The Excerpt

Ukraine says Russia carried out attacks on Christmas Day. Meanwhile, Russia says it has foiled Ukrainian plots to kill senior officers with disguised bombs. A plane crashed in Kazakhstan Wednesday, killing at least 38 people. USA TODAY Consumer Travel Reporter Zach Wichter discusses the future of snow sports amid climate change. President-elect Donald Trump taps Miami-Dade County Commissioner Kevin Marino Cabrera to serve as ambassador to Panama. USA TODAY Books Reporter Clare Mulroy talks about some of her favorite reads of the year. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Robin Williams was an Oscar-winning actor and comedian best known for his improvisational skills. From his role as a radio broadcaster in “Good Morning Vietnam” to his portrayal of a man grappling with the karmic repercussions of his wife in “What Dreams May Come,” he had a powerful repertoire. Robin died 10 years ago today at the age of 63. The official cause of death was ruled a suicide. On the anniversary of his passing, we remember the incredible person he was, and celebrate his many successes on and off the big screen with his son Zak. This episode originally aired on August 11, 2024. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

President Joe Biden has signed legislation mandating that colleges report hazing incidents. Sean 'Diddy' Combs has been sued by a former male employee for sexual battery, according to reports. USA TODAY Graphics Editor George Petras takes a look at the history behind model trains and Christmas. The first night of Hanukkah falls on the same day as Christmas this year. That's a rarity. USA TODAY Money Reporter Bailey Schulz talks about the voice actors behind popular toys, and what's next for them amid a rise in AI. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

USA TODAY Breaking News Reporter Claire Thornton has the latest after Luigi Mangione pleaded not guilty Monday to state murder and terrorism charges in New York. President Joe Biden might pardon others before leaving office. How does that work? USA TODAY Domestic Security Correspondent Josh Meyer breaks down a Matt Gaetz ethics report that found 'substantial evidence' of statutory rape and prostitution. Former President Bill Clinton has been hospitalized with a fever. NORAD and Google have live tools to track Santa this Christmas Eve. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

President-elect Donald Trump says he will rename the country's tallest mountain, reverting to a former name. USA TODAY Trending News Reporter Eric Lagatta looks back at the year in space exploration. Honda and Nissan have begun talks on a potential merger. USA TODAY Personal Finance Reporter Daniel de Visé talks through some financial resolutions for 2025. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

For years, Wanda Tucker has used her family's story to encourage others to explore and preserve their family history. Tucker has traced her history from Virginia to the shores of present-day Angola. Earlier this month, when President Joe Biden became the first U.S. President to visit Angola, Wanda Tucker traveled there as his guest. USA TODAY National Correspondent Deborah Barfield Berry, who traveled to Angola for this story, joins The Excerpt to discuss why Wanda Tucker and other members of the Tucker family have remained open to confronting a painful past and what they hope others take away from their journey. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Congress reached a last-minute, bipartisan deal to keep the government running after a midnight deadline. A driver rammed into a Christmas market crowd in Magdeburg, Germany Friday evening, killing at least two. USA TODAY Wellness Reporter David Oliver talks about giving the gift of genetic testing. USA TODAY National Correspondent Elizabeth weise explains how cute and hungry otters are eating up an invasive crab species in California. The FAA warns the public to stop aiming laser pointers at the sky. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Parts of the government may shut down Friday if a midnight deadline isn't reached. USA TODAY Investigative Reporter Nick Penzenstadler takes a closer look at the anonymous world of 3D-printed guns. A Georgia court disqualifies DA Fani Willis in President-elect Donald Trump's election racketeering case. USA TODAY Education Reporter Zachary Schermele breaks down the Education Department's move to reopen two student loan repayment plans. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

From college arenas to the Olympics, women dominated their sports. Simone Biles racked up four gold medals while women's soccer beat Brazil to clinch the gold as well. The WNBA had its highest-viewed year ever, due in part to the powerhouse that is Caitlin Clark. Conversations around equity and inclusion also abounded with talk about transgender athletes. USA Today Sports Columnist Nancy Armour and NFL Insider Tyler Dragon tally up the wins from sports in 2024. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

