The Excerpt

USA TODAY Senior Congress Reporter Riley Beggin has the latest after Elon Musk launched an attack on President Donald Trump's sweeping tax and policy bill. A new analysis finds nearly 11 million Americans would lose insurance under Trump's tax bill. Trump bans travel from 12 nations. The Education Department says Columbia University fails to meet accreditation standards. Trump said Russian President Vladimir Putin vowed retaliation against Ukraine during a call Wednesday. USA TODAY National Correspondent Elizabeth Weise tells us how a recent Ukraine drone attack shows familiar-looking drones can be terrifying weapons. 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.

With AI tools like ChatGPT becoming ubiquitous on college campuses, students and educators alike are navigating a rapidly shifting academic landscape. Beth McMurtrie, a senior writer at The Chronicle of Higher Education, joins The Excerpt to talk about how students are using AI—from brainstorming and revising to outright cheating—and the ethical dilemmas that follow. 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.

The wife and five children of the 45-year-old suspect in the assault on pro-Jewish demonstrators in Colorado are facing deportation. President Trump is moving forward with tariff hikes on aluminum and steel. USA TODAY Education Reporter Zach Schermele tells us what Harvard alumni are doing to support the university after recent federal funding cuts. What an Instagram video could tell authorities about an escaped New Orleans inmate. USA TODAY Youth Mental Health Reporting Fellow Rachel Hale talks about the possible impact OnlyFans content creators could have on young girls. Have feedback on the show? Please send us an email at 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.

A 45-year-old suspect has been charged with a federal hate crime in the attack on a Colorado pro-Israel protest. Russia and Ukraine hold peace talks after Ukraine's recent drone strikes. USA TODAY Supreme Court Correspondent Maureen Groppe takes a look at the high court's move to take up a challenge to a grace period for mail-in ballots. USA TODAY National Immigration and Border Reporter Lauren Villagran tells us about volunteers who search for migrant remains along the U.S.-Mexico border. 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.

People from across the country weighed in on the impact Indiana Fever's point guard Caitlin Clark is having on the WNBA and women's sports in general. Forum is a series from USA TODAY's Opinion team that is 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. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The FBI is investigating the attack in Colorado as an act of terrorism. USA TODAY Senior Congress & Campaigns Reporter Riley Beggin discusses some potential changes to President Donald Trump's tax bill in the Senate. Some parents are 'unschooling' their kids. What does that mean? USA TODAY National Correspondent Trevor Hughes talks about concerns of an emerging surveillance state. Steve Carell told students their prom expenses were paid after wildfires. Ronnie Li reports in this month's segment of Kind Time. Find more from USA TODAY's Humankind page here. 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.

One of President Donald Trump’s focuses during his second term is his desire to reshape the arts in America. In February, he announced that he would serve as board chair of The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and dismissed half of its board members. In their place are Trump loyalists like White House chief of staff Susie Wiles, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and Second Lady Usha Vance, among others. More broadly, Trump has targeted what he calls “woke” content. He has moved to cancel millions in federal grants previously approved for arts and culture groups. While some have questioned whether the federal government should fund the arts and to what extent, a larger question looms: Can a democracy thrive without artistic freedom? Marc Bamuthi Joseph, an internationally renowned artist and cultural strategist who recently served as the Vice President and Artistic Director of Social Impact at The Kennedy Center, joins The Excerpt to share his perspective. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

USA TODAY White House Correspondent Bart Jansen discusses President Donald Trump's sendoff for Elon Musk. Plus, Bart tells us about an obscure provision in the House bill that threatens enforcement of court rulings on Trump. President Trump will double tariffs on foreign steel to 50%. The Supreme Court lets Trump revoke a safe-haven program for Cubans, Haitians, Venezuelans and Nicaraguans. The CDC still recommends childhood COVID vaccines, despite an RFK announcement earlier in the week. Former President Joe Biden is 'optimistic' about his treatment plan for Stage 4 prostate cancer. USA TODAY National Correspondent Marco della Cava has the latest from Diddy's trial and whether President Trump would or could pardon him. 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.

USA TODAY White House Reporter Zac Anderson has the latest on the trade whiplash around President Donald Trump's tariffs. A group of Deaf Americans is suing over a lack of sign language interpreters for White House events. USA TODAY Senior Congress & Campaigns Reporter Riley Beggin takes a look at some provisions lurking in the GOP tax bill Americans should know about. Heavy smoke is expected to hit the U.S. as Canadian wildfires force evacuations. Faizan Zaki pulls off a dramatic win at the Scripps National Spelling Bee. 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.

Parkinson’s is a disease that afflicts an estimated 90,000 Americans every year. Current treatment focuses on managing its many symptoms as there is no cure. But a new stem cell-based therapy that creates nerve cells is showing early promise. What’s behind this incredible discovery and just how hopeful should patients be? Two of the doctors leading this development, Dr. Lorenz Studer and Dr. Viviane Tabar of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, join The Excerpt to share the journey behind this exciting new development. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A federal court has ruled President Donald Trump can't use an emergency-powers law to impose tariffs on foreign countries. USA TODAY White House Correspondent Bart Jansen takes a look at the Trump-Vance approach to crypto. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the United States will be "aggressively" revoking visas of Chinese students. USA TODAY Government Accountability Reporter Erin Mansfield discusses exclusive findings that chapter leaders allegedly mishandled over $100,000 in a major federal union's funds. The Oklahoma City Thunder are in the NBA Finals. 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.

