The Excerpt

Under President Donald Trump's second administration, LGBTQ+ rights are back in the spotlight as he issues executive orders banning transgender military servicemembers and rescinding funding from educational institutions that allow trans athletes to compete in sports. So far in 2025, more than 500 bills targeting the LGBTQ+ community have been introduced across America.As Pride Month 2025 gets underway across the country (albeit with fewer corporate sponsors), we asked what pride means to you – not just the parades, protests and community, but also your feelings, fears and hopes – and whether it can continue to exist in its current form. Here's what you told us.Forum is a series from USA TODAY's Opinion team that is dedicated to showcasing views from across the political spectrum on issues that Americans are starkly divided on. If you'd like to weigh in on a different topic, you can find more questions at usatoday.com/forum. And if your submission is selected for print, we might invite you to add your voice to a future special bonus episode like this one. Let us know what you think of this episode by sending an email 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.

Tensions escalated in Los Angeles late Sunday between law enforcement and protesters as California National Guard troops arrived.USA TODAY National Immigration and Border Reporter Lauren Villagran takes a look at Trump's 'invasion' claims.Proud Boys who stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6 sue the government for $100 million.USA TODAY White House Correspondent Bart Jansen discusses disputes among Republicans about parts of Trump's major tax bill.Cole Escola makes nonbinary history at the Tony Awards.Let us know what you think of this episode by sending an email 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.

John Arthur’s vows to Jim Obergefell came during a unique wedding ceremony that changed the course of American history. It was 2013 and at the time, Arthur was dying of ALS. Due to the generosity of friends and family the couple were able to exchange vows from within a medical plane parked in Maryland, where gay marriage was legal. Obergefell and Arthur’s fight to get their marriage recognized by their home state of Ohio went all the way to the Supreme Court, ultimately paving the way for nationwide marriage equality for same-sex couples 10 years ago. John, tragically, passed before the ruling, but the couple’s story endures as a milestone for the LGBTQ+ community. Jim Obergefell joins The Excerpt to share more about his historic journey.Let us know what you think of this episode by sending an email 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.

Kilmar Abrego Garcia has been returned to the U.S. He now faces human trafficking charges.USA TODAY White House Correspondent Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy discusses some of the concerns from LGBTQ+ advocates this Pride Month over Trump administration actions.The Supreme Court blocks the disclosure of DOGE operations. Plus, the court lets DOGE access Social Security data.USA TODAY White House Correspondent Francesca Chambers talks about new Trump executive orders centered on flying cars and high speed air travel.Nonalcoholic beer is on track to become the world's second-largest beer category.Let us know what you think of this episode by sending an email 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 has the latest on the feud between Elon Musk and President Donald Trump. Plus, Josh takes a look at how the feud might end.Here's what you need to know about this week's travel ban.The Department of Homeland Security is ending its Quiet Skies surveillance program.The Supreme Court sides with a straight woman in a 'reverse discrimination' case.USA TODAY National Correspondent Elizabeth Weise tells us about invasive Asian needle ants.Let us know what you think of this episode by sending an email 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.

The 2025 NATO summit will be held in The Hague later this month. Among the topics of discussion will be defense spending, strengthening the alliance, support for Ukraine and bolstering defense capabilities. With the summit fast approaching, how might European powers fill the leadership and aid vacuum left by the U.S. as the Trump administration's appetite for foreign conflict dissipates? Max Boot, senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, joins The Excerpt to talk through all the issues on the table.Let us know what you think of this episode by sending an email 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 Senior Congress Reporter Riley Beggin has the latest after Elon Musk launched an attack on President Donald Trump's sweeping tax and policy bill.A new analysis finds nearly 11 million Americans would lose insurance under Trump's tax bill.Trump bans travel from twelve nations.The Education Department says Columbia University fails to meet accreditation standards.Trump said Russian President Vladimir Putin vowed retaliation against Ukraine during a call Wednesday.USA TODAY National Correspondent Elizabeth Weise tells us how a recent Ukraine drone attack shows familiar-looking drones can be terrifying weapons.Let us know what you think of this episode by sending an email 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.

With AI tools like ChatGPT becoming ubiquitous on college campuses, students and educators alike are navigating a rapidly shifting academic landscape. Beth McMurtrie, a senior writer at The Chronicle of Higher Education, joins The Excerpt to talk about how students are using AI—from brainstorming and revising to outright cheating—and the ethical dilemmas that follow.Let us know what you think of this episode by sending an email 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.

The wife and five children of the 45-year-old suspect in the assault on pro-Jewish demonstrators in Colorado are facing deportation.President Trump is moving forward with tariff hikes on aluminum and steel. USA TODAY Education Reporter Zach Schermele tells us what Harvard alumni are doing to support the university after recent federal funding cuts.What an Instagram video could tell authorities about an escaped New Orleans inmate. USA TODAY Youth Mental Health Reporting Fellow Rachel Hale talks about the possible impact OnlyFans content creators could have on young girls.  Have feedback on the show? Please send us an email at podcasts@USATODAY.comEpisode Transcript available hereSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A 45-year-old suspect has been charged with a federal hate crime in the attack on a Colorado pro-Israel protest.Russia and Ukraine hold peace talks after Ukraine's recent drone strikes.USA TODAY Supreme Court Correspondent Maureen Groppe takes a look at the high court's move to take up a challenge to a grace period for mail-in ballots.A new study has found a link between chronic cannabis use and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.USA TODAY National Immigration and Border Reporter Lauren Villagran tells us about volunteers who search for migrant remains along the U.S.-Mexico border.Let us know what you think of this episode by sending an email 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.