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 public media by joining NPR+ at plus.npr.org . You’ll get perks for over 25 NPR podcasts, including sponsor-free listening for Up First, NPR News Now, and more.
Todd Blanche, President Trump’s nominee for attorney general, is rescinding an order to create a $1.8 billion fund for Trump’s political allies. Is that enough to persuade senators who blocked his nomination to back him? And President Trump is backing off additional attacks on Iran as negotiations resume today. Why is Trump willing to give diplomacy another go? Also, are progressive candidates poised to win big in this year's midterm election? Upcoming primaries may offer clues. Want more 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 Tina Kraja, Jason Breslow, Megan Pratz, Arezou Rezvani and Lindsay Totty . It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Nia Dumas. Our director is Christopher Thomas. We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis. And our technical director is Carleigh Strange. Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org . (0:00) Introduction (01:58) Blanche Rescinds 'Anti-Weaponization Fund' (05:32) Iran Strikes Called Off (09:23) Midwest Primaries 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
President Trump has repeatedly warned that the communists are coming for America. And he’s not talking about China or North Korea. He’s talking about Democratic Socialists like Zohran Mamdani and recent Congressional candidates. This week on The Sunday Story, we bring you a conversation from our colleagues at The NPR Politics Podcast . They argue that as the midterms near, crying “communism” may be a key Republican strategy. They discuss whether there’s any legitimacy to the claim, what Republicans hope to achieve by making it, and whether voters will be convinced. Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org . 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
The president’s media company is offering investors early access to his Truth Social feed for up to $100,000 a month. Arizona, California, and Nevada share steep cuts to Colorado River water over the next decade. FIFA's plan to sell stakes in the World Cup collapses. Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org . 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
President Trump claims to have reached a breakthrough in efforts to disarm Hamas in Gaza. Hamas says it will only give up its weapons if Israel withdraws first. On the domestic front, Trump floated the idea of temporarily withdrawing his nominee for attorney general until two Republicans holdouts leave office. And a new report from the Commerce Department shows that economic growth slowed in the second quarter. Want more 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 Rebekah Metzler, Kate Bartlett, Anna Yukhananov, Rafael Nam, HJ Mai and Ally Schweitzer. It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Nia Dumas. Our director is Christopher Thomas. We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis. Our technical director is Zac Coleman. And our Executive Producer is Jay Shaylor. Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org . (0:00) Introduction (02:28) Trump Says Hamas Will Disarm (05:57) Blanche Faces GOP Pushback (09:53) Economic Outlook 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
The U.S. launched a wave of airstrikes on Iran overnight. This was in retaliation to a foiled surprise attack on U.S. forces in Jordan. Dr. Anthony Fauci repeatedly invoked the Fifth Amendment during a contentious Senate hearing on Wednesday. And a new Trump administration rule is making it even harder to seek asylum. Want more 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 Miguel Macias, Amina Khan, Anna Yukhananov, HJ Mai and Alice Woelfle. It was produced by Ziad Buch and Nia Dumas. Our director is Christopher Thomas. We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis. Our technical director is Carleigh Strange. And our deputy Executive Producer is Kelley Dickens. (0:00) Introduction (02:38) US and Iran Trade Strikes After Brief Pause (06:53) Fauci Pleads The Fifth (10:39) New Asylum Rule 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
President Trump hosted two foreign leaders at the White House on Tuesday. Both, Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu and Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy, are dealing with war at home. While Trump’s relationship with Netanyahu has been increasingly strained, his ties with Zelenskyy have steadily improved. And in France, raging wildfires have force hundreds of thousands of people to flee their homes. Want more 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 Miguel Macias, Rebekah Metzler, Tina Kraja, HJ Mai and Alice Woelfle. It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Nia Dumas. Our director is Christopher Thomas. We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis. Our technical director is Carleigh Strange. And our Supervising Producer is Michael Lipkin. (0:00) Introduction (01:51) Trump And Zelenskyy (05:35) Trump And Netanyahu (09:21) France Wildfires 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
President Trump is meeting with two world leaders separately at the White House on Tuesday. Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu are seeking Trump’s support amid ongoing conflicts. Hundreds of thousands of Haitians and thousands of Syrians who are in the U.S. legally are facing deportation. And new research shows that an increasing number of Americans say corruption is a problem in politics. Want more 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 Rebekah Metzler, Cheryl Corley, Kelsey Snell, HJ Mai and Alice Woelfle. It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Nia Dumas. Our director is Christopher Thomas. We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis. Our technical director is Carleigh Strange. And our Supervising Senior Producer is Vince Pearson. (0:00) Introduction (01:57) Trump Meets Zelenskyy And Netanyahu (05:59) TPS Update (09:43) Political Corruption 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
