Speaker Mike Johnson to shut down House early amid Jeffrey Epstein drama

There are major international starvation concerns in Gaza, even as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says there is no starvation there.A gunman killed four people, and then himself at a prominent Midtown Manhattan skyscraper on Monday.USA TODAY Domestic Security Correspondent Josh Meyer breaks down President Trump's comments about being 'allowed' to pardon Ghislaine Maxwell.President Trump sets a new deadline of 10 or 12 days for Russia to end its war in Ukraine.A federal judge has blocked enforcement of a provision in Trump's tax and spending bill that would deprive Planned Parenthood and its members of Medicaid funding.USA TODAY Chief Political Correspondent Phillip M. Bailey takes a look at some upcoming governor races and why they will be major referendums on Trump vs. Democrats.Please let us know what you think of this episode by sending a note to [email protected] Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The U.S. has reached a trade deal with the European Union after President Donald Trump's weekend trip to Scotland.USA TODAY National Correspondent Chris Kenning talks about his reporting on farmers facing a fork amid the immigration crackdown.Israel pauses some military action in Gaza amid ongoing starvation concerns.USA TODAY National Correspondent Deborah Barfield Berry discusses a bipartisan push for a new women's history museum.Please let us know what you think of this episode by sending a note to [email protected] Transcript available hereSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In July, the University of Pennsylvania agreed to prohibit transgender athletes from competing in women's sports and strip the record of former swimmer Lia Thomas as part of an agreement with the Department of Education. It was the same month that the Supreme Court announced that it will review Idaho's and West Virginia's state bans on transgender athletes joining female sports teams. The moves mark the country’s latest grappling with issues surrounding transgender athletes. More than half the states have now passed laws preventing transgender athletes from competing on schools’ female sports teams, saying they are trying to prevent competitive advantages. Where does the American public stand on these issues? And what are the larger implications and influences playing into this conversation? USA TODAY Education Reporter Zachary Schermele joins The Excerpt to talk through the issues from political and educational lenses.Please let us know what you think of this episode by sending a note to [email protected] Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

President Donald Trump's four-day visit to Scotland is opening old wounds for some.USA TODAY Investigative Reporter Chris Quintana takes a look at the man tapped to be the next to oversee higher education. Plus, the Trump administration will return more than $5 billion in public school funding it withheld.The Department of Justice is inspecting state voter rolls.This month's oppressive heat forecast isn't normal.USA TODAY National Correspondent Elizabeth Weise talks about tarantulas ahead of mating season this fall.Please let us know what you think of this episode by sending a note to [email protected] Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Israel and the United States recalled their delegations from Gaza ceasefire talks for consultations Thursday. Plus, hundreds of people have been killed in recent weeks trying to reach food, mostly in mass shootings by Israeli soldiers posted near Gaza Humanitarian Foundation distribution centers.USA TODAY Senior National Columnist for Health and Wellness Laura Trujillo takes a closer look at President Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein's relationship over the years.Two GOP senators call for a special counsel to probe former President Barack Obama over the 2016 Trump-Russia investigation.USA TODAY White House Correspondent Joey Garrison discusses a new executive order that makes it easier for cities and states to remove homeless people from the streets.Hulk Hogan has died at 71.Please let us know what you think of this episode by sending a note to [email protected] Transcript available hereSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

If you suffer from insomnia, you're not alone. About one in 10 adults suffers from chronic insomnia, an inability to fall or stay asleep three nights a week for three months or more. The condition has potentially debilitating health impacts including an increased risk of depression, anxiety, substance abuse and even car accidents. The question is: Why can’t we sleep? Jennifer Senior, a staff writer at The Atlantic who recently went on her own journey to solve her insomnia, joins The Excerpt to talk about what she learned along the way.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Columbia University has struck another deal with the Trump administration.A federal judge has rejected the Justice Department's bid to unseal grand jury testimony tied to Florida-based investigations of sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Plus, Attorney General Pam Bondi reportedly told President Donald Trump in May that he was named multiple times in the government's files on Epstein. And the House Oversight Committee will subpoena Epstein files and documents from the Clintons and others.USA TODAY National Security & World Affairs Reporter Cybele Mayes-Osterman discusses why a handful of tech executives are joining the Army and what critics are worried about.A notorious Idaho killer was sentenced Wednesday to life in prison. Victims' families gave powerful testimony in court.USA TODAY Congress Reporter Savannah Kuchar breaks down a Republican redistricting plan out of Texas.We remember Amelia Earhart on her birthday.Please let us know what you think of this episode by sending a note to [email protected] Transcript available hereSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Elon Musk is taking aim at both Democrats and Republicans with his “American Party.” But ballot access, unpopularity, and a messy political middle make the path ahead rocky. White House correspondent Joey Garrison breaks it down.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

USA TODAY White House Correspondent Bart Jansen discusses the latest tensions surrounding Jeffrey Epstein's case files, as House Speaker Mike Johnson sends lawmakers home early.President Donald Trump has announced a new trade deal with Japan that sets a 15% tariff.How much did the military parade cost last month?New research sheds light on the six dams most at risk of failing in the U.S.USA TODAY National Music Writer Melissa Ruggieri remembers Ozzy Osbourne.Please let us know what you think of this episode by sending a note to [email protected] Transcript available hereSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

USA TODAY National Correspondent Trevor Hughes breaks down what the White House is saying about ICE agents heading to 'sanctuary cities.'A former Louisville police officer has been sentenced to 33 months in prison for violating the civil rights of Breonna Taylor.Harvard and the Trump administration face off in court.The administration releases files related to the MLK assassination.USA TODAY NFL Reporter Chris Bumbaca discusses President Trump's comments about reverting to the former name of the Washington Commanders football team. Plus, how are Indigenous groups and Commanders fans responding?Please let us know what you think of this episode by sending a note to [email protected] Transcript available hereSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.