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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 Daily Politics & Government
Episodes
  • Trump Rehashes Election Fraud Claims, Politics Of Trump's Speech, Texas Flooding

    Trump Rehashes Election Fraud Claims, Politics Of Trump's Speech, Texas Flooding
    Jul 17 2026
    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

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    14 mins
  • Blanche Confirmation Hearing, Iran War And Midterm Politics, Clayton ODNI Hearing

    Blanche Confirmation Hearing, Iran War And Midterm Politics, Clayton ODNI Hearing
    Jul 16 2026
    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.

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    14 mins
  • Blanche Confirmation Hearing, US and Strait of Hormuz, ICE Vehicle Stops

    Blanche Confirmation Hearing, US and Strait of Hormuz, ICE Vehicle Stops
    Jul 15 2026
    Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche will be on Capitol Hill today for his high-stakes confirmation hearing to lead the Justice Department permanently.
    President Trump has talked about the US fully controlling the Strait of Hormuz. But for the US military that means much more than imposing yet another blockade on the key waterway.
    The third fatal ICE shooting in a week is now prompting a policy shift at the agency. According to Senator Angus King, ICE will now suspend most vehicle stops during enforcement operations.

    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, Anna Yukhananov, Alina Hartounian, Mohamad ElBardicy, Alice Woelfle, and Ziad Buchh.

    It was produced by Paige Waterhouse 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
    (1:49) Blanche confirmation hearing
    (5:38) US and the Strait of Hormuz
    (9:32) ICE Vehicle stops

    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
    13 mins
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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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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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