

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 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.

Jun 20, 2025 • 14min
Trump to decide on US role in Israel-Iran conflict within 2 weeks
President Donald Trump will decide on the U.S. role in the Israel-Iran conflict within two weeks.USA TODAY White House Reporter Davis Winkie discusses how the Trump administration's National Guard immigration enforcement could divide states. Plus, a court lets Trump keep control of California's National Guard for now.The Los Angeles Dodgers say they denied federal agents access to Dodger Stadium parking lots.Trump signs an executive order delaying a ban on TikTok - again.USA TODAY National Correspondent Marco della Cava looks back on the phenomenon that was 'Jaws' on its 50th anniversary. Plus, how locals made up much of the film's cast.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 19, 2025 • 13min
SPECIAL | Rethinking the American dream: Trade schools vs. college degrees
Are high school graduates better off picking up a welding torch instead of a college textbook? As demand grows for skilled labor, more students—and their parents—are questioning whether the traditional college-for-all model still makes sense. Is it time to stop treating college as the default path? Steve Klein, a researcher at Education Northwest, talks to The Excerpt about the benefits and biases around trade careers, the reality of financial independence without a four-year degree, and how schools can better prepare students for the future.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 19, 2025 • 14min
Trump says US 'may' or 'may not' strike Iran
President Donald Trump is weighing U.S. actions amid Israel and Iran's ongoing strikes. Plus, MAGA infighting grows on the issue. And there are risks for Trump of 'regime change' in Iran: Just ask George W. Bush.USA TODAY Supreme Court Correspondent Maureen Groppe breaks down the high court's move to uphold Tennessee's ban on transgender minors using puberty blockers and hormone therapy.The Social Security crisis is coming a year earlier than we thought.Karen Read has been acquitted of murder in the death of her police officer boyfriend.The FDA approves a new twice-yearly HIV shot.USA TODAY Chief Political Correspondent Phillip M. Bailey discusses the importance of Juneteenth and how some communities are marking the day.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 18, 2025 • 11min
SPECIAL | One immigrant's story of what it means to be undocumented
There are an estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants in the U.S. Every one of their stories is different and the broad strokes coverage you often hear can’t possibly touch on everyone’s reality. So Alix Dick and Antero Garcia decided to focus on the story of just one undocumented person - Alix herself. Their new book “The Cost of Being Undocumented: One Woman’s Reckoning with America’s Inhumane Math“ is on bookshelves now. Co-authors Alix Dick and Antero Garcia join The Excerpt to share their journey of discovery of what it means to be undocumented.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 18, 2025 • 13min
Pentagon sends warplanes, aircraft carrier to Middle East as Iran-Israel conflict continues
The Pentagon has shifted warplanes and an aircraft carrier to the Middle East. Plus, President Donald Trump threatens Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on social media. And Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Tucker Carlson urge Trump to stay out of Iran, exposing a MAGA rift.USA TODAY National Correspondent Will Carless discusses how as ‘lone actor’ attacks rise, Trump is dismantling the program aimed at spotting them.A poll finds the majority of Americans oppose Trump's tax bill.USA TODAY Washington Bureau Chief Susan Page breaks down what some recent primaries can tell us ahead of midterms next year.The Florida Panthers are Stanley Cup champions again.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 17, 2025 • 12min
Trump leaves G7 early, urges everyone in Tehran to evacuate 'before it is too late'
USA TODAY White House Correspondent Francesca Chambers breaks down President Donald Trump's decision to abruptly leave the Group of Seven summit.Multiple lawmakers push to curb Trump's war powers on Iran.A federal prosecutor said Monday that the man accused of shooting two Minnesota lawmakers went to the homes of two other state officials the morning he launched a targeted "political assassination."USA TODAY Government Accountability Reporter Erin Mansfield discusses the trickle-down effect of Trump's NIH budget cuts.Trump Organization launches a new mobile cell service.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 16, 2025 • 11min
BONUS | Opinion: What do you want your dad to know?
We're putting the spotlight on dads today, asking readers to share about why it's so important to honor our fathers or paternal figures in our lives. Forum is a series from USA TODAY's Opinion team, 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.

Jun 16, 2025 • 13min
Assassination suspect arrested after fatal attack on Minnesota lawmakers
A suspect has been arrested in the fatal shooting of Minnesota lawmakers over the weekend.Iranian missiles struck Tel Aviv and Haifa before dawn on Monday.'No Kings' organizers say protests drew large crowds. How large? Plus, Republican Sen. Rand Paul criticized the military parade backed by President Donald Trump.USA TODAY Money Reporter Bailey Schulz discusses what some economists are saying about the Trump administration's immigration crackdown.President Trump directs ICE to expand deportations in large Democratic-run cities.USA TODAY National Correspondent Deborah Barfield Berry tells us how families are reflecting on the Charleston church massacre a decade later.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.