Outlet profile

USA TODAY

45 graded reports on Clad. Volume is public; the outlet's average grade, lean & social sentiment unlock with a free account.

Clad has been grading USA TODAY segments since Jun 2026 — 45 reports so far, published several times a week. Its most-covered subjects on Clad: Trump, Iran, Elections. Every report checks the segment's load-bearing claims against primary sources, then scores the coverage for factual accuracy, political lean, and how the public received it — so you can see how USA TODAY's reporting holds up story by story, not just take its word for it.

USA TODAY's average grade, average political lean & social sentiment across all 45 reports unlock with a free CladFacts account — no card required.

Latest reports

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Hundreds of private U.S. colleges face closure risk as enrollment declines

Aug 13, 2026

USA TODAY's The Excerpt interviews Jon Marcus of the Hechinger Report about the impending closure of Sterling College, a small experiential liberal arts school in rural Vermont that ended degree programs in spring 2026. The segment explores why small private colleges are struggling, the emotional and practical toll on students who value intimate learning environments, low transfer and completion rates after closures, and the loss of economic and demographic pipelines in rural communities. Marcus discusses broader trends including the demographic cliff from lower birth rates during the Great Recession and questions about the return on investment in higher education.

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Cassidy criticizes CDC autism-vaccines webpage update for fostering hesitancy

Jul 26, 2026

USA TODAY segment covers Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., criticizing a CDC webpage on autism and vaccines during a July 26, 2026, CNN interview. Cassidy states the content is wrong because it will frighten parents from vaccinating children. The clip highlights parental hesitancy concerns tied to the site's language. The broadcast references the recent modification to the CDC autism-vaccines page under the Trump administration. Sourcing draws from Cassidy's on-air comments and context of the page update as a sign of good faith for a CDC nominee vote.

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USA TODAY segment links Nolan Wells July 4 disappearance to Black America's historical anxieties

Jul 25, 2026

The USA TODAY video examines the Nolan Wells case through two lenses: the unresolved circumstances of the 18-year-old's disappearance on July 4, 2026, during a boat trip to Mississippi's Horn Island, and its resonance with longstanding anxieties in Black America. It references Emmett Till and generational warnings about safety in interracial settings.

▶ Source: USA TODAY

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Trump criticizes Kaitlan Collins award and CNN hosts at rescheduled WHCA dinner

Jul 24, 2026

The USA TODAY clip covers President Trump's speech at the rescheduled 2026 White House Correspondents' Association dinner on July 24. Trump congratulated Kaitlan Collins on her WHCA broadcast award but called it fake, commented on her demeanor, joked about the Bud Light Dylan Mulvaney promotion, and attacked Don Lemon and Anderson Cooper on ratings and intelligence. The segment draws from Trump's live remarks at the event honoring journalism awards, including Collins' prize for coverage of his Oval Office meeting with Zelensky. It references prior Trump criticisms of the named journalists and notes the dinner's rescheduling after an earlier security incident.

▶ Source: USA TODAY

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Bon Jovi ends Madison Square Garden show early after 14 songs due to sinus infection

Jul 24, 2026

The USA TODAY video features a clip of Jon Bon Jovi addressing the Madison Square Garden crowd on July 23, 2026, explaining he must end the performance early because it is not improving. He urges fans to keep ticket stubs for a possible reschedule and says he feels great. The segment reports the Forever Tour residency show lasted roughly 90 minutes and 14 songs before the abrupt end, with a representative confirming Bon Jovi had been battling a sinus infection.

▶ Source: USA TODAY

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Trump promotes ratepayer protection pledge for AI data centers at governors event

Jul 23, 2026

President Trump spoke at an event with governors and energy executives promoting his Ratepayer Protection Pledge for AI data centers. He argued that companies building their own power plants will prevent rate hikes for households and deliver net benefits including lower bills and economic gains. The speech highlighted the pledge's expansion to 23 governors and nearly 200 stakeholders, cited state-level examples such as rate freezes in Georgia and Iowa, and contrasted U.S. AI leadership with China. It included guests like Energy Secretary Chris Wright and several Republican governors.

