The Excerpt

In 2023, Mississippi Today reporter Anna Wolfe was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for reporting that exposed how former Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant used his office to steer millions of dollars from a welfare fund to his family and friends, including former NFL quarterback Brett Favre. In response, the former governor sued her for defamation. Wolfe now risks jail time for refusing to reveal her sources for the story. Could this lawsuit be a warning to other reporters who might not be able to afford a good lawyer? Kelly McBride, Senior Vice President and Chair of Craig Newmark Center for Ethics and Leadership at the Poynter Institute, a global non-profit focused on strengthening democracy through journalism, joins The Excerpt to discuss the impact of the case on local journalism.

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USA TODAY Justice Department Correspondent Aysha Bagchi breaks down what democracy experts say about former President Donald Trump's threats to jail rivals.

What can betting markets tell us about the Tuesday debate?

A grieving Ohio dad asks politicians to 'stop the hate' toward Haitian immigrants.

USA TODAY Senior Reporter Jessica Guynn talks about anti-DEI efforts targeting LGBTQ+ rights, and how some companies are listening.

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In the wake of the Trump-Harris debate, there's a firehose worth of new polls out, each purporting to show exactly how the event impacted voters. But what do they really mean? David Paleologos, Political Research Center Director at Suffolk University, a USA TODAY partner, joins The Excerpt to talk about the science and strategy of polling.

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USA TODAY Chief Political Correspondent Phillip M. Bailey gives his major takeaways from Tuesday's presidential debate in Philadelphia.

Taylor Swift endorses Vice President Kamala Harris for president.

Former presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s name will not appear on North Carolina ballots this year.

Secretary of State Anthony Blinken demands an overhaul of Israeli military conduct in the occupied West Bank after the fatal shooting of Turkish-American Aysenur Ezgi Eygi.

Would limits on alcohol service on planes and in airports prevent unruly behavior by intoxicated travelers? USA TODAY Consumer Travel Reporter Zach Wichter discusses.

It's been 23 years since the September 11 terror attacks. Here's a gallery of photos that capture a day etched in world history.

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USA TODAY Chief Political Correspondent Phillip M. Bailey takes a look at Tuesday night's debate in Philadelphia.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s name will appear on the Michigan presidential ballot, in a blow to former President Donald Trump.

Commercial Appeal Criminal Justice Reporter Lucas Finton explains what's at stake in the federal criminal trial centered on the death of Tyre Nichols. He was pulled over and beaten by five now-former Memphis police officers.

The search intensifies for a Kentucky shooting suspect.

James Earl Jones is dead at 93.

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USA TODAY National Immigration Reporter Lauren Villagran talks about a Border Patrol agent who shifted to migrant aid.

The mother of the Georgia shooting suspect said she called the school before the attack.

A tropical system could be a hurricane by Wednesday in the Gulf of Mexico.

USA TODAY National Correspondent Elizabeth Weise discusses geoengineering and whether it could be a viable climate change fix.

The U.S. Open is in the books.

NFL Week 1 wraps up after a week of firsts.

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Losing a pet can be devastating. Animals become part of our lives, and part of our families. And that treasured time together often feels far too short. How do we make sense of those feelings and cope when we lose our furry loved ones? Tom Nichols, a staff writer at The Atlantic best known for his sharp political analysis, shares the story of his personal journey with Carla, his beloved cat who recently passed.

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USA TODAY Justice Department Correspondent Aysha Bagchi reports on former President Donald Trump's hush money sentencing delay, and what it might mean for the election.

Former Vice President Dick Cheney says he will vote for Vice President Kamala Harris in 2024.

Russia is ramping up election-meddling efforts to help Donald Trump beat Kamala Harris, according to intelligence officials.

Israeli troops shot and killed a Turkish-American woman who had been protesting against settlement expansion in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, officials said.

Feds are cracking down on 3D printers that turn regular guns into machine guns. USA TODAY Investigative Reporter Nick Penzenstadler.

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The father of the suspected Georgia shooter has been charged.

Hunter Biden pleads guilty to all federal tax charges he faced.

USA TODAY Congress and Campaigns Reporter Riley Beggin breaks down the latest budget fight on Capitol Hill ahead of a looming government shutdown.

Teen vaping rates have dropped. But use of another product is on the rise.

USA TODAY Consumer Travel Reporter Zach Wichter explains why advocates are applauding the Department of Transportation on steps toward better accessibility, though they say more work remains. Plus, check out Zach's weekly column on all things travel - Cruising Altitude.

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If you’ve been on a date in the past year, chances are pretty good that you met that person on a dating app. But let's be real here. Photo doctoring, endless DM's and misleading profiles can make using the apps a frustrating experience. Can alternative match-making experiences like bootcamp, chaotic singles parties or a good, old-fashioned night of speed dating help? USA TODAY Wellness, Lifestyle and Entertainment Reporter Charles Trepany has bravely experimented with some new match-making experiences and joins The Excerpt to share what he’s learned. 

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