Over fifty million people work on our oceans around the world and over 80% of the goods we consume are delivered by vessels navigating them. But when it comes to maintaining law and order on the high seas, is there anyone really in charge? Journalist Ian Urbina has spent over a decade trying to get to the bottom of this and other pressing questions. The result is The Outlaw Ocean Project, a multiplatform reporting effort whose goal is to support and encourage ethically sourced accountability journalism of all that takes place in or atop our vast oceans. Director and Founder Ian Urbina joins The Excerpt to talk about his work trying to bring accountability to the high seas.

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Los Angeles area fires are turning entire neighborhoods into ash.

USA TODAY Justice Department Correspondent Bart Jansen puts Donald Trump's hush money sentencing in context.

The Biden administration extends protections for nearly 1 million immigrants.

USA TODAY Supreme Court Correspondent Maureen Groppe breaks down Friday arguments over TikTok.

Earth passed a critical climate change threshold in 2024.

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At least 10 people have been killed in Los Angeles area wildfires, while more than 10,000 structures have been destroyed.

USA TODAY Money Reporter Bailey Schulz talks about the insurance impact from this week's wildfires.

USA TODAY Washington Bureau Chief Susan Page recaps late President Jimmy Carter's funeral, and discusses his lasting legacy.

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The practice of profiting from prison labor, both inside prisons and outside for private industries is complex and fraught. Last month in Alabama, a Hyundai supplier ended its work release program following intense pressure to do so. But, in California, Proposition 6, which would have banned involuntary prison labor, was defeated last November. Are laws that allow private industry as well as state governments to profit from prison labor constitutional? Darrick Hamilton, the Henry Cohen Professor of Economics and Urban Policy at The New School, and Chief Economist of the AFL-CIO joins The Excerpt to explain the way some of these programs work and to share what both proponents and detractors of the practice say about them.

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USA TODAY National Correspondent Elizabeth Weise explains why fires in Southern California have gotten so dangerous so quickly this week.

It's a national day of mourning for the late President Jimmy Carter. You can watch the funeral service here.

USA TODAY Justice Department Correspondent Bart Jansen breaks down a decision by Attorney General Merrick Garland to release a Trump report on election charges, but not classified records.

Affordable Care Act signups reach record levels.

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As President Joe Biden’s term as the 46th president of the United States draws to a close, we look at his legacy in the sweeping arc of history. What accomplishments is he most proud of and what regrets, if any, does he have? How does he hope history writes the first chapter of his single term in office? USA TODAY’s Washington Bureau Chief Susan Page was given the exclusive opportunity to speak with President Biden before he leaves office later this month. USA TODAY Editor-in-Chief Caren Bohan spoke with Susan about her insights and impressions from their conversation.

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USA TODAY White House Correspondent Joey Garrison takes a closer look at President-elect Donald Trump's comments about Greenland and the Panama Canal.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom declares a state of emergency as the Palisades Fire rages.

After record highs, illegal immigration plummets at the U.S.-Mexico border.

USA TODAY Congress & Campaigns Reporter Savannah Kuchar discusses the scene in Washington as the remains of President Jimmy Carter arrived Tuesday.

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USA TODAY Justice Department Correspondent Bart Jansen has the latest ahead of Friday sentencing in President-elect Donald Trump's hush money case.

A Louisiana patient has died from bird flu.

A judge holds Rudy Giuliani in contempt in a Georgia election worker defamation case.

USA TODAY White House Correspondent Joey Garrison breaks down President Joe Biden's move to ban new offshore oil and gas drilling along most U.S. coasts.

The McDonald’s flip on DEI brings another win for conservative critics.

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