The Excerpt

PhD student finds lost city in Mexico jungle by accident

Valeriana is an ancient, lost city in Southern Mexico hidden under jungle canopy for centuries, recently discovered via a Google search. How did that happen you ask? Luke Auld-Thomas’ research on Mayan settlements had him poking around on the internet which led him to a LIDAR survey - a laser-based technology used in this case for terrain mapping. When he ran the data, he realized there was an entire city, of a significant size, entirely covered in dense vegetation. Could there be more of these ancient settlements, just a few clicks away, waiting to be found? Tulane doctoral student Luke Auld-Thomas joins The Excerpt to share how he stumbled into the discovery of a lifetime. (This episode originally aired on January 1, 2025.)Please let us know what you think of this episode by sending a note to podcasts@usatoday.com.Episode Transcript available hereSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Trump and Putin will meet in Alaska next week to discuss Ukraine war

President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are scheduled to meet next week in Alaska to discuss an end to Russia's war on Ukraine.President Trump and the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan signed a peace agreement Friday at the White House.For The Win Staff Writer Meghan L. Hall tells us what's really going on with sex toys being thrown on court at WNBA games.The Department of Justice opens an investigation into New York Attorney General Letitia James.Legendary astronaut Jim Lovell has died at 97.Please let us know what you think of this episode by sending a note 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.

Israel's security cabinet approves plan to take control of Gaza City

Israel's security cabinet has approved a plan to take control of Gaza City. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said earlier this week that Israel intended to take military control of the entire Gaza Strip.President Donald Trump nominates CEA Chair Stephen Miran to a temporary Federal Reserve board vacancy.USA TODAY First Amendment Reporting Fellow BrieAnna Frank breaks down Trump's recent religion memo for federal workers.The National Weather Service has taken steps to begin filling some of the positions left vacant by federal cutbacks.USA TODAY Senior Reporter Jessica Guynn tells us how shoppers are returning just about everything, taking advantage of stores' lax return policies.Please let us know what you think of this episode by sending a note 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.

SPECIAL | Love, marriage and disability

Squirmy and Grubs are not your typical YouTube stars. One is them is able-bodied. The other is not. How they navigate the challenges that dichotomy presents is the point. So is how normal their lives as an interabled couple really are. The story of Hannah and Shane Burcaws’ relationship and others like it is captured in their new book, "Interabled: True Stories about Love and Disability." They joined The Excerpt to talk about what they hope abled couples understand about interabled love. (This episode originally aired on January 22, 2025.)Please let us know what you think of this episode by sending a note to podcasts@usatoday.com.Episode Transcript available hereSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Trump doubles India's tariffs to 50% as penalty for importing Russian oil

New tariffs take effect on Thursday after a new tariff announcement from President Donald Trump penalizing India for importing Russian oil. Plus, Apple announces $100 billion in new U.S. investment.A U.S. Army sergeant is in custody after a shooting at Fort Stewart in Georgia.USA TODAY Washington Bureau Chief Susan Page discusses the potential legacy of President Trump's new White House ballroom.USA TODAY Breaking News Reporter Karissa Waddick discusses how climate change is revealing archeological treasures.A new species of 'Jurassic sea monster' has been identified in an old fossil.Please let us know what you think of this episode by sending a note 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.