SPECIAL | Is prison labor constitutional? Is it ethical?

At least 10 people have been killed in Los Angeles area wildfires, while more than 10,000 structures have been destroyed.USA TODAY Money Reporter Bailey Schulz talks about the insurance impact from this week's wildfires.USA TODAY Washington Bureau Chief Susan Page recaps late President Jimmy Carter's funeral, and discusses his lasting legacy.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The practice of profiting from prison labor, both inside prisons and outside for private industries is complex and fraught. Last month in Alabama, a Hyundai supplier ended its work release program following intense pressure to do so. But, in California, Proposition 6, which would have banned involuntary prison labor, was defeated last November. Are laws that allow private industry as well as state governments to profit from prison labor constitutional? Darrick Hamilton, the Henry Cohen Professor of Economics and Urban Policy at The New School, and Chief Economist of the AFL-CIO joins The Excerpt to explain the way some of these programs work and to share what both proponents and detractors of the practice say about them.See 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 Elizabeth Weise explains why fires in Southern California have gotten so dangerous so quickly this week.It's a national day of mourning for the late President Jimmy Carter. You can watch the funeral service here.USA TODAY Justice Department Correspondent Bart Jansen breaks down a decision by Attorney General Merrick Garland to release a Trump report on election charges, but not classified records.Affordable Care Act signups reach record levels.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.

As President Joe Biden’s term as the 46th president of the United States draws to a close, we look at his legacy in the sweeping arc of history. What accomplishments is he most proud of and what regrets, if any, does he have? How does he hope history writes the first chapter of his single term in office? USA TODAY’s Washington Bureau Chief Susan Page was given the exclusive opportunity to speak with President Biden before he leaves office later this month. USA TODAY Editor-in-Chief Caren Bohan spoke with Susan about her insights and impressions from their conversation.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 takes a closer look at President-elect Donald Trump's comments about Greenland and the Panama Canal.California Gov. Gavin Newsom declares a state of emergency as the Palisades Fire rages.After record highs, illegal immigration plummets at the U.S.-Mexico border.USA TODAY Congress & Campaigns Reporter Savannah Kuchar discusses the scene in Washington as the remains of President Jimmy Carter arrived Tuesday.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 Justice Department Correspondent Bart Jansen has the latest ahead of Friday sentencing in President-elect Donald Trump's hush money case.A Louisiana patient has died from bird flu.A judge holds Rudy Giuliani in contempt in a Georgia election worker defamation case.USA TODAY White House Correspondent Joey Garrison breaks down President Joe Biden's move to ban new offshore oil and gas drilling along most U.S. coasts.The McDonald’s flip on DEI brings another win for conservative critics.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.

It's been four years since Donald Trump supporters attacked the Capitol to stop Congress from certifying his election loss. It's also the start to a new Trump era. USA TODAY White House Correspondent Michael Collins puts the day in context.Winter storms hit some 60 million Americans.USA TODAY National Correspondent Elizabeth Weise discusses why scientists are keeping a watchful eye on whether anyone is deliberately tampering with the atmosphere.Who won big at the Golden Globes?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.

Five years ago this month the COVID-19 virus started ravaging populations, changing life here in America and around the globe. Many shrugged it off initially. It wasn’t until March 9th when the CDC, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, declared it a pandemic. In Quinter, Kansas, a small rural town of about 1,000 and in surrounding Gove County, it devastated the population, killing 1 in 132. That made Gove the deadliest county in the U.S. in December of 2020. Five years on, how have residents recovered, or have they? USA TODAY National Correspondent Trevor Hughes revisits Quinter and shares the lasting impacts in a place that suffered such huge losses.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.

House Speaker Mike Johnson won back his job for another term Friday after a tight vote.USA TODAY National Correspondent Trevor Hughes reports from New Orleans after this week's devastating terror attack.A New York judge upheld the felony conviction of President-elect Donald Trump Friday and set sentencing for Jan. 10, but said Trump would receive no prison or probation.USA TODAY Personal Finance Reporter Daniel de Visé breaks down the surgeon general's advisory about alcohol and cancer.Boeing highlights quality improvements under a new production safety plan.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 talks through some of the latest developments in the wake of this week's New Orleans terror attack.Will House Speaker Mike Johnson keep his job?Donald Trump will hold a 'victory rally' in Washington on the eve of Inauguration Day.USA TODAY National Correspondent Chris Kenning tells us about the latest American treasure hunt.The College Football Playoff semifinals are now set.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.