At least three people are dead after a shooting at a food festival in Seattle. Four others are injured, including a 2-year-old boy. Police say a suspect is in custody, while another is on the loose. After nearly two weeks of intense airstrikes, the U.S. and Iran have paused their attacks and started exchanging messages again. And with fewer than 100 days left until election day, some key races across the country are heating up. We'll take a look at the current state of play. Want more 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 Miguel Macias, Tina Kraja, Ben Swasey, HJ Mai and Ally Schweitzer. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Nia Dumas and Christopher Thomas. We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis. And our technical director is Stacey Abbott. (0:00) Introduction (01:58) Seattle Shooting (05:25) Iran War Pause (09:07) Midterm Elections 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
Thirty-six years ago, the Americans with Disabilities Act was signed into law, guaranteeing civil rights for millions of Americans. But the movement that made that day possible began years earlier. One pivotal victory was won by a small, often-forgotten group of activists in Denver known as the "Gang of 19." On The Sunday Story , NPR’s Joseph Shapiro and Colorado Public Radio’s Stephanie Wolf trace the history of the disability rights movement—from the protests that secured accessible public transit to the modern-day fight to protect the hard-won right to live independently. 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
A recap of President Trump’s hour-long speech at the rescheduled White House Correpondents’ Dinner. Ukrainian drones have targeted Russia’s airfields and oil refineries and are now going after Wildberries, Russia’s large e-commerce retailer. Young people’s protests in India over entrance exams have resulted in the resignation of the country’s education minister today. 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
Oil topped $100 a barrel for the first time in two months after Iran-backed Houthi rebels struck two Saudi tankers in the Red Sea, opening a new front in the shipping war as President Trump says he's weighing a massive attack on Iran. One of Trump's global tariffs expired overnight and he replaced it within the hour with a new one hitting 59 countries and the European Union, built on a different legal argument after the Supreme Court threw out his last batch. And people in Madison, Wisconsin gathered to remember Corey Ruiz, who police shot and killed Wednesday after they say he pulled a knife during a struggle, though bystander video appears to show him on the ground when the officer fired. Want more 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 Tina Kraja, Rebekah Metzler, Gigi Douban, Mohamad ElBardicy and Taylor Haney. It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Nia Dumas. Our director is Christopher Thomas. We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis. Our technical director is Stacey Abbott. And our Executive Producer is Jay Shaylor. (0:00) Introduction (01:54) Saudi Oil Tankers Attacked (05:24) Trump's New Tariffs (09:19) Wisconsin Police Shooting 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
Saudi Arabia is getting American nuclear reactors and a path to enrich its own uranium, the same technology the U.S. has spent months bombing Iran to stop, which has Israel warning about a nuclear arms race. President Trump is asking Americans to be patient about what the war is costing them, promising Iran will pay for itself the way he claims Venezuela has, but his own supporters are getting harder to convince as gas prices climb again. And the House heads home for a month today after cramming in four big bills on the way out, none of which the Senate is likely to take up as written, even though Republicans run both chambers. Want more 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 Tina Kraja, Rebekah Metzler, Jason Breslow, Mohamad ElBardicy and Adriana Gallardo. It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Nia Dumas. Our director is Christopher Thomas. We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis. Our technical director is Stacey Abbott. And our deputy Executive Producer is Kelley Dickens. (0:00) Introduction (01:55) Saudi Uranium Enrichment Deal (05:26) Trump Defends Iran War (09:03) GOP Congress Out Of Sync 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
President Trump travels to Dover Air Force Base today to receive the bodies of service members killed in the Iran war, as he insists Iran is desperate for a deal. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth got a grilling from both parties on Capitol Hill as he asked for billions more to fund a war Congress never voted to authorize, with 18 troops now dead and nearly 500 wounded. And Arizona has picked its candidates for the fall, with Trump ally Andy Biggs, who tried to overturn the 2020 election, winning the Republican nomination for governor and setting up what could be one of the closest races in the country against Democrat Katie Hobbs. Want more 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 Rebekah Metzler, Jason Breslow, Miguel Macias, Mohamad ElBardicy and Adriana Gallardo. It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Nia Dumas Our director is Christopher Thomas We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis. Our technical director is Stacey Abbott. And our Supervising Producer is Michael Lipkin. (0:00) Introduction (01:59) Trump Receives Fallen Troops (05:35) Hegseth Grilled On The Hill (09:15) Arizona Primary Results 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
The war between the U.S. and Iran keeps widening as Yemen's Houthi rebels announce a blockade of Saudi Arabia that would choke off another key oil route, even as Iran signals it may be open to talks. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth heads to Capitol Hill today to ask lawmakers for a nearly 90 billion dollar funding boost for the war with Iran, in a rare chance for senators to question him after the Pentagon admitted 100 troops were wounded in the past two weeks and hasn't briefed reporters since May. And it's the last day of primary voting in Arizona, a swing state that's become ground zero for election denialism, with big fall races taking shape for governor, a toss-up House seat, and secretary of state. Want more 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 Tina Kraja, Andrew Sussman, Larry Kaplow, Mohamad ElBardicy and Alice Woelfle. It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Nia Dumas Our director is Christopher Thomas We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis. Our technical director is Stacey Abbott. And our Supervising Senior Producer is Vince Pearson. (0:00) Introduction (01:53) Iran And Yemen's Houthis Blockade (05:31) Hegseth On Capitol Hill (09:20) Arizona Primary Day 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
