Episodes

  • Trump Addresses Nation, Congress ACA Vote, Venezuela Oil Tankers

    Trump Addresses Nation, Congress ACA Vote, Venezuela Oil Tankers
    Dec 18 2025

    In a nationwide address, President Trump says the U.S. is poised for an economic boom and that high prices are falling rapidly. Four Republicans joined Democrats to force a vote on a three year extension of the enhanced healthcare subsidies. And, President Trump has ordered a ban on all sanctioned oil tankers going to and from Venezuela.

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    Today’s episode of Up First was edited by Rebekah Metzler, Kelsey Snell, Andrew Sussman, Lisa Thomson and Alice Woelfle.

    It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Nia Dumas and Christopher Thomas. We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott. Our technical director is Carleigh Strange.And our deputy Executive Producer is Kelley Dickens.


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    13 mins
  • Republican Healthcare Vote, Susie Wiles Interview, Nuclear Reactor Regulations

    Republican Healthcare Vote, Susie Wiles Interview, Nuclear Reactor Regulations
    Dec 17 2025

    Congress has two days to take action on health care subsidies, before lawmakers head home for the holiday recess. Vanity Fair has published a story featuring rare interviews conducted over more than a year with White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles. And, the Trump administration is fast-tracking construction of new nuclear reactor designs.

    Want more 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, Rebekah Metzler, Brett Neely, Lisa Thomson and Alice Woefle.

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

    We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott. Our technical director is Carleigh Strange. And our Supervising Editor is Jan Johnson.

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    13 mins
  • Nick Reiner Arrested, Brown University Suspect Search, Bondi Beach Aftermath

    Nick Reiner Arrested, Brown University Suspect Search, Bondi Beach Aftermath
    Dec 16 2025

    A son of filmmaker Rob Reiner and producer Michele Singer Reiner has been arrested on suspicion of murder and is being held without bail. Authorities in Rhode Island are asking for the public’s help in identifying the gunman behind the shooting at Brown University. And, Australian authorities say the two suspected gunmen behind the mass shooting at a Hanukkah celebration on Bondi Beach were inspired by Islamic State.

    Want more 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 Matteen Mokalla, Andrea DeLeon, Rebecca Rosman, Lisa Thomson and Alice Woefle.

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

    We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott. Our technical director is Carleigh Strange. And our Supervising Senior Producer is Vince Pearson.


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    13 mins
  • Bondi Beach Attack, Brown University Latest, Reiner Investigation

    Bondi Beach Attack, Brown University Latest, Reiner Investigation
    Dec 15 2025
    Australian authorities have more detail about who they believe killed at least 15 people in a shooting at a Hanukkah celebration over the weekend. Authorities say they’ll release a “Person of Interest" detained after the Brown University shooting. And, police are investigating the reported deaths of actor and director Rob Reiner and his wife Michele Singer Reiner.

    Want more 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, Alfredo Carbajal, Matteen Mokalla , Lisa Thomson and Arezou Rezvani.

    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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    13 mins
  • Best Friends and Life Partners

    Best Friends and Life Partners
    Dec 14 2025
    What was the biggest thing that changed for you this year? We’ll go first: our host Ayesha Rascoe bought a house with her best friend! Now the two of them are living together and platonically coparenting five kids under the same roof. The seed of this idea actually came from a conversation Ayesha had last year, when she sat down with NPR producer and editor Rhaina Cohen to talk about her book, "The Other Significant Others: Reimagining Life with Friendship at the Center." In the book, Rhaina shares stories about friends who own homes together, raise kids with each other, and care for each other in old age. At the end of the year, when so many of us are reflecting on personal milestones and relationships, we’re sharing Ayesha and Rhaina’s conversation again. Because so much is possible when you choose to put friendship at the center of your life.


    This interview originally aired on February 11, 2024.

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    24 mins
  • Health Care Subsidies, Flooding In Washington, DOJ Under President Trump

    Health Care Subsidies, Flooding In Washington, DOJ Under President Trump
    Dec 13 2025
    Health care subsidies are set to expire at the end of this year. Millions of Americans face price hikes but can Congress reach a deal to alleviate the pain? Historic flooding hits part of the Pacific Northwest, we’ll have the latest from Washington. Plus, a look at the U.S. Justice Department under President Trump.

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    15 mins
  • Zelenskyy and Peace Promises, Abrego Garcia Release, Indiana Rejects Redistricting

    Zelenskyy and Peace Promises, Abrego Garcia Release, Indiana Rejects Redistricting
    Dec 12 2025
    Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he’s willing to hold elections if the US and other allies help ensure security. Is that a promise Trump can make as he pushes Ukraine to surrender territory to Russia? Also, Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a man illegally deported by the Trump administration in March and eventually returned, is now free from immigration custody. Plus, Republicans in Indiana have rejected a redistricting proposal. President Trump successfully pushed other states to redraw their congressional maps to help Republicans win next year’s midterm elections, so why did Indiana’s Republicans break with the president?

    Want more 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, Anna Yukhananov, Larry Kaplow and Alice Woelfle.

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

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

    Our Executive Producer is Jay Shaylor.

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    13 mins
  • ACA Vote, Fed Cuts Interest Rates, US-Venezuela

    ACA Vote, Fed Cuts Interest Rates, US-Venezuela
    Dec 11 2025
    With Obamacare health insurance subsidies set to expire this month, millions of Americans are bracing for massive increases in healthcare costs. Also, the Federal Reserve’s decision to cut interest rates may help the job market but hurt efforts to wrangle inflation. Will the central bank continue slashing rates into 20-26? Plus, the Trump administration says it’s seized an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela.

    Want more 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 Diane Webber, Rafael Nam, Andrew Sussman and Alice Woelfle.

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

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

    Our Deputy Executive Producer is Kelley Dickens.

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    14 mins