Columbia University has struck another deal with the Trump administration.

A federal judge has rejected the Justice Department's bid to unseal grand jury testimony tied to Florida-based investigations of sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Plus, Attorney General Pam Bondi reportedly told President Donald Trump in May that he was named multiple times in the government's files on Epstein.

USA TODAY National Security & World Affairs Reporter Cybele Mayes-Osterman discusses why a handful of tech executives are joining the Army and what critics are worried about.

A notorious Idaho killer was sentenced Wednesday to life in prison. Victims' families gave powerful testimony in court.

USA TODAY Congress Reporter Savannah Kuchar breaks down a Republican redestricting plan out of Texas.

We remember Amelia Earhart on her birthday.

Please let us know what you think of this episode by sending a note to podcasts@usatoday.com.

Columbia University has <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/07/23/columbia-university-deal-trump/85256240007/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">struck another deal with the Trump administration</a>.A federal judge has rejected the Justice Department's <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/07/23/judge-denies-bid-unseal-epstein-records/85343988007/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">bid to unseal grand jury testimony</a> tied to Florida-based investigations of sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Plus,&nbsp;Attorney General Pam Bondi reportedly told President Donald Trump in May that he was <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/07/23/donald-trump-jeffrey-epstein-files-pam-bondi-meeting/85347573007/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">named multiple times</a> in the government's files on Epstein.USA TODAY National Security &amp; World Affairs Reporter Cybele Mayes-Osterman discusses why a <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/07/23/army-tech-executives-palantir-meta-open-ai/84519374007/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">handful of tech executives are joining the Army</a> and what critics are worried about.A notorious Idaho killer was sentenced Wednesday to life in prison. <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/07/23/bryan-kohberger-sentencing-hearing-live-updates/85325413007/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Victims' families gave powerful testimony</a> in court.USA TODAY Congress Reporter Savannah Kuchar breaks down a <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/07/23/texas-redistricting-democrat-response/85338172007/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Republican redestricting plan out of Texas</a>.We remember <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/picture-gallery/news/world/2024/01/28/a-fascinating-look-at-amelia-earhart/103311866/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Amelia Earhart</a> on her birthday.Please let us know what you think of this episode by sending a note to&nbsp;<a href="mailto:podcasts@usatoday.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">podcasts@usatoday.com</a>.

USA TODAY’s daily news podcast, The Excerpt (formerly 5 Things), brings you a curated mix of the most important headlines seven mornings a week. We also deliver special deep-dive episodes on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons on the most compelling topics in culture, entertainment, sports, politics, and more. Give us fifteen minutes a day, we'll give you all of the headlines, none of the chaos. Hosted by Taylor Wilson and Dana Taylor.  

USA TODAY’s daily news podcast, The Excerpt (formerly 5 Things), brings you a curated mix of the most important headlines seven mornings a week. We also deliver special deep-dive episodes on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons on the most compelling topics in culture, entertainment, sports, politics, and more. Give us fifteen minutes a day, we'll give you all of the headlines, none of the chaos. Hosted by Taylor Wilson and Dana Taylor.&nbsp;&nbsp;