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Up First from NPR

NPR's Up First is the news you need to start your day. The three biggest stories of the day, with reporting and analysis from NPR News — in 10 minutes. Available weekdays at 6:30 a.m. ET, with hosts Leila Fadel, Steve Inskeep, Michel Martin and A Martinez. Also available on Saturdays at 9 a.m. ET, with Ayesha Rascoe and Scott Simon. On Sundays, hear a longer exploration behind the headlines with Ayesha Rascoe on "The Sunday Story," available by 8 a.m. ET. Subscribe and listen, then support your local NPR station at donate.npr.org.

Support NPR's reporting by subscribing to Up First+ and unlock sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org/upfirst
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Episodes

House Shutdown Vote, Aviation Challenges, USS Ford Heads to the Caribbean

House Republicans say they have the votes to end the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, a vote today could send the bill to President Trump’s desk by nightfall. The FAA warns that flight disruptions will continue even after the government reopens, as air traffic controller shortages strain the nation’s aviation system. And the U.S. deploys its largest aircraft carrier to the Caribbean, escalating tensions with Venezuela. Want more comprehensive analysis of the most important news of th...

Nov 12, 202513 min

House Votes on Funding Bill, Shutdown Deal Dissent, COP30 Global Emissions

The House returns to vote on a bipartisan bill that could end the longest government shutdown in U.S. history and send thousands of federal workers back to their jobs. Democrats face internal backlash after several senators broke ranks to support the deal, raising questions about the impact ahead of next year's midterm elections. And COP30 opens in Brazil with a stark warning on global emissions, new data shows fossil fuels are at record highs, and the world is still far from meeting its climate...

Nov 11, 202513 min

Senate Shutdown Breakthrough, SNAP Legal Battle, COP30 Climate Summit Starts

Senate Democrats joined Republicans to back a deal potentially ending the federal government shutdown, though not without internal party dissent over healthcare demands. Meanwhile, SNAP benefits remain in a complex legal battle, with families facing uncertainty despite court rulings. Globally, the COP30 climate summit is underway in Brazil, but the U.S. plans to skip, raising questions about multilateralism. The episode also touches on apparent new pardons by President Trump.

Nov 10, 202515 min

Carlson’s War: Part 1

What does it mean to live through war? And can someone who’s experienced war ever get over it? These are questions NPR’s Quil Lawrence has been asking himself for years. A decade ago, Lawrence did a story on David Carlson, a veteran who’d excelled at being a soldier but struggled at home with PTSD, drugs and finally incarceration. Could Carlson find a way out or would the trauma of war come to define his life? Listen to Part 2 here . See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and u...

Nov 09, 202527 min

Carlson’s War: Part 2

Part 2: In part two of Carlson’s War, we find Dave Carlson locked up in prison while tormented by PTSD from his time serving in Iraq. Alone and in pain, Carlson reverts back to a combat mindset and finds himself in a dark place. From here, Carlson sets out on a mission to turn his life around. What can we learn from one veteran’s journey to recovery? If you haven’t heard Part 1, listen here . See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to...

Nov 09, 202527 min

Who's Been Paying Tariffs, DHS Surveillance Tools, Israel Holds Florida Teen

U.S. consumers have not borne the full brunt of President Trump's tariffs but that may change if they are held up, all or in part, by the Supreme Court. The Department of Homeland Security is employing powerful new tools to surveil foreigners. A Floridian, arrested by Israel earlier this year at age 15 in a rock-throwing incident, faces 20 years in prison. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship pref...

Nov 08, 202514 min

FAA Cuts Flights, SNAP Ruling, Trump Focused Abroad

The FAA directs airlines to cut flights by ten percent as the government shutdown strains the nation’s air traffic system. A federal judge orders the Trump administration to fully restore SNAP food benefits by today, blasting it for ignoring the harm to millions of Americans who rely on them. And President Trump hosts Hungary’s Viktor Orbán at the White House, while some of his allies say he should be paying more attention to the economy at home. Want more comprehensive analysis of the most impo...

Nov 07, 202513 min

State Of The Shutdown, SCOTUS Tariff Arguments, Chicago ICE Ruling

President Trump calls on Senate Republicans to end the government shutdown by scrapping the filibuster, even as he admits the standoff hurt the party in this week’s elections. The Supreme Court hears arguments on whether Trump overstepped his authority by imposing tariffs under a decades-old emergency powers law. And in Chicago, federal judges side against the administration in immigration enforcement cases, ordering cleaner detention centers and tighter limits on the use of force. Want more com...

Nov 06, 202513 min

VA NJ Governor Races, Mamdani Elected NYC Mayor, California Redistricting

Democrats won two governor's races in Virginia and New Jersey, victories they call a rejection of President Trump’s policies and a sign that economic issues are resonating with voters. New York City elected Zohran Mamdani as its first Muslim mayor, defeating former governor Andrew Cuomo in a race that drew record voter turnout. And California voters approved a new congressional map that could give Democrats up to five more House seats in next year’s midterms. Want more comprehensive analysis of ...

