The Excerpt

Latest Episodes:

Inside the push to modernize the US nuclear arsenal Jul 07, 2026

Show notes

It’s the worst-cast scenario no one wants to talk about: what happens if America's nuclear missile silos are attacked? The Minuteman III is a powerful intercontinental ballistic missile capable of striking targets on the other side of the world, and it could be our best bet. But it’s aging, and land-based ICBMs have an Achilles heel. USA TODAY Defense Reporter Davis Winkie joins The Excerpt to discuss “The Nuclear Sponge” – a five-part project by USA TODAY that dives into the strategic debate and costs of modernizing the land leg of America’s nuclear arsenal. (This episode originally aired on January 7, 2026.)

Have feedback on the show? Please send us an email at 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.

Doomscrolling alert: The Atlantic current may be headed for collapse Jul 06, 2026

Show notes

A large-scale and delicate system of ocean currents that has been active for millions of years and that’s responsible for our warm climate is in danger of collapse due to climate change. This is according to a new study published in April in the journal Science Advances. If that collapse actually happens, scientists warn, the consequences could be dire. Shane Elipot, a physical oceanographer at the University of Miami and one of the authors of the study, joins The Excerpt to share his findings. (This episode originally aired on April 23, 2026)

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.

We hit the road for USA 250 Jul 03, 2026

Show notes

To mark the 250th anniversary of the United States, USA TODAY sent reporters out on the road, and into history, to follow the journeys that built America – from the Underground Railroad and Route 66 to Paul Revere’s midnight ride and beyond. USA TODAY reporters Trevor Hughes, Sarah D. Wire and Karissa Waddick join The Excerpt to share what they saw and what those stories tell us about our history and where the country might be headed in its next 250 years.

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.

House Speaker Johnson on housing, relationship with Trump and Iran war Jul 02, 2026

Show notes

There’s no shortage of news coming from Washington these days: The war in Iran, disputes between the president and Congress over legislation such as the bipartisan housing bill and the 250th anniversary of country’s founding this weekend. House Speaker Mike Johnson joins The Excerpt in an exclusive interview hosted by USA TODAY White House Correspondent Francesca Chambers.

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.

Trump dealt major blow with birthright citizenship ruling Jul 01, 2026

Show notes

Another Supreme Court term has wrapped with major rulings that reshape key national debates. The court upheld birthright citizenship, rejecting a central push from President Donald Trump, while also siding with states on restricting transgender athletes from competing in girls’ sports. USA TODAY Court Reporter Aysha Bagchi joins The Excerpt to unpack what these decisions mean.

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.

Taylor Swift & Travis Kelce: The big wedding date is finally here! Jun 30, 2026

Show notes

It’s being called the wedding of the century! Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are getting married, and it looks like it’s going to be big! New York City, Madison Square Garden BIG and all the clues are pointing to July 3rd. The rumors have run wild. Some say it’s a distraction. Others think MSG will be the big party “for everyone they’ve ever met,” while the actual ceremony will be somewhere private and intimate. So, what is really going on? From the celebrity guests to the luxe venue, music performances to the wedding dress we are breaking it down. USA TODAY Reporters Bryan West, Melissa Ruggieri and Morgan Evans join Senior Entertainment Correspondent Ralphie Aversa on this special episode of The Excerpt.

* An earlier version of this podcast referenced a prior release of Toy Story that included a Taylor Swift song. It was Toy Story 5.

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.

Will the midterm elections be free from interference from bad actors? Jun 29, 2026

Show notes

A bipartisan group of secretaries of state is warning that the federal government may no longer be a reliable hub for election threat information, according to an internal memo shared exclusively with USA TODAY. The concern is that state officials will no longer have access to the kind of real-time cyber and physical threats that only the federal government can provide. USA TODAY Senior National News Reporter Sarah Wire joins The Excerpt to explain what the memo says, why states are trying to fill the gaps themselves and what this could mean for November’s midterms.

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.

SCOTUS ruling ends TPS legal status for Haitians and Syrians Jun 26, 2026

Show notes

The Supreme Court has ended a humanitarian program that let many Haitian and Syrian immigrants stay in the United States temporarily, a decision that could upend the lives of hundreds of thousands of people along with the communities where they live and work. The ruling is a major win for President Donald Trump’s hardline immigration agenda, raising urgent questions about what happens next for affected families. USA TODAY Supreme Court Correspondent Maureen Groppe joins The Excerpt to walk through the decision and what happens next.

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.

On housing, America agrees. Trump stands alone Jun 25, 2026

Show notes

Americans are stretched thin and you probably know why: Housing. It’s become increasingly, persistently unaffordable, and for many, simply out of reach. Americans are moving less, are forming fewer households and are spending too much of their income on housing according to an annual report just released by Harvard. Will Trump end up signing the 21st Century Road to Housing Act now on his desk and if he does, will it make housing any more affordable? Francis Torres, Director of Housing & Infrastructure for the Bipartisan Policy Center, joins The Excerpt to share his analysis of the crisis.

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.

GOP drama as Trump meets lawmakers behind closed doors Jun 24, 2026

Show notes

President Donald Trump is testing his own party’s patience on Capitol Hill. Last week, he told Senate Republicans to cancel a major confirmation hearing, complicating their effort to renew a key antiterrorism law and adding to a growing list of frustrations for GOP lawmakers. Trump’s approach has some Republicans warning that the president is undermining the very results he wants. Will they be able to find common ground while they still have the power to execute on Trump’s agenda? USA TODAY Congressional Reporter Zach Schermele joins The Excerpt now to explain why Senate Republicans are scrambling and what it could mean for the party heading into the midterms.

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.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected