USA Today is a national American news outlet from Gannett. It covers US and world news, sports, life, money, tech, and opinion. You can read it on the web or app, with some free stories and options for a digital subscription, ePaper, and daily puzzles.
## What Is USA Today?
USA Today launched in 1982 as America’s first truly national newspaper, bringing a colorful, visually-driven approach to news that was revolutionary at the time. With its distinctive blue masthead and concise reporting style, it quickly became a staple in hotels, airports, and newsstands across the country.
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### A Quick History and Ownership (Gannett)
Founded by Allen Neuharth under the Gannett Company, USA Today initially faced criticism for its colorful graphics and shorter articles. Critics dubbed it “McPaper,” suggesting it offered fast-food journalism. However, this accessible approach proved popular with readers seeking quick, digestible news.
Today, Gannett remains the parent company and has transformed USA Today into the centerpiece of the USA TODAY Network, which encompasses hundreds of local newspapers nationwide. This evolution reflects the changing media landscape, with USA Today shifting from primarily print to a digital-first strategy while maintaining its signature visual style and straightforward reporting.
### The Main Sections (News, Sports, Life, Money, Tech, Opinion)
USA Today organizes content into six main sections, each with its own focus:
**News**: Covers national and international events, politics, and investigations. The section prioritizes breaking news and developing stories with a focus on accessibility.
**Sports**: Offers comprehensive coverage of professional leagues (NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL), college sports, and international competitions. Known for its sports statistics and visual presentation of data.
**Life**: Features entertainment news, celebrity interviews, travel guides, food trends, and lifestyle content. This section tends to be more feature-driven than hard news.
**Money**: Focuses on personal finance, market updates, business news, and consumer advice. Includes regular columns on retirement planning and investment strategies.
**Tech**: Reviews new products, covers industry trends, and explains how technology impacts everyday life. Particularly strong on consumer tech rather than deep industry analysis.
**Opinion**: Presents editorial board positions, guest columns, and reader feedback. USA Today’s editorial approach aims to present diverse viewpoints across the political spectrum.
## How to Read USA Today (Free vs Paid)
USA Today operates with a metered paywall, meaning some content is free while other articles require a subscription.
### Digital Access and the ePaper
**Free access** includes a limited number of articles per month (typically 4-5), breaking news updates, and some video content. This tier is ad-supported and may restrict access to premium features.
**Digital subscription** unlocks unlimited articles, an ad-lite experience, exclusive subscriber content, and full access to the USA Today mobile app.
The **ePaper** is a digital replica of the print newspaper, available to subscribers. It preserves the layout and design of the physical paper while adding digital features like searchability and the ability to clip and save articles.
| Access Type | Content Available | Cost | Best For |
|————-|——————-|——|———-|
| Free | Limited articles, breaking news | $0 | Casual readers |
| Digital Subscription | Unlimited articles, reduced ads | $4.99-9.99/month | Regular readers |
| ePaper | Digital replica of print edition | Included with subscription | Print-format lovers |
### How to Subscribe (Plans, Trials, Changes)
Subscribing to USA Today is straightforward:
1. Visit usatoday.com and click “Subscribe Now”
2. Choose between digital-only or print+digital options
3. Select monthly or annual billing (annual typically offers savings)
4. Enter payment information and create an account
5. Confirm subscription details via email
USA Today frequently offers promotional rates for new subscribers, often starting at $1-2 per month for the first few months before reverting to standard pricing. Students and educators can access educational discounts through their institutional email addresses.
To modify an existing subscription, log into your account, navigate to “Subscription Management,” and select the desired changes. This includes upgrading, downgrading, or updating payment information.
### How to Cancel in Minutes (Step‑by‑Step)
Canceling your USA Today subscription can be completed online:
1. Sign in to your USA Today account
2. Navigate to “Account” or “Subscription Settings”
3. Select “Manage Subscription”
4. Choose “Cancel Subscription” option
5. Follow prompts to confirm cancellation
6. Save the confirmation email as proof of cancellation
If you encounter difficulties with the online cancellation process, you can contact customer service directly by phone or email. Be sure to note the date, time, and name of any representative you speak with.