Nov 05, 202513 min

Four Big Races To Watch, Partial SNAP Funding, Sudan Famine, Dick Cheney Dies at 84

Voters in New York, Virginia and New Jersey choose new leaders today, and a redistricting vote in California could reshape the balance of power in Congress. The Trump administration says it will restart SNAP benefits, but only partially, leaving millions of families uncertain about how they’ll eat this month. Aid groups warn of a deepening crisis in Sudan after a paramilitary force accused of genocide seized the last major city in Darfur, killing thousands of people and trapping many more withou...

Nov 04, 202515 min

Trump's Shutdown Travel, SNAP Benefits Gap, NYC Mayoral Race

President Trump returns to Washington D.C. after a week of international travel and a weekend at his resort in Florida while the government shutdown enters its second month. SNAP benefits ran out over the weekend, leaving millions without food aid as courts press the administration to use emergency funds. And New York City voters head to the polls tomorrow in a heated mayoral race between Zohran Mamdani and former Governor Andrew Cuomo that could shape the future of the Democratic Party. Want mo...

Nov 03, 202513 min

How Smaller Families are Changing the World

Across the globe, there is a shift in the size of families as birthrates decline. Communities, schools, and workforces are all shrinking at an alarming rate. Even in the wealthiest countries populations are aging and straining key social systems. How are smaller families changing the world and what does it mean for our future? Explore the full series at npr.org/populationshift. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your po...

Nov 02, 202522 min

SNAP decision, Open Enrollment, Electricity Prices Increase

Two judges rule that it’s unlawful for President Trump to suspend SNAP food benefits. With higher premiums and a government shutdown, open enrollment for health insurance is different this year. Higher electricity prices are factoring into who voters in New Jersey and Virginia pick as their governors. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy...

Nov 01, 202514 min

Democrats' Shutdown Pressure, SNAP Deadline, Nuclear Testing

Democrats are facing growing pressure to end the government shutdown as millions brace to lose food aid and health care costs surge. A federal judge weighs whether to force the Trump administration to keep SNAP benefits flowing for 42 million Americans as funding runs out. And President Trump says the U.S. should resume nuclear weapons testing for the first time in decades, a move experts warn could reignite a global arms race. Want more comprehensive analysis of the most important news of the d...

Oct 31, 202513 min

Trump-Xi Meeting, Head Start Funding, Surgeon General Nominee

President Trump met with China’s President Xi Jinping in South Korea, where the two leaders agree to ease trade tensions after months of tariff wars and threats. More than 65,000 children could lose access to Head Start as the government shutdown threatens to cut off funding for childcare and early learning programs. And a Senate confirmation hearing for Trump’s nominee for Surgeon General, Dr. Casey Means, was delayed after she went into labor. Want more comprehensive analysis of the most impor...

Oct 30, 202514 min

Hurricane Melissa Aftermath, Israel Strikes Gaza Again, Air-Traffic Controllers

Hurricane Melissa devastates Jamaica, leaving neighborhoods underwater and hundreds of thousands without power as it moves toward Cuba. President Trump insisted nothing will jeopardize the ceasefire in Gaza, even after Israel launched new strikes while both sides accuse each other of violations. And air-traffic controllers are working without pay as the government shutdown strains the aviation system and threatens more flight disruptions. Want more comprehensive analysis of the most important ne...

Oct 29, 202513 min

SNAP Benefits Shutdown, Trump In Japan, Hurricane Melissa

More than 40 million Americans will soon be without federal food assistance because SNAP benefits are set to expire on November 1 as the government shutdown drags on. President Trump signs a trade deal in Japan to secure rare earth minerals, a key bargaining chip ahead of his meeting with China's president later this week. And Hurricane Melissa bring over 170 mile per hour winds as it barrels towards Jamaica, and threatening other island nations in the Caribbean. Want more comprehensive analysis...

Oct 28, 202514 min

Trump In Asia, U.S. Military In Caribbean, Shutdown Week 4

President Trump’s Asia trip kicks off with peace deal between Cambodia and Thailand and a trade framework with China, before meeting with President Xi Jinping on Thursday. The massive U.S. military build up in the Caribbean waters off the coast of Venezuela is causing concern from Caracas to the U.S. Congress, Venezuelan troops conduct drills on their beaches this weekend. And federal workers face growing financial strain as the government shutdown threatens holiday travel and food benefits. Wan...

Oct 27, 202513 min

Kiwi vs. Predator

In New Zealand, a nationwide extermination campaign is underway. It's one of the most ambitious in the world. The country is home to more than four thousand native species that are threatened or at risk of extinction. To protect its biodiversity, New Zealand has embarked on an experiment that aims to eradicate all invasive species by the year 2050. Can the country pull it off? And how far should humans go to reverse the damage we’ve caused? See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collectio...

