Up First from NPR
Hosted by A Martinez, Ayesha Rascoe, Leila Fadel, Michel Martin, Scott Simon & Steve Inskeep · 69 decoded episodes · newest Oct 8, 2026
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.<br><br><em> Support public media by joining NPR+ at </em><a href="http://plus.npr.org/"target="_blank" ><em>plus.npr.org</em></a><em>. You’ll get perks for over 25 NPR podcasts, including sponsor-free listening for Up First, NPR News Now, and more.</em>
Episodes 69
- Sep 26, 2026 · 16 minStorms, redistricting and mortgage rates test the countryThe episode connects immediate weather threats and a consequential court ruling with economic pressure already reshaping the housing market.
- Sep 25, 2026 · 15 minTrump-Xi summit yields symbolism over substanceThe episode connects a narrowly defined U.S.-China trade pause with escalating fights over press access and Israel’s growing diplomatic isolation.
- Sep 24, 2026 · 1h 1mCarlson breaks with Trump over Iran and Republican powerThe interview tests whether Carlson’s opposition to the Iran war signals a durable realignment on the American right or another media-era rupture.
- Sep 24, 2026 · 16 minJudge restores White House press access as Trump courts XiThe episode links a constitutional fight over press access with high-stakes U.S.-China diplomacy and fragile negotiations over global conflicts.
- Sep 23, 2026 · 15 minTrump pairs Iran threats with diplomacy as Democrats lead midterm pollThe episode connects foreign-policy brinkmanship, a strong Democratic polling advantage, and a constitutional fight over presidential press access.
- Sep 22, 2026 · 15 minMedia outlets challenge White House access limits as Trump weighs diplomacy and media dealsThe episode connects press-access restrictions, uncertain diplomacy, and a proposed media merger to broader questions about accountability, power, and independence.
- Sep 21, 2026 · 16 minGlobal conflict tests diplomacy and presidential powerThe episode connects a war-shadowed U.N. gathering with disputes over executive authority, national security, and press freedom in Washington.
- Sep 20, 2026 · 33 minRegime collapse opens a perilous search for Austin TiceThe fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government may create the first real chance in years to investigate claims that Austin Tice survived in detention.
- Sep 19, 2026 · 17 minTrump’s media restrictions test executive power on three frontsThe episode connects press access, Russian pressure on Europe, and college sports regulation to broader questions about institutional limits and government power.
- Sep 18, 2026 · 15 minTrump’s power faces tests at home and on NATO’s eastern flankThe episode connects legal and institutional resistance in Washington with a security warning that Russia could probe NATO’s unity through deniable attacks.
- Sep 17, 2026 · 15 minRate hikes, oil shocks and Canada’s European pivotThe episode connects central-bank independence, energy disruption and shifting alliances as economic and geopolitical pressures converge.
- Sep 16, 2026 · 15 minWar costs collide with rate hikes and Kennedy Center turmoilThe episode connects wartime inflation, mounting military costs and institutional upheaval to decisions affecting the economy, national security and public culture.