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Is Trump’s “America First Trade Policy” working for Americans? Aug 18, 2026

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Despite a major setback earlier this year when the Supreme Court ruled against his use of emergency authority in enacting tariffs back in April 2025 on what he called “Liberation Day,” President Donald Trump continues to find ways to levy import taxes on friends and foes alike. That includes a whopping 50% levy aimed at Canada which, if negotiations fail, will go into effect on August 19th. Meanwhile a new piece of legislation cloaked in the guise of Russian sanctions aims to effectively give the president carte blanche to levy tariffs on whichever countries he wants to. Is the president’s “America First Trade Policy” a win for the American people? Inu Manak, senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics, joins The Excerpt to share her insights.

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Episode transcript available here.

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Democrats are betting on South Carolina in 2028 Aug 17, 2026

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The DNC is doubling down on South Carolina as the first state in its presidential primary calendar, a decision that could reshape the race for the 2028 Democratic nomination. USA TODAY White House Correspondent Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy joins The Excerpt to explain why party leaders are sticking with South Carolina, which candidates stand to benefit most, and what early buzz around candidates like Gavin Newsom, Cory Booker and Kamala Harris reveals about the Democratic Party's future and its potential path back to the White House.

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Episode transcript available here.

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A dying coal town. A nuclear gamble. Enter Bill Gates. Aug 14, 2026

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A Wyoming coal town facing an uncertain future has become the testing ground for a novel nuclear power plant backed by Bill Gates and Warren Buffett. Supporters view the high-tech project as an essential economic lifeline, while critics have voiced deep concerns over safety and nuclear waste storage. USA TODAY National Correspondent Trevor Hughes visited Kemmerer, Wyoming, to explore whether this high-stakes project could redefine the future of American energy.

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Episode transcript available here.

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Why hundreds of private American colleges are shutting down Aug 13, 2026

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When Vermont’s Sterling College shut down, it brought into focus a growing crisis for higher education in rural America. With hundreds of small private colleges facing severe financial pressure, what happens to the students and communities left behind? Investigative journalist Jon Marcus from The Hechinger Report joins The Excerpt for a look at the impacts and what families must look for prior to enrollment.

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Episode transcript available here.

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Why young men are resorting to extreme looksmaxxing Aug 12, 2026

Show notes

"Looksmaxxing" has exploded online as young men pursue physical perfection – from chiseled jawlines to extreme body alterations. But from "softmaxxing" skincare to risky DIY fillers and extreme bone alteration, when does self-improvement cross the line into dangerous self-harm? USA TODAY Senior Wellness Reporter Charles Trepany joins The Excerpt for a look at how social media algorithms, physique inflation and the pressure of unrealistic beauty standards are affecting young men today.

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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.

Could Trump’s mail-in ballot plan put your vote at risk? Aug 11, 2026

Show notes

With less than 90 days before the midterms, the Trump administration is asking the Supreme Court to let it move forward with an untested system that would give the U.S. Postal Service a new role in determining who receives a mail-in ballot. The administration says the changes would strengthen election security, while states and election officials warn that introducing new procedures after preparations are already underway could create errors that cannot be undone. USA TODAY Senior National News Reporter Sarah D. Wire joins The Excerpt to explain what the court is considering, how eligible voters could be affected.

Let us know what you think of this episode by sending an email to podcasts@usatoday.com.

Episode transcript available here.

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The wildfires in Spokane are just the beginning Aug 10, 2026

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The wildfires burning in Spokane, Washington are a wake-up call to many, especially in the western United States. Recent deadly fires in Paradise, Marshall, Lahaina and Los Angeles share the same message for residents living in or close to risky fire-prone areas: If you want to live here, you’re going to have to accept the fire risks. But is it worth it? USA TODAY National Reporter Dinah Voyles-Pulver joins The Excerpt to share her reporting.

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Episode transcript available here.

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From turnaround to pay it forward: Kickstarter CEO backs artists Aug 07, 2026

Show notes

Before the crowdfunding giant Kickstarter hired a 33-year-old CEO in the fall of 2022, revenue had been falling…. as much as 20 percent earlier that year. Since then, the company – where folks fund projects by creatives – has bounced back in a big way. Last year was Kickstarter’s best year on record. So how did a young, Black corporate executive do it? Kickstarter CEO Everette Taylor joins The Excerpt to share what motivates him.

Let us know what you think of this episode by sending an email to podcasts@usatoday.com.

Episode transcript available here.

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With a nail-biting win, Dems pin their hopes on Michigan in midterms Aug 06, 2026

Show notes

In a nail-biter Democratic senate primary in Michigan, progressive insurgent Abdul El-Sayed defeated establishment candidate Representative Haley Stevens, a four-term centrist congresswoman, in what could signal a further sign of change to the party’s direction. While there were four other state primaries on Tuesday night, the Michigan senate race has been seen as pivotal to the Democrats’ bid to reclaim control of the chamber this November. The question now, can El-Sayed galvanize enough voters to win over Republican Mike Rogers? USA TODAY Washington Bureau Chief Susan Page joins The Excerpt to share her analysis of the race.

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.

Colorado River cuts could reach far beyond the West Aug 05, 2026

Show notes

The Colorado River supplies water to one in 10 Americans and supports farms that produce about 15% of the nation’s food. After the seven states that rely on it failed to agree on how to share a shrinking water supply, the federal government released a 10-year framework that could bring much deeper cuts to Arizona, California and Nevada. Arizona could bear the steepest reductions because of its lower-priority rights to water delivered through the Central Arizona Project.

Brandon Loomis, environmental and climate reporter for The Arizona Republic, joins The Excerpt to explain what the federal government has decided and what remains up for negotiation.

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.

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