President Biden is dropping out of the Presidential race. He has endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the party's new nominee, but it is unclear how Democrats will proceed. Republicans are attempting to tie her to Biden's biggest troubles, including immigration and inflation. 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 Krishnadev Calamur, Megan Pratz, Janaya Williams...
Jul 22, 2024•12 min
Fear can be a powerful weapon. Gao Zhi, a 44-year-old Chinese man, knows this well. In 2020, after criticizing the Communist Party on social media, he left China and gained asylum in the Netherlands. But after Wang Jingyu, a Chinese celebrity dissident, moves into Gao's home, things start to go terribly wrong. Gao fears he and his family are now in the crosshairs of the Chinese Communist Party. On this episode of The Sunday Story, NPR's Global Democracy Correspondent Frank Langfitt and a reporti...
Jul 21, 2024•46 min
Former President Trump secured the nomination from the Republican Party, but the identity of his opponent grew more uncertain. A software flub caused havoc. A drone evaded Israeli air defenses and killed one in Tel Aviv. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy
Jul 20, 2024•14 min
Donald Trump formally accepts the Republican presidential nomination, in a more subdued speech than his usual fare, as he aims to widen his support. And pressure mounts on President Joe Biden to end his reelection bid. 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 Megan Pratz, Padma Rama, Krishnadev Calamur, Olivia Hampton and Alice Woelfle. It was produced by Lilly Quiroz...
Jul 19, 2024•12 min
Republican vice presidential pick J.D. Vance welcomed by party faithful. Lawmakers plan a series of hearings next week over Trump's assassination attempt. And President Joe Biden has COVID, amid mounting questions over his reelection bid. 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 Padma Rama, Krishnadev Calamur, Roberta Rampton, Olivia Hampton and Alice Woelfle. It was ...
Jul 18, 2024•13 min
Republicans vow to "make America safe again," but the statistics contradict their claims of growing crime. And Democrats who want to keep President Joe Biden off the ballot are opposing an obscure party rule. 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 Ravenna Koenig, Alfredo Carbajal, Roberta Rampton, Olivia Hampton and Alice Woelfle. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Ben ...
Jul 17, 2024•13 min
Donald Trump has picked Senator J.D. Vance as his vice presidential nominee. The U.S. Secret Service is in crisis following the attempted assassination of Trump. And President Joe Biden is shifting his campaign. 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 Megan Pratz, Roberta Rampton, Kelsey Snell, Olivia Hampton and Alice Woelfle. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Ben Abra...
Jul 16, 2024•13 min
Details emerge about the person who allegedly tried to assassinate Donald Trump. Conspiracy theories abound over the event that left Trump hurt. And the attempted assassination will impact the tenor of the Republican National Convention and speeches there. 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 Krishnadev Calamur, Padma Rama, Brett Neely, Andrew Sussman, Olivia Hamp...
Jul 15, 2024•15 min
Whoopi Goldberg is an icon of entertainment. She's played many roles in Hollywood, and she has perhaps been most inspirational for the way she has shown up as herself. But before the acclaim, Whoopi Goldberg was known as Caryn Johnson and in her own words, "A little bit different.. and out there." In her new memoir, "Bits and Pieces," she dives into her upbringing with her mother, Emma, and brother, Clyde, and how her relationships with them shaped her sense of herself. In this episode of The Su...
Jul 14, 2024•22 min
President Biden continues to work to overcome calls from within his own party to step aside. A Hezbollah spokesman says the Lebanese militant group will follow Hamas' acceptance or rejection of any potential ceasefire agreement with Israel. Two major international soccer tournaments electrify fans this Sunday. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...
Jul 13, 2024•16 min
President Biden held a press conference on the sidelines of the NATO summit and his performance was closely watched by Democratic lawmakers, European allies and the American public. A new NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist poll measured public opinion about President Biden post-debate, and Israel ordered hundreds of thousands of people in Gaza City to evacuate. 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...
Jul 12, 2024•13 min
President Biden is facing more calls to step down, putting Vice President Kamala Harris under fresh scrutiny from Republicans and others. Donald Trump is attempting to distance himself from Project 2025, a controversial plan for the conservative overhaul of government. And Houston residents are recovering after Hurricane Beryl knocked out power to more than two million homes and businesses. Want more comprehensive analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to th...
Jul 11, 2024•13 min
President Biden spoke to world leaders at the NATO summit in Washington and sought to reassure them about the strength of the alliance and of his Presidency. Ukrainians are condemning a deadly missile strike on a children's hospital in Kyiv, and an NPR investigation tracked down one source of execution drugs in Texas. 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 R...
Jul 10, 2024•13 min
The Republican Party has released its Trump-inspired platform for 2024. European leaders are meeting in Washington, D.C. for the 75th NATO summit, and a new method for organ harvesting is raising legal and ethical concerns. 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 Nick Spicer, Will Stone, John Helton, Janaya Williams and Alice Woelfle. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, B...
Jul 09, 2024•13 min
More Congressional Democrats have called for President Joe Biden to step down, but he is receiving unwavering support from others in his administration. France's far right party fell short in legislative elections yesterday, Boeing has agreed to plead guilty to fraud charges stemming from the crashes of two 737 Max jets, and Hurricane Beryl makes landfall in Texas. Want more comprehensive analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter. Tod...
