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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 NPR's reporting by subscribing to Up First+ and unlock sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org/upfirstCopyright 2015-2026 NPR - For Personal Use Only Politics & Government
Episodes
  • Israel Bombs Beirut, Attacks In Michigan And Virginia, Housing Bill

    Israel Bombs Beirut, Attacks In Michigan And Virginia, Housing Bill
    Mar 13 2026
    Israel struck central Beirut overnight and issued the first ever evacuation order for part of the capital, as Israel vows it will not stop until Hezbollah is defeated and nearly a million people are displaced in Lebanon alone.
    The FBI is investigating two separate attacks as acts of terrorism — a Lebanese-born naturalized citizen drove a car packed with explosives into a Michigan synagogue, and a gunman with a prior ISIS conviction opened fire in a Virginia university classroom, killing one person.
    And the Senate passed the largest housing bill in decades with bipartisan support, including a ban on large corporations buying up single-family homes, but it faces an uncertain path with President Trump.

    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 Hannah Block, Cheryl Corley, Julia Redpath, Kara Platoni, 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

    Our Executive Producer is Jay Shaylor.

    (0:00) Introduction
    (01:55) Israel Bombs Beirut
    (05:31) Attacks In Michigan And Virginia
    (09:33) Housing Bill

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    13 mins
  • Strait Of Hormuz Crisis, Gas Price Politics, Iranian School Strike Investigation

    Strait Of Hormuz Crisis, Gas Price Politics, Iranian School Strike Investigation
    Mar 12 2026
    Three commercial oil tankers were attacked in the Strait of Hormuz as U.S. and Israeli airstrikes continue on Tehran — Iran may be losing the war in the air, but it is strangling one of the world's most vital waterways and shaking global markets.
    President Trump, who campaigned on bringing gas prices down, is now tapping the strategic petroleum reserve as the war drives prices up.
    And the Pentagon has determined the U.S. is responsible for a missile strike on a girls school in Iran that killed at least 165 civilians on day one of the war — NPR has learned the school had been walled off from a nearby military base years before the strike.

    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 Andrew Sussman, Rebekah Metzler, James Hider, 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

    Our deputy Executive Producer is Kelley Dickens.

    (0:00) Introduction
    (01:58) Strait Of Hormuz Crisis
    (06:17) Gas Price Politics
    (10:25) Iranian School Strike Investigation

    To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below:

    See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.

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    14 mins
  • Intense Strikes On Iran, Trump Approval Poll, Georgia Special Election Runoff

    Intense Strikes On Iran, Trump Approval Poll, Georgia Special Election Runoff
    Mar 11 2026
    Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth promised the most intense strikes yet on Iran as residential buildings in Tehran come under fire and Iranian forces target naval ships in the Gulf.
    A new NPR/PBS News/Marist poll finds a majority of Americans oppose the war and President Trump's approval rating on the economy has hit a record low, raising questions about what the conflict means heading into the midterm elections.
    And in Georgia, the special election to replace Marjorie Taylor Greene is heading to a runoff, with Trump's endorsed candidate falling short of an outright win as a Democrat closes in.

    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 Hannah Block, Dana Farrington, Megan Pratz, 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

    Our Supervising Producer is Michael Lipkin.

    (0:00) Introduction
    (01:57) Intense Strikes On Iran
    (06:08) Trump Approval Poll
    (10:05) Georgia Special Election Runoff

    To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below:

    See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.

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    Show more Show less
    14 mins
News and Nonfiction Get the stories beyond the headlines

Featured Article: Stay Up to Date and Informed with the Best News Podcasts of All Time


In a world where breaking news headlines change hourly and we're inundated with constant notifications, articles, news blasts, and think pieces, it can be difficult to simply keep up with what's going on in the world—let alone make sense of it. That’s where podcasts come in. Ranging from global and breaking news to politics, art, and finance, these shows are hosted by experts in their fields. No matter what your interests, there's a podcast for you.

Featured Article Stay Up to Date and Informed with the Best News Podcasts of All Time
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So much of what people think of as news is just talking heads who try to appease their followers with whatever will make them angry or excited so that they continue to watch. This then feeds the talking head more money and power. There are not many true news channels left. This is one of them. It actually gathers the information and does its research And lets the listener decide.

Actual news not talking heads

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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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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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