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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
  • US And Iran Talk At UNGA, Poll Shows Dems Lead Midterm, White House Media Ban Lawsuit

    US And Iran Talk At UNGA, Poll Shows Dems Lead Midterm, White House Media Ban Lawsuit
    Sep 23 2026
    President Trump used his U.N. General Assembly speech to threaten Iran with “annihilation” while also revealing that U.S. and Iranian officials had resumed direct talks aimed at ending the conflict.
    A new NPR/PBS News/Marist poll shows Democrats with a double-digit advantage over Republicans in the congressional vote as President Trump remains a major factor shaping voters’ choices ahead of the midterms.
    CNN, MS NOW and Politico are asking a federal judge to restore their White House access, while the Trump administration argues the bans are justified by national-security and professional-conduct concerns.

    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, Emily Kopp, Mohamad ElBardicy and Ally Schweitzer.

    It was produced by Paige Waterhouse and Ben Abrams.

    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
    (1:58) Trump Speech UNGA
    (5:48) NPR Poll
    (9:34) Media take Trump to court


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    13 mins
  • News Outlets Protest Trump's Media Bans, Trump At UNGA, Paramount Merger Settlement

    News Outlets Protest Trump's Media Bans, Trump At UNGA, Paramount Merger Settlement
    Sep 22 2026
    Major news organizations are suspending use of White House pool coverage after President Trump banned reporters from CNN and two other outlets, with a court hearing set for Wednesday.
    President Trump addresses the United Nations this morning aiming to cast himself as a peacemaker, a day before Iran’s president speaks, with the war between them still unresolved.
    Paramount’s owners agreed to concessions to settle an antitrust lawsuit from a dozen states over their $111 billion bid for Warner Bros. Discovery, a deal critics say will not protect jobs or the independence of CBS and CNN.

    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 Kelsey Snell, Rebekah Metzler, Russell Lewis, Mohamad ElBardicy and Ally Schweitzer.

    It was produced by Julie Depenbrock and Nia Dumas.

    Our director is Christopher Thomas.

    We get engineering support from Simon-Laslo Janssen.

    Our technical director is Carleigh Strange.

    And our Supervising Senior Producer is Vince Pearson.

    (0:00) Introduction
    (01:56) News Outlets Protest Trump's Media Ban
    (05:53) Trump Speaks at UNGA
    (09:28) Paramount Merger Settlement

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    13 mins
  • UN General Assembly Week, Trump's Triumphal Arch, Air Traffic Control AI

    UN General Assembly Week, Trump's Triumphal Arch, Air Traffic Control AI
    Sep 21 2026
    World leaders gather in New York for the U.N. General Assembly with the war between the U.S. and Iran dominating the agenda and questions about whether diplomacy can gain traction with Iran's president in attendance.
    President Trump says his planned "triumphal arch" memorial near Arlington National Cemetery will also house drones, snipers and ammunition, after a judge ordered the administration to give notice before work begins.
    CNN, MS Now and Politico are suing the Trump administration for banning them from the White House.

    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 Tara Neill, Dana Farrington, Jennifer Portman, Mohamad ElBardicy and HJ Mai.

    It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Nia Dumas.

    Our director is Christopher Thomas.

    We get engineering support from Zac Coleman.

    Our technical director is Carleigh Strange.

    (0:00) Introduction
    (01:56) UN General Assembly Week
    (05:38) Trump's Triumphal Arch
    (09:23) Trump Bans Media

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    Show more Show less
    14 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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