American and Russian officials meet in Saudi Arabia for talks on negotiating an end to the war in Ukraine. The Trump administration has started making broad cuts to federal health agencies. Days after the Justice Department moved to drop corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams, four of his top aides and deputy mayors announced their resignations. Want more comprehensive analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter . Tod...
Feb 18, 2025•12 min
European leaders meet in Paris to discuss an emerging transatlantic chasm over security and the war in Ukraine. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is in the Middle East amplifying President Trump's vision for Gaza. And a review of Trump's first four weeks reshaping the U.S. government. Want more comprehensive analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter . Today's episode of Up First was edited by Ryland Barton, Didi Schanche, Krishnadev...
Feb 17, 2025•13 min
Thirty years ago, housing activists began an unusual experiment to help people struggling with homelessness and chronic addiction. They decided to get people into housing first and then try to help their clients with their addictions. This idea, called "Housing First," is now the central strategy guiding homeless services in America. But the concept is facing new scrutiny and growing criticism from conservative lawmakers. Today on The Sunday Story , we look at the controversy around Housing Firs...
Feb 16, 2025•29 min
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appeals to Europe for support as President Trump changes U.S. foreign policy. A tumultuous week at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. More details about the Jan. 29 aerial crash near Washington, D.C. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy
Feb 15, 2025•14 min
Multiple prosecutors have resigned from the Justice Department after refusing to drop a corruption case against the New York City mayor and legal aid groups are demanding attorneys for migrants being held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Also, results from an NPR/Ipsos poll show growing support for some restrictions on immigration. Want more comprehensive analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter . Today's episode of Up First was edited by Kr...
Feb 14, 2025•15 min
Trump to meet India's Prime Minister after he says the two nations have an unfair trade relationship. After a long call with President Putin, Trump say's he'll work closely with Russia. The nominee to lead the Department of Education faces questions about the agency she's charged with eliminating. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...
Feb 13, 2025•14 min
Employees at the General Services Administration are facing massive staff cuts and threats of near-constant monitoring, three top Trump administration officials are in Europe this week talking with European leaders about transatlantic issues, and proponents of going to Mars see an opportunity in Elon Musk's close relationship with President Trump. Want more comprehensive analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter. Today's episode of Up...
Feb 12, 2025•13 min
Jordan's King Abdullah will meet with President Trump in Washington after rejecting Trump's plan to move Palestinians out of Gaza. President Trump announced new tariffs on steel and aluminum, and the Justice Department has asked prosecutors to dismiss corruption charges against NYC Mayor Eric Adams. Want more comprehensive analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter. Today's episode of Up First was edited by Nishant Dahiya, Roberta Ramp...
Feb 11, 2025•13 min
In a pre-Superbowl interview on Fox News, President Trump talked about his plans for the Department of Education and Gaza, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has been targeted for closure, and details from an NPR reporter's flight into Gaza with one of Jordan's humanitarian flights into the territory. Want more comprehensive analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter . Today's episode of Up First was edited by Roberta Rampton, Em...
Feb 10, 2025•14 min
Increasingly, tech companies like Meta and Character.AI are giving human qualities to chatbots. Many have faces, names and distinct personalities. Some industry watchers say these bots are a way for big tech companies to boost engagement and extract increasing amounts of information from users. But what's good for a tech company's bottom line might not be good for you. Today on The Sunday Story from Up First , we consider the potential risks to real humans of forming "relationships" and sharing ...
Feb 09, 2025•24 min
Federal judges temporarily block several Trump Administration moves aimed at reshaping the government. One order halts efforts to dramatically reduce the personnel of the U.S. Agency for International Development, but USAID is at a standstill. The Kansas City Chiefs take on the Philadelphia Eagles at the Super Bowl on Sunday. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...
Feb 08, 2025•16 min
The Justice Department is moving to implement President Trump's agenda for the agency, some large companies in the US are deleting or softening DEI language from their investor disclosures and influenza is peaking twice this winter. Want more comprehensive analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter. Today's episode of Up First was edited by Anna Yukhananov, Rafael Nam, Scott Hensley, Janaya Williams, Alice Woelfle and Ben Adler. It was...
Feb 07, 2025•13 min
Federal workers must decide today whether to accept an offer to resign. After calling for the US to take over Gaza, President Trump has also promised an announcement about the West Bank, and humanitarian programs around the world are being shut down as most USAID workers have been put on leave. Want more comprehensive analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter. Today's episode of Up First was edited by Emily Kopp, Nishant Dahiya, Rebec...
Feb 06, 2025•14 min
President Trump has laid out a new vision for US ownership of the Gaza Strip, the first planeload of migrants from the US has arrived in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and all staff members at the foreign aid agency USAID have been put on administrative leave. Want more comprehensive analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter . Today's episode of Up First was edited by Nishant Dahiya, Barrie Hardymon, Rebecca Davis, Janaya Williams and Alice Woe...
Feb 05, 2025•12 min
At the last moment the US paused its trade wars with Canada and Mexico, the Trump administration is reportedly targeting the US Department of Education for closure and questions are being raised about the amount of government access given to Elon Musk and his DOGE entity. Want more comprehensive analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter . Today's episode of Up First was edited by Tara Neill, Brett Neely, Steven Drummond, Janaya Willia...
