

The Excerpt
USA TODAY
USA TODAY’s daily news podcast, The Excerpt (formerly 5 Things), brings you a curated mix of the most important headlines seven mornings a week. We also deliver special deep-dive episodes on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons on the most compelling topics in culture, entertainment, sports, politics, and more. Give us fifteen minutes a day, we'll give you all of the headlines, none of the chaos. Hosted by Taylor Wilson and Dana Taylor.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jun 27, 2025 • 11min
Supreme Court sides with South Carolina in effort to cut Planned Parenthood funding
USA TODAY Supreme Court Correspondent Maureen Groppe breaks down the implications of the high court's decision siding with South Carolina in its effort to cut Planned Parenthood funding.President Donald Trump's passport policy was lifted. But some Americans are still in the dark.Protests pop up in Venice before the Jeff Bezos-Lauren Sánchez wedding. Why are people upset?USA TODAY National Correspondent Marco della Cava talks about the popularity of Formula One racing and a new Brad Pitt movie - F1 - in theaters today.(Trailer credit: Apple Original Films/Warner Bros. Pictures)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.

Jun 26, 2025 • 10min
SPECIAL | LGBTQ+ pride under pressure: Fighting back, then and now
In 1969, LGBTQ+ patrons at the Stonewall Inn fought back against a violent police raid — and sparked a global movement. More than 50 years later, the fight continues. Under President Donald Trump’s second term, the National Park Service quietly removed “transgender” and “T” and “Q” from the Stonewall National Monument website. USA TODAY National Correspondent Michael Collins joins The Excerpt to share his reporting on Stonewall veterans who fear history is being rewritten.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.

Jun 26, 2025 • 14min
Trump says US, Iranian officials to hold talks after bombing of nuclear sites
Iranian officials are expected to meet with U.S. officials next week. Plus, NATO leaders back a big increase in defense spending.USA TODAY Chief Political Correspondent Phillip M. Bailey discusses what Zohran Mamdani's win in New York City means for Democrats and the GOP.Feds wasted millions on tech to detect fentanyl at the border, according to a federal watchdog.USA TODAY Books Reporter Clare Mulroy breaks down the Trump administration's impact on how we read.Check out last night's NBA Draft picks.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.

Jun 25, 2025 • 13min
SPECIAL | Record heat, a climate reckoning: How will humans respond?
Climate change, global warming – we've all heard the steady drumbeat of doom. But a recent five-year forecast, by the World Meteorological Organization and the U.K. Meteorological Office, puts it starkly: The world will likely soon break another annual temperature record and, according to the Associated Press, the heat will be deadly. What would happen if we embraced the idea that the future still rests firmly in our hands? Is it in our nature to learn, adapt and change? And, equally important, is there still time? Author and climate scientist Kate Marvel dives into those questions in her new book “Human Nature,” on bookshelves now. She joins USA TODAY’s The Excerpt to share her perspective.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.

Jun 25, 2025 • 15min
US strikes failed to destroy Iran's nuclear sites, according to intelligence report
U.S. strikes failed to destroy Iran's nuclear sites. Plus, USA TODAY Government Accountability Reporter Erin Mansfield looks back on the last 70 years of history between the U.S. and Iran.Zohran Mamdani wins a New York City primary for mayor, shaking up mainstream Democratic politics.America's housing is pulling further out of reach, according to a new report.USA TODAY Consumer Travel Reporter Zach Wichter talks about supersonic air travel and its past and present in this week's Cruising Altitude column.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.

Jun 24, 2025 • 13min
Israel says Iran violates ceasefire, orders new strikes
Israel says Iran has violated a ceasefire. Plus, USA TODAY White House Correspondent Francesca Chambers breaks down how Middle East tensions will impact this week's NATO summit.The Supreme Court lifts a judge's limits on deportations to third-party countries.A judge blocks President Trump's plan to to bar foreign nationals from entering the U.S. to study at Harvard University.New York City Democrats head to the polls to vote in citywide elections that will determine their party's nominee for mayor.USA TODAY National Correspondent Dinah Voyles Pulver breaks down the potential impact of proposed massive cuts to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.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.

Jun 23, 2025 • 16min
SPECIAL | Does the US need a Golden Dome air defense system?
In May, President Donald Trump shared his vision for protecting the US from the threat of nuclear strikes by drones, and ballistic, cruise and hypersonic missiles. The idea? A Golden Dome which would cover the country with three layers of air defenses. Following the launch of missiles in Iran, the idea of having a robust defense system here at home is getting more attention. Tom Karako, Senior Fellow at the Center for Strategic & International Studies, joins USA TODAY’s The Excerpt to share his insight on missile defense and nuclear deterrence.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.

Jun 23, 2025 • 12min
Trump floats regime change after strikes on Iran
USA TODAY Washington Bureau Chief Susan Page takes a broader look at President Donald Trump's decision to order weekend strikes on nuclear targets in Iran. Plus, an Iranian spokesperson calls Trump a 'gambler.' And Trump floats the idea of regime change.The strikes could hit the U.S. economy at a fragile time.USA TODAY National Correspondent Elizabeth Weise tells us about killer bees.The Oklahoma City Thunder are NBA champions.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.

Jun 22, 2025 • 14min
New music documentaries rock the big screen at Tribeca
A slew of new music documentaries recently debuted at this year’s Tribeca Film Festival. The list of cultural icons with docs just released or coming soon is long – from Billy Joel to Miley Cyrus to Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder. Beyond incredible sound, what were some of the stories captured in these docs? And what will audiences see and hear as they follow documentary filmmakers in their quest to go behind the music? USA TODAY National Music Reporter Melissa Ruggieri joins The Excerpt to share insights from some of the biggest music documentaries fans can seek out this year.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.

Jun 21, 2025 • 14min
Israel says it killed Iran commander as both sides attack
European foreign ministers are working to establish a path to diplomacy in Geneva.Lawmakers propose prohibiting masked agents. Plus, pro-Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil has been released. And USA TODAY National Correspondent Trevor Hughes discusses how the Trump administration is doubling down on immigration enforcement.President Trump is calling for a special prosecutor to investigate his false 2020 election claims.Millions of Americans will feel a heat wave this weekend. Find out where.USA TODAY Senior Reporter Jessica Guynn tells us how some fear anti-DEI fervor could drive openly gay, trans and nonbinary executives back into hiding.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.