USS Lincoln families speak out after grueling deployment

USS Lincoln families speak out after grueling deployment

Author: USA TODAY August 26, 2026 Duration: 9:58
For months, sailors aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln remained at sea as their expected return home was pushed further and further back. Their families watched graduations, weddings and other milestones pass without them, while hearing accounts of supply shortages, broken facilities and difficult conditions aboard the carrier. Now, as the Lincoln finally begins its return, USA TODAY Investigative Reporter Chris Quintana joins The Excerpt to explain what families say sailors endured, what the Navy has said in response and why lawmakers are questioning whether the military is prepared to support crews through deployments this long.Let us know what you think of this episode by sending an email to podcasts@usatoday.com. Episode transcript available here.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Each morning, The Excerpt cuts through the noise of the 24-hour news cycle. Instead of a rapid-fire list of headlines, this daily podcast from USA TODAY provides depth and clarity on the stories that matter most. Host Dana Taylor guides conversations with the network's award-winning journalists stationed all over the country, turning complex national issues into understandable segments. You'll hear more than just what happened; you'll get the crucial background and analysis that explains why it matters. The discussions span the full spectrum of American life, from the latest developments in Washington and cultural shifts to major sports moments and entertainment news. It’s designed for anyone who wants to start their day informed, with a clear perspective that lasts beyond the initial click. By focusing on context, this podcast builds a more complete picture of current events, making sense of how different stories connect to our daily lives. Tune in on weekdays for a reliable, thoughtful breakdown that goes deeper than the front page.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

The Excerpt
Podcast Episodes
America’s workforce is shrinking. What’s going on? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:47
The unemployment rate fell in June, but beneath that encouraging headline are signs that the U.S. job market may be losing momentum. Employers added just 57,000 jobs, previous estimates were revised downward and the shar…
Is Trump losing his grip on working-class voters? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:01
President Donald Trump built his political coalition with overwhelming support from white working-class and rural voters. But rising grocery prices, health care costs, tariffs and frustration over the economy are testing…
What college is really worth in 2026 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:19
The question of whether college is worth it has gotten more complicated as costs rise and students weigh other paths after high school. USA TODAY Personal Finance Reporter Daniel de Visé breaks down what new research say…
As antisemitism spikes, how can America tackle the hate? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:34
Antisemitism is spiking in the U.S. and around the world. Will Carless, USA TODAY national correspondent and host of Extremely Normal, talks to two experts about hatred against Jews and how to combat rising violence and…
The Cat in the Hat is back in a lost Dr. Seuss book [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:39
A completed, unpublished Dr. Seuss manuscript was recently discovered in author Theodor Geisel’s archives at UC San Diego. How was the book found, and what does it reveal about the author's creative process and complicat…
Liberal progressives are remaking the Democratic party in 2026 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:45
The Democratic Party’s left wing is no longer knocking on the door—it’s kicking it in. The same energy that helped elect Zohran Mamdani has fueled a string of insurgent victories, knocking off longtime officeholders and…
Is FEMA ready for the coming hurricanes, floods and fires? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:44
An historic El Niño is forming in the Pacific that could cause catastrophic weather around the world. Add to that the hurricanes, fires and floods that have created disaster zones across the US just in the past couple of…
Are prediction markets democratizing information or gamifying war? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:24
Who will be the Democratic presidential nominee in 2028? What will the price of gold be at the end of the week? Who will win the World Cup? All of these are relatively benign bets you can make today. But there are other…