President-elect Donald Trump is throwing a new wrinkle into the fight to avoid a government shutdown. USA TODAY Pentagon Correspondent Tom Vanden Brook breaks down the Pentagon's response to drones on military bases. The Fed lowers its key interest rate by another quarter point, but foresees just two cuts in 2025. The announcement spooked investors. USA TODAY Investigative Reporter Nick Penzenstadler explains how delayed rape cases from an untested kit backlog can mean lower sentences. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What word had moviegoers buzzing in 2024? They may not want to admit it, but that word would be sequels. From “Inside Out 2” to “Gladiator II,” Hollywood racked up big wins with the tried and true. With the 2023 Hollywood strikes by both the Screen Actors Guild and the Writer’s Guild in the rearview, was Hollywood able to come roaring back in 2024? USA TODAY Entertainment Reporter Ralphie Aversa joins The Excerpt to discuss some of Hollywood’s biggest hits and misses this year. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The man accused of fatally shooting UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson earlier this month, is facing upgraded murder charges in New York. Elon Musk and SpaceX changed a Texas town. Opinions differ on how. A grieving Wisconsin community struggles to make sense of this week's school shooting. USA TODAY National Correspondent Elizabeth Weise explains why black plastic utensils aren't as dangerous as a study suggested. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A New York judge Monday upheld President-elect Donald Trump’s felony conviction for falsifying records to cover up a “hush money” sex scandal. Wisconsin police hail a hero second-grader for calling 911 during a deadly Monday shooting. USA TODAY Congress, Campaigns and Democracy Reporter Karissa Waddick breaks down the conversation around subminimum wage for people with disabilities. TikTok asks the Supreme Court to temporarily block a law that could ban the site in the U.S. USA TODAY Wellness Reporter David Oliver gives an explainer on symbiosexuality. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Why Trump's plans for U.S. oil drilling are unlikely to cut gas prices and fix inflation, experts told USA TODAY. USA TODAY Personal Finance Reporter Daniel de Visé talks through how to become a 401(k) millionaire. The U.S. deploys resources on drone sightings. USA TODAY National Correspondent Elizabeth Weise takes a look at why Americans are obsessed with white Christmas. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Who is 2024’s artist of the year? We all have our favorites, but you may recall Apple giving the early nod to Billie Eilish. The longest-running number one song of the year? "A Bar Song (Tipsy)" by Shaboozey is not only the longest-running number one song of the year, but also of the decade. Madonna and Bad Bunny took the top spots on Pollstar’s list of the highest grossing tours of the year, but where did Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour land? A decade from now, what will we remember about 2024’s year in music? USA TODAY Music Reporter Melissa Ruggieri joins us on The Excerpt to break down some of the biggest music stories of the year. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

USA TODAY Democracy Reporter Erin Mansfield explains how Dr. Mehmet Oz - President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to run the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services - held millions in companies tied to Medicare. A judge upholds the guilty plea of Trump co-defendant Kenneth Chesebro in the Georgia election case. USA TODAY White House Correspondent Joey Garrison discusses how President Joe Biden is trying to Trump-proof his legacy. McKinsey will pay $650 million after advising an opioid maker on how to 'turbocharge' sales. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

President Joe Biden Thursday announced he is commuting the sentences of nearly 1,500 people who were placed on home confinement during the COVID pandemic and pardoning 39 others convicted of nonviolent crimes. USA TODAY National News Reporter Michael Loria talks about the rise in 3D-printed guns. College students may soon benefit from two new bipartisan federal laws. USA TODAY National Correspondent Elizabeth Weise discusses some of America's unusual Christmas food traditions. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A foundational principle of the U.S. Constitution is the idea that no one is above the law. And yet, the power of the presidential pardon, based on the embrace of the concepts of mercy and amnesty, essentially guarantees that, in fact, a select few are actually not held accountable for crimes they have been found guilty of. President Joe Biden’s sweeping pardon of his son Hunter, after repeatedly promising he wouldn’t do it, is a case in point. What can the historical use of this awesome power tell us about how we should judge this political inflection point? USA TODAY Justice Correspondent Bart Jansen joins The Excerpt to dig into this complex and politically fraught topic. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

USA TODAY Justice Department Correspondent Bart Jansen looks at the decision by FBI Director Christopher Wray to resign. House Republicans pass a defense policy bill that includes a contentious provision to ban certain types of medical care for transgender children of military service members. USA TODAY Investigative Reporter Chris Quintana discusses how post-grad football lures players with a second shot at glory. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends self-tests to screen for cervical cancer. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Approximately 800,000 knee replacement surgeries are performed each year in the U.S. People living with chronic pain or in need of a better solution are taking the chance to go under the knife for a better quality of life. But it's an invasive procedure, often involving a several-days-long stay in the hospital followed by 6 months to a year of physical therapy. But what if there is another road to knee recovery, a less invasive one with a faster route to getting back to doing the things you love? CartiHeal implants, made from coral exoskeletons may just be the magic bullet for thousands whose knees are only partially damaged. Dr. Cassandra Lee, an orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist at UC Davis, joins The Excerpt to discuss new treatment options. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.