5 Things

There are few writers who have as devoted a following as celebrated English novelist Jane Austen, author of classics like “Pride and Prejudice” and “Sense and Sensibility.” But is she really the “first” great English female author? Rebecca Romney has built her career searching for rare books around the world. She joins The Excerpt to detail her path down a 5-years-long rabbit hole to discover the many female writers that Jane Austen was influenced by, something scholars had outright dismissed or just overlooked. Rebecca’s new release “Jane Austen’s Bookshelf” is on bookshelves now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

USA TODAY Education Reporter Zach Schermele takes a closer look at President Donald Trump's move to slash the Education Department in half.Canada and the European Union strike back at Trump tariffs.The EPA will roll back regulations on power plant emissions and tailpipe pollution.USA TODAY Senior National Political Correspondent Sarah D. Wire discusses a Thursday deadline surrounding more federal layoffs. See the federal layoffs so far.SpaceX cancels a launch to bring astronauts home.Have feedback on the show? Please send us an email at podcasts@USATODAY.com.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.

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 podcasts@usatoday.com.See 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 podcasts@USATODAY.com.Episode Transcript available hereAlso available at art19.com/shows/5-ThingsSee Privacy Policy at

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 podcasts@USATODAY.com.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.

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 podcasts@usatoday.com.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 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 podcasts@USATODAY.com.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.

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 podcasts@USATODAY.com. 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 podcasts@USATODAY.com.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.

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 podcasts@USATODAY.com.Episode Transcript available hereAlso available at art19.com/shows/5-ThingsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and Califo

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 podcasts@USATODAY.com.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.

A new beverage has been showing up in bars and on store shelves: the cannabis cocktail, a hemp-derived drink that contains CBD and oftentimes THC as well. They’re marketed as providing a buzz without the downside of a hangover. But are there drawbacks? And could these drinks ever replace alcohol? Staci Gruber, director of marijuana investigations for the Neuroscientific Discovery program at McLean Hospital and associate professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School joins The Excerpt to answer these and other questions about this new trend.Have feedback on the show? Please send us an email at podcasts@USATODAY.com.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 Washington Bureau Chief Susan Page takes a closer look at President Donald Trump's address to Congress.House Republicans are being instructed to stop holding in-person town halls after DOGE complaints.The Trump administration wants to sell hundreds of federal buildings, including the FBI's J. Edgar Hoover Building headquarters.USA TODAY Investigative Reporter Nick Penzenstadler discusses exclusive reporting on newly revealed documents from the National Guard Bureau that reveal incidents of racism and harassment nationwide.Have feedback on the show? Please send us an email at podcasts@USATODAY.com.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.

President Donald Trump pauses aid to Ukraine after his Oval Office clash with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Plus, a Putin spokesman says Trump's foreign policy 'largely coincides' with Russia's vision.Trump tariffs take effect on China, Mexico and Canada.USA TODAY Congress Reporter Riley Beggin discusses a push from Democrats urging Trump to fire Elon Musk.Democratic governors recruit government workers laid off by President Trump.USA TODAY Personal Finance Reporter Daniel de Visé explains why millennials are building wealth faster than other generations.Trump will address a joint session of Congress with a speech tonight. You can watch live on USA TODAY's YouTube channel.Have feedback on the show? Please send us an email at podcasts@USATODAY.com.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's Women of the Year recognizes women who are making a significant difference in their communities and across the country. A paralympian, tv host and astronaut are just a few of the honorees who describe in their own words what motivates them most on this bonus episode of the Excerpt. We hope you find their stories as inspiring as we do. To learn more about all of the women honored this year, you can visit womenoftheyear.usatoday.com.Have feedback on the show? Please send us an email at podcasts@USATODAY.com.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.

Speaker Mike Johnson suggested Sunday Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy may need to resign to salvage the Ukraine-Russia peace process. Plus, European leaders agree to draw up a Ukraine peace plan.Detroit Free Press Automotive Reporter Jamie L. LaReau discusses why it's so complicated for automakers to turn on a dime amid tariff concerns.USA TODAY Senior Reporter Jessica Guynn discusses how the latest rollback on DEI is reversing gains for Black workers.'Anora' wins big at the Oscars.In our first edition of 'Kind Time,' a college baseball player homered after his mother's death. Watch more inspiring stories from Humankind.Have feedback on the show? Please send us an email at podcasts@USATODAY.com.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.

Infant mortality is rising faster than expected in states with strict abortion limits or bans. Two new studies in the medical journal JAMA reveal how restricted access to abortion can lead to higher deaths, especially for women of color. Suzanne Bell, one of the authors of the study and an assistant professor at Johns Hopkins University, joins The Excerpt to explain the correlation between abortion bans and increased infant mortality.Have feedback on the show? Please send us an email at podcasts@USATODAY.com.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 Washington Bureau Chief Susan Page explains the “unprecedented” meeting between the world leaders. President Zelenskyy later declined the opportunity to apologize to President Trump during an appearance on Fox News. The Education Department offers employees $25K to quit or retire by Monday.Hundreds of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) employees were fired this week. Some Americans are opting to raise their own chickens amid the rising price of eggs. The investigation into the death of actor Gene Hackman revealed he may have been dead for 10 days before his body was found. USA TODAY Managing Editor for Life and Entertainment Laura Trujillo shares some of what we can expect at the 97th Academy Awards.Have feedback on the show? Please send us an email at podcasts@USATODAY.com.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-

A federal judge in Northern California has blocked the Trump administration’s mass firing of probationary federal employees. Plus, USA TODAY Democracy Reporter Erin Mansfield discusses how President Donald Trump tried to remove officials tasked with protecting federal workers' jobs.A search warrant reveals the deaths of actor Gene Hackman, his wife and dog in their New Mexico home are being considered “suspicious.” President Donald Trump met with U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer at the White House, where Britain's leader pushed for commitments on Ukraine.A new Pentagon policy will ban troops from serving in a gender identity other than the one assigned at birth. USA TODAY Personal Finance Reporter Daniel de Visé explains why many Americans are tired of cost-cutting tips.Have feedback on the show? Please send us an email at podcasts@USATODAY.com.Episode Transcript available hereAlso available at art19.com/shows/5-ThingsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Priv