Jul 08, 2024•17 min
This week on The Sunday Story , a new series from NPR's Embedded podcast that explores what happens when one political party has near-complete control. Supermajority , hosted by WPLN reporter Meribah Knight, follows three conservative moms in Tennessee over the course of a year as they learn to navigate their Republican-controlled state legislature. Reeling from a mass shooting at their kids' school, the three moms become advocates for gun control. But this isn't a story about gun control. It's ...
Jul 07, 2024•48 min
At a rally in Wisconsin and in an interview with ABC News, President Biden pushed back against calls for him to step down; Kansas' top court affirms the right to abortion in that state; Iranians elect a reformist presidential candidate. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy
Jul 06, 2024•15 min
Britain's Labour Party won the UK general election by a landslide, ending 14 years of Conservative Party rule. The US government is using new tactics to address the problem of critically low water levels in the Colorado River, and Republican voters in Florida reject the idea of man-made climate change despite Florida being among the states most vulnerable to climate disasters. Want more comprehensive analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First new...
Jul 05, 2024•12 min
President Joe Biden met with Democratic governors at the White House as they tried to manage the fallout from his bungled debate. Israel is working to expand Jewish settlements in the West Bank, and Phoenix is headed for another record-breaking year of heat-related deaths. 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 Krishnadev Calamur, Sadie Babits, Andrew Sussman, HJ Ma...
Jul 04, 2024•14 min
The Supreme Court's presidential immunity ruling will have a profound effect on the power wielded by future American presidents. The White House has proposed new rules to protect workers from extreme heat, and a devastating ransomware attack on U.S. and Canadian car dealerships is the latest in an ongoing global crisis. 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 Krishna...
Jul 03, 2024•13 min
The Supreme Court has granted Donald Trump broad immunity for his official actions as President. Hurricane Beryl is causing extensive damage in the Caribbean, and the first ever millennial saint has been approved for canonization. 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 Krishnadev Calamur, Rachel Waldholz, HJ Mai, Janaya Williams and Olivia Hampton. It was produced b...
Jul 02, 2024•12 min
President Biden's debate performance has led to concerns about his reelection campaign. French voters have given the country's far right a victory in the first round of parliamentary elections, and American gymnast Simone Biles is heading to her third Olympics in Paris next month. 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, Nick Spicer, Russell Lewis, Ja...
Jul 01, 2024•13 min
NPR's Eyder Peralta reports from a country caught between criminal gangs, a broken government and a multinational police mission with a history of brutality. In this episode of The Sunday Story , Eyder asks what that current situation means for Haitians facing spiraling gang violence and the arrival of an international security force in a nation with a legacy of disastrous foreign interventions. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...
Jun 30, 2024•34 min
Supreme Court decisions and the first presidential debate of the general election season make for a busy week in politics. President Biden shows a re-energized self at a North Carolina rally. And, the federal government now says local public housing authorities may cover tenants' cost of powering their air conditioners. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...
Jun 29, 2024•16 min
President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump attacked each other's presidencies during their first presidential debate last night. While Trump spewed falsehoods, Biden, at times, just didn't make sense. And in Oklahoma, the top education official has ordered public schools to begin teaching the Bible in classrooms. 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 Meg...
Jun 28, 2024•13 min
President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump will face off tonight at the first presidential debate in Atlanta. The candidates are expected to discuss a range of issues that have already surfaced on the campaign trail including inflation, the border, abortion and the wars in Ukraine and Gaza. President Biden is also pardoning nearly 2,000 LGBTQ+ veterans. And a dramatic failed coup in Bolivia ended with a top military commander in prison. Want more comprehensive analysis of the most imp...
Jun 27, 2024•14 min
Deadly protests over Kenya tax hikes. U.S. journalist Evan Gershkovich stands trial for espionage in Russia. And Republican vice presidential candidates make their final pitch to Donald 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 First was edited by Tara Neill, Kevin Drew, John Helton, Megan Pratz, Olivia Hampton and Lisa Thomson. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Christopher Thomas and...
Jun 26, 2024•15 min
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange strikes a plea deal. A Florida court weighs whether special counsel Jack Smith can prosecute former President Donald Trump. And the Upper Midwest grapples with devastating river flooding linked to climate change. 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 Krishnadev Calamur, Ally Schweitzer, Neela Banerjee, Olivia Hampton and Lisa Thomso...
Jun 25, 2024•13 min
Israel's defense chief meets with senior U.S. officials over the conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon, gunmen kill more than 19 police officers and civilians in southern Russia, abortions up two years since the Supreme Court revoked federal abortion protections. 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 Kevin Drew, Catherine Laidlaw, John Helton, Olivia Hampton and Lisa Thoms...
Jun 24, 2024•13 min
A few hours north of Seattle, Washington, there's a kind of ghost town dotted with decaying barns and milking sheds, an old cemetery, and once-stately buildings that housed thousands. It was never an actual town, it was a psychiatric facility, Northern State Hospital—a place that contained deep contradictions. The gardens and farm fields were designed to provide residents work and fulfillment in a bucolic setting. But the medical treatments were often harsh. Northern State closed in 1973. It was...
Jun 23, 2024•34 min
