Up First from NPR

Latest Episodes:

Michigan Democrats Feud, Midterm Map Shifts, US-Iran Diplomacy Efforts Nov 02, 2026

Show notes

Michigan Democrats are in open conflict on the eve of the election after Haley Stevens revoked her endorsement of Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed and backed his Republican opponent.
Republicans are defending unexpectedly competitive races across traditionally red territory, from Alaska to Kansas and South Carolina, as the political map continues shifting toward Democrats.
Qatar is pushing a new diplomatic plan to stop Iranian attacks on ships and reopen talks with the U.S. as Gulf states try to prevent another round of war.
Want more analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter.
Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org.
Today’s episode of Up First was edited by Jason Breslow, Brett Neely, Tina Kraja, Miguel Macias, Mohamad ElBardicy and Taylor Haney.
It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Nia Dumas.
Our director is Christopher Thomas.
We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis.
Our technical director is Carleigh Strange.
(0:00) Introduction
(02:11) Michigan Democrats Feud
(06:07) Midterm Map Shifts
(09:54) US-Iran Diplomacy Efforts
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

Who decides the future of America? Nov 01, 2026

Show notes

Millions of Americans have already cast their votes early ahead of Tuesday’s midterms. On this episode of The Sunday Story, NPR’s senior political correspondent Tamara Keith discusses the turbulent and unpredictable political landscape of this years’ midterm election. Rising costs and unpopular foreign policy decisions have some experts anticipating a blue wave. President Trump is predicting the opposite. But voters on both sides of the aisle share one commonality: they’re not happy. How will a dissatisfied electorate decide the future of America?
Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org.
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

Oil Earnings, Binance Heist, A MAHA Update Oct 31, 2026

Show notes

Oil companies are reporting sky-high profits this quarter. Hackers stole $6.3 billion in cryptocurrency this week, in the largest digital heist ever. It’s been just over two years since the rise of Make America Healthy Again. Has the Trump administration made good on the MAHA agenda? Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org.
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

Final Days Of Midterm Campaigning, Alaska Senate Race Controversy, Iran War Plans Oct 30, 2026

Show notes

President Trump is changing his final campaign strategy as Republicans try to close an early-voting gap and hold off Democratic gains in competitive races across the country.
Alaska’s tight Senate race is facing new scrutiny after allegations that Democrats helped recruit a spoiler candidate with the same name as the Republican incumbent, while Mary Peltola denies knowing about the effort.
Connecticut Democratic Senator Chris Murphy, who was briefed on possible new U.S. strikes on Iran, is warning that the plan could trigger a major escalation as American forces continue building up in the region.
Want more analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter.
Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org.
Today’s episode of Up First was edited by Megan Pratz, Miguel Macias, Andrew Sussman, Mohamad ElBardicy and Alice Woelfle.
It was produced by Iman Maani and Nia Dumas.
Our director is Christopher Thomas.
We get engineering support from Carleigh Strange.
Our technical director is Ariel Lopez.
And our Executive Producer is Jay Shaylor.
(0:00) Introduction
(0:53) Final Campaign Days
(4:30) Alaska Senate Race
(8:23) Iran War Plans
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

Midterm Spending Blitz, GDP & Inflations Reports, Israel Election Deadlock & Iran War Oct 29, 2026

Show notes

Ad spending in Kansas’ Senate race has jumped tenfold in weeks as Democrats pour money into Republican-heavy districts in the final days before the midterms.
The economy appears to be growing at a solid pace, but inflation is still running ahead of wages and leaving many Americans feeling worse off financially.
Israel still has no governing majority after its election, leaving Benjamin Netanyahu in office during coalition talks as questions remain about whether the country could launch another strike on Iran.
Want more analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter.
Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org.
Today’s episode of Up First was edited by Megan Pratz, Rafael Nam, Tina Kraja, Mohamad ElBardicy and Alice Woelfle.
It was produced by Iman Maani and Nia Dumas.
Our director is Christopher Thomas.
We get engineering support from Carleigh Strange.
Our technical director is Zac Coleman.
And our deputy Executive Producer is Kelley Dickens.
(0:14) Introduction
(2:07) Midterm Latest
(5:56) GDP and Inflation
(9:25) Israel Election and Iran
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

