The Excerpt

Get context, not just headlines. Every weekday The Excerpt brings USA TODAY's award-winning journalists from across the nation together to unpack America's most pressing stories — from politics and culture to sports and entertainment — with host Dana Taylor.

The Excerpt is a news podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 90 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Unknown Host hosts The Excerpt, a news show with 90 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  The Excerpt

  Iran war tests Trump’s hold on the GOP as midterms near

  Aug 19, 202615 min

  Nearly six months into the war with Iran, Republicans are growing increasingly anxious about what the conflict could mean for the midterms . Rising gas prices and broader affordability concerns are putting pressure on GOP candidates, while divisions over the war are exposing tensions within President Donald Trump’s own political coalition. USA TODAY White House Correspondent Zac Anderson joins The Excerpt to discuss why Iran has become such a difficult issue for Republicans, how some MAGA supporters are responding and the choices facing Trump as campaign season heats up. 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 .

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  Is Trump’s “America First Trade Policy” working for Americans?

  Aug 18, 202617 min

  Despite a major setback earlier this year when the Supreme Court ruled against his use of emergency authority in enacting tariffs back in April 2025 on what he called “Liberation Day,” President Donald Trump continues to find ways to levy import taxes on friends and foes alike. That includes a whopping 50% levy aimed at Canada which, if negotiations fail, will go into effect on August 19th. Meanwhile a new piece of legislation cloaked in the guise of Russian sanctions aims to effectively give the president carte blanche to levy tariffs on whichever countries he wants to. Is the president’s “America First Trade Policy” a win for the American people? Inu Manak, senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics, joins The Excerpt to share her insights. 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 .

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  Democrats are betting on South Carolina in 2028

  Aug 17, 202611 min

  The DNC is doubling down on South Carolina as the first state in its presidential primary calendar , a decision that could reshape the race for the 2028 Democratic nomination. USA TODAY White House Correspondent Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy joins The Excerpt to explain why party leaders are sticking with South Carolina, which candidates stand to benefit most, and what early buzz around candidates like Gavin Newsom, Cory Booker and Kamala Harris reveals about the Democratic Party's future and its potential path back to the White House.  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 .

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  Can Bill Gates save this dying coal town with nuclear energy?

  Aug 14, 202614 min

  A Wyoming coal town facing an uncertain future has become the testing ground for a novel nuclear power plant backed by Bill Gates and Warren Buffett . Supporters view the high-tech project as an essential economic lifeline, while critics have voiced deep concerns over safety and nuclear waste storage. USA TODAY National Correspondent Trevor Hughes visited Kemmerer, Wyoming, to explore whether this high-stakes project could redefine the future of American energy. 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 .

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  The Excerpt

  Why hundreds of private American colleges are shutting down

  Aug 13, 202614 min

  When Vermont’s Sterling College shut down, it brought into focus a growing crisis for higher education in rural America. With hundreds of small private colleges facing severe financial pressure, what happens to the students and communities left behind? Investigative journalist Jon Marcus from The Hechinger Report joins The Excerpt for a look at the impacts and what families must look for prior to enrollment. 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 .

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