The Excerpt

Convicted murderer Christa Pike was sentenced to death by lethal injection on September 30th, but somehow survived . Her situation has surprised many, but new reporting suggests there were warning signs something could go wrong. 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 Noti...

Author and domestic violence advocate Denise Brown reflects on the warning signs her family missed before Nicole Brown Simpson’s death . She explains what she later learned about power, control and the cycle of abuse, and what families need to understand when someone they love may be at risk. Let us know what you think of this episode by sending an email to podcasts@usatoday.com .  See Privac...

America needs electricians, plumbers and other tradespeople . So why are newly trained workers still struggling to get hired? Rachel Barber, USA TODAY money reporter, explains the contradiction behind the skilled-worker shortage and what it could mean for repairs, infrastructure and essential services. Let us know what you think of this episode by sending an email to podcasts@usatoday.com . ...

For years, Loudoun County, Virginia, treated data centers as an economic success story . Fast-track approvals attracted major developers, and the tax windfall paid for public services across the county. Now residents say the growth has gone too far. USA TODAY National Reporter Christopher Cann examines the backlash and what other communities can learn from Loudoun’s experience. Let us know what yo...

With just over a month to go before the midterm elections, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries joins The Excerpt to discuss the rise of the DSA within the Democratic party, his private meeting with Trump adviser Jared Kushner, and why he believes the U.S. is in the midst of an "AI safety crisis." Let us know what you think of this episode by sending an email to podcasts@usatoday.com .  See...

Cornell University received more than 1,200 reports of sexual violence between 2018 and 2024, but only a fraction resulted in formal investigations and disciplinary action. Kenny Jacoby, investigative reporter for USA TODAY, joins The Excerpt to break down the numbers, the limits of campus misconduct systems and what experts say these outcomes can mean for student trust. Let us know what you think...

Cancer rates are declining across most of the United States. But Iowa is moving in the opposite direction. Iowa now has one of the nation's highest cancer incidence rates and is one of only three states where rates continue to rise. So what's different about Iowa? Nick El Hajj, reporter for the Des Moines Register, joins The Excerpt to discuss the theories researchers are investigating, from drink...

Ten years after taking on Roger Ailes, Gretchen Carlson, former Fox News anchor, reveals what changed for women who speak out and where justice still fails them. She reflects on the personal cost of challenging workplace power and why many women never return to their careers. Let us know what you think of this episode by sending an email to podcasts@usatoday.com .  See Privacy Policy at https...

Bad actors rarely remain on a single platform. Sean Litton, former president and CEO of the Tech Coalition, explains how they can move between social media, gaming, messaging and payment services . On USA TODAY's The Excerpt, he also breaks down Lantern, a system that allows companies to share warning signals and uncover harmful activity that might otherwise remain hidden. Let us know what you thi...

A record number of employees are leaving ICE , even as the agency hires thousands of workers to expand enforcement operations. Ignacio Calderon, a USA TODAY data reporter, breaks down what federal workforce records reveal about the surge in departures, 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...

Texas is rarely considered a political battleground, so why are Republicans spending heavily to defend it? USA TODAY Chief Political Correspondent Phillip M. Bailey explains James Talarico’s rise, Ken Paxton’s vulnerabilities and why affordability, AI, data centers and frustration with Washington are reshaping the Senate race. Let us know what you think of this episode by sending an email to podca...

From Iran and Cuba to Ukraine and NATO, President Trump's UN visit touched nearly every major foreign policy challenge facing the United States . Francesca Chambers, USA TODAY White House correspondent, examines the biggest moment and what to watch as Trump heads into a high-stakes meeting with China's leader. Let us know what you think of this episode by sending an email to podcasts@usatoday.com...

This fight is bigger than which reporters enter the White House . BrieAnna Frank, USA TODAY First Amendment reporting fellow, explains why fewer journalists with firsthand access could narrow what the public can independently learn and verify, and how a loss in court could give future administrations more room to restrict the press. Let us know what you think of this episode by sending an email to...

