SPECIAL | James Patterson and Mychal Threets discuss book bans, library joy and their love of reading

It's now been nearly seven months since Hamas attacked Israel, killing nearly 1200 Israelis and taking over 200 hostage. Since then, the Israeli Defense Forces, or IDF, have executed a devastating bombing campaign and sent in ground forces to "eradicate" Hamas. The death toll in the Palestinian enclave is staggering, with more than 34,000 killed, according to the Gaza health ministry.The majority of those killed are women and children. The health ministry says the sheer scale of the tragedy unfolding in Gaza is unprecedented. The UN estimates that more than 70% of Gaza's 2.3 million residents have been displaced. Food and medical supplies aren't nearly enough to meet the needs. Meanwhile, in the U.S., Islamophobia and anti-Muslim incidents have surged. Nihad Awad, co-founder and national executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, a Muslim civil rights and advocacy nonprofit joins The Excerpt to share his thoughts. For a different perspective, please see last Sunday's episode which features Jonathan Greenblatt, the CEO of the Anti-Defamation League or ADL, a Jewish civil rights organization.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 Political Correspondent David Jackson looks at a number of potential Trump VPs gathering at a donor retreat in Florida.More arrests have been made at campus protests, as Princeton students begin a hunger strike.Unemployment rose in April.USA TODAY National Correspondent Deborah Barfield Berry discusses protests against book bans and restrictions on Black history.President Joe Biden awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom Friday to 19 Americans.The 150th Kentucky Derby is today! Check out our special episode.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump spoke out Thursday on campus protests. USA TODAY White House Correspondent Joey Garrison puts their comments in context.Nearly 300 ex-Obama-Biden staffers have called to suspend military assistance to Israel.A lawyer who previously represented Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal testified that he believed their hush money deals may have helped Trump win the 2016 presidential election.USA TODAY Senior Reporter Jessica Guynn explains why white job candidates are more likely to get hired through employee referrals.The National Trust for Historic Preservation's annual list of most endangered US historic sites shows a desire to reflect stories "of all Americans."See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In two short days, we are officially off to the races. The gates at the iconic Kentucky Derby will officially open May 4th, marking its 150th anniversary. This storied American tradition features horses with braided tails, jockeys in silk shirts, festive ladies’ hats and the signature mint julep at the historic Churchill Downs racetrack. The annual ‘Run for the Roses’ race is the longest continually held sporting event in North America. Last year, the race was mired in controversy after several horses died in the preceding weeks. Will this year’s race be less contentious, more exciting? What will we all be talking about come Saturday? Courier Journal Sports Reporter Jason Frakes and Lifestyle Reporter Kirby Adams join The Excerpt to dig into all of it.Episode Transcript available here Also available at art19.com/shows/5-Things See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Pro-Palestinian protests continue on college campuses nationwide.USA TODAY Congress and Campaigns Reporter Savannah Kuchar looks at the impact of Florida's six-week abortion ban. Plus, the Arizona Senate has voted to repeal a near-total 1864 abortion ban.RFK Jr. proposes a 'no-spoiler' pledge with President Joe Biden to defeat former President Donald Trump.The Federal Reserve held its key interest rate steady Wednesday.USA TODAY Health Reporter Karen Weintraub has the latest from a bird flu outbreak.Episode Transcript available here Also available at art19.com/shows/5-Things See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Caitlin Clark has set the sports world on fire. This year, she became the all-time leading scorer in the history of college basketball – that's for men and women. Fans, took notice – including a record-18.7 million people who tuned into the NCAA Championship Game to watch South Carolina defeat Clark’s Iowa team. As Clark gets ready for her first WNBA season, can she do at the professional level what she did for the college game? USA TODAY Sports National Correspondent Lindsay Schnell joins The Excerpt to break down how women's sports is breaking barriers.Episode Transcript available here Also available at art19.com/shows/5-Things See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Police stormed a Columbia University building Tuesday amid ongoing protests.Former President Donald Trump's hush money trial continues.USA TODAY Congress, Campaigns and Democracy Reporter Karissa Waddick looks at why election polls matter.The Biden administration plans to drastically change federal rules on marijuana.USA TODAY Breaking News and Education Reporter Zach Schermele talks about the chaos caused for students nationwide amid delays in the college financial aid process.Episode Transcript available here Also available at art19.com/shows/5-Things See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As campus protests continue nationwide, Columbia University has begun suspending students.USA TODAY National Political Correspondent David Jackson has the latest on a tight race between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump.Four law enforcement officers were killed while serving a warrant in North Carolina.The death of Ohio man Frank Tyson, who told police 'I can't breathe,' has echoes of George Floyd.USA TODAY Money, Markets and Personal Finance Reporter Medora Lee explains why you're better off renting than buying a home in major U.S. cities.Episode Transcript available here Also available at art19.com/shows/5-Things See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Campus protests continue nationwide over the war in Gaza.USA TODAY National Immigration Reporter Lauren Villagran discusses what Texas 'border czar' Mike Banks says about the border.Many states have enacted laws since 2021 that could limit voter access and inhibit the ability of officials to administer elections.USA TODAY Education Reporter Alia Wong examines the new AP African American Studies course.South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem defends shooting a family dog.Episode Transcript available here Also 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 now been over six months since the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7th, when more than 1100 Israelis were killed and over 200 taken hostage. These were mostly civilians. While the Israel-Hamas War has been ongoing since that day, the repercussions of that attack have also been keenly felt here in America in the form of a surge in antisemitism. On college campuses, and in communities across the country, Jews have felt targeted, threatened, and frightened. Jonathan Greenblatt, the CEO of the Anti-Defamation League or ADL, a Jewish civil rights organization, joins The Excerpt to talk about the issues. Next Sunday's episode will feature an interview with Nihad Awad, the national executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, a Muslim civil rights organization.Episode Transcript available here Also available at art19.com/shows/5-Things See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.