The Excerpt

A federal judge in Northern California has blocked the Trump administration’s mass firing of probationary federal employees. Plus, USA TODAY Democracy Reporter Erin Mansfield discusses how President Donald Trump tried to remove officials tasked with protecting federal workers' jobs.

A search warrant reveals the deaths of actor Gene Hackman, his wife and dog in their New Mexico home are being considered “suspicious.” 

President Donald Trump met with U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer at the White House, where Britain's leader pushed for commitments on Ukraine.

A new Pentagon policy will ban troops from serving in a gender identity other than the one assigned at birth. 

USA TODAY Personal Finance Reporter Daniel de Visé explains why many Americans are tired of cost-cutting tips.

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As bird flu, also known as H5N1, continues to spread across the country, experts are concerned about the potential for undetected transfer and mutations. A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, suggests that Americans may even be walking around with bird flu and not know it. Are we ready for a bird flu pandemic? USA TODAY Health Reporter Adrianna Rodriguez joins The Excerpt to share her reporting and tell us what she’s hearing from health officials.

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USA TODAY Congressional Correspondent Riley Beggin takes a closer look at this week's passed House Republican budget bill, and what might be next from Senate Republicans.

The Supreme Court pauses a judge's order requiring the Trump administration to pay foreign aid contractors.

A child has died in the Texas measles outbreak, marking the first U.S. measles death since 2015.

President Trump will impose 25% tariffs on the European Union.

USA TODAY White House Correspondent Joey Garrison discusses what's next as the Trump administration shifts to a new phase of large-scale cuts to the federal workforce.

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This episode is in celebration of Black History Month. For more than ninety years, the Apollo Theater, a cultural landmark in Harlem, has shaped the trajectory of entertainment in America. The list of icons is long. From Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday to Quincy Jones, Chris Rock and Stevie Wonder, it is a place of legends including those yet to be discovered. Some of today’s brightest music stars like Grammy winning jazz artist Samara Joy and Grammy winner H.E.R. seem destined for the Apollo Walk of Fame. In 1958, Dionne Warwick and her gospel group won Amateur Night at the Apollo. And just last year, she was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Legendary artist Dionne Warwick joins us on The Excerpt to discuss the legacy of the Apollo Theater and how it is still shaping our culture today.

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The U.S. and Ukraine have agreed on the terms of a draft minerals deal.

House Republicans advance a plan for President Donald Trump's legislative agenda.

USA TODAY National Correspondent Trevor Hughes discusses how expanded ICE raids are causing problems for some schools.

A federal judge blocks President Donald Trump’s refugee program suspension.

Democratic senators met to discuss the consequences of Trump’s efforts to eliminate the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

USA TODAY Editor Karen Weintraub explains how a measles outbreak is spreading in rural parts of Texas.

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The U.N. Security Council has adopted a neutral U.S. stance on the war in Ukraine. Plus, President Donald Trump met with French President Emmanuel Macron.

A judge blocks ICE enforcement actions at houses of worship.

USA TODAY Supreme Court Correspondent Maureen Groppe discusses what might be at stake at the high court in a case surrounding 'reverse discrimination' claims.

A judge blocks Elon Musk's DOGE from Education Department personnel information. Plus, the federal Office of Personnel Management notified workers they could ignore Elon Musk's latest DOGE directive.

USA TODAY Youth Mental Health Reporting Fellow Rachel Hale talks about sexual exploitation and its impact on American teens.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he would step down if Ukraine can join NATO, while blasting President Donald Trump's mineral pitch.

USA TODAY National Correspondent Dinah Voyles Pulver takes a look at some of the impact from USAID domestically.

Pope Francis attended Mass Sunday but remains in critical condition.

USA TODAY Money Reporter Bailey Schulz examines why we're seeing more generations living together under one roof.

'Conclave' wins big at the Screen Actors Guild Awards.

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It has been one month since President Donald Trump took the oath of office and was sworn in as the 47th president of the United States. In that time, he has issued more than 70 executive orders and has bypassed Congress on issues related to citizenship, the disbursement of appropriated funds, and the overall downsizing of the federal government. What happens when one of the three branches of government overreaches and seizes power and authority from another? Critics of the president are calling it a constitutional crisis. Is that true and what does a constitutional crisis really mean? USA TODAY Justice Department Correspondent Bart Jansen joins us on The Excerpt to share his insights.

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President Donald Trump shakes up leadership at the Pentagon.

USA TODAY Network Florida State Watchdog Reporter Ana Goñi-Lessan discusses recent ramped up efforts by ICE in northern parts of Florida to track down immigrants who have entered the country illegally.

A judge indefinitely delays New York City Mayor Eric Adams' corruption trial.

The Supreme Court declines President Trump's emergency bid to immediately fire the head of a government ethics watchdog agency. Plus, a judge blocks Trump's ban on DEI for federal agencies and contractors.

Maine governor Janet Mills and President Trump clashed in a tense exchange at the White House over the president's threat to withhold federal funds from states that allow transgender athletes to play in girls and women's sports.

In this week's edition of Editor's Note, USA TODAY Politics and Washington Managing Editor Holly Rosenkrantz takes us behind the scenes at how her team is covering some of the latest news out of Washington and beyond.

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Several federal agencies have been hit with workforce reductions since the president took office. USA TODAY White House Reporter Zac Anderson discusses how some of President Donald Trump's job cuts have hit Forest Service workers who help fight fires.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul won't oust Mayor Eric Adams but vows stricter oversight.

More than half a million Haitian refugees will lose protected status.

Researchers say Trump cuts to basic science and medical studies will hurt everyone.

USA TODAY Personal Finance Reporter Daniel de Visé looks at the future of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and what its shutdown might mean for Americans.

Canada defeated the U.S. in hockey and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau took a victory lap.

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