Up First from NPR

Latest Episodes:

Venezuela Escalation, Shutdown Layoffs Paused, Military Pay Oct 16, 2025

Show notes

President Trump escalates pressure on Venezuela, authorizing covert CIA operations and striking suspected drug boats. A federal judge pauses the Trump administration’s shutdown layoffs, at least for now. And active-duty troops get paid after a last-minute fix, but military families still feel the strain as the shutdown drags on.
Want more comprehensive 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 Dana Farrington, Emily Kopp, Andrew Sussman, Mohamad ElBardicy and Alice Woelfle

It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Nia Dumas and Milton Guevara.

We get engineering support from Zac Coleman. And our technical director is Stacey Abbott.
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

Gaza Ceasefire Tested, Shutdown Stalemate, SCOTUS Voting Rights Oct 15, 2025

Show notes

Hamas hands over more bodies of deceased hostages as tensions rise in Gaza over the next phase of the ceasefire deal. The government shutdown stretches into its third week with no negotiations underway, as pressure builds on both parties to break the stalemate. And the Supreme Court takes up a major case on Louisiana’s congressional map that could weaken the Voting Rights Act nationwide.
Want more comprehensive 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 Miguel Macias, Jason Breslow, Anna Yukhananov, Mohamad ElBardicy and Martha Ann Overland.

It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Nia Dumas and Christopher Thomas

We get engineering support from Carleigh Strange. And our technical director is Stacey Abbott.
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

What's Next For Gaza?, Trump Return From Middle East Trip, ICE Tactics Oct 14, 2025

Show notes

A fragile ceasefire is holding in Gaza as Hamas fighters return to the streets and freed detainees cross back into the strip. President Trump returns from a Middle East trip celebrating the deal that ended the war, even as questions remain about how long it will last. And Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents are ramping up arrest operations in several cities, raising concerns about ICE tactics in American cities.
Want more comprehensive 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 Miguel Macias, Anna Yukhananov, Gigi Douban, Mohamad ElBardicy and Martha Ann Overland.

It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Nia Dumas and Christopher Thomas

We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott. And our technical director is Carleigh Strange.
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

Hostages Released, Trump In The Middle East, Shutdown Layoffs Oct 13, 2025

Show notes

Phase one of the Gaza ceasefire is underway as Hamas releases Israeli hostages and thousands of Palestinians held by Israel are being reunited with their families. President Trump addresses Israel's parliament ahead of his trip to Egypt to sign the deal he brokered. And the government shutdown enters its second week, with multiple agencies sending layoff notices and growing pressure on the military payroll.
Want more comprehensive 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 Kate Bartlett, Vincent Ni, Jason Breslow, Mohamad ElBardicy and Martha Ann Overland.

It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Nia Dumas and Christopher Thomas

We get engineering support from David Greenburg. And our technical director is Zac Coleman.
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

ICE Under Trump Oct 12, 2025

Show notes

President Trump campaigned on a promise of mass deportations. Since he took office in January, agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement, also known as ICE, have been increasing detentions to try to meet that goal. Today on The Sunday Story, hear how ICE is changing under the Trump administration from two people who have been working inside the immigration system for decades. Listen to the full Throughline episode here.
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

Nobel Laureate Maria Corina Machado on Regime Change in Venezuela Oct 11, 2025

Show notes

From hiding, Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado reacts to her Nobel Peace Prize, announced Friday, and tells NPR's Ayesha Rascoe why she dedicated the prize in part to President Trump.
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

Israel, Hamas Peace Deal Latest; Federal Worker Layoffs; Health Care Subsidies Oct 11, 2025

Show notes

The peace deal between Israel and Hamas is entering its second day - we'll have the latest on how things are going on the ground. Also, As the shutdown rolls on, the Trump administration announces another series of layoffs among federal workers. Plus, look at subsidies for the Affordable Care Act and why they are at the center of the government shutdown.
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

Gaza Ceasefire, Trump's Middle East Peace Plan, Letitia James Indicted Oct 10, 2025

Show notes

A fragile ceasefire deal is being put to the test as Israeli troops begin pulling back in Gaza. President Trump prepares to travel to the Middle East as the U.S. sends 200 American troops to monitor the agreement between Israel and Hamas. And New York Attorney General Letitia James is indicted on federal bank fraud charges, a case brought on after the president publicly called for her prosecution.

Want more comprehensive 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 Rebecca Rosman, Gerry Holmes, Anna Yukhananov, Mohamad ElBardicy and Martha Ann Overland.

It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Ben Abrams and Christopher Thomas

We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott. And our technical director is Carleigh Strange.

And our Executive Producer is Jay Shaylor
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

Gaza Ceasefire Reached, Shutdown Day 9, Chicago National Guard Oct 09, 2025

Show notes

President Trump says Israel and Hamas have agreed to the first phase of a 20 point peace deal. More than a week into the government shutdown, the parties are largely digging into the same messages about what should happen next. And ICE continues arrest operations in Chicago while National Guard troops from Texas are positioned outside the city, despite a lawsuit by the state and city to block the deployment.
Want more comprehensive 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 Miguel Macias, Kelsey Snell, Cheryl Corley, Mohamad ElBardicy and Alice Woelfle.
It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Ben Abrams, Nia Dumas and Christopher Thomas
We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott. And our technical director is Carleigh Strange.
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

Shutdown Politics, Air Traffic Control Issues, Comey Arraignment Oct 08, 2025

Show notes

The government shutdown enters its second week with no negotiations underway, as President Trump threatens permanent layoffs. The impact of the shutdown is spreading to the skies, where staffing shortages have forced some air traffic control towers to close and ground flights across the country. And former FBI Director James Comey appears in court to face felony charges, a case driven by pressure from President Trump.
Want more comprehensive 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 Kelsey Snell, Russell Lewis, Krishnadev Calamur, Mohamad ElBardicy and Alice Woelfle.

It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Nia Dumas and Christopher Thomas

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected