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/upfirst
Episodes
Mentioned books
79 snips
Mar 1, 2026 • 27min
Bet on Anything, Everywhere, All at Once
Bobby Allyn, an NPR correspondent covering politics and finance, explains the boom in prediction markets like Kalshi and Polymarket. He walks through how these apps work and who uses them. He discusses niche markets, regulatory fights, insider risks, and why billions have poured in. The conversation looks at rapid growth and uncertain futures for these platforms.
156 snips
Feb 28, 2026 • 14min
US/Israeli Strikes Iran, Iran Retaliates on Israel and other Middle East Countries
Jane Arath, NPR regional correspondent in Amman, offers on-the-ground regional context. Daniel Estrin, reporting from Tel Aviv, shares eyewitness accounts and local reactions. Greg Myrie, NPR national security correspondent, explains military operations and geopolitical stakes. They discuss the U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran, Iran’s missile retaliation across the region, reports of civilian hits, and wider diplomatic and airspace fallout.
118 snips
Feb 27, 2026 • 13min
US-Iran Tension, Clinton Deposition, Paramount Wins Warner Bros. Bid
Franco Ordoñez, NPR White House correspondent covering U.S.-Iran tensions and administration posture. Sage Miller, NPR reporter on congressional oversight covering the Clintons’ closed-door depositions. David Falkenflick, NPR media correspondent on Paramount’s winning bid and looming antitrust fight. They discuss possible U.S. strikes on Iran, the Clintons’ testimony in the Epstein probe, and the media merger’s regulatory stakes.
96 snips
Feb 26, 2026 • 30min
Oklahoma’s governor on Trump, immigration and tribal lands
Kevin Stitt, Oklahoma governor and enrolled Cherokee Nation member, discusses state policy and tribal identity. He talks about his role leading governors, tensions with the president, immigration and workforce permits. He addresses tribal lands, the McGirt decision, and concerns about federal agents and election rules.
90 snips
Feb 26, 2026 • 13min
US-Iran Talks, Summers Resigns Over Epstein Ties, Cuba Kills Four In Boat Strike
Suvonne Lee, WBUR reporter who covered Larry Summers' resignation and related emails. She discusses Summers’ ties to Jeffrey Epstein and the university’s response. She also walks through the U.S.-Iran talks in Geneva and the stakes around nuclear and missile limits. Finally, she covers Cuba’s deadly boat strike and the questions it raises about motives and regional fallout.
150 snips
Feb 25, 2026 • 13min
Trump Delivers State Of The Union, Economic Focus, Aviation Safety Bill
Joel Rose, NPR transportation correspondent, explains aviation policy and the failed Rotor Act vote. Scott Horsley, NPR chief economics correspondent, analyzes economic policy, inflation, and the president's State of the Union claims. They discuss the president's lengthy speech and contested economic assertions. They also break down the aviation safety bill's collapse and what might come next.
193 snips
Feb 24, 2026 • 14min
Trump State of the Union Strategy, Mexico Cartel Violence, Epstein Files Naming Trump
Ada Peralta, NPR reporter in Mexico covering cartel violence and the fallout after El Mencho's death. Franco Ordoñez, NPR White House correspondent analyzing the president's State of the Union strategy. They discuss political optics and policy messaging. They describe cartel retaliation in Guadalajara and Mexico’s shift to a more forceful strategy. They cover withheld DOJ pages referencing allegations tied to Trump.
173 snips
Feb 23, 2026 • 14min
Trump's New Tariffs, China Reacts To Tariff Ruling, State Of The Union Poll
Domenico Montanaro, NPR poll analyst decoding voter attitudes before the State of the Union. Jennifer Pack, Shanghai-based China reporter on Beijing's response to U.S. tariff rulings. Mara Laison, political correspondent on the domestic fallout and midterm stakes. They discuss new 15% tariffs, how China and exporters are reacting, and what poll numbers mean for political messaging.
Feb 22, 2026 • 25min
Hollywood’s Love Affair with VistaVision
Mandalit Del Barco, NPR culture correspondent covering film and cinema, narrates VistaVision’s comeback. She traces its 1950s origins, explains the format’s technical quirks, and explores why modern filmmakers are reviving it to lure audiences back to theaters. The story includes vintage camera challenges, effects-era reinvention, and why some directors prefer film’s analog look.
62 snips
Feb 21, 2026 • 16min
Court Invalidates Tariffs, Military Options Regarding Iran, Olympic Matchup Preview
Becky Sullivan, NPR sports correspondent in Milan covering the U.S.-Canada men's Olympic hockey final. Greg Myrie, NPR national security correspondent on U.S. force posture and options in the Middle East. Daniel Kurtzleben, NPR White House correspondent on the Supreme Court decision overturning import-tax emergency and potential tariff routes. They discuss the ruling, military options regarding Iran, and the high-stakes hockey gold-medal matchup.
