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.

Israel has launched <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2024/04/18/israel-attacks-iran-explosions/73378601007/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">strikes on Iran</a>.Police <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2024/04/18/nypd-arrests-columbia-university-gaza-war-protest/73374280007/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">arrest more than a hundred protesters</a> at Columbia University.USA TODAY White House Correspondent Francesca Chambers talks about a <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2024/04/19/ro-khanna/73017328007/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Biden surrogate</a> working to bring frustrated voters to the president.Florida bans <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2024/04/18/florida-bans-local-heat-rules-for-outdoor-workers-baffling-experts/73355824007/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">local water break rules</a>.USA TODAY National Music Writer Melissa Ruggieri breaks down <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2024/04/19/taylor-swift-tortured-poets-department-review/73342235007/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Taylor Swift's new album</a>.See Privacy Policy at <a href="https://art19.com/privacy" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://art19.com/privacy</a> and California Privacy Notice at <a href="https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info</a>.

The Excerpt

Israel launches strike; explosions heard in central Iran

Could the woolly mammoth really be brought back to life? Ben Lamm thinks so. He’s the CEO and Co-founder of Colossal Biosciences, a company at the heart of an evolving science that aims to see this ancient animal and others return in the name of preserving and promoting biodiversity. According to him, the success of this work could just be the ticket that saves humanity. Lamm joined The Excerpt podcast to talk about the possible impacts and the ongoing ethical debate around de-extinction. Episode Transcript <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/science/2024/04/18/bringing-back-woolly-mammoth-possible-the-excerpt/73374931007/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">available here</a>Also available at <a href="https://art19.com/shows/5-things" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">art19.com/shows/5-Things</a>See Privacy Policy at <a href="https://art19.com/privacy" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://art19.com/privacy</a> and California Privacy Notice at <a href="https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info</a>.

SPECIAL | Bringing back the woolly mammoth. Is it even possible?

The Senate has killed <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2024/04/17/alejandro-mayorkas-impeachment-senate-trial/73356154007/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">both impeachment articles</a> against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.USA TODAY White House Correspondent Joey Garrison talks about President Joe Biden's comments on tripling the rates of <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2024/04/17/president-biden-moves-to-triple-tariffs-on-chinese-steel-and-aluminum/73346915007/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">tariffs on steel and aluminum from China</a>.Former President Donald Trump is funneling <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2024/04/18/trump-campaign-funnels-money-to-his-businesses/73344744007/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">campaign money into cash-strapped businesses</a>.USA TODAY Breaking News and Education Reporter Zach Schermele breaks down the <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/education/2024/04/17/columbia-antisemitism-minouche-shafik-congress-david-greenwald/73355246007/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Columbia University president's testimony</a> before Congress Wednesday on campus antisemitism.The FAA has lifted its <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/airline-news/2024/04/17/faa-alaska-airlines-flights-grounded/73355271007/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">ground stop of Alaska Airlines flights</a> after system issues were resolved.Happy National Exercise Day! Want to stay fit? <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2024/04/18/national-exercise-day-2024-tips/73340879007/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Here are some ways</a>. Episode Transcript <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2024/04/18/senate-rejects-both-impeachment-articles-homeland-security-secretary-mayorkas-the-excerpt/73368210007/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">available here</a>Also available at <a href="https://art19.com/shows/5-things" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">art19.com/shows/5-Things</a>See Privacy Policy at <a href="https://art19.com/privacy" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://art19.com/privacy</a> and California Privacy Notice at <a href="https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info</a>.

Senate rejects both impeachment articles against Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas

If you’re a woman who is part of Generation X or the baby boomers, then you probably, like me, spent your Monday nights growing up watching one of America’s <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/tv/2024/04/17/little-house-on-the-prairie-at-50/73098495007/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">most enduring and endearing TV series</a>. The show followed the wholesome Ingalls family and their life in Walnut Grove, Minnesota in the 1800s, loosely based on the books by Laura Ingalls Wilder. The show’s star was Melissa Gilbert who played little Laura Ingalls, an optimistic, curious and mischievous young girl who quickly became America’s sweetheart. The pilot for the show aired 50 years ago on March 30th on NBC and the series ran for a remarkable nine seasons. Melissa joins The Excerpt to talk about the show's outsized impact on American culture and share her experience being part of it. Episode Transcript <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/tv/2024/04/17/melissa-gilbert-little-house-prairie-50-the-excerpt/73358776007/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">available here</a>Also available at <a href="https://art19.com/shows/5-things" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">art19.com/shows/5-Things</a>See Privacy Policy at <a href="https://art19.com/privacy" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://art19.com/privacy</a> and California Privacy Notice at <a href="https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info</a>.

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