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Up First from NPR

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 public media by joining NPR+ at plus.npr.org. You’ll get perks for over 25 NPR podcasts, including sponsor-free listening for Up First, NPR News Now, and more.Copyright 2015-2026 NPR - For Personal Use Only Daily Politics & Government
Episodes
  • A visit to the remote Pacific island ecosystem losing protections

    A visit to the remote Pacific island ecosystem losing protections
    Aug 23 2026
    A thousand miles south of Hawaii, in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, a series of tiny islands form an atoll, called Palmyra. Palmyra Atoll is part of four protected U.S. marine monuments, forming the country’s largest environmental conservation area. It is also home to a thriving ecosystem of birds, marine life, and one of the most pristine coral reefs in the world.

    No people live on Palmyra full time, and it is rare for journalists to be granted access. But the Trump administration is now trying to roll back longstanding protections by opening nearby waters to commercial fishing. NPR’s Lauren Sommer was given access to visit Palmyra Atoll. Newly back from her trip, she tells host Ayesha Rascoe about everything she saw. They talk about the wildlife, the ocean, the reefs, and what the islands and offshore waters mean to native Hawaiians, conservationists, and commercial fishers.

    If you are interested in seeing photos from Lauren’s trip to Palmyra Atoll, you can find them here.

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    26 mins
  • IndyCar in DC; Fresh Tariffs on Canadian Goods; National Debt Hits $40 Trillion

    IndyCar in DC; Fresh Tariffs on Canadian Goods; National Debt Hits $40 Trillion
    Aug 22 2026
    The IndyCar Grand Prix comes to the nation's capital. And, Canada's prime minister suspended trade talks with the U.S., bringing new 50 percent tariffs on a host of Canadian imports. Plus, we'll look at the national debt, which hit $40 trillion earlier this week.


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    15 mins
  • Economic Warfare On Iran, White House Ballroom, Bond Market Warning Signs

    Economic Warfare On Iran, White House Ballroom, Bond Market Warning Signs
    Aug 21 2026
    President Trump is doubling down on economic pressure against Iran, threatening consequences for any country that provides a lifeline as Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent prepares to detail the plan next week.
    The Supreme Court is expected to weigh in on President Trump’s White House ballroom project, which a lawsuit argues needed congressional approval and the administration is now framing the ballroom as a military complex.
    Investors sold off both stocks and bonds as the yield on government debt hit its highest level in nearly two decades, despite efforts by the Treasury to calm the market.

    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, Emily Kopp, Mohamad ElBardicy and Alice Woelfle.

    It was produced by Paige Waterhouse and Nia Dumas.

    Our director is Kaity Kline.

    We get engineering support from Carleigh Strange. Our technical director is Eowyn <> Fain.

    And our executive producer is Jay Shaylor.

    (0:00) Introduction
    (1:54) Economic Warfare on Iran
    (5:47) White House Ballroom
    (9:44) Bond Market Warning Signs

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    13 mins
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