joins The Excerpt to share insights from his new book "Super Agers: An Evidence-Based Approach to Longevity."

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.