SPECIAL | Is there life on another planet?

If you are a parent or know someone with young children, you’ve heard the complaint. Child care is simply unaffordable, costing families more than $10,000 a year on average. And, more than half of Americans have no access to it at all; they live in what are called child care deserts. Meanwhile, the end of COVID-era subsidies has forced some providers out of the business altogether. What can working families do? Julie Kashen, director for women's economic justice at The Century Foundation, joins The Excerpt to talk about some possible solutions.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The U.S. Supreme Court issued a number of substantive decisions on Friday. Among them was a ruling on the obstruction charges that hundreds of Jan. 6 rioters face or have faced; a couple of rulings that will significantly weaken enforcement of federal regulations; and lastly, one that will effectively sanction laws that make being homeless a crime. USA TODAY Justice Correspondent Bart Jansen explains.After a disastrous debate performance with former President Donald Trump, President Joe Biden remains defiant, saying he has no plans to end his reelection campaign. But influential Democratic donors are calling for him to drop out of the race. Meanwhile, House Republicans, are considering asking Biden’s cabinet to invoke the 25th Amendment to oust him from the White House.Hard rains have pummeled much of the north-central U.S. in June, breaking records.A woman with a rare brain disease is not just fighting it, she's helping herself and potentially millions of others along the way. USA TODAY Health Reporter Karen Weintraub has the story.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The first presidential debate of 2024 is in the books. For President Biden, it wasn't a good night. What were some of the key takeaways and how did undecided voters react? USA TODAY Chief Political Correspondent Phillip M. Bailey shares his insight into the night’s big moments.The U.S. Supreme Court issued three substantive rulings on Thursday, including emergency abortions in Idaho, a six billion dollar opioid settlement and cross-state pollution. USA TODAY Supreme Court Correspondent Maureen Groppe joins The Excerpt to unpack the big decisions. And for a deeper look at the underlying issues of the opioid case, listen to our podcast featuring then USA TODAY Supreme Court Correspondent John Fritze from last fall.A grand jury in Texas indicted former Uvalde school district police chief Pete Arredondo yesterday over the police response to the 2022 shooting at Robb Elementary School, a mass killing which resulted in the deaths of 19 students and two teachers.Oklahoma Schools Superintendent Ryan Walters ordered all 5th to 12th grade classrooms in the state to incorporate the Bible.U.S. gymnastics Olympic trials have begun. Catch our live blog of the trials along with NBA draft updates and other sports news at USATODAY.com/sports.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.

Thirty-eight states and Washington, D.C. now allow any adult to place a bet on their favorite sport – even with the click of a button on the phone. But what happens when the athletes themselves are placing bets? Several athletes have been banned from their respective leagues in recent months for doing just that. USA TODAY Sports Reporter Steve Gardner joins The Excerpt to discuss this moment and what sports fans can expect next.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.

The Supreme Court may be about to allow emergency abortions in Idaho.USA TODAY Investigative Reporter Nick Penzenstadler explains why Hunter Biden's purchase at a Delaware gun shop was illegal for another reason.Senate Democrats are raising concerns that the U.S. Postal Service's decision to re-route some mail processing may hurt the delivery of mail-in ballots during this year's elections.Journalist Evan Gershkovich goes on trial in Russia.COVID-19 cases are ticking up, as summer gatherings get into full swing.USA TODAY Election Reporting Fellow Melissa Cruz discusses the decision by the Commission on Presidential Debates to step down. Watch tonight's debate on USA TODAY's YouTube channel. Plus, use our presidential debate bingo card to play during the Biden-Trump showdown.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.

The age-old question has been debated for centuries. Might we soon get an answer? The planet that is the current focus of international inquiry is called Gliese 12b, an Earth-sized exoplanet that’s only 40 light years away. The first step in answering this question has to do with determining a planet's habitability. In this respect, Gliese 12b shows some promise. What’s next on the road to solving one of mankind's oldest riddles? Michael McElwain, a NASA scientist at the James Webb Space Telescope center, joins The Excerpt to share insights regarding this revolutionary new development.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.

The federal judge in charge of former President Donald Trump's classified documents case appears set to allow prosecutors to use documents seized by the FBI from the former president's private club. Plus, Monica Lewinsky wants the judge impeached.USA TODAY White House Correspondent Michael Collins discusses President Joe Biden's approach to Thursday's debate.President Joe Biden pardons thousands of veterans convicted under a military law that banned gay sex.The National Transportation Safety Board says that burning off chemicals after a train derailed in Ohio last year was unnecessary.The NBA Draft begins!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.

Julian Assange will be freed after pleading guilty to breaking U.S. espionage law.Texas' anti-abortion heartbeat law aimed to save babies. But more infants died.USA TODAY Supreme Court Correspondent Maureen Groppe discusses the high court's move to take on gender-affirming care for minors.The U.S. surgeon general wants to issue warnings on guns like cigarettes.USA TODAY National Political Correspondent David Jackson takes a look at former President Donald Trump's strategy ahead of Thursday's debate.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.

Severe heat led to deaths at the hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, while heat warnings and advisories spread across the U.S.USA TODAY Congress, Campaigns and Democracy Reporter Karissa Waddick discusses how Democratic candidates are approaching transgender issues in 2024.Are the economy and job growth slowing? Not based on sales of worker uniform patches.USA TODAY Personal Finance Reporter Daniel de Visé talks about millionaires next door.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.

Over two years into Russia’s war in Ukraine have left the country and its soldiers running short of ammunition, weapons, manpower, money and worst of all, morale. A particularly troubling recent quote from a Ukrainian soldier on the frontlines by Reuters was: “worse than hell.” Russian drone and artillery relentlessly target Ukrainian soldiers on the front lines. Ukrainian military leaders openly admit that the situation on the eastern front is decidedly worse in recent months. Russia, meanwhile, has executed a savage onslaught on Ukraine. Can U.S. and European support help turn things around for Ukraine? USA TODAY White House Correspondent Joey Garrison joins The Excerpt to unpack significant new developments.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.