After cancellation, you’ll typically maintain access until the end of your current billing period. Your account remains active, allowing you to resubscribe later without creating a new profile.
### Reading USA Today Abroad (UK, AUS, Canada, Germany)
USA Today is accessible worldwide through its website and mobile app, though the experience varies by location:
In the **UK**, **Australia**, and **Canada**, the full digital experience is available with standard international subscription rates. Content remains US-focused but includes relevant international stories.
**Germany** and other European countries may notice GDPR-related differences in the user experience and data collection practices.
International readers should note that:
– Content updates follow US Eastern Time, which may affect when breaking news appears
– Some region-specific promotions or features may be unavailable
– Print delivery is generally not available internationally
– Local currency billing is available in major markets
## App and Alerts
The USA Today mobile app offers a streamlined reading experience optimized for smartphones and tablets.
### Download, Sign In, and Setup Tips
The app is available for free download on iOS and Android devices through their respective app stores. After installation:
1. Open the app and choose between creating an account or browsing as a guest
2. If subscribing, sign in with your USA Today account credentials
3. Set up your personalized news feed by selecting topics of interest
4. Configure display preferences (text size, dark mode)
5. Enable or disable offline reading to access content without internet connection
The app’s interface prioritizes visual navigation with large images and clear section dividers. The bottom navigation bar provides quick access to main sections, while the “For You” tab offers personalized content based on reading habits.
### Turn On/Off Breaking News Notifications
Managing notifications helps balance staying informed without feeling overwhelmed:
To adjust notification settings:
1. Open the Today USA app
2. Tap the profile icon or menu button
3. Select “Settings” then “Notifications”
4. Toggle options for breaking news, sports scores, or topic-specific alerts
5. Set quiet hours to prevent notifications during specific times
For minimal interruption, consider limiting alerts to major breaking news only. Alternatively, you can disable app notifications entirely through your device’s system settings while still accessing the content when you choose.
### Best Newsletters for Daily Briefs
USA Today offers several email newsletters that deliver curated content directly to your inbox:
The **Daily Briefing** provides a morning roundup of top stories across all sections. It’s ideal for quickly catching up on essential news.
Other popular newsletters include:
– **5 Things to Know** – Five key stories delivered each morning
– **Sports** – Daily updates on major sporting events and analysis
– **Travel** – Weekly destination features and travel tips
– **Tech** – Product reviews and digital trends
Newsletters are available to both free and paid users, making them an excellent way to receive regular updates without a full subscription.
## Puzzles and Games
USA Today’s puzzles have a dedicated following, particularly its crossword and Sudoku offerings.
### Crossword and Sudoku Access
The daily crossword and Sudoku puzzles are available through:
– The USA Today website under the “Games” section
– The Today USA mobile app
– The print newspaper
– The digital ePaper
While basic puzzle access is available to free users, subscribers gain additional features like saving progress across devices, accessing archives, and enjoying an ad-free experience.
The crossword increases in difficulty throughout the week, with Monday puzzles being the easiest and weekend puzzles offering more challenge. Sudoku is available in easy, medium, and hard variations daily.
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### Tips and Archives
Puzzle enthusiasts can:
– Access up to two weeks of previous puzzles for free
– Subscribe for complete archive access dating back several years
– Print puzzles for offline solving
– Track completion statistics and solving times
– Participate in leaderboards (for subscribers)
Special themed puzzles appear around holidays and significant events. The annual “USA Today Crossword Championship” attracts competitive solvers from across the country.
## The USA TODAY Network
The broader ecosystem around USA Today provides additional value beyond the flagship publication.
### What It Is and Why It Matters
The USA TODAY Network encompasses over 250 local news organizations across 46 states, including well-known publications like The Arizona Republic, Detroit Free Press, and Indianapolis Star.
This network structure allows for:
– Sharing resources for major investigations
– Coordinated coverage of national events with local perspectives
– Cross-publication of relevant stories
– Enhanced digital capabilities through shared technology
The network’s combined reach makes it America’s largest local-to-national news organization, with both breadth and depth of coverage that individual publications couldn’t achieve alone.