Most electronic devices you use – your phone, laptop, earbuds – require certain materials called rare earth minerals to function. These minerals also power a wide range of other things critical to our lives like cars, aircraft engines, medical equipment. The U.S. imports most of its supply of rare earth elements from China, which given the current climate of global trade, has led experts to wonder: any way we get more of these minerals here at home? Scott McWhorter, a distinguished fellow in the Strategic Energy Institute at Georgia Institute of Technology, joins The Excerpt to dive into the possibilities. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

President Donald Trump on Tuesday asked the Supreme Court to intervene in its effort to rapidly deport migrants to "third countries." USA TODAY Supreme Court Correspondent Maureen Groppe discusses the high court's move to take another look at whether a police officer who partially blinded a teenager during the 2020 George Floyd protests can be sued. USA TODAY Education Reporter Zach Schermele has the latest on President Trump's feud with Harvard. The Trump administration halts scheduling of new student visa appointments. SpaceX's Starship rocket breaks up again. 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.

USA TODAY White House Reporter Zac Anderson takes a look at President Donald Trump's clash with judges. Horse-drawn Caisson funerals will soon resume at Arlington National Cemetery. USA TODAY Data Reporter Ignacio Calderon discusses how President Trump delayed pollution limits on the nation’s dirtiest coal plants. The coasts face a crisis as land sinks and seas rise. Penguin poop may help fight climate change. 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.

President Donald Trump said Russian President Vladimir Putin has gone 'absolutely crazy' after the latest Russian attack on Ukraine. Trump also blamed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for the ongoing war. USA TODAY National Immigration Reporter Lauren Villagran takes a look at a major drop in illegal crossings at the southern border and the impact of Trump administration policies. This long weekend is a test for the National Park Service amid recent cuts. USA TODAY Trending Reporter Greta Cross talks about the viral trend of men wishing their friends sweet dreams. 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.

Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Dave Barry has made a career out of being a jokester, writing a nationally syndicated humor column for two decades. He is also a best-selling author. Dave joins The Excerpt to share his journey from small-town Pennsylvania journalist to national humorist and how it was his readers who paved the way. His latest book, “Class Clown: The Memoirs of a Professional Wiseass" is on bookshelves now. 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.

USA TODAY National Correspondent Trevor Hughes discusses a new tactic from ICE - arresting people as they leave mandatory court hearings. A judge has halted a Trump administration action barring Harvard from enrolling foreign students. President Donald Trump Friday threatened steep tariffs on European Union goods and targeted iPhones. President Trump ordered changes to nuclear power regulations. Listen to our special episode on nuclear power here. Sunday marks five years since the murder of George Floyd. His legacy is under siege as racial justice efforts lose ground. IndyStar Motor Sports Reporter Nathan Brown talks about a cheating scandal ahead of Sunday's Indianapolis 500 car race. Here's a schedule and how to watch. 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.

USA TODAY Senior Congress Reporter Riley Beggin takes a closer look at President Donald Trump's House-approved tax bill. The Trump administration says Harvard can no longer enroll international students. Oklahoma will require schools to teach President Trump's 2020 election conspiracy theories. USA TODAY Supreme Court Correspondent Maureen Groppe breaks down a divided court decision to block the creation of the nation's first religious charter school. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. blames ultra-processed foods, environmental chemicals, “overmedicalization” and more for driving chronic diseases in U.S. children, according to a commission report. NOAA predicts a 60% chance of an above average hurricane season. 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.

In 2018, the U.S. Air Force awarded a $3.9 billion contract to Boeing for two new Air Force One planes. For a variety of reasons, including delays tied to the need for workers with proper security clearances, Boeing may or may not be able to complete the order before the end of President Donald Trump’s second term. Meanwhile, the Qatari Prime Minister offered to gift the president a luxury 747 jet valued at $400 million. And the Department of Defense has just accepted it. There are questions about whether the Qatari plane can even be brought up to Air Force One’s safety and security standards before Trump leaves office. But the bigger question may be whether it was lawful for the president to accept it. Richard Briffault, Professor of Legislation at Columbia Law School, joins us on The Excerpt to share his insights. 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.

2 Israeli embassy staff members were fatally shot Thursday night in Washington. Republican holdouts appear to have a deal with House GOP leadership to advance President Donald Trump's tax policy bill. USA TODAY White House Correspondent Bart Jansen breaks down the news that the Department of Justice has abandoned police reform settlements over the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. The Pentagon has accepted a $400 million jet from Qatar for President Donald Trump. USA TODAY National Columnist Suzette Hackney tells us about the Nooksack 306, who lost their tribal membership and their homes. 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.