The Excerpt

A divided U.S. appeals court ruled Friday that most of President Donald Trump's tariffs are illegal.USA TODAY's Zach Schermele discusses the conversation over whether taxpayer money should be used for private schools' safety.The Trump administration is making plans for an immigration crackdown in Chicago as soon as next week.USA TODAY Money Reporter Bailey Schulz breaks down what economists are saying about possible Fed rate cuts.It's a big weekend for college football!Please let us know what you think of this episode by sending a note to podcasts@usatoday.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Families remembered 8-year-old Fletcher Merkel and 10-year-old Harper Moyski the day after this week's Minneapolis shooting.USA TODAY Washington Bureau Chief Susan Page talks about lessons from Hurricane Katrina 20 years later.Thousands settled elsewhere after Katrina hit New Orleans. See a map here.USA TODAY Reporter Andrea Riquier discusses how Katrina became 'the storm that told us what was to come' for climate and insurance.This week's immigration arrests of firefighters renewed debate about White House priorities.Please let us know what you think of this episode by sending a note to podcasts@usatoday.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The vice president sat down with USA TODAY White House Correspondent Francesca Chambers to share his thoughts on issues both controversial (the firing of Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, the deployment of National Guard troops to American cities, the contentious White House meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy back in February) and mundane (President Donald Trump’s new White House décor and the engagement of Travis Kelce to superstar Taylor Swift) in this wide-ranging conversation. Francesca joins The Excerpt to share her takeaways and a few choice clips from the vice president.You can watch the full interview with Vice President JD Vance here.Please let us know what you think of this episode by sending a note to podcasts@usatoday.com.Podcast 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.

Vice President JD Vance sat down with USA TODAY for an exclusive interview Wednesday.Two children were killed in a Minneapolis church shooting.USA TODAY World Affairs Correspondent Kim Hjelmgaard discusses reports in Denmark about U.S. covert operations in Greenland.The White House fired CDC Director Susan Monarez after she refused to quit in a dispute with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.The Social Security Administration's chief data officer said in a whistleblower complaint that DOGE put Social Security data of millions of Americans at risk.USA TODAY Senior Reporter Jessica Guynn talks about how some employees are defying return to office mandates.Please let us know what you think of this episode by sending a note to podcasts@usatoday.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Is coolness just a vibe—or something deeper? A new global study spanning 12 countries finds surprising common traits that define who we see as cool. Turns out, it’s not about rebellion or being aloof. University of Arizona professor Caleb Warren, co-author of "Cool People," breaks down the six qualities that consistently make someone cool worldwide—and why being cool doesn’t always mean being good. He also explains how social media reshapes our perception of cool, and what the rise of coolness as a status symbol reveals about modern values.Let us know what you think of this episode by sending an email to podcasts@usatoday.com.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 Bart Jansen puts President Donald Trump's announced firing of Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook in context, and explains what it might mean for his influence on the Fed.The president calls for the death penalty for anyone charged with killing someone in Washington, DC.Trump's doubling of tariffs on Indian imports takes effect.USA TODAY Consumer Travel Reporter Zach Wichter gives some tips and tricks for flying internationally with pets, in this week's Cruising Altitude column.Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are engaged.Let us know what you think of this episode by sending an email to podcasts@usatoday.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A judge Monday temporarily blocked Kilmar Abrego Garcia's deportation.USA TODAY White House Correspondent Bart Jansen breaks down President Donald Trump's Monday executive orders on flag burning, and separately - requiring criminal suspects to pay cash bonds.FEMA staff told Congress that inexperience of Trump officials risks a Katrina-style disaster.USA TODAY's Zachary Schermele discusses why back-to-school looks so different this year.The Women's Professional Baseball League is nearly here. Plus, hear our special Deep Dive episode about the league from earlier this year.Please let us know what you think of this episode by sending a note to podcasts@usatoday.com.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 Immigration Reporter Lauren Villagran takes a look at some of the history behind Fort Bliss, amid efforts to detain migrants there.A new poll shows more Americans 'strongly disapprove' of President Donald Trump's second term.USA TODAY National Correspondent Trevor Hughes explains how the Trump administration is cracking down on commercial truckers who can't speak English.Rangers cleared thousands of illegal marijuana plants from a popular national park.Let us know what you think of this episode by sending an email to podcasts@usatoday.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Black Americans have lost millions of acres of land due to systemic failures and legal loopholes. Saul Blair’s story is one of heartbreak, resilience and resistance. USA TODAY’s Andrea Riquier breaks down the heirs' property crisis and what it means for racial equity, wealth and legacy in America.Let us know what you think of this episode by sending an email to podcasts@usatoday.com.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.

Jeffrey Epstein's imprisoned former girlfriend and associate Ghislaine Maxwell absolved President Donald Trump of wrongdoing.USA TODAY White House Reporter Zac Anderson takes a look at the GOP's preparations for 2026.Kilmar Abrego Garcia has been released from custody.Lyle Menendez lost his bid for parole, one day after his brother was denied.USA TODAY Senior Reporter Jessica Guynn discusses how gender pronouns are at the heart of a growing workplace conflict pitting religious beliefs against the rights of trans and nonbinary people.Let us know what you think of this episode by sending an email to podcasts@usatoday.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.