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This episode delves into ongoing indirect talks between the U.S. and Iran, focused on nuclear programs and de-escalating regional tensions, alongside the impact of new U.S. sanctions. It also explores the evolving political landscape in Texas, where immigration enforcement dominates primary debates and shapes Latino voter sentiment. Finally, it provides a comprehensive preview of the 2026 Winter Olympics and the upcoming Super Bowl, highlighting key athletes and anticipated matchups.
The U.S. and Iran begin high-stakes talks in Oman today over Tehran’s nuclear program, If they can't reach a deal, President Trump could launch a military strike from the large military force assembled in the Middle East. Lawmakers now have just one week to fund the Department of Homeland Security, as Democrats release a detailed list of demands to overhaul how immigration enforcement officers operate. And the FBI confirms a ransom letter in the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the mother of Toda...
This episode covers a partial drawdown of federal immigration agents in Minnesota amid protests and civilian killings, sparking public disapproval reflected in a new poll. It also examines the expiration of the New START nuclear arms control treaty between the US and Russia, raising concerns about a new global arms race. The discussion highlights public and political reactions to these significant developments.
Congress ended the shutdown but now faces a tight deadline to fund the Department of Homeland Security, with Democrats and Republicans far apart over immigration enforcement reforms after two U.S. citizens were killed by federal agents in Minnesota. Russia has resumed heavy strikes on Ukraine’s power grid during extreme cold, despite President Trump saying Vladimir Putin agreed to pause attacks, putting new strain on fragile diplomatic efforts. And President Trump is calling for the federal gove...
NPR's Up First reports on day four of the partial government shutdown, detailing congressional efforts to pass a funding bill and the difficult negotiations over immigration enforcement changes. The episode also examines the reopening of US-Iran nuclear talks, highlighting diplomatic pressures from regional powers and the skepticism surrounding a potential deal. Finally, it provides an update on the urgent investigation into the suspected abduction of Nancy Guthrie, mother of Today show host Savannah Guthrie, focusing on search efforts and community concern.
A partial government shutdown is under way after Congress missed its funding deadline, with lawmakers advancing a plan to reopen most agencies while negotiations over Homeland Security and immigration enforcement continue. A federal judge ruled the Trump administration can keep its immigration enforcement surge in Minneapolis going, even as plans to draw down agents haven’t materialized and residents see ongoing arrests and protests. And President Trump says the performing arts center built as a...
This episode examines how President Trump's "Make America Skilled Again" initiative, prioritizing skilled trades, clashes with his administration's anti-diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) campaign, which jeopardizes decades of progress for women in construction. It highlights the growing tradeswomen movement, the significant financial benefits of these careers, and the dismay caused by the rescission of federal policies and the disbandment of support groups. Despite these setbacks, women and supportive unions continue to advocate for their rightful place in the industry, proving their value and commitment.
The Justice Department has released its final tranche of the Epstein files - we'll look at what they have and haven't included. And, the U.S. in a partial government shutdown again, although this is one is expected to be shorter than the record-breaking shutdown that happened during the fall. Plus, another winter storm is hitting the U-S this weekend, this time, hitting parts of the Southeast. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and t...
Senate leaders strike a short-term funding deal to keep most of the government running, but a partial shutdown now looks imminent as the House remains out until next week. Border Czar Tom Homan suggested a possible drawdown of federal immigration agents in Minnesota, only for President Trump to later say there would be no pullback at all, as arrests and protests continue on the ground. And the FBI seizes hundreds of thousands of ballots and election records from Fulton County, Georgia, as the Tr...
Senate Democrats are threatening a partial government shutdown unless Republicans agree to new limits on immigration enforcement by Friday's deadline. A protest at an ICE family detention center in South Texas turned confrontational as demonstrators demanded the release of a five-year-old boy and his father taken from Minnesota and held at the facility hundreds of miles away. And despite pressure from President Trump to lower interest rates, the Federal Reserve is holding steady to fight lingeri...
