Episodes

  • Bracing For Hurricane Isaias, Ukraine Pushes Russia Back, Iran War Impact On Midterms

    Bracing For Hurricane Isaias, Ukraine Pushes Russia Back, Iran War Impact On Midterms
    Oct 9 2026
    Hurricane Isaias is expected to strike near the Alabama-Florida state line as communities prepare for dangerous winds, flooding and a life-threatening storm surge.
    Ukraine is reclaiming territory in the east with a counteroffensive that uses drones and unmanned ground vehicles to push back Russian forces.
    President Trump says the U.S. will not launch new strikes on Iran before the midterm elections as the unpopular war weighs on Republicans heading into Election Day.

    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 Susanna Capelouto, Tina Kraja, Megan Pratz, Mohamad ElBardicy and Alice Woelfle.

    It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Nia Dumas.

    Our director is Christopher Thomas.

    We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott

    Our technical director is Carleigh Strange.

    And our Executive Producer is Jay Shaylor.

    (0:00) Introduction
    (01:56) Bracing For Hurricane Isaias
    (05:40) Ukraine Pushes Russia Back
    (08:59) Iran War Impact On Midterms

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    13 mins
  • Hurricane Isaias Prep, Competitive Midterm Races, Trump's Media Ban In Court

    Hurricane Isaias Prep, Competitive Midterm Races, Trump's Media Ban In Court
    Oct 8 2026
    Communities along the Alabama and Florida Gulf Coast are preparing for Hurricane Isaias as officials warn of flooding, damaging winds and disruptions to weekend events.
    Democrats are targeting House districts President Trump won comfortably in 2024, while Republicans spend heavily to defend seats that would normally be considered safe.
    CNN, MS NOW and Politico are back in federal court challenging the Trump administration’s efforts to restrict their reporters’ access to the White House.

    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 Susanna Capelouto, Megan Pratz, Emily Kopp, Mohamad ElBardicy and Alice Woelfle.

    It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Nia Dumas.

    Our director is Christopher Thomas.

    We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott.

    Our technical director is Carleigh Strange.

    And our deputy Executive Producer is Kelley Dickens.

    (0:00) Introduction
    (01:51) Preparations For Isaias Storm
    (05:56) Competitive Midterm Races
    (09:36) Trump Media Ban In Court

    See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.

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    14 mins
  • Threats On US Bases Overseas, France Student Protest, German Spy Arrest

    Threats On US Bases Overseas, France Student Protest, German Spy Arrest
    Oct 7 2026
    The U.S. pulled a dozen bombers out of Britain after officials identified a credible Iran-linked threat, raising new questions about how exposed American forces are to drone attacks overseas.
    French students are protesting teacher shortages, overcrowded classrooms and deteriorating schools as demonstrations spread nationwide and clashes with police intensify.
    Germany has arrested former intelligence chief August Hanning on suspicion of attempted treason after prosecutors accused him of obtaining classified documents for a foreign spy service.

    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 Andrew Sussman, Tina Kraja, Miguel Macias, Mohamad ElBardicy and Alice Woelfle.

    It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Nia Dumas.

    Our director is Christopher Thomas.

    We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott.

    Our technical director is Carleigh Strange.

    And our Supervising Producer is Michael Lipkin.

    (0:00) Introduction
    (01:51) Threats On US Bases Overseas
    (05:31) France Student Protest
    (09:26) German Spy Arrest

    See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.

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    13 mins
  • Democrats Lead In Midterm Polls, Yemen War Front, Paramount-Warner Bros. Merger

    Democrats Lead In Midterm Polls, Yemen War Front, Paramount-Warner Bros. Merger
    Oct 6 2026
    With four weeks until the midterms, Democrats have the advantage in the polls and are increasingly competitive in Senate races that once looked safe for Republican.
    Saudi-backed forces in Yemen say they have pushed Houthi rebels back from areas around a key Red Sea shipping route, as the Houthis strike Saudi oil facilities and the fighting draws in more outside powers.
    Paramount and Warner Brothers are combining in a $111 billion merger that will bring major studios, streaming services, CNN and CBS News under one company.

