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
- Aug 11, 2026 · 15 minPrimaries test Democrats as Trump’s foreign-policy claims face setbacksThe episode connects domestic party contests with stalled diplomacy and a disaster response strained by geography, damaged infrastructure, and insecurity.
- Aug 10, 2026 · 16 minIran talks stall as inflation and institutional abuse test U.S. institutionsThe episode connects a geopolitical standoff, renewed economic pressure, and long-hidden abuse to questions of political leverage and institutional accountability.
- Aug 9, 2026 · 41 minSilica dust drives a new wave of black lungYounger Appalachian miners are developing severe, incurable disease as regulators delay stronger protections against silica exposure.
- Aug 8, 2026 · 17 minSenate confirms Blanche as detention profits and media consolidation growThe episode connects a narrowly approved attorney general, expanding immigration-detention contracts, and a proposed media merger to broader fights over power, accountability, and competition.
- Aug 7, 2026 · 14 minTrump’s Iran claims collide with unresolved Hormuz talksThe episode connects a constitutional fight over citizenship with a war-driven crisis testing U.S. credibility, economic pressure, and control of a vital waterway.
- Aug 6, 2026 · 16 minHormuz talks collide with Michigan’s Senate fight and Trump’s economic pitchThe episode connects a potentially consequential shipping crisis with two political tests of whether leaders can persuade voters amid economic and cultural pressure.
- Aug 5, 2026 · 15 minMissile shortages collide with Democratic strategy and vaccine politicsThe episode connects a consequential Senate primary, wartime weapons constraints, and an FDA decision that could shape the future of mRNA vaccines.
- Aug 4, 2026 · 15 minBlanche nomination tests Republican limits on Trump-era powerThe episode connects a consequential Justice Department nomination with a competitive Democratic primary and a fast-moving wildfire emergency.
- Aug 3, 2026 · 15 minBlanche reverses fund as Iran talks and Midwest primaries reshape politicsThe episode links a confirmation fight, an unstable diplomatic pause, and Democratic contests that could signal the parties’ strategies before the midterms.