Trump Rallies For Republicans, Israel Election Results, Fed Interest Rates Meeting Oct 28, 2026

Show notes

President Trump rallied for Republican Senate candidate Ken Paxton in Texas, but his personal grievances kept competing with his party’s closing message ahead of the midterms.
Israel’s election remains too close to call, with Benjamin Netanyahu and Gadi Eisenkot both short of a governing majority and Arab-led parties potentially holding the balance of power.
Investors expect the Federal Reserve to hold interest rates steady today, even as prices rise faster than wages and squeeze household budgets.
Want more analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter.
Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org.
Today’s episode of Up First was edited by Rebekah Metzler, Tina Kraja, Rafael Nam, Mohamad ElBardicy and Alice Woelfle.
It was produced by Iman Maani and Nia Dumas.
Our director is Christopher Thomas.
We get engineering support from Carleigh Strange.
Our technical director is Ariel Lopez.
And our Supervising Producer is Michael Lipkin.
(0:00) Introduction
(1:54) Texas Messaging
(5:39) Israel Election Results
(9:33) Fed Interest Rates
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

Democrats Lead In NPR Poll, Preparations For Election Challenge, Israel Voting Begins Oct 27, 2026

Show notes

A new NPR/PBS News/Marist poll gives Democrats an eight-point lead on the congressional ballot, but lagging enthusiasm among young voters and independents could complicate their push to win Congress.
Democrats are preparing legal and political responses to possible election challenges from President Trump as he offers million-dollar rewards for tips leading to voter fraud convictions.
Israelis vote in a closely fought election that could determine Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s political future, with tens of thousands of Israelis living abroad returning home to cast their ballots.
Want more analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter.
Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org.
Today’s episode of Up First was edited by Jason Breslow, Tina Kraja, Mohamad ElBardicy and Alice Woelfle.
It was produced by Iman Maani and Nia Dumas.
Our director is Christopher Thomas.
We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis.
Our technical director is Ariel Lopez.
And our Supervising Senior Producer is Vince Pearson.
(0:00) Introduction
(1:54) New NPR Poll
(6:09) Democrats and Election Protection
(9:46) Israel Election
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

GOP Redistricting Bust, Lula Wins Brazil Election, Protest Spread In Europe Oct 26, 2026

Show notes

Republicans redrew 15 House districts hoping to protect their majority, but most have become competitive races as the party’s redistricting strategy falls short of expectations.
Brazil’s leftist President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva won reelection after trailing in the first round, but far-right rival Flávio Bolsonaro is demanding the result be thrown out.
Youth-led protest movements are reshaping politics across Europe, from mass demonstrations in France to Serbia, where a student-led movement defeated the longtime ruling party in parliamentary elections.
Want more analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter.
Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org.
Today’s episode of Up First was edited by Kelsey Snell, Tina Kraja, Tara Neill, Mohamad ElBardicy and Olivia Hampton.
It was produced by Iman Maani and Nia Dumas.
Our director is Kaity Kline.
We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis.
Our technical director is Zac Coleman.
(0:00) Introduction
(1:57) GOP Redistricting
(5:52) Brazil Election
(9:33) Europe Protests
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

Pinching pennies, casting ballots: a midterms dispatch from the Midwest Oct 25, 2026

Show notes

The Midwest used to be known as an affordable place to live. Lately, though, many people there are having a hard time making ends meet. In this episode of The Sunday Story, Holly Edgell and Daniel Wheaton from NPR’s Midwest Newsroom bring us the voices of Midwesterners. We hear about how people in the region are struggling financially, and how the affordability crisis is impacting their votes in the midterms.
You can hear more of the “Costly” series here
Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org.
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

Websites Go Offline, Protests in France, Netflix Downsizes Oct 24, 2026

Show notes

AI discovered a vulnerability in part of the internet's architecture, called PHP2SHELL. Security researchers rushed to fix it, but the news leaked and hackers have swooped in. France deploys hordes of police as another wave of protests begin. Netflix is regrouping after the release of its latest quarterly earnings this week.
Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org.
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

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected