The Excerpt

President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are scheduled to meet next week in Alaska to discuss an end to Russia's war on Ukraine.President Trump and the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan signed a peace agreement Friday at the White House.For The Win Staff Writer Meghan L. Hall tells us what's really going on with sex toys being thrown on court at WNBA games.The Department of Justice opens an investigation into New York Attorney General Letitia James.Legendary astronaut Jim Lovell has died at 97.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.

Israel's security cabinet has approved a plan to take control of Gaza City. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said earlier this week that Israel intended to take military control of the entire Gaza Strip.President Donald Trump nominates CEA Chair Stephen Miran to a temporary Federal Reserve board vacancy.USA TODAY First Amendment Reporting Fellow BrieAnna Frank breaks down Trump's recent religion memo for federal workers.The National Weather Service has taken steps to begin filling some of the positions left vacant by federal cutbacks.USA TODAY Senior Reporter Jessica Guynn tells us how shoppers are returning just about everything, taking advantage of stores' lax return policies.Please let us know what you think of this episode by sending a note to podcasts@usatoday.com.It's International Cat Day!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Squirmy and Grubs are not your typical YouTube stars. One is them is able-bodied. The other is not. How they navigate the challenges that dichotomy presents is the point. So is how normal their lives as an interabled couple really are. The story of Hannah and Shane Burcaws’ relationship and others like it is captured in their new book, "Interabled: True Stories about Love and Disability." They joined The Excerpt to talk about what they hope abled couples understand about interabled love. (This episode originally aired on January 22, 2025.)Please let us know what you think of this episode by sending a note to podcasts@usatoday.com.Episode Transcript available hereSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

New tariffs take effect on Thursday after a new tariff announcement from President Donald Trump penalizing India for importing Russian oil. Plus, Apple announces $100 billion in new U.S. investment.A U.S. Army sergeant is in custody after a shooting at Fort Stewart in Georgia.USA TODAY Washington Bureau Chief Susan Page discusses the potential legacy of President Trump's new White House ballroom.USA TODAY Breaking News Reporter Karissa Waddick breaks down how climate change is revealing archeological treasures.A new species of 'Jurassic sea monster' has been identified in an old fossil.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.

With climate change, the threat of wildfires, and human encroachment among other things, our trees and forests are in desperate need of guardians. From tropical rainforests, often referred to as the lungs of the planet, to the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest in California’s White Mountains, home to some of the oldest living organisms on earth, what is being done to protect our woodlands? Forester and author Ethan Tapper joins The Excerpt to share both his practical and philosophical perspectives outlined in his new book, "How to Love a Forest: The Bittersweet Work of Tending a Changing World." (This episode originally aired on February 9th, 2025.)Please let us know what you think of this episode by sending a note to podcasts@usatoday.com.Episode Transcript available hereSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

USA TODAY Domestic Security Correspondent Josh Meyer breaks down subpoenas issued by Republicans on the House Oversight Committee in their Jeffrey Epstein probe.President Donald Trump says 2028 Olympic athletes will be tested to prevent transgender competitors in women's sports.USA TODAY National Correspondent Deborah Barfield Berry takes a look back at the Voting Rights Act on its 60th anniversary, and why some worry the law's protections are now at risk.A new Coast Guard report reveals who and what to blame for the 2023 Titan submersible implosion.In this month's edition of Kind Time, we hear about a group that reunites Texas flood victims with lost stuffed toys. Find more feel-good stories from Humankind. 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.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is threatening more than 50 Democrats with legal action and removal from the state legislature after lawmakers fled the state amid a heated redistricting battle.USA TODAY Congress Reporter Savannah Kuchar takes a look at some pivotal Senate races in next year's midterm elections.The Department of Homeland Security will require some foreign travelers to post a $15,000 bond before they can come to the United States.USA TODAY Personal Finance Reporter Daniel de Visé talks about the gloomy forecast for stocks, and what to do about it.College football's preseason US LBM Coaches Poll is here. Who are some of the snubs?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.

Hamas's potential aid coordination with the Red Cross is discussed amid ongoing Israeli airstrikes. The impact of recent tax legislation may leave millions without health insurance, stirring confusion about Medicaid among the public. The tragic shooting in Montana is explored alongside the effects of tariffs on Canadian liquor, showcasing how locals adapt their cocktail recipes. Meanwhile, groundbreaking advancements in cancer research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute reveal a hopeful future for patient outcomes.

In this engaging discussion, Noah Nelson, Publisher of No Proscenium and co-founder of the Immersive Experience Institute, delves into the booming world of immersive entertainment. He shares how the pandemic fueled demand for experiences that allow audiences to engage directly with stories, from theme parks to escape rooms. Nelson emphasizes the importance of creating memorable moments rather than just complex narratives, and he explores the future of this dynamic industry with exciting developments from major players like Universal.

The podcast delves into the fallout from disappointing employment statistics in the U.S., including Trump's surprising decision to dismiss the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics. It examines the negative market reactions to tariffs and discusses gold's resurgence as a stable investment amid economic uncertainty. Additionally, listeners get an intriguing peek into the New York Federal Reserve's gold vault, exploring its massive stash of gold bars and the security surrounding them. The debate on gold's enduring value versus the volatility of digital currencies adds an engaging twist.