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SCOTUS Immigration Sweeps Ruling, Limited Epstein Files, Trump's Handling of Russia Sep 09, 2025

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The Supreme Court clears the way for President Trump’s immigration sweeps in Los Angeles, even when agents use race and accents as a factor. The House Oversight Committee released a limited batch of Epstein estate documents, including a crude birthday letter that appears signed by President Trump. And Russia’s war on Ukraine is only intensifying, despite Trump’s threats of sanctions and his high-profile talks with Russia's president.
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Today’s episode of Up First was edited by Eric Westervelt, Megan Pratz, Andrew Sussman, Mohamad ElBardicy and Alice Woefle

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

We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis. And our technical director is Carleigh Strange.
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Trump and Chicago, Trump Assassination Attempt Trial, Russia Ukraine Drone Attacks Sep 08, 2025

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President Trump walks back a weekend social media post warning Chicago is “about to find out why it’s called the Department of WAR,” while the city braces for possible immigration crackdowns and National Guard deployment. Jury selection begins for Ryan Routh, the man accused of attempting to assassinate President Trump, as he represents himself in court. And Russia launches its largest drone assault of the war, striking a government building in Kyiv and testing the limits of U.S. mediation.
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Today’s episode of Up First was edited by Gigi Douban, Russell Lewis, Miguel Macias, Mohamad ElBardicy and Alice Woefle.

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

When the Oil Runs Dry Sep 07, 2025

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Drilling for oil has been going on in the US for over 150 years. Across the country we have bored millions of holes in the ground to pump the liquid gold that has fueled the country's energy appetite. But those wells don’t last forever. When the oil begins to dry up, wells are supposed to be plugged to prevent toxic, climate-altering chemicals from escaping. So why then is there, by some estimates, more than 2 million unplugged abandoned wells around the country? Today on The Sunday Story, NPR correspondent Camila Domonoske joins to talk about the lingering effects of these old wells and why it's so hard to find a long-term fix.
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Feds Eye More Cities, Hyundai Plant Raid, Influential Pastor Sep 06, 2025

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The Trump administration is eying more cities even as it builds up a National Guard presence near Chicago and fights a lawsuit by Los Angeles. Federal immigration authorities arrested nearly 500 workers they said were in the U.S. illegally at a South Korean battery maker's Georgia construction site. An Idaho pastor is gaining influence among national Republicans and expanding his presence in Washington, D.C.
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RFK Jr. Grilled, Europeans Pledge Troops to Ukraine, DC Sues Trump Admin Sep 05, 2025

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Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has defended his actions on vaccines in a contentious Senate hearing. European leaders have finalized a commitment to provide post-war security guarantees for Ukraine, including troops. And, the Attorney General for the District of Columbia has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration calling the use of the National Guard in the District illegal.

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Today’s episode of Up First was edited by Diane Webber, Miguel Macias, Martha Ann Overland, Lisa Thomson and Alice Woelfle. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Nia Dumas and Christopher Thomas. We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis. Our technical director is Carleigh Strange. Our Executive Producer is Jay Shaylor.

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RFK Jr. Testifies Before Senate, Fed Confirmation Hearing, Harvard's Legal Victory Sep 04, 2025

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Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will testify in the Senate today following a week of upheaval at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A Senate committee holds a hearing on President Trump’s nominee to fill a vacant seat on the Federal Reserve Board of Governors. And, a federal judge in Boston has handed Harvard University a win, ruling the Trump administration unlawfully froze billions of dollars in research funds.
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Today’s episode of Up First was edited by Diane Webber, Rafael Nam, Lauren Migaki, Lisa Thomson and Alice Woelfle. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Nia Dumas and Christopher Thomas. We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis. And our technical director is Carleigh Strange.

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Lawmakers Call For Epstein Files, Trump's Crypto Token, China's Military Parade Sep 03, 2025

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Members of Congress are trying to force a vote to make the Trump administration release more of the Epstein files. The cryptocurrency World Liberty Financial co-founded by the President and his sons started trading publicly this week. And, China held a military parade to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.
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Today’s episode of Up First was edited by Megan Pratz, Rafael Nam, Ryland Barton, Lisa Thomson and Alice Woefle. 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.
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Government Shutdown Looms, Brazil's Ex-President on Trial, Earthquake in Afghanistan Sep 02, 2025

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Congress returns to Washington following the August recess as a deadline to avoid a government shutdown looms. The former President of Brazil is on trial for attempting to overthrow the government. And, the Taliban is calling for international aid as rescue efforts continue following a deadly earthquake in Afghanistan.
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Today’s episode of Up First was edited by Anna Yukhananov, Tara Neill, Ryland Barton, Lisa Thomson and Alice Woelfle. 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.

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European Troop Coalition, Heads of State Meet in China, Trump and Labor Day Sep 01, 2025

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European leaders are drafting plans to send a coalition of troops to Ukraine as part of a possible post-war security guarantee. China's President Xi Jinping is hosting the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit with the leaders of Russia and India gathering in a challenge to US influence. And, how The Trump administration is faring with workers as the President marks his first Labor Day since returning to the White House.
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Today’s episode of Up First was edited by Kevin Drew, Miguel Macias, Emily Kopp, Lisa Thomson and Alice Woefle. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Nia Dumas and Christopher Thomas. We get engineering support from Thomas Marchitto. And our technical director is Zach Coleman.
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A CLEAR Path to the Front of the Line Aug 31, 2025

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Air travel is stressful enough–and then there are people who can pay to jump the queue. How do some people get ushered straight to the front of the airport security line, while others find themselves waiting? The answer lies in the rise of a private company, CLEAR. Today on The Sunday Story, we look at how CLEAR inched its way into airport security. What actually happens when public and private interests try to coexist?
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