USA TODAY Justice Department Correspondent Aysha Bagchi breaks down the indictment of Trump critic and ex-National Security Adviser John Bolton in a documents investigation.

A federal appeals court won’t allow President Donald Trump to deploy troops to Illinois as part of his recent crackdown. Plus, a Chicago judge orders ICE to wear body cams.

USA TODAY Domestic Security Correspondent Josh Meyer tells us why a judge blasted the Federal Emergency Management Agency and Department of Homeland Security.

Trump unveils a new plan to expand access to IVF.

The MLB Postseason rolls on.

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Since June of 2025, thousands of National Guard troops have been deployed to four US cities – Los Angeles, Washington D.C., Chicago and Memphis. And, if President Donald Trump has his way, Portland, Oregon, will be fifth on the list. Trump says the deployments are a push to crack down on crime and to support his widespread deportation efforts. But when a president deploys the National Guard over the objections of governors and local mayors, is the decision about keeping the peace, or testing the limits of executive power? USA TODAY Breaking News Reporter Michael Loria joins USA TODAY’s The Excerpt to unpack the issues surrounding this unprecedented deployment of US troops on American soil.

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USA TODAY Supreme Court Correspondent Maureen Groppe discusses what's at stake in a major redistricting case.

President Donald Trump says he's considering strikes on land to combat Venezuelan drug cartels. Plus, the Trump administration has authorized the Central Intelligence Agency to conduct covert action in Venezuela.

A judge temporarily halts Trump shutdown layoffs.

USA TODAY National Security & World Affairs Reporter Cybele Mayes-Osterman tells us about military families waiting for a paycheck during the government shutdown.

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High costs. Limited supply. No insurance coverage. All of these are motivating some patients to cook up unregulated “gray GLP-1” drugs at home. Health experts are worried. Why are people willing to risk injecting homemade drugs in an unregulated, non-sterile medical environment and what needs to change before access and safety improve? USA TODAY Wellness Reporter Nicole Fallert joins The Excerpt to share her reporting on this alarming trend.

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The federal government’s partial shutdown has reached its 15th day.

President Donald Trump says Hamas will disarm or the U.S. will force them 'perhaps violently.'

USA TODAY White House Correspondent Bart Jansen recaps the move to award the late Charlie Kirk the Medal of Freedom.

The Supreme Court rejects Alex Jones' appeal of a $1.4 billion Sandy Hook judgment.

USA TODAY Senior National Political Correspondent Sarah D. Wire tells us what to expect from this weekend's 'No Kings' protests.

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USA TODAY Washington Bureau Chief Susan Page puts President Donald Trump's role in recent Israel-Hamas peace proceedings in context.

USA TODAY Congressional Reporter Zach Schermele has the government shutdown latest, as the Education Department lays off roughly 20% of its workforce.

The collapse of coral reefs has driven the world across its first climate tipping point.

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All remaining living Israeli hostages have been released, while some 2,000 detained Palestinians are released. Plus, President Donald Trump speaks to Israel's Parliament.

USA TODAY Money and Personal Finance Reporter Medora Lee takes a look at recessions on the state level.

Little progress emerges toward getting out of a government shutdown.

USA TODAY Domestic Security Correspondent Josh Meyer gives us some of the historical context behind the Insurrection Act.

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If you spend any time on YouTube, and most of us do, then you’ve probably watched or at least heard of MrBeast. Last check, he had 444 million subscribers with videos that routinely get hundreds of millions of views. MrBeast is literally at the top of the YouTube food chain. But off platform, one of his ventures appears to have stalled out. In 2022, he announced a partnership with East Carolina University to offer a credentialing program to help teach students how to create captivating money-making content. So, what happened to it? USA TODAY Investigative Reporter Chris Quintana went looking for answers and joins USA TODAY’s The Excerpt to discuss.

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USA TODAY National Correspondent Michael Collins tells us about one family's fight to bring hostage loved ones home.

Gazans trek to their ruined homes, as Trump plans a visit to the Middle East amid a ceasefire.

USA TODAY White House Correspondent Joey Garrison breaks down President Donald Trump's mass layoffs of federal workers.

Trump announces an additional 100% tariff on China imports.

19 people are unaccounted for after an explosion at an explosive manufacturing plant in Tennessee.

The Las Vegas Aces are WNBA champions. Where do they rank among the all-time best teams?

The Seattle Mariners win an epic extra innings game to make their first ALCS since 2001.

It's National Coming Out Day.

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New York Attorney General Letitia James was indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of bank fraud and making false statements to a financial institution.

Israeli forces start pulling back from parts of Gaza.

USA TODAY Breaking News Reporter Michael Loria has the latest from Chicago as President Donald Trump's National Guard deployments face legal tests.

The Trump administration airs a video at U.S. airports blaming Democrats for the government shutdown.

USA TODAY Senior Crime Reporter Amanda Lee Myers explains why a Texas court stopped Robert Roberson's execution over questions about shaken baby syndrome. Listen to or watch our conversation with the lead investigator from the case here.

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