### Find Your Local Paper
Many subscribers value the combination of national coverage from USA Today alongside local reporting from their community newspaper.
To find your local USA TODAY Network publication:
1. Visit the USA Today website footer
2. Look for “Local News” or “Our Network”
3. Search by state or city name
4. Explore bundled subscription options
Bundled subscriptions often provide better value than separate subscriptions, with single-login access across multiple publications. This integration allows readers to move seamlessly between national and local news contexts.
## How USA Today Compares (Table)
When choosing news sources, understanding the differences between major outlets helps identify which best suits your needs.
### Paywall Type, Price Range, and App Features
| Outlet | Paywall Type | Monthly Price | App Features | Notable Strength | Best For |
|——–|————–|————–|————–|——————|———-|
| USA Today | Metered/partial | $4.99-9.99 | Offline reading, personalized feed | Visual presentation, broad coverage | Quick national overviews, sports stats, puzzles |
| CNN | Mostly free | Free (CNN+: $5.99) | Live video, breaking alerts | Video coverage, 24/7 updates | Breaking news, video content, free access |
| NYTimes | Hard paywall | $17-25 | Audio stories, cooking app | Deep analysis, investigations | In-depth reporting, opinion, specialized content |
| Reuters | Mostly free | Free (Reuters.com) | Markets data, business focus | International coverage, financial news | Business readers, global perspective, factual reporting |
| AP News | Free | Free | Simple interface, fast loading | Original source reporting | Unfiltered news, minimal opinion, speed |
### When USA Today Is the Best Fit
Today USA particularly excels for readers who:
– Want a quick, comprehensive overview of national news
– Appreciate visual storytelling and infographics
– Follow multiple sports leagues and want statistics
– Enjoy daily puzzles and games
– Seek a balance between depth and accessibility
The publication’s straightforward writing style makes it accessible to readers of various education levels, while its visual approach helps clarify complex information. For many, USA Today works best as part of a news diet that might include a local publication and perhaps a specialty source for topics of personal interest.
## FAQs (Quick Answers)
**Is USA Today free to read?**
USA Today offers limited free access (4-5 articles monthly) before requiring a subscription. Breaking news and some features remain free to all readers.
**Who owns USA Today?**
Gannett Co., Inc., America’s largest newspaper publisher, owns Today USA and the Network of local newspapers.
**What sections does USA Today have?**
The main sections are News, Sports, Life, Money, Tech, and Opinion, with various subsections within each.
**How do I get the USA Today ePaper?**
The ePaper (digital replica of the print edition) is available to digital subscribers through the website or app under “ePaper” or “Today’s Paper.”
**How much is a USA Today digital subscription?**
Digital subscription prices typically range from $4.99 to $9.99 monthly, with promotional rates often available for new subscribers.
**How do I cancel USA Today?**
Cancel online by signing into your account, navigating to subscription settings, and following the cancellation prompts. Alternatively, contact customer service directly.
**Is USA Today reliable or biased?**
Media bias studies typically rate USA Today as center or slightly center-left, with a reputation for factual reporting and clear separation between news and opinion content.
**Does USA Today have an app?**
Yes, USA Today offers free mobile apps for iOS and Android devices with both free and subscriber-exclusive features.
**How do I turn off USA Today notifications?**
Manage notifications through the app settings menu or through your device’s system settings under the Applications or Notifications section.
**Does USA Today have crosswords and Sudoku?**
Yes, USA Today publishes daily crossword puzzles and Sudoku games available in print, on the website, and through the mobile app.
**What is the USA TODAY Network?**
The USA TODAY Network is a group of over 250 local news organizations across 46 states that share resources and content with the national USA Today publication.
**How do I read USA Today outside the US?**
International readers can access USA Today through its website and mobile app with standard international subscription rates. Content remains primarily US-focused.
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## Sources and Credits
Information compiled from:
Today USA official website and subscription pages
– Gannett Company corporate information
– Reuters Institute Digital News Report 2024
– Pew Research Center media studies
– App Store and Google Play listings
– Comparative analysis of major news platforms
Prices and features verified as of October 2024 but may change. Always check the official USA Today website for current offerings and promotions.
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