SPECIAL | Is it still safe to fly?

On January 29th, a midair collision between an Army Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines jet over the Potomac River shocked the nation. The crash killed 67 people and called into question the safety of air traffic control operations. Just a few days following the crash, President Donald Trump placed the blame on DEI initiatives, former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, and even the pilot of the Army Black Hawk helicopter. On Tuesday, the preliminary findings from the National Transportation Safety Board’s investigation into the tragedy were released. What did that report reveal? Is it still safe to fly? USA TODAY Aviation Reporter Zach Wichter joins The Excerpt to discuss findings from the report.Let us know what you think of this episode by sending an email to [email protected] 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 Francesca Chambers breaks down Ukraine's agreement to a ceasefire deal.The House passes a GOP funding bill.The NTSB releases its preliminary report on the deadly January mid-air collision, and gives urgent recommendations to the FAA, including prohibiting helicopter operations on certain routes.USA TODAY Domestic Security Correspondent Josh Meyer discusses how Attorney General Pam Bondi has moved to align the Justice Department with the president's agenda.An appeals court refuses to lift a block on President Donald Trump's order restricting birthright citizenship.Trump cuts the Education Department in half after laying off 1,300 workers.The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals halts the execution of death row inmate David Leonard Wood. For more, check out our Deep Dive episode with Reporter Amanda Lee Meyers.Have feedback on the show? Please send us an email at [email protected] Transcript available hereAlso available at art19.com/shows/5-ThingsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Monday saw one of the worst days for U.S. markets in years. What's happening?USA TODAY National Correspondent Terry Collins has the latest on protests from fired federal workers.Secretary of State Marco Rubio thanked DOGE for pushing cuts to USAID after media reports of quarreling between him and Elon Musk.Ukraine strikes Moscow in its biggest drone attack on the Russian capital.USA TODAY National Correspondent Trevor Hughes discusses how the Trump administration is repurposing the CBP One app to allow migrants to self-deport.The removal of a Black Lives Matter mural begins in Washington, D.C.Have feedback on the show? Please send us an email at [email protected] Transcript available hereAlso available at art19.com/shows/5-ThingsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Forum is a new series from USA TODAY's Opinion team, dedicated to showcasing views from across the political spectrum on issues that Americans are starkly divided on. Today you’ll hear from a few folks on the topic of immigration. President Donald Trump campaigned for the White House promising to deport millions of undocumented immigrants in the largest deportation operation in U.S. history. We asked: do you agree with Trump’s immigration policies and actions? If you'd like to weigh in on a different topic, you can find more questions at usatoday.com/forum. And if your submission is selected for print, we might invite you to add your voice to a future special bonus episode like this one. Let us know what you think of this episode by sending an email to [email protected] Transcript available hereAlso available at art19.com/shows/5-ThingsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

USA TODAY Washington Bureau Chief Susan Page discusses President Donald Trump's triumphs with conservatives.Mass layoffs at the Department of Veterans' Affairs will begin as early as June.Elon Musk loses billions as Tesla shares drop.USA TODAY Economy Reporter Rachel Barber talks about the anxieties immigrant caregivers are feeling amid deportation threats.Mark Carney will replace Justin Trudeau as Canada's next prime minister.Have feedback on the show? Please send us an email at [email protected] Transcript available hereAlso available at art19.com/shows/5-ThingsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Botched crime scenes, circumstantial evidence, and false testimony - David Leonard Wood claims that all were used to convict him of the murder of six women and girls in the late 1980s. Wood has been fighting to prove his innocence ever since. But facing an execution date of March 13, time is running out. USA Today Death Row Reporter Amanda Lee Myers had an exclusive sit-down interview with Wood and shares excerpts of their conversation and her impressions of his claims of innocence.Episode Transcript available hereAlso available at art19.com/shows/5-ThingsSee 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 Reporter Joey Garrison explains what Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s warning could mean for the U.S. economy. President Donald Trump threatens Russia with sanctions. American liquor, wine and spirits are pulled from Canadian shelves in response to Trump’s tariffs. Officials released the cause of death for actor Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa.USA TODAY Border and Immigration Correspondent Lauren Villagran talks about the role faith plays in encouraging migrants to head towards the U.S. border. Have feedback on the show? Please send us an email at [email protected]. Episode Transcript available hereAlso available at art19.com/shows/5-ThingsSee 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 Joey Garrison discusses President Donald Trump's postponement of new tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico that fall under the three nations' free trade deal.President Trump's sweeping freeze on federal funding has been hit with another legal blow.A deadline looms to avoid a government shutdown.SpaceX's Starship rocket broke up during its eighth uncrewed flight test.USA TODAY National Correspondent Elizabeth Weise discusses a rapid decline in the U.S. butterfly population.Have feedback on the show? Please send us an email at [email protected] Transcript available hereAlso available at art19.com/shows/5-ThingsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What if we can slow climate change by giving the ocean an antacid? It’s called ocean alkalinity enhancement and it’s exactly what researchers have been exploring for the last five years. But it’s only recently that the idea has become a reality. Supporters of the technology say it’s one of the most promising forms of carbon removal to date, a necessary step to meet climate goals even as the world cuts emissions. But in order to truly make a dent in the accumulated carbon in our atmosphere, it will need to be scaled up to massive levels – the question is, can it be done? And can it be done affordably? Jaime Palter, an associate professor of oceanography at the University of Rhode Island, joins The Excerpt to discuss the science and potential of this exciting new weapon in the fight against climate change.Have feedback on the show? Please send us an email at [email protected] Transcript available hereAlso available at art19.com/shows/5-ThingsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

President Donald Trump issues a new ultimatum to Hamas.President Trump agrees to temporarily exempt automobiles imported from Canada and Mexico from newly imposed tariffs. USA TODAY Congress Reporter Riley Beggin explains why some Congressional lawmakers are visiting Guantanamo Bay.The Supreme Court won't block a judge's order requiring the Trump administration pay foreign aid groups.USA TODAY Wellness Reporter Charles Trepany talks about the rise of suicide rates in kids with autism.  Have feedback on the show? Please send us an email at [email protected] Transcript available hereAlso available at art19.com/shows/5-ThingsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.