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Congress is out on recess as a partial shutdown at the Department of Homeland Security is underway after talks collapsed over immigration enforcement reforms. Officials from the U.S., Russia, and Ukraine prepare for new peace talks in Geneva as Moscow presses territorial demands and Kyiv insists on security guarantees. And at the Winter Olympics in Italy, American speed skater Jordan Stolz is making history while other superstar athletes struggle with the intense pressure of competing on the wor...
How do you find the strength to face the unimaginable? In September of 2024, Gisèle Pelicot took the stand in an unprecedented mass rape trial in France. On trial was her former husband, along with 50 other men. Police had found images and videos of her husband and dozens of men raping Pelicot while she was drugged and unconscious. In this episode of The Sunday Story, Gisèle Pelicot sits down with NPR’s Michel Martin to talk about the pain of discovering what had happened to her, the harm it did...
We get the latest from the Munich Security Conference, where U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivered a speech before European leaders. We also look at the reasons behind why the FDA rejected Moderna's new flu vaccine and how that decision could shape future clinical trials. Plus, we'll look at the what happened with U.S Olympic figure skater Illia Malinin, dubbed the "Quad God," on the ice yesterday. Tipped to win the gold, Malinin didn't end up even medaling. See pcm.adswizz.com for infor...
Federal immigration agents are pulling back from Minnesota after months of aggressive immigration enforcement that led to thousands of arrests, weeks of protests, and the fatal shooting of two U.S. citizens. Congress is racing to fund the Department of Homeland Security before a shutdown, with Democrats demanding changes to immigration enforcement and negotiations still stalled. And the Environmental Protection Agency is scrapping the legal basis for regulating greenhouse gas emissions from cars...
Attorney General Pam Bondi clashed with lawmakers during a Capitol Hill hearing dominated by questions about the Justice Department’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files. President Trump’s tariff agenda faces a rare Republican pushback in Congress, even as the White House argues the policy is bringing money into the United States. And a new jobs report shows stronger hiring to start the year, but revised data suggests the labor market was far weaker in 2025 than previously believed. Want more ...
The FBI released door camera footage from the home of Nancy Guthrie, the 84 year-old mother of Today Show host Savanah Guthrie who's been missing for eleven days. President Trump meets with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss Israel’s security, as the White House signals possible progress in nuclear talks with Iran. And immigration officials defend enforcement tactics on Capitol Hill while lawmakers remain divided ahead of a Friday deadline to fund the Department of Homeland Security. W...
Congress has until Friday to reach a deal to fund the Department of Homeland Security, with negotiations stalled over Democratic demands to overhaul immigration enforcement. Britain’s prime minister Keir Starmer is fighting to hold onto power after new revelations show he hired a Washington ambassador with ties to Jeffrey Epstein, triggering calls for him to step down. And Savannah Guthrie issues another emotional plea for her missing mother as a ransom deadline passes and investigators say they...
The search for Nancy Guthrie enters its second week, with her family receiving a message from kidnappers and investigators lacking suspects. Ghislaine Maxwell is set for congressional questioning about Jeffrey Epstein and his associates, while she challenges her conviction. Additionally, the Seattle Seahawks secured their second championship, beating the New England Patriots in a defense-dominated Super Bowl LX.
NPR's Planet Money details how the Trump family significantly increased their wealth during the presidency, particularly in the second term, by leveraging Trump's status for deals in real estate, cryptocurrency, and branded merchandise. The investigation highlights innovative methods used to funnel money directly to the family, including lucrative foreign contracts and a vast crypto empire, a scale of personal profit deemed unprecedented for a U.S. president.
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...