President Trump takes his economic message to Iowa, trying to refocus on affordability after weeks of distractions ranging from Greenland to Venezuela and fallout from federal shootings in Minnesota. Nearly a year after a deadly midair collision near Washington, D.C., investigators say deep, systemic failures at the FAA allowed known risks to go unaddressed until it was too late. And NPR has obtained documents showing the Trump administration quietly loosened nuclear safety and environmental rul...
Border Patrol commander Greg Bovino, the public face of the Trump administration’s immigration operations, is no longer leading enforcement efforts in Minnesota after two fatal shootings and escalating legal battles over who gets to investigate them. President Trump heads to Iowa trying to sell his economic agenda, even as backlash grows from within his own party over his immigration crackdown in Minneapolis. And a landmark trial begins in Los Angeles that will test whether major social media co...
Protests and a general strike continue in Minneapolis after federal immigration agents fatally shot 37 year-old ICU nurse Alex Pretti during a crackdown, the second ICE related killing in the state this month. Senate Democrats threaten to block funding for the Department of Homeland Security unless Republicans agree to new limits on immigration enforcement, a standoff that could trigger a partial government shutdown. And across the country, states are digging out from a major winter storm that l...
Marking 40 years since the Challenger explosion, this documentary delves into the desperate, last-minute efforts by Morton Thiokol engineers to delay the launch due to freezing temperatures and O-ring concerns. It exposes how corporate and NASA pressures led to their warnings being overruled, resulting in the tragic loss of seven astronauts. The episode explores the profound guilt carried by some engineers and the crucial lessons learned about dissent and communication, which remain highly relevant for today's space program amidst budget constraints.
This episode covers the severe winter storm impacting over half of the U.S., detailing preparations and the dangers of widespread power outages. It then shifts to President Trump's evolving military policy, including domestic deployments, foreign actions, and the legal and ethical concerns raised by his administration's approach. Finally, the podcast explores U.S. consumer spending, highlighting its resilience despite public economic worries, but also revealing a growing disparity between high-income and low-income households.
In Minnesota, protests and business closures spread as immigration operations continue and confrontations with federal agents intensify. At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Ukraine’s president delivers a blunt message to Europe, warning that the continent must stop relying on the U.S. and prepare to defend itself as Russia’s war grinds on. And across the U.S., states are bracing for a massive winter storm threatening millions of people with dangerous weather conditions. Want more analysis of t...
Rahm Emanuel has held many political jobs, and he's considering a run for President. In a wide-ranging interview with NPR's Steve Inskeep, he critiques democrats and offers advice for the upcoming midterms. Want more comprehensive analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter. This bonus episode of Up First was edited by Reena Advani. It was produced by Barry Gordemer and Kaity Kline. We get engineering support from Robert Rodriguez. Our ...
European leaders meet for an emergency summit as allies weigh a possible deal with the U.S. on Greenland after President Trump walked back threats of military action and tariffs. Trump’s clashes with Canada and Europe raise fresh doubts about the stability of U.S. alliances, as Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney warns coercion and tariff threats are changing the global order. And Supreme Court justices had tough question for Trump's lawyers as they hear arguments over whether a president can fi...
President Trump's Davos speech, meant to focus on affordability, was overshadowed by his Greenland ambitions and tariff threats against European allies, alongside controversial remarks about Minnesota. The Justice Department issued subpoenas to Minnesota leaders, accusing them of impeding immigration enforcement, while local officials claim federal overreach. Finally, the Supreme Court hears arguments on Trump's attempt to fire a Federal Reserve governor, a move that could challenge the central bank's independence.
Gretchen Whitmer is in her final year as governor of the swing state of Michigan. The Democratic governor sat for an interview with NPR's Steve Inskeep and talked about tariffs, the prospects of a female president, and the security of upcoming elections. Want more comprehensive analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter. This bonus episode of Up First was edited by Reena Advani. It was produced by Adam Bearne, Kaity Kline and Ziad Buch...