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear joins USA TODAY Washington Bureau Chief Susan Page on The Excerpt to talk about his new book, the midterms and if he will run for president in 2028. 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 h...

A pregnant mother's struggle with untreated depression became a lasting lesson in what can happen when patients don't feel listened to . Ken Alltucker, a national correspondent for USA Today, discusses new research on healthcare access and why women are more likely to report negative experiences with the healthcare system. Let us know what you think of this episode by sending an email to podcasts@...

Illinois Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton could make history if she's elected to the U.S. Senate , but her campaign is also rooted in a deeply personal family story. USA TODAY Senior Reporter Jay Stahl joins The Excerpt to discuss how her father's experience with segregation, along with the loss of her father last year, continues to shape her candidacy to replace Sen. Dick Durbin. Let us know what yo...

After an Anthropic researcher quit and warned about the risks of advanced AI, pressure is mounting on lawmakers to respond. USA TODAY Congressional Correspondent Zach Schermele explains why the warning is getting lawmakers' attention and whether meaningful AI oversight is finally gaining momentum. Let us know what you think of this episode by sending an email to podcasts@usatoday.com .  Episo...

Oprah Winfrey opens up about trusting her intuition and embracing reinvention as she promotes a new immersive event in Las Vegas April 2-4. In a wide-ranging conversation with USA TODAY Executive Editor of Entertainment Wendy Naugle, she shares why she’s still focused on helping people change their lives and why she believes new beginnings are always possible. Let us know what you think of this ep...

Author and USA TODAY National Enterprise Editor Jeremy Redmon joins The Excerpt to discuss “Tell the Kids I Love Them,” his memoir about war, fatherhood, love and loss . Through audio tapes recorded during the Vietnam War, family memories and years of searching, Redmon pieces together the life of his father, Donald, and confronts the questions his family carried after Donald’s death by suicide. Th...

HBO’s The Pitt enters Emmy night with a leading 25 nominations , but the biggest story may be what its success says about television’s future. Ralphie Aversa, USA TODAY senior entertainment correspondent, joins us to break down the breakout nominees and the industry trends shaping TV right now. Let us know what you think of this episode by sending an email to podcasts@usatoday.com .  Episode...

Thomas E. Franklin, former Bergen Record photographer, reflects on September 11, 2001, recounting his journey into Ground Zero and the split-second decisions that led to one of the most recognizable images in American history . He joins Mike Kelly, a columnist for The Record in New Jersey and USA TODAY, to share what he saw and why the photograph still resonates decades later. Let us know what you...

Twenty-five years after the attacks, today’s students know 9/11 through history lessons rather than personal memory . Dexter Southfield Head of School Peter Folan joins USA TODAY's The Excerpt to explain how educators balance the tragedy of that day with stories of resilience, service, and unity. Hear how schools are helping a new generation understand why 9/11 still matters.  Let us know wha...

Twenty-five years after 9/11, Mike Kelly, columnist for The Record of northern New Jersey and author of “After Ground Zero,” reflects on the ordinary Americans whose lives were forever changed . From survivors and first responders to grieving families, he explores the human stories behind the tragedy. Let us know what you think of this episode by sending an email to podcasts@usatoday.com .  E...

In the now 25 years since the attack on 9/11, our world has drastically changed . The way we live our lives, the way we travel, the way we interact with our government, the way our government surveils us – all of it – changed. How exactly? USA TODAY Washington Bureau Chief Susan Page joins The Excerpt to share her insights. Let us know what you think of this episode by sending an email to podcasts...

Flock cameras capture license plates and vehicle details, creating a searchable record of where cars have been seen. USA TODAY Investigative Data Reporter Austin Fast explains how USA TODAY's analysis of 75 million searches uncovered troubling patterns , including officers repeatedly tracking the same vehicles, and why the findings are intensifying concerns about privacy, surveillance and oversigh...