The Excerpt

The discovery of the fossilized jaw and skull of a pliosaur, a giant prehistoric marine reptile, has set enthusiasts on fire. What might these new bones teach us about how this ancient creature lived? One man with a front row seat to it all was legendary paleontologist Steve Etches, a plumber-turned-scientist who has been collecting fossils, from what’s known as the Jurassic Coast in southern England, for over 40 years. St...

Former President Donald Trump says he will vote against a ballot amendment in Florida that would overturn the state's six-week abortion ban.

USA TODAY Senior National Political Correspondent Sarah D. Wire discusses what's at stake over felon voting in Nebraska.

There's a new turn to the Adnan Syed case in Maryland.

USA TODAY Senior Data Editor Doug Caruso explains why dam breaches are a national concern in the wake of the Rap...

Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz sat down with CNN Thursday.

Former President Donald Trump says he wants IVF treatment fully covered, and indicates he'll vote to overturn Florida's six-week abortion ban.

WHO announces pauses in Gaza fighting for polio vaccinations.

USA TODAY Breaking News Reporter Jeanine Santucci has the latest on the astronauts stuck in space months longer than anticipated.

USA TODAY ...

Use the word sociopath in conversation, and you're bound to see some raised eyebrows, or worse. The word itself has become less of a mental diagnosis and more of an insult you hurl at someone. But what does it really mean to be a sociopath? Dr. Patric Gagne offers a definition from both a clinical and a personal perspective. Her new book is called "Sociopath: A Memoir," Gagne's first-hand account of how she came to terms w...

USA TODAY Trump Campaign Reporter Zac Anderson explains what happened with former President Donald Trump at Arlington National Cemetery this week.

Telegram's CEO has been charged in France.

The Supreme Court rejects the Biden administration’s request to allow a student debt relief plan to remain in effect while its legality is challenged by Republican-led states. USA TODAY Supreme Court Correspondent Maureen Groppe discusses...

Ascension to the role of President of the United States, arguably the most powerful job in the world, has to be a heady experience. But what happens when the term runs out? Stepping down from the American presidency is clearly a sizable career pivot. How do these leaders decide what’s next and what can we learn about identity and self-fulfillment from the choices they made? Bestselling author Jared Cohen joins The Excerpt ...

There's a new federal election interference indictment against former President Donald Trump.

USA TODAY Trump Campaign Reporter Zac Anderson reports on some of the latest TV ad spending by Donald Trump and whether Florida could be in play this fall.

Donald Trump adds Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Tulsi Gabbard to his 2024 transition team.

An Israeli hostage has been freed following a "complex rescue operation" in southern Ga...

USA TODAY White House Correspondent Joey Garrison discusses how hundreds of former aides of high profile Republican politicians have endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for president.

Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith urged a federal appeals court Monday to reinstate the classified documents case against former President Donald Trump.

Donald Trump casts doubt on the September debate.

The Democratic Party has sue...

USA TODAY Senior National Political Correspondent Sarah D. Wire takes an early look at some of the major issues facing the next president.

Vice President Kamala Harris raised $82 million during the Democratic convention.

Attacks by Israel and Hezbollah could fuel or ease tensions in the region.

USA TODAY National Correspondent Elizabeth Weise discusses conservatives who love renewable energy.

A team from Florida wins the Littl...

The 60th anniversary of The Beatles’ legendary performance at the Hollywood Bowl was just a couple of days ago on August 23rd, 2024. Why is that date special? Has there ever been a group of fans who’ve hung on for this long? We’ll have to wait a long time to see, but Taylor Swift’s fans may give them a run for their money. Truthfully, there’s no denying that it was a pivotal moment for both the band and the history of rock...

RFK Jr. has suspended his campaign for president.

A judge has reduced charges against former officers in the Louisville raid that killed Breonna Taylor.

USA TODAY Breaking News Reporter Claire Thornton discusses how evictions for making too many 911 calls happen.

Fed Chair Jerome Powell says the 'time has come' to lower interest rates.

College football Week 0 is here!

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Vice President Kamala Harris has accepted the Democratic nomination for president. USA TODAY Washington Bureau Chief Susan Page recaps the Democratic National Convention.

Protesters against Israel's war in Gaza made their voice heard again Thursday night, though demonstrations throughout the week were modest.

Arizona Republic County Watchdog Reporter Sasha Hupka breaks down the Supreme Court decision limiting Arizona voters'...

Sagui Dekel-Chen was 200 yards from Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7th when a group of Hamas terrorists stormed his home. The hours-long siege claimed the lives of 1200 people and 200 were taken hostage. Sagui was last heard from at 9:30 a.m. that Saturday morning before vanishing into Gaza. Ten months later, cease-fire talks are at an impasse and dozens of hostages are still in Hamas' custody. Jonathan Dekel-Chen and other fam...

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz took the stage Wednesday night in Chicago to accept his party's nomination for vice president. Plus, USA TODAY National Correspondent Deborah Barfield Berry relays what some voters are saying about Vice President Kamala Harris.

Former President Donald Trump is heading back to court.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. may drop out of the presidential race.

COVID-19 is surging and many folks can't find a booster.

USA ...

Globally, we throw out about 92 million tons of clothing each year according to an analysis of data by The Ellen MacCarther Foundation. That discarded clothing ends up either in landfills or is burnt, both of which have undesirable environmental impacts. While many clothing materials are biodegradable in their original form, most clothing today is made up of a blend of different fibers, and once blended, it’s hard to break...

Former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama took the stage Tuesday night at the Democratic National Convention, where they amped up Democrats for Vice President Kamala Harris.

USA TODAY Reporter Lauren Villagran discusses enthusiam among Latino voters for Kamala Harris.

Ukraine hits Moscow with a drone attack.

Native Americans go missing at alarming rates. Advocates hope a new alert code can help.

USA TO...

President Joe Biden took the convention stage Monday. Plus, USA TODAY White House Correspondent Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy speaks with Sen. Bernie Sanders.

Protesters hit the Chicago streets over Gaza amid the convention.

USA TODAY Justice Department Correspondent Aysha Bagchi has the latest on former President Donald Trump's push to delay his hush money sentencing until after the election.

Former Rep. George Santos pleads gu...

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Ukraine is creating a 'buffer zone' in Russia.

The Democratic National Convention kicks off in Chicago.

USA TODAY National Correspondent Deborah Barfield Berry discusses the leadership role Black women hold at this week's convention.

Chicago braces for the convention with major security measures.

USA TODAY Breaking News and Education Reporter Zachary Schermele breaks down how the vi...

Earlier this year, a study published in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health journal found widespread racial and ethnic disparities in medical care, treatment, and health outcomes across all pediatric specialties. That there are healthcare inequities in America that disproportionately affect marginalized communities isn’t news. But why do these disparities persist? Dr. Ayla Stanford, author of “Take Care of Them Like M...