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Up First from NPR

Up First from NPR

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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.Copyright 2015-2026 NPR - For Personal Use Only Daily Politics & Government
Episodes
  • Democratic Surrogates Campaign, US & Israel Plan Iran Strikes, Tesla SpaceX Merger

    Democratic Surrogates Campaign, US & Israel Plan Iran Strikes, Tesla SpaceX Merger
    Oct 22 2026
    Democrats are sending former President Barack Obama and former Vice President Kamala Harris into competitive Senate races to help the party win in Republican territory.
    NPR has learned the U.S. and Israel are preparing for a possible attack on Iran after the midterms, while Americans face settler violence and military arrests in the West Bank.
    Tesla and SpaceX are exploring a merger that could create one of the world’s largest companies and give Elon Musk even greater control over his sprawling business empire.

    Want more analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter.

    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.

    Today’s episode of Up First was edited by Megan Pratz, Tina Kraja, Kara Platoni, Mohamad ElBardicy and Alice Woelfle.

    It was produced by Iman Maani and Nia Dumas.

    Our director is Christopher Thomas.

    We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis.

    Our technical director is Zac Coleman.

    And our deputy Executive Producer is Kelley Dickens.


    (0:00) Introduction
    (1:52) Campaign Surrogates
    (5:22) Israel Attack Plans
    (9:05) Musk Explores Merger

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    12 mins
  • Zelenskyy Mending Ties, Trump In North Carolina, Saudi Arabia Gets British Support

    Zelenskyy Mending Ties, Trump In North Carolina, Saudi Arabia Gets British Support
    Oct 21 2026
    Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is trying to repair ties with Washington as President Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff carries new peace proposals to Russia.
    President Trump is campaigning in North Carolina as Republicans struggle in key races and he ties federal relief promises to the outcome of the midterms.
    Britain is sending fighter jets to help Saudi Arabia defend against Houthi attacks as the war disrupts the kingdom’s economy and deepens the humanitarian crisis in Yemen.

    Want more analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter.

    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.

    Today’s episode of Up First was edited by Tina Kraja, Megan Pratz, Miguel Macias, Mohamad ElBardicy and Alice Woelfle.

    It was produced by Iman Maani and Nia Dumas.

    Our director is Christopher Thomas.

    We get engineering support from Carleigh Strange.

    Our technical director is Zac Coleman.

    And our Supervising Producer is Michael Lipkin.


    (0:00) Introduction
    (1:54) Zelenskyy U.S. Relationship
    (5:29) Trump in NC
    (9:14) Saudi Yemen Crisis

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    13 mins
  • Pushback On Trump's Russia Policy, Competitive Midterm Races, DOJ Noncitizen Voting

    Pushback On Trump's Russia Policy, Competitive Midterm Races, DOJ Noncitizen Voting
    Oct 20 2026
    1Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is taking his concerns about delayed U.S. weapons and intelligence directly to Congress as lawmakers in both parties question President Trump’s approach to Russia.
    Republicans are spending heavily to defend traditionally conservative territory as Democrats expand the midterm map two weeks before Election Day.
    The Justice Department has charged 28 California voters it says are noncitizens while asking a federal judge to stop thousands of other ballots from being counted.

    Want more analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter.
    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.

    Today’s episode of Up First was edited by Rebekah Metzler, Megan Pratz, Shannon Bond, Mohamad ElBardicy and Alice Woelfle.

    It was produced by Iman Maani and Nia Dumas.

    Our director is Christopher Thomas.

    We get engineering support from Carleigh Strange.

    Our technical director is Zac Coleman.

    And our Supervising Senior Producer is Vince Pearson.

    (0:00) Introduction
    (1:54) Trump Russia Ukraine
    (5:36) Midterm Latest
    (9:20) CA DOJ Election Feud

    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
    Show more Show less
    13 mins
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Featured Article Stay Up to Date and Informed with the Best News Podcasts of All Time
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he title was good enjoyed listening to the audiobook. the story line was interesting. nice

good

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I always learn something listening to this program. It is my daily must-listen program to catch up on important news & insightful analysis. I greatly appreciate their fair-minded reporting.

Reporting with honesty & integrity

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Up first is the best way for me to know what fresh hell we are in now. I look forward to better leadership and news that is hopeful and future focused.

What Now??

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I am so glad to hear Ayesha Roscoe hosting this show. I have been a fan of her reporting for some time. Up First is my favorite morning news podcast and it is great to hear her as a host.

Yay! Ayesha’s here!

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NPR offers this well produced, in-depth news for commuters. Their network of independent informed reporters do a great job explaining both domestic and international news.

Well produced, in-depth news for commuters

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