Will SCOTUS Voting Rights Act ruling disenfranchise voters?

Will SCOTUS Voting Rights Act ruling disenfranchise voters?

Author: USA TODAY May 8, 2026 Duration: 15:08
Last week, the Supreme Court issued a ruling that will likely impact Black voters for generations. The 6-3 decision, which split along conservative and liberal lines, essentially nullified section 2 of the landmark 1965 Voting Rights Act which prohibited discrimination on the basis of race, color or language minority status. In its wake, Louisiana, Tennessee and other states are redrawing their district maps, even though primary voting in some cases is already underway. The ramifications will reverberate for decades. USA TODAY White House Correspondent Bart Jansen joins The Excerpt to help unpack this story. 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: 100

The Excerpt
Podcast Episodes
Is the Trump administration eroding freedom of the press? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:38
It started with the banning of the Associated Press from certain White House events over its refusal to use the term “Gulf of America” instead of “Gulf of Mexico.” Then there was a recent FBI search of a Washington Post…
Illegal sports betting by minors puts their mental health at risk [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:08
Since the Supreme Court widely legalized sports wagering in 2018 the nation’s appetite for bets has exploded. U.S. betters made over a billion dollars worth of bets in 2025 on sports alone. This year’s Super Bowl is expe…
Bad Bunny dominates Grammys in lead up to Super Bowl Sunday [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:05
The 2026 Grammys saw major wins for artists like Bad Bunny, Kendrick Lamar and Lady Gaga, and also served up an impressive number of live performances. But beyond the spectacle and the awarding of Grammy statuettes, the…
Are social media giants like YouTube liable for addiction? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:21
A landmark trial asks whether social media giants like Instagram and YouTube knowingly designed addictive platforms, and if they can be held legally responsible. Clay Calvert, nonresident senior fellow at the American En…
A partial government shutdown looms [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:07
Following the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Alex Pretti by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis last Saturday, Democrats have taken a stand against the Trump administration’s immigration policy. While the Senate did…
Super Bowl LX sets up Patriots Seahawks rematch [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:16
The NFL playoffs are now in the books. After a dramatic day of games last weekend, we now know the New England Patriots will face off against the Seattle Seahawks for Super Bowl LX. What kind of drama can we expect to se…
Lawsuits against Ozempic and other GLP-1 drugs urge consumer caution [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:14
GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy are everywhere — but thousands of users now allege the medications caused severe, life-altering injuries including everything from stomach paralysis and colon ruptures to sudden blindn…