Up First from NPR Podcast By NPR cover art

Up First from NPR

Up First from NPR

By: NPR
Listen for free

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
  • 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.

    NPR Privacy Policy
    Show more Show less
    13 mins
  • Memorandum Of Misunderstanding, Fatal ICE Shooting, Paramount Merger Suit

    Memorandum Of Misunderstanding, Fatal ICE Shooting, Paramount Merger Suit
    Jul 14 2026
    The US and Iran have resumed hostilities, despite last month's memorandum of understanding. President Trump says the military will once again blockade the Strait of Hormuz.
    For the second time in a week, an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer shot and killed an immigrant. A 26-year-old Columbian man was killed yesterday in Maine. Some Maine elected officials say the victim wasn't the target of an ICE warrant.
    And a dozen states, led by California, are suing to block Paramount from buying Warner Bros. Discovery after the Justice Department cleared the deal.

    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 Eric Westervelt, Emily Kopp, Miguel Macias, Alice Woelfle, Mohamed ElBardicy and Ziad Buchh.

    It was produced by Paige Waterhouse and Nia Dumas.

    Our director is Chris 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
    (1:50) Memorandum Of Misunderstanding
    (5:26) Fatal ICE Shooting
    (9:13) Paramount Merger Suit

    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
  • US and Iran Trade Attacks Again, Sen. Lindsay Graham Dies, Congress Returns

    US and Iran Trade Attacks Again, Sen. Lindsay Graham Dies, Congress Returns
    Jul 13 2026
    The U.S. and Iran are continuing to fight over control of the Strait of Hormuz after a weekend of heavy strikes, with the U.S. hitting dozens of Iranian targets and Iran firing at American bases in the Middle East.
    Senator Lindsey Graham has died at the age of 71, the South Carolina Republican was a committed advocate of U.S. military intervention abroad and a close ally of President Trump.
    And as Congress returns from recess, Republican are facing tighter voting margins than before with Senator Graham’s death and Senator Mitch McConnel's absence.

    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, Anna Yukhananov, Jason Breslow, Ziad Buchh, Mohamad ElBardicy and HJ Mai.

    It was produced by Paige Waterhouse and Nia Dumas.

    Our director is Christopher Thomas.

    We get engineering support from Eowyn Fain.

    Our technical director is Damian Herring.

    (0:00) Iran War latest
    (1:52) Iran attacks
    (5:42) Graham & Senate
    (8:28) Congress returns

    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
    12 mins
adbl_web_anon_alc_button_suppression_t1
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
All stars
Most relevant
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

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
he title was good enjoyed listening to the audiobook. the story line was interesting. nice

good

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
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

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
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??

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
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!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
See more reviews