Zohran Mamdani’s victory in the Nov. 4 election not only makes him the leader of the Big Apple; It also turns him, for better or worse, into one of the most high-profile Democrats in the country.New York mayors always command national attention because of their role running America’s biggest city. Mamdani won’t take office until January. But for months, his face has been splashed across Americans’ television screens and news feeds. He’s the mayor-elect of New York. Will he also be America’s mayor? USA TODAY National Correspondent Michael Collins joins The Excerpt to explain.* This episode referred to Mamdani's generation incorrectly. He is part of Gen Y not Gen Z.Have feedback on the show? Please send us an email at [email protected].  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program — or SNAP — feeds 42 million Americans. But during the ongoing government shutdown, it’s been caught in the political crossfire. USA TODAY Senior National Reporter Sarah D. Wire explains how states are scrambling to keep benefits flowing, what the Trump administration’s new work rules mean for recipients and how food banks are bracing for a surge in demand.Have feedback on the show? Please send us an email at [email protected].  Episode transcript available here. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On July 4th 2026, America will celebrate its 250th birthday. The United States is the world’s oldest and still-evolving experiment in democracy. From a political perspective, how have the last 250 years shaped the way this nation governs itself? And how have we, the governed, evolved in how we see ourselves? USA TODAY Washington Bureau Chief Susan Page, a journalist who has had the privilege of interviewing ten presidents out of a total of just 45 over the course of her career, joins The Excerpt to share her thoughts on this noteworthy occasion.Have feedback on the show? Please send us an email at [email protected].  Episode transcript available here. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

True crime, horror movies, even haunted houses — psychologist Coltan Scrivner says they all tap into a survival instinct. He explains how morbid curiosity evolved to help humans face threats and why those drawn to darkness might be more compassionate than we think.Episode transcript available here.Have feedback on the show? Please send us an email at [email protected].  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

At 28, Malala Yousafzai’s life so far has been anything but ordinary. When she was just 15, she was shot by the Taliban on her way to school, targeted for advocating for girls’ rights to education. At 17, she became the youngest person ever to win the Nobel Peace Prize, opening schools and speaking around the world with the Malala Fund. Now Malala is sharing a different side of herself in a new memoir, “Finding My Way.” USA TODAY Books Editor Clare Mulroy sat down with Malala to talk about her new memoir and how she feels about embracing her more ordinary self.Have feedback on the show? Please send us an email at [email protected].  Episode transcript available here. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It has been 29 days since the federal government entered a shutdown, now just a week away from this becoming the longest government shutdown in US history. As the government has ground to a halt, millions of Americans face financial uncertainty while essential services tied to food assistance, heating, and healthcare hang in the balance. What will it take to reopen the government? USA TODAY Congress Reporter Zach Schermele joins The Excerpt to break down where we are with it all.Have feedback on the show? Please send us an email at [email protected].  Episode transcript available here. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The stock market is surging again, led by a handful of tech giants betting big on artificial intelligence. But is this genuine growth or déjà vu from the dot-com era? USA TODAY personal finance reporter Daniel de Visé joins host Dana Taylor to examine what’s driving record highs on Wall Street, why the “Magnificent Seven” stocks wield so much influence, and what warning signs analysts are watching. From inflated valuations to money-market hedges, this episode unpacks whether AI optimism is fueling the next great bubble and how everyday investors can prepare.Have feedback on the show? Please send us an email at [email protected].  Episode transcript available here. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What do you get when you mix the NBA with the Italian mafia and then add in some poker? Perhaps one of the most explosive gambling scandals the sports world has ever seen. Over thirty people have now been indicted according to U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella, Jr. as part of two investigations known as Operation Royal Flush and Operation Nothing But Net. Beginning as early as 2019, defendants in the case are accused of using wireless cheating technology to run rigged poker games in places like the Hamptons, Miami, Las Vegas and Manhattan. How did defendants allegedly pull it off? USA TODAY Sports Reporter Mark Giannotto joins The Excerpt to unpack this muti-layered story.Have feedback on the show? Please send us an email at [email protected].  Episode transcript available here. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Who doesn’t like a weekend getaway? A nice hotel room, spa treatments, room service, sure – but a cabin with strangers? Adult sleepaway camps are having a moment, but what’s driving the boom? These retreats promise connection in a time when many adults feel lonelier than ever. Are adult sleepaway camps a good way to make genuine connections or are they just a bit of fun? USA TODAY Mental Health reporting fellow Rachel Hale packed a bag and set off for luxury camp Camp Social, where the tagline is “99% arrive solo, 100% leave as friends.” She joins USA TODAY’s The Excerpt to share her experience as an adult camper.Have feedback on the show? Please send us an email at [email protected]. Episode transcript available here. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The H-1B visa program — a key pipeline for skilled foreign workers in tech — has recently been upended by President Donald Trump. A recent executive order now mandates that companies to pay $100,000 per application, a move the White House says will protect American jobs.But critics warn it could shrink the talent pool, raise costs and push innovation overseas. So what’s really changed, who benefits the most and how might this impact the economy? Daniel Costa, director of immigration law and policy research at the Economic Policy Institute, joins The Excerpt to unpack the issues.Have feedback on the show? Please send us an email at [email protected].  Episode transcript available here. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.