Oct 26, 202524 min

House Members During Shutdown; Trump Visits Asia; US Military Buildup in Caribbean

Some members of the House of Representatives are using down time during the shutdown to connect from their constituents back home - we'll tell you what they're hearing. We'll also preview President Trump's trip to Asia, which will be dominated by his administration's at times contentious relationship with China. Plus, the U.S. is ramping up its military presence in the Caribbean. The Pentagon says it's to counter drug traffickers - we'll tell you how the move is being seen in the region. See pcm...

Oct 25, 202515 min

Missed Paychecks, NBA Gambling Scandal, Russia Reacts

More than a million federal workers are missing their first full paycheck as the shutdown stretches into week four, with pressure building on Washington to end the standoff. A wild NBA gambling scandal involving secret gadgets lands an active player and a Hall of Fame coach in legal trouble. And Russia's president shrugs off new U.S. sanctions after President Trump cancels his summit with Vladimir Putin. Want more comprehensive analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? S...

Oct 24, 202514 min

Ukraine-EU Meeting, National Guard Deployment Cases, Pentagon Press Corps

European leaders are debating using frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine's war efforts, a plan met with both support and controversy among EU members, alongside new sanctions on Moscow. Meanwhile, President Trump's National Guard deployments in U.S. cities are facing significant legal challenges in courts, including a Supreme Court appeal. The episode also examines the Pentagon's new press policy, which has led to legacy news outlets being replaced by right-wing media, raising concerns about access to information and journalistic independence.

Oct 23, 202513 min

VP Vance In Israel, Shutdown Politics, White House Under Construction

Vice President JD Vance says he’s optimistic about the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas as the U.S. pushes for the next phase of the deal. It’s week four of the government shutdown, and the White House is ramping up pressure with cuts and layoffs. And the demolition of the East Wing raises legal and ethical questions about President Trump’s ballroom project. Want more comprehensive analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter. ...

Oct 22, 202513 min

Shutdown Economics, U.S.- Colombia Tensions, Louvre Heist Fallout

The economic cost of the government shutdown is mounting, as workers miss paychecks and contracts stall. President Trump’s feud with Colombia is deepening, with threats to cut aid testing a decades-long alliance. And in France, outrage is growing after the Louvre jewel heist, with political backlash and a security crackdown underway. 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 edi...

Oct 21, 202513 min

Airstrikes On Gaza, Shutdown Pressure Points, Venezuela Boat Strikes

Israel says the ceasefire is back on after it launched strikes on Gaza in response to clashes over the weekend that threaten to unravel a fragile deal. It's day 20 of the government shutdown, but the usual pressure points that push lawmakers toward a deal haven’t been felt yet. And the U.S. steps up military operations in the Caribbean, raising fears and tensions in the region. Want more comprehensive analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First ne...

Oct 20, 202513 min

A Tiny Plot to Call Home

Homeless encampments are a part of the landscape in many U.S. cities. In Oakland, California, one of the longest-standing and most well-known encampments was at Union Point Park. It was right by the water, and it had a beautiful view of the sunset. But it was also a concern for some local residents, who worried about crime and safety. When the city tried to clear Union Point Park, the people who lived there united and fought back. Reporter Shaina Shealy followed this community for about a year, ...

Oct 19, 202523 min

"No Kings" Protests; Aid Slow for Gaza; U.S. - China Trade War Heats Up

Thousands of "No Kings" rallies are planned across the U.S. today, protesting the Trump administration's policies. Plus, over a week in the Hamas-Israel ceasefire, desperately needed humanitarian aid has been slow to arrive in Gaza. We'll also look at the latest salvos in the ongoing trade war between the U.S. and China. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy...

Oct 18, 202515 min

Bolton Indicted, Trump and Zelenskyy Meeting, Rebuilding Gaza

John Bolton is indicted on 18 counts for allegedly mishandling classified information dating back to his time as national security advisor during President Trump’s first term. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy meets with President Trump at the White House to discuss Ukraine's request for long-range missiles, Trump says he will meet with Russia's president in Hungary next. And the scale of Gaza’s reconstruction is staggering, with unexploded bombs buried in the rubble, nearly all buildings damaged or...

Oct 17, 202515 min

Venezuela Escalation, Shutdown Layoffs Paused, Military Pay

President Trump escalates pressure on Venezuela, authorizing covert CIA operations and striking suspected drug boats. A federal judge pauses the Trump administration’s shutdown layoffs, at least for now. And active-duty troops get paid after a last-minute fix, but military families still feel the strain as the shutdown drags on. 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 b...

Oct 16, 202513 min

Gaza Ceasefire Tested, Shutdown Stalemate, SCOTUS Voting Rights

Hamas hands over more bodies of deceased hostages as tensions rise in Gaza over the next phase of the ceasefire deal. The government shutdown stretches into its third week with no negotiations underway, as pressure builds on both parties to break the stalemate. And the Supreme Court takes up a major case on Louisiana’s congressional map that could weaken the Voting Rights Act nationwide. Want more comprehensive analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the U...

Oct 15, 202513 min
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