The Excerpt

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

A dying coal town. A nuclear gamble. Enter Bill Gates.

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

Why hundreds of private American colleges are shutting down

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 se

Why young men are resorting to extreme looksmaxxing

"Looksmaxxing" has exploded online as young men pursue physical perfection – from chiseled jawlines to extreme body alterations. But from "softmaxxing" skincare to risky

Could Trump’s mail-in ballot plan put your vote at risk?

With less than 90 days before the midterms, the Trump administration is asking the Supreme Court to let it move forward with an untested system that would give the U.S. P

The wildfires in Spokane are just the beginning

The wildfires burning in Spokane, Washington are a wake-up call to many, especially in the western United States. Recent deadly fires in Paradise, Marshall, Lahaina and L

From turnaround to pay it forward: Kickstarter CEO backs artists

Before the crowdfunding giant Kickstarter hired a 33-year-old CEO in the fall of 2022, revenue had been falling…. as much as 20 percent earlier that year. Since then, the