Feb 04, 2025•14 min
Nearly all foreign aid programs delivered by the US Agency for International Development, or USAID, have been halted, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is in Washington, D.C. and Sec. Marco Rubio is in Panama following up on President Trump's statements about the Panama Canal. Also, a new NPR series is helping consumers find safely-sourced cannabis products. Want more comprehensive analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter. To...
Feb 03, 2025•16 min
The recent wildfires around Los Angeles are just the most recent example of how extreme weather driven by climate change is affecting housing across the country. Millions of homes are at risk of flooding, fire or drought. Increasingly, local municipalities are facing hard decisions about whether to tear homes down or ban new construction altogether. Today on The Sunday Story , we share an episode that originally aired last year in which reporters Rebecca Hersher and Lauren Sommer visit three com...
Feb 02, 2025•26 min
The White House says President Trump will implement tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico and China on Saturday. Also, the FAA prohibits most helicopters from flying near Reagan Washington National Airport. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy
Feb 01, 2025•14 min
Cockpit recordings have been recovered from the jet involved in a collision just outside of Washington, DC, a German far-right party is participating in mainstream politics for the first time since World War Two and researchers are studying nuclear weapons at an underground facility in Nevada. Want more comprehensive analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter . Today's episode of Up First was edited by Denice Rios, Ryland Barton, Gisel...
Jan 31, 2025•12 min
An American Airlines plane collided with a military helicopter in the skies over Washington, DC, President Trump says the US will send deported migrants to a temporary facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and an NPR investigation finds lengthy criminal records for some January 6th defendants who received pardons. Want more comprehensive analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter. Today's episode of Up First was edited by Russell Lewis, Mon...
Jan 30, 2025•14 min
President Trump's actions this week show the scope of his bid to reshape the federal government, Senate confirmation hearings begin for RFK Jr. and results are in from a national assessment of reading and math, nearly five years since the start of the pandemic. Want more comprehensive analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter. Today's episode of Up First was edited by Dana Farrington, Diane Webber, Nicole Cohen, Janaya Williams and Al...
Jan 29, 2025•14 min
At least a dozen Justice Department employees involved in prosecuting President Trump received dismissal notices, humanitarian parole programs are ending for 1.4 legal immigrants to the US and a Chinese company has developed a free competitor to ChatGPT. Want more comprehensive analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter. Today's episode of Up First was edited by Eric Westervelt, Anna Yukhananov, Kevin Drew, Janaya Williams and Alice Wo...
Jan 28, 2025•13 min
Palestinians are returning to their homes in northern Gaza, a proposal by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis would give local law enforcement officials the power of immigration agents, and rebels backed by Rwanda have captured a key city in the Congo. Want more comprehensive analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter. Today's episode of Up First was edited by Jerome Socolovsky, Larry Kaplow, Russell Lewis, Janaya Williams and Alice Woelfle....
Jan 27, 2025•14 min
The fall of Syria's leader in December opened the doors to a vast network of detention centers and prisons across the country, uncovering further evidence of the true scale of killings under former president Bashar al-Assad. On this episode of The Sunday Story , NPR's Ruth Sherlock takes us to a notorious prison where thousands were detained and killed, and she visits a suspected mass gravesite outside Damascus. She meets former prisoners and those forced to play a role in what has been called t...
Jan 26, 2025•33 min
Hamas releases four Israeli soldiers as part of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza. The U.S. State Department halts most foreign aid. Physicians line up against Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s nomination for health secretary. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy
Jan 25, 2025•14 min
President Trump visits disaster zones; the Trump administration wants to end the military's diversity and anti-extremism programs; and an Israeli private eye is wanted by the U.S. for hacking. For more comprehensive analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter . Today's episode of Up First was edited by Jason Breslow, Diane Webber, Clare Lombardo, Olivia Hampton and Alice Woelfle. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Nia Dumas, Milton Guevara ...
Jan 24, 2025•13 min
Congress passes an immigration crackdown in President Trump's first legislative win, the Trump administration temporarily silences health officials and the Oscar nominations are announced. For more comprehensive analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter . Today's episode of Up First was edited by Jason Breslow, Diane Webber, Clare Lombardo, Olivia Hampton and Alice Woelfle. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Chris Thomas, Milton Guevara a...
Jan 23, 2025•13 min
Immigration enforcement will now be able to arrest migrants at sensitive locations like schools and churches ; new misconduct allegations emerge against Pentagon chief nominee Pete Hegseth; and Israel launches a military operation on the occupied West Bank. For more comprehensive analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter . Today's episode of Up First was edited by Roberta Rampton, Anna Yukhananov, Robert Little, Olivia Hampton and Ali...
Jan 22, 2025•13 min
Donald Trump begins his first full day in office, kicks off a slew of immigration-related executive actions and grants clemency to all defendants charged and convicted over the U.S. Capitol attack. For more comprehensive analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter . Today's episode of Up First was edited by Roberta Rampton, Anna Yukhananov, Robert Little, Olivia Hampton and Alice Woelfle. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Nia Dumas, Milton...
Jan 21, 2025•13 min
Donald Trump becomes the 47th president of the United States; the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel is in effect; and TikTok is back after going offline temporarily, but will it stick around? For more comprehensive analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter . Today's episode of Up First was edited by Anna Yukhananov, Denice Rios, Jerome Socolovsky, Olivia Hampton and Alice Woelfle. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Nia Dumas, Milton Guev...
Jan 20, 2025•13 min
