The Excerpt

PCBs, or polychlorinated biphenyls, were built to last. So, beginning in the late 1920’s billions of pounds of it were produced across the country for use in construction materials, plastics and consumer goods. But over the next 50 years, evidence that PCBs were actually toxic began to mount, and the EPA eventually banned its production in 1979. That’s when the cleanup started…and when Scot Meisenheimer’s medical nightmares began. Tamia Fowlkes, a Public Investigator, and Caitlin Looby, a Great Lakes and Environment Reporter, both with The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, have spent the last two years investigating the cleanup and the consequences for contractors like Meisenheimer. They join The Excerpt to share their exclusive reporting.
Search for superfund sites in your area: https://www.epa.gov/superfund/search-superfund-sites-where-you-live For more on PCB cleanups: https://www.epa.gov/pcbs/managing-remediation-waste-polychlorinated-biphenyls-pcbs-cleanups
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What’s it like to party not TILL but AT the break of dawn? In an era when so many interactions happen through screens, a growing number of people have become more intentional about seeking connection. Morning raves, where the first stop on your morning commute is a dance floor, are gaining popularity. What is it about these early morning get-togethers that are drawing people out of bed before sunrise, and what are they really hoping to find there? USA TODAY Youth Mental Health Reporter Rachel Hale joins The Excerpt for more on what it’s like to begin the day with a healthy and deliberately designed communal experience.
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The 2026 FIFA World Cup is here, and it is unlike anything the sport has staged before. Spanning three countries and expanding in size, this tournament will redefine what a World Cup looks like. While ticket costs remain a concern, host cities are preparing for massive crowds and global attention. The biggest question now is whether the U.S. can turn this moment into a breakthrough on the field. USA TODAY National Soccer Writer and Sports Seriously Soccer Podcast host Jon Arnold joins USA TODAY'S The Excerpt to break down what to expect.
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Among the Republicans running for governor of politically competitive states in 2026 are people like Arizona Rep. Andy Biggs, Georgia Lt. Gov. Burt Jones and U.S. Representative Tom Tiffany of Wisconsin. What they have in common is concerning to many: They all rejected President Joe Biden’s 2020 election victory. Should they win in the fall midterms, they would subsequently have power over the administration of future elections which could ultimately decide the presidency, including in 2028. USA TODAY Domestic Security Correspondent Josh Meyer joins The Excerpt to unpack this politically fraught issue.
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For over 50 years, CBS’ legendary “60 Minutes” has been a stalwart of the investigative reporting tradition. But a recent shakeup to leadership and on-air talent may put that reputation and future at risk. Behind the changes is CBS News new Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss, a former New York Times opinion columnist who left the grey lady to found “The Free Press,” a digital publication that is broadly described as featuring contrarian and conservative viewpoints. Last fall, CBS News, under the leadership of newly minted CEO David Ellison, acquired the Free Press for a deal estimated at $150 million. And, after the deal closed, he put Bari Weiss, a successful entrepreneur with no broadcast experience, in charge of CBS News. Will Weiss’ radical approach usher in a new age of prosperity for the storied network or will it lead to its demise? CNN’s Chief Media Analyst Brian Stelter joins The Excerpt to dig into the issues plaguing CBS News in this moment and what it means for the future of “60 Minutes.”
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