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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/upfirst
Episodes
Mentioned books
139 snips
May 13, 2026 • 12min
Trump In China, Hegseth Requests Wartime Budget, FDA Commissioner Resigns
Claudia Cresales, NPR congressional correspondent who covers Capitol Hill, and Jennifer Pack, China-based NPR reporter on the ground in Beijing, talk about Trump’s summit with Xi and U.S.-China trade tensions. They cover CEOs joining the trip and ceremonial symbolism in Beijing. They also discuss Pentagon estimates of Iran war costs and a sweeping wartime budget request, plus the FDA commissioner’s abrupt resignation.
166 snips
May 12, 2026 • 13min
Stakes of Trump's China Trip, Inflation Report Shows War Impact, Hantavirus Science
Tamara Keith, senior political correspondent who covered the presidential delegation in Beijing, previews the high-stakes U.S.-China visit. Scott Horsley, White House and economics reporter, breaks down how the Iran war is fueling inflation and higher travel costs. Gabriela Emanuel, health reporter, walks through the hantavirus outbreak, its transmission uncertainties, and why it differs from COVID.
191 snips
May 11, 2026 • 12min
US-Iran Responses, Trump's Trip To China Amid Iran War, Congress To Do List
Eric McDaniel, NPR congressional reporter covering Congress’s push for multi-year immigration enforcement funding. Tamara Keith, NPR senior political correspondent tracking the president’s China trip amid the Iran war. Ayah Bertali, NPR international correspondent on-the-ground in Dubai on regional diplomacy. They discuss Iran’s responses, how the conflict will shape the Trump–Xi summit, and Congress’s plan to lock long-term immigration funding.
48 snips
May 10, 2026 • 28min
Why more women are choosing to be single mothers
Pallavi Gogoi, NPR journalist and chief business editor who reported on single motherhood, walks through why more women are choosing to parent alone. She outlines changing demographics and deliberate choices. Stories cover intentional paths to parenthood, balancing dating and selfhood, reproductive technology and costs, community-building, and cultural shifts reshaping stigma.
118 snips
May 9, 2026 • 15min
NATO Friction, Florida Detention Center, Public Corruption
Scott Newman, NPR international correspondent, explains rising strains in NATO and whether Europe can fill gaps left by the U.S. Megan Bowman, Tampa reporter, describes the remote Alligator Alcatraz detention site in the Everglades and questions about costs and conditions. Ryan Lucas, NPR justice correspondent, outlines reporting on pardons and the shrinking Public Integrity team, raising alarms about official corruption.
111 snips
May 8, 2026 • 13min
US and Iran Trade Fire, Tennessee Redistricting, US Boat Strikes In Caribbean
Aya Batrawi, NPR international correspondent in the Gulf, gives on-the-ground reporting about U.S.-Iran exchanges in the Strait of Hormuz. Mariana Bacchiao, Nashville politics reporter, explains Tennessee’s new congressional map and local reactions. Carrie Kahn, NPR South America correspondent, covers U.S. airstrikes on suspected drug boats in the Caribbean and concerns about treatment of fishermen.
75 snips
May 7, 2026 • 13min
Trump's Iran Progress Claims, Oil Industry Profit From Iran War, Rubio Meets Pope Leo
Mara Liasson, NPR political correspondent, tracks Trump’s shaky Iran deal claims. Camila Domonoske, business and energy reporter, follows oil giants cashing in as gas prices stay high. Megan Williams, Rome-based Vatican reporter, unpacks Marco Rubio’s delicate meeting with Pope Leo amid rising tensions. Big money, bruised diplomacy, and a lot of political risk collide fast.
86 snips
May 6, 2026 • 13min
Project Freedom Paused, Ohio & Indiana Primary Results, Poll Shows Dems Advantage
Franco Ordonez, NPR White House correspondent, tracks the Trump administration’s muddled Iran messaging and the halted Hormuz escort plan. Stephen Fowler, NPR elections reporter, breaks down Trump-backed losses and surprises in Indiana and Ohio primaries. Domenico Montanaro, NPR senior political editor, looks at fresh polling, Democratic momentum, and the shifting midterm map.
108 snips
May 5, 2026 • 13min
Strait Of Hormuz Tension, Trump Primaries in Indiana, Mifepristone Court Reprieve
Greg Myrie, NPR national security reporter, tracks a U.S. escort mission in the Strait of Hormuz that comes under immediate attack. Tamara Keith, senior political correspondent, follows Trump’s costly Indiana primary revenge campaign and what it signals for GOP loyalty. Julie Rovner, veteran health policy journalist, breaks down the Supreme Court’s brief mifepristone reprieve and the legal fight ahead.
87 snips
May 4, 2026 • 15min
Project Freedom Strait Of Hormuz, Louisiana Redistricting, Senate Midterm Landscape
Mara Eliason, veteran political correspondent, tracks Trump’s Strait of Hormuz plan, Iran tensions, and the political fallout. Aubrey Juhasz, New Orleans politics reporter, digs into Louisiana’s halted House races, redistricting chaos, and legal battles. Domenico Montanaro, senior political editor, maps out Democrats’ slim Senate opening and the toughest races to watch.