▶ Source: USA TODAY

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NYC reports fifth Legionnaires death as UES cluster reaches 82 cases

Jul 23, 2026

The USA TODAY segment reports on a Legionnaires’ disease cluster in Manhattan’s Upper East Side neighborhoods of Carnegie Hill and Yorkville. It states a fifth death, 82 total cases as of July 21, eight people still hospitalized, and 56 discharged, with cooling towers confirmed as the source. The report notes 34 cooling towers at 33 buildings tested positive for live Legionella bacteria, no new cases in six days, no new symptoms in over 10 days, and urges residents to watch for flu-like symptoms. It relies on statements from New York City health officials.

▶ Source: USA TODAY

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Tropical Storm Bertha forms in Gulf as second named storm of 2026 season

Jul 21, 2026

The USA TODAY segment reports Tropical Storm Bertha forming in the Gulf of Mexico as the second named storm of the 2026 Atlantic season. It outlines expected impacts including tropical-storm-force winds, heavy rainfall, dangerous surf, and flooding risks along the northern Gulf Coast from Louisiana to the Florida Panhandle, with possible extension into Texas.

▶ Source: USA TODAY

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NHC: Tropical Depression Two moves slowly toward southeast Louisiana, Bertha likely

Jul 20, 2026

USA TODAY broadcast carries a live National Hurricane Center update on Tropical Depression Two off Florida's Gulf Coast. The forecaster details expected slow strengthening into Tropical Storm Bertha, northwestward motion toward southeast Louisiana by Wednesday, expanded tropical storm watch, and new storm surge watch for 2-4 feet along vulnerable coastal zones from the Mississippi River mouth to Mobile Bay. Emphasis is placed on hazards over exact track and local emergency guidance. Graphics referenced include watch areas and surge potential; viewers directed to hurricanes.gov.

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USA TODAY shows steps to rinse and dry lettuce during 2026 Cyclospora outbreak

Jul 17, 2026

USA TODAY video demonstrates proper lettuce cleaning amid the 2026 Cyclospora outbreak. Segments cover hand washing, discarding outer or damaged leaves, individual rinsing with friction, drying via spinner or towel, washing pre-washed items, and sanitizing surfaces. Sourcing is direct expert-style demonstration referencing general food-safety practices; no named guests or graphics beyond on-screen text. The throughline is practical steps to reduce risk from contaminated produce.

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DHS Secretary Mullin cites 250,000 non-citizens on voter rolls in four states after Trump speech

Jul 17, 2026

USA TODAY video covers DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin’s July 17, 2026 press briefing following President Trump’s primetime speech on election security. Mullin details DHS findings of approximately 250,000-278,000 non-citizens on voter rolls in California, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Nevada, plus data from 23 participating states including deceased registrants. He discusses the SAVE program, grant requirements for states, prosecutions for illegal voting, and accountability for prior intelligence handling of 2020 issues. Mullin references letters sent to state officials, CISA updates, and enforcement priorities. Sourcing draws from DHS data comparisons with immigration records; questions address network coverage, accountability, and state participation.

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Trump calls for FCC to revoke ABC, NBC licenses over speech coverage decision

Jul 16, 2026

The USA TODAY clip features President Trump delivering remarks from a July 16, 2026, primetime White House address focused on election security and alleged foreign interference. Trump criticizes ABC and NBC for declining to carry the speech live on their broadcast networks and accuses them of participating in a plot to conceal corruption and protect the radical left. He claims U.S. elections have been vulnerable to rigging, calls for license revocation over the networks' use of public airwaves, and states that great damage has been done to trust in the system. The segment consists almost entirely of Trump's direct statements with minimal added narration.

▶ Source: USA TODAY