A third U.S. service member has been killed since Friday as the U.S. bombs Iran for a ninth straight night, with Iran vowing not a drop of oil will pass through the Strait of Hormuz while the attacks continue. House Republicans have one week left before the August recess as Speaker Mike Johnson tries to advance defense funding, a stock trading ban for lawmakers, and President Trump’s election integrity bill amid high voter anxiety over the cost of living. And the United Kingdom has a new prime minister this morning as Andy Burnham replaces Keir Starmer, becoming the country’s seventh leader in just ten years. Want more 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 Tina Kraja, Brett Neely, Tara Neill, Mohamad ElBardicy and Taylor Haney. It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Nia Dumas Our director is Christopher Thomas We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis. Our technical director is Carleigh Strange. (0:00) Introduction (01:54) US-Iran War Escalates (05:24) Congress To-Do List (09:08) UK Has A New Prime Minister 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
What defines a family? For a group of strangers, that question took on a profound, unexpected meaning after DNA tests revealed a hidden, decades-old deception. They discovered they were all half-siblings conceived through artificial insemination in the mid-20th century. Their biological father was not the man who raised them, but Dr. Charles Charny, a Philadelphia fertility specialist. In this week's episode of The Sunday Story , Frank Langfitt follows this unique family as they piece together their strange creation tale and decide to become a family. 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
Hunter Biden on addiction and 'the gift of being publicly shamed' | NPR's Newsmakers
Hunter Biden says he has nothing left to hide. He’s been all over the internet in recent months, including appearances with some of his harshest critics, such as ultra-conservative podcasters Candace Owens and Nick Fuentes. In May, he reactivated his long-dormant X account, writing, “You've never actually heard from me.” Since then, he’s posted an average of 23 times per day — weighing in on politics, news and culture. After his private life and struggle with addiction was made public through leaks in the media, congressional investigations and federal prosecutions, Biden now says being ‘stripped naked in the public square’ was, in a way, a gift. In this episode of NPR's Newsmakers , Scott Simon sat down with Biden, who opened up about that public shaming, why President Joe Biden decided to pardon him after tax and gun convictions and why he didn’t want his father to run for reelection in 2024 – but didn’t tell him at the time. Newsmakers is where you'll find NPR's biggest interviews. New episodes drop as soon as they're available -- any day of the week. To stay caught up, follow the show on Spotify, subscribe on YouTube, or find Newsmakers on the NPR app. 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
The latest on two fatal shootings involving federal immigration officers in Texas and Maine. An unprecedented rescue mission to save a valuable space observatory before it burns up in Earth's atmosphere. A preview of the FIFA World Cup final in New Jersey between Spain and Argentina. 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
President Trump gave a primetime address on election integrity, releasing documents he said proved widespread fraud in the 2020 election, but experts say there’s nothing new, just a rehash of old claims. Trump used his speech to pressure Congress on a bill requiring proof of citizenship to vote, while also laying the groundwork to question the legitimacy of the midterms if Republicans underperform. And catastrophic flooding has hit Texas again, with at least two people dead and hundreds rescued, just one year after last summer’s deadly floods that killed more than 130 people. Want more 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 Ben Swasey, Megan Pratz, Acacia Squires, Mohamad ElBardicy and Alice Woelfle. It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Nia Dumas Our director is Christopher Thomas We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis. Our technical director is Carleigh Strange. And our Executive Producer is Jay Shaylor. (0:00) Introduction (02:38) Trump Rehashes Election Fraud Claims (06:52) Politics Of Trump's Speech (10:39) Texas Flooding 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
Most senators didn't question Todd Blanche's qualifications to lead the Justice Department at his confirmation hearing, they questioned whether the man who spent years as President Trump's personal lawyer would serve the president or the country. President Trump notified Congress that the U.S. is back at war with Iran, starting a new 60-day clock for military action, though the clock that may matter most is the midterms as gas prices ripple through the economy. And Trump's pick for intelligence chief, Jay Clayton, wouldn't acknowledge the results of the 2020 election at his hearing, leaving Democrats to ask why a man with no intelligence experience won't give a straight answer. Want more 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, Kelsey Snell, Andrew Sussman, Alice Woelfle, and Mohamad ElBardicy. It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Nia Dumas. Our director is Christopher Thomas. We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis. Our technical director is Carleigh Strange. And our deputy Executive Producer is Kelley Dickens. (0:00) Introduction (02:35) Blanche Confirmation Hearing (06:30) Iran War And Midterm Politics (10:24) Clayton ODNI Hearing 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