As world leaders gather in Davos, President Trump escalates pressure on allies with new tariff threats, renewed talk of acquiring Greenland, and plans for a sweeping new “Board of Peace” that could reshape global diplomacy. Three people die in six weeks at the country’s largest immigration detention center in El Paso, raising urgent questions about medical care, oversight, and the role of private contractors. And Indiana completes one of the most improbable turnarounds in college football histor...
Minnesota braces for a possible escalation as federal troops stand by amid protests against immigration enforcement and renewed threats to invoke the Insurrection Act. Tensions rise with European allies as the White House pressures Denmark and other NATO countries over Greenland, prompting warnings of damage to transatlantic relations. And world leaders are being asked to buy into a new U.S.-led “Board of Peace” for Gaza and other conflicts, with billion-dollar commitments and President Trump at...
This episode explores how cognitive disabilities often go unrecognized in the criminal justice system, leading to a "revolving door" of incarceration. It highlights an innovative unit in the LA Public Defender's office, which identifies and supports clients with cognitive impairments, offering alternatives to prison through comprehensive diversion programs. The story of Jimmy, a client whose life was transformed by such support, illustrates the possibilities and challenges of this approach.
The episode covers a Justice Department investigation into Minnesota's Governor and Minneapolis Mayor for allegedly obstructing ICE operations amidst rising tensions and protests. It also details the severe impact of a brutal Ukrainian winter, exacerbated by Russian strikes targeting the energy grid, leaving many without heat and electricity. Finally, a new study highlights concerns about generative AI's negative effects on children's foundational and social-emotional development, despite some potential benefits.
NPR's Up First reports on the escalating situation in Minneapolis, where federal agents are responding to protests, and President Trump is threatening to deploy the military. The episode also details Venezuela's political landscape, including opposition leader Maria Corina Machado's meeting with Trump and the interim president's defiant speech. Finally, it examines Trump's newly unveiled 'Great Healthcare Plan,' discussing its sparse details and potential impact on ACA subsidies and insurance coverage.
This episode highlights several key news stories: the FBI's controversial search of a Washington Post reporter's home, sparking concerns about press freedom and the administration's pattern of undermining independent journalism. It also delves into the diplomatic tensions surrounding President Trump's interest in acquiring Greenland, where Denmark firmly pushed back while a working group was formed. Finally, the podcast examines the sudden cut and subsequent restoration of $2 billion in mental health and addiction funding, revealing the chaos and political backlash that led to the reversal and its implications for public health.
Veteran federal prosecutors in Minnesota resigned, citing political pressure from the Justice Department to investigate a shooting victim's widow rather than the ICE agent involved. Meanwhile, President Trump presented his economic message in Detroit, downplaying inflation while pitching affordability. A new Department of Labor report revealed that while gas prices dipped, overall inflation remains stubborn with rising heating and grocery costs.
This episode covers President Trump's consideration of military action and tariffs against Iran amidst ongoing protests and his offers of support to demonstrators. It also details Minnesota's lawsuit against the Trump administration, alleging unconstitutional conduct by federal immigration agents after a fatal shooting. Finally, the Supreme Court hears arguments in two cases concerning state laws that ban transgender athletes from competing in women's sports, exploring arguments for fairness versus discrimination.
NPR's Up First reports on critical global and domestic news. In Minneapolis, federal agents' deployment sparks protests following an ICE shooting, fueling community unrest. Internationally, deadly protests intensify across Iran, prompting U.S. warnings and threats of military action against the regime. Domestically, the Justice Department subpoenas the Federal Reserve, leading to Chairman Powell accusing President Trump of attempting to influence interest rates and undermine the central bank's independence.
The episode explores a significant shift in American gun ownership, highlighting how concerns over political violence and discrimination under the Trump administration are prompting liberals, people of color, and LGBTQ individuals to purchase firearms. It delves into personal stories like Charles and Dana's, showcasing their journey from anti-gun stances to seeking self-defense, and examines the role of supportive gun clubs and inclusive training environments. This trend challenges long-held stereotypes of gun owners and reflects deep-seated fears about societal stability.
