The Excerpt

Is HBO's The Pitt about to dominate the Emmys?

HBO’s The Pitt enters Emmy night with a leading 25 nominations, but the biggest story may be what its success says about television’s future. Ralphie Aversa, USA TODAY se

The story behind the firefighters' flag-raising at Ground Zero

Thomas E. Franklin, former Bergen Record photographer, reflects on September 11, 2001, recounting his journey into Ground Zero and the split-second decisions that led to

The challenge of teaching 9/11 to kids

Twenty-five years after the attacks, today’s students know 9/11 through history lessons rather than personal memory. Dexter Southfield Head of School Peter Folan joins US

The untold 9/11 stories of ordinary Americans

Twenty-five years after 9/11, Mike Kelly, columnist for The Record of northern New Jersey and author of “After Ground Zero,” reflects on the ordinary Americans whose live

The enduring impacts of 9/11

In the now 25 years since the attack on 9/11, our world has drastically changed. The way we live our lives, the way we travel, the way we interact with our government, th

Who can track your car with Flock camera data?

Flock cameras capture license plates and vehicle details, creating a searchable record of where cars have been seen. USA TODAY Investigative Data Reporter Austin Fast exp

The AI backlash uniting a divided America

Opposition to Big Tech is creating a rare point of agreement across the political divide. USA TODAY National Reporter Christopher Cann explains why communities are resist

Why mothers are leaving one of Washington’s toughest jobs

Being White House press secretary means long days, constant travel and being available almost around the clock. For parents of young children, those demands can come with

TPS is over. What's next for Miami's Little Haiti?

The end of Temporary Protected Status for many Haitian immigrants has transformed Miami's Little Haiti. Businesses are quieter and churches are emptier, while many famili

Democrats fought Trump's bill. Why back part of it now?

Democrats sharply criticized President Donald Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Act. But many are now championing one of its biggest health care investments: a $50 billion R

What’s Trump’s endgame in Iran?

We’re now six months into the US-Israeli War in Iran, a war with seemingly no end in sight. It’s cost American taxpayers tens of billions of dollars and the lives of 18 s

Why everyone felt Dolly Parton was theirs

Dolly Parton was more than a country music legend. She was a songwriter, storyteller, philanthropist and cultural force whose work helped people feel seen. From timeless

USS Lincoln families speak out after grueling deployment

For months, sailors aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln remained at sea as their expected return home was pushed further and further back. Their families watched graduations,

At this summer camp, disability doesn’t mean sitting out

At Camp Simcha in New York’s Catskill Mountains, children with cancer, chronic illnesses and complex disabilities receive round-the-clock medical care while swimming, cli

Can faith help Democrats win in red states?

For years, Republicans have had a lock on those who base their vote on their religious preferences and values, something that has only grown with the rise of the evangeli

The job market says hiring is robust. Job seekers disagree.

Picture this: A software engineer logs onto Zoom for a coding interview. No interviewer ever shows up. Another job seeker has sent out roughly 5,000 applications to no av

Is content creation worth the cost of a college degree?

Content creator wasn't a career path most colleges considered a generation ago. Today, it's one of the fastest growing ambitions among young people. Arizona State Univers

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

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

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

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 “Li

Democrats are betting on South Carolina in 2028

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 nominat