    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, Tina Kraja, Russell Lewis, Mohamad ElBardicy and Alice Woelfle.

    It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Nia Dumas.

    Our director is Christopher Thomas.

    We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis and Stacey Abbott.

    Our technical director is Carleigh Strange.

    And our Supervising Senior Producer is Vince Pearson.

    (0:00) Introduction
    (02:12) Democrats Lead In Midterm Polls
    (06:41) Yemen War Front
    (10:20) Paramount-Warner Bros. Merger

    See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.

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    14 mins
  • FlyDubai Pilot Investigation, SCOTUS Climate Change Case, Brazil Runoff Election

    FlyDubai Pilot Investigation, SCOTUS Climate Change Case, Brazil Runoff Election
    Oct 5 2026
    Investigators now believe the Flydubai co-pilot who attacked the captain intended to crash the plane into Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport, raising new questions about how he was cleared to fly the route.
    The Supreme Court begins a new term with a case that could shape whether states and cities can make energy companies pay for climate-related damage.
    Brazil’s presidential election is headed to a runoff after Flávio Bolsonaro finished ahead of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, giving the right a stronger showing than expected.

    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 Tina Kraja, Anna Yukhananov, Tara Neill, 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 and Patrick Murray.

    Our technical director is Carleigh Strange.

    (0:00) Introduction
    (01:52) FlyDubai Pilot Investigation
    (05:19) SCOTUS Climate Change Case
    (09:03) Brazil Runoff Election

    See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.

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    13 mins
  • Fox News wanted war images in Ukraine - their journalists died

    Fox News wanted war images in Ukraine - their journalists died
    Oct 4 2026
    Fox News Correspondent Benjamin Hall had been accused by a colleague of taking unnecessary risks when reporting in Syria. Later, Fox News assigned Hall to cover the war in Ukraine.

    NPR’s David Folkenflik brings the in-depth story of a fatal reporting trip near Kyiv, where Hall was gravely wounded and two other Fox News journalists were killed. Now, the journalists’ families are suing Fox, saying the network put the story ahead of its people. One of the lawsuits says Fox gave Hall free rein to push the Fox news team into an area he’d been repeatedly warned was off limits.

    You can read more of David Folkenflik’s reporting on this story here.

    See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.

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    35 mins
  • Growing Black Unemployment, Taxing California Billionaires, New Supreme Court Cases

    Growing Black Unemployment, Taxing California Billionaires, New Supreme Court Cases
    Oct 3 2026
    The U.S. economy added fewer jobs than expected last month, and Black unemployment spiked. California voters will decide whether the state should charge a one-time tax on billionaires, an idea that has split Democrats. The Supreme Court begins its new term on Monday, with cases involving climate change, guns and religious rights.
    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.

    See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.

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    16 mins
  • Wages Vs Inflation, Tennessee Failed Execution, Cornell Rape Case Special Prosecutor

    Wages Vs Inflation, Tennessee Failed Execution, Cornell Rape Case Special Prosecutor
    Oct 2 2026
    A new jobs report offers the latest look at a slowing labor market as workers deal with wages that are not keeping up with prices and higher borrowing costs.
    Tennessee has paused executions after Christa Pike survived two doses of a lethal injection drug, marking the state’s second failed execution this year.
    New York’s governor has appointed a special prosecutor in the Cornell sexual assault case after new questions emerged about what information campus police shared with the local district attorney.

    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 Rafael Nam, Susanna Capeluto, Gigi Douban, Mohamad ElBardicy and Alice Woelfle.

    It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Nia Dumas.

    Our director is Christopher Thomas.

    We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis and Patrick Murray.

    Our technical director is Carleigh Strange.

    And our Executive Producer is Jay Shaylor.

    (0:00) Introduction
    (02:29) Wages Vs Inflation
    (06:17) Tennessee Failed Execution
    (09:54) Cornell Rape Case Special Prosecutor

    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
    Show More Show Less
    14 mins