The Excerpt – Details, episodes & analysis

In Big Bend, Texas, residents across party lines are voicing strong opposition to the Trump administration’s plans for a new border wall, arguing it would disrupt communities and threaten a beloved region along the Rio Grande. USA TODAY National News Reporter Lauren Villagran traveled to Big Bend and joins The Excerpt to share their concerns.

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The US Supreme Court heard arguments Wednesday in perhaps its most controversial case this term, the one involving birthright citizenship. On the first day of his second term, President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing federal agencies to not recognize the citizenship of babies born in the United States if neither parent is a citizen or lawful permanent resident. The decision could impact about a quarter of a million babies born in the United States each year. It could also affect millions of others. USA TODAY Supreme Court Correspondent Maureen Groppe joins The Excerpt to break down Wednesday’s arguments.

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It’s not if, but when the next major power grid failure will happen. Major recent failures have exposed the grid’s vulnerabilities, from the massive Northeast blackout in 2003 to the deadly Texas power outages during the winter of 2021. Add to that the critical fire risks caused by aging transmission lines, the cause of California’s deadliest and most destructive fire that decimated the town of Paradise back in 2018. How can we shore up the infrastructure that powers both our economy and our lives while meeting the needs of evolving demand and supply? University of Michigan Associate Professor Johanna Mathieu joins The Excerpt to explain where the pressure points are and what needs to happen to keep the lights on.

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Oil and water are both strategic in the war with Iran. Disruptions to either resource in the Middle East could further impact energy, food prices, fertilizer and other goods here at home. Amy Jaffe, director of the energy, climate justice, and sustainability lab at New York University, and Shafiqul Islam, director of the Water Diplomacy Program at Tufts University, join The Excerpt to explain the impact on Americans.

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As the U.S.-Israel war in Iran intensifies, it’s hard to imagine Iran was once an important U.S. ally. In this special episode, we lay out key inflection points in the history of US-Iranian relations and how they continue to shape the ongoing conflict today. Ali Vaez, the Iran project director at the International Crisis Group, joins The Excerpt to share his insights and analysis.

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A critically important source of water for seven western states, the Colorado River is now running out of water. To fix the problem a public lands access group has proposed an ambitious plan to build eight massive desalination plants off the California coastline, turning ocean water into fresh water for farming, and reducing demand on the ailing Colorado River. The question is, will it work? USA TODAY National Reporter Trevor Hughes joins The Excerpt to break down the issues and what's at stake.

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Public health policy has become one of the most contentious fronts of the Trump administration. From cuts to Medicaid to RFK Jr.'s promotion of dubious theories on the causes of autism, some physicians say they feel compelled to run for office. President Donald Trump is also possibly losing support among MAHA Moms who object to his promotion of elemental phosphorus and glyphosate for use in agriculture. The conversation comes amid a federal court ruling striking down parts of Kennedy’s vaccine policies. USA TODAY National Reporter Sarah D. Wire explains what it could mean for the midterms.

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President Donald Trump says the SAVE America Act could “guarantee the midterms” for Republicans. The bill would require proof of citizenship to register to vote and expand ID requirements at polls. But critics warn it could create hurdles for millions of voters. USA TODAY Congressional Reporter Zach Schermele breaks down what’s in the bill and what its chances of passing are.

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March Madness is almost here, and the bracket picture is starting to come into focus. Is there a true favorite this year, or is the field wide open? USA TODAY college sports reporter Paul Myerberg joins The Excerpt to share which teams look built for a deep tournament run, which big-name programs could miss the bracket and the players who could turn March into their NBA breakout moment.

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On Tuesday night in Georgia, a crowded Republican field tested the strength of President Donald Trump’s endorsement of Republican Clay Fuller. In a race to fill the seat once held by former Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, the question weighing over this year’s critical midterm elections, is whether the president’s backing is a help or hindrance? As these contests unfold alongside domestic economic concerns and major global tensions, what can they tell us about where American politics is heading? USA TODAY Chief Political Correspondent Phillip M. Bailey joins The Excerpt to share his insights on the latest elections.

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Episode transcript available here. 

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