The Excerpt

The House has sent Republicans' sweeping bill to President Donald Trump for his signature. The unemployment rate fell slightly in June. Plus, should you take a buyout? The Supreme Court will take up a major case on transgender athletes joining girls' teams. USA TODAY National Correspondent Elizabeth Weise talks about the dangers of fireworks. USA TODAY Movie Critic Brian Truitt gives us his top 10 films of the year. 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.

AI chatbots are being used for mental health support — and it’s raising red flags. From offering bad advice to encouraging self-harm, some mental health chatbots are crossing dangerous lines. Vaile Wright, senior director of health care innovation for the American Psychological Association, joins The Excerpt to talk about what’s at stake—and how regulation could protect users. 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.

The House has cleared a hurdle on President Donald Trump's bill of legislative priorities. USA TODAY National Correspondent Marco della Cava puts Diddy's trial in context after a verdict. A federal judge has blocked President Trump's asylum ban at the U.S.-Mexico border. Kilmar Abrego Garcia experienced "severe beatings" and "psychological torture" at a prison in El Salvador, according to a new court filing. USA TODAY Youth Mental Health Reporting Fellow Rachel Hale discusses why LGBTQ+ youth are twice as likely to be homeless. Clayton Kershaw joins the 3,000 strikeout club. The U.S. men's soccer team advances to the Gold Cup Final to play Mexico. 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.

Walls. We all navigate them whether they be the walls throughout our homes, neighborhoods, and the places we choose to frequent, or the internal walls that allow us to maintain our distance from others. To what extent is divisiveness baked into our infrastructure, politic, and psyche? Anand Pandian, Professor of Anthropology at Johns Hopkins University, joins USA TODAY’s The Excerpt to discuss his new book “Something Between Us.” In it, he explores the walls that divide us as a nation. 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 Chief Political Correspondent Phillip M. Bailey gives some of his biggest takeaways after the Senate's passage of President Donald Trump's bill of legislative priorities. Paramount settles with Trump over a ‘60 Minutes’ interview. The University of Pennsylvania has agreed to prohibit transgender athletes from competing in women's sports and strip the record of former swimmer Lia Thomas. 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 Senate early this morning was still voting and negotiating on President Donald Trump's bill on tax cuts, Medicaid and more. USA TODAY Supreme Court Correspondent Maureen Groppe discusses the court's move to hear a GOP challenge to a campaign spending limit. The Justice Department sues Los Angeles to end 'sanctuary' immigration policies. Trump penned a handwritten note to Fed Chair Jerome Powell demanding lower interest rates. The man accused of killing four University of Idaho students in 2022 has accepted a plea deal in the case. USA TODAY National Correspondent Elizabeth Weise tells us how some plastic bag bans appear to be working. 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.

Senators on Monday will vote on President Donald Trump's legislative priorities. USA TODAY Investigative Reporter Nick Penzenstadler discusses how mentally ill detained immigrants are being forced to fight in solitude. Canada rescinds its digital services tax amid newly stalled U.S. trade talks. A sniper in Idaho started a blaze and killed two responding firefighters in an ambush attack before being found dead hours later, authorities say. USA TODAY Senior Reporter Jessica Guynn tells us why some say there's a double standard around remote work. 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.

True crime is a cultural obsession. But beneath the gripping stories of ghastly crimes and elusive perpetrators are tough questions about ethics, representation and respect. Who gets to tell these stories? Whose voices are amplified and whose are left out? And how can creators avoid retraumatizing victims? Journalism professor and true crime author Kate Winkler Dawson joins The Excerpt to unpack where the genre goes wrong, how it can do better, and why responsible storytelling matters now more than ever. 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 Supreme Court Correspondent Maureen Groppe recaps the final day of the high court's term. We discuss decisions ranging from birthright citizenship to Obamacare, LGBTQ+ books in public schools and more. Undocumented immigrants face massive fines under a new Trump rule. Trump says the U.S. will end trade talks with Canada. California Gov. Newsom sues Fox News for defamation. 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 Supreme Court Correspondent Maureen Groppe breaks down the implications of the high court's decision siding with South Carolina in its effort to cut Planned Parenthood funding. President Donald Trump's passport policy was lifted. But some Americans are still in the dark. Protests pop up in Venice before the Jeff Bezos-Lauren Sánchez wedding. Why are people upset? USA TODAY National Correspondent Marco della Cava talks about the popularity of Formula One racing and a new Brad Pitt movie - F1 - in theaters today. (Trailer credit: Apple Original Films/Warner Bros. Pictures) 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 1969, LGBTQ+ patrons at the Stonewall Inn fought back against a violent police raid — and sparked a global movement. More than 50 years later, the fight continues. Under President Donald Trump’s second term, the National Park Service quietly removed “transgender” and “T” and “Q” from the Stonewall National Monument website. USA TODAY National Correspondent Michael Collins joins The Excerpt to share his reporting on Stonewall veterans who fear history is being rewritten. 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.

Iranian officials are expected to meet with U.S. officials next week. Plus, NATO leaders back a big increase in defense spending. USA TODAY Chief Political Correspondent Phillip M. Bailey discusses what Zohran Mamdani's win in New York City means for Democrats and the GOP. Feds wasted millions on tech to detect fentanyl at the border, according to a federal watchdog. USA TODAY Books Reporter Clare Mulroy breaks down the Trump administration's impact on how we read. 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.

Climate change, global warming – we've all heard the steady drumbeat of doom. But a recent five-year forecast, by the World Meteorological Organization and the U.K. Meteorological Office, puts it starkly: The world will likely soon break another annual temperature record and, according to the Associated Press, the heat will be deadly. What would happen if we embraced the idea that the future still rests firmly in our hands? Is it in our nature to learn, adapt and change? And, equally important, is there still time? Author and climate scientist Kate Marvel dives into those questions in her new book “Human Nature,” on bookshelves now. She joins USA TODAY’s The Excerpt to share her perspective. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

U.S. strikes failed to destroy Iran's nuclear sites, according to an intelligence report. Plus, USA TODAY Government Accountability Reporter Erin Mansfield looks back on 70 years of tensions between the U.S. and Iran. Zohran Mamdani wins a New York City primary for mayor, shaking up mainstream Democratic politics. America's housing is pulling further out of reach, according to a new report. USA TODAY Consumer Travel Reporter Zach Wichter talks about supersonic air travel and its past and present in this week's Cruising Altitude column. 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.

Israel says Iran has violated a ceasefire. Plus, USA TODAY White House Correspondent Francesca Chambers breaks down how Middle East tensions will impact this week's NATO summit. The Supreme Court lifts a judge's limits on deportations to third-party countries. A judge blocks President Trump's plan to to bar foreign nationals from entering the U.S. to study at Harvard University. New York City Democrats head to the polls to vote in citywide elections that will determine their party's nominee for mayor. USA TODAY National Correspondent Dinah Voyles Pulver breaks down the potential impact of proposed massive cuts to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 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 May, President Donald Trump shared his vision for protecting the US from the threat of nuclear strikes by drones, and ballistic, cruise and hypersonic missiles. The idea? A Golden Dome which would cover the country with three layers of air defenses. Following the launch of missiles in Iran, the idea of having a robust defense system here at home is getting more attention. Tom Karako, Senior Fellow at the Center for Strategic & International Studies, joins USA TODAY’s The Excerpt to share his insight on missile defense and nuclear deterrence. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

USA TODAY Washington Bureau Chief Susan Page takes a broader look at the President Donald Trump's decision to order weekend strikes on nuclear targets in Iran. Plus, an Iranian spokesperson calls President Donald Trump a 'gambler.' And Trump floats the idea of regime change. The strikes could hit the U.S. economy at a fragile time. USA TODAY National Correspondent Elizabeth Weise tells us about killer bees. The Oklahoma City Thunder are NBA champions. 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.

A slew of new music documentaries recently debuted at this year’s Tribeca Film Festival. The list of cultural icons with docs just released or coming soon is long – from Billy Joel to Miley Cyrus to Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder. Beyond incredible sound, what were some of the stories captured in these docs? And what will audiences see and hear as they follow documentary filmmakers in their quest to go behind the music? USA TODAY National Music Reporter Melissa Ruggieri joins The Excerpt to share insights from some of the biggest music documentaries fans can seek out this year. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

European foreign ministers are working to establish a path to diplomacy in Geneva. Lawmakers propose prohibiting masked agents. Plus, pro-Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil has been released. And USA TODAY National Correspondent Trevor Hughes discusses how the Trump administration is doubling down on immigration enforcement. President Trump is calling for a special prosecutor to investigate his false 2020 election claims. Millions of Americans will feel a heat wave this weekend. Find out where. USA TODAY Senior Reporter Jessica Guynn tells us how some fear anti-DEI fervor could drive openly gay, trans and nonbinary executives back into hiding. 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 will decide on the U.S. role in the Israel-Iran conflict within two weeks. USA TODAY White House Reporter Davis Winkie discusses how the Trump administration's National Guard immigration enforcement could divide states. Plus, a court lets Trump keep control of California's National Guard for now. The Los Angeles Dodgers say they denied federal agents access to Dodger Stadium parking lots. Trump signs an executive order delaying a ban on TikTok - again. USA TODAY National Correspondent Marco della Cava looks back on the phenomenon that was 'Jaws' on its 50th anniversary. 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.