Home Podcasts Up First from NPR
Up First from NPR

Up First from NPR

NPR 500 Episodes Aug 23, 2026

NPR's Up First delivers the three biggest news stories of the day in 10 minutes, available weekdays at 6:30 a.m. ET. Hosted by Leila Fadel, Steve Inskeep, Michel Martin, and A Martinez, the podcast provides concise reporting and analysis from NPR News. Saturday editions feature Ayesha Rascoe and Scott Simon, while Sundays offer a deeper exploration with "The Sunday Story." Listeners can support their local NPR station at donate.npr.org.

Episodes

A visit to the remote Pacific island ecosystem losing protections
A visit to the remote Pacific island ecosystem losing protections Aug 23, 2026 1577 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
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 908 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.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship
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 775 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 ball
Trump Warns Economic Warfare For Aiding Iran, Federal Debt Grows, Venezuela Oil Deals
Trump Warns Economic Warfare For Aiding Iran, Federal Debt Grows, Venezuela Oil Deals Aug 20, 2026 832 President Trump is warning of economic consequences for any country that supports Iran as he tries to wind down the war, leaving Gulf allies worried about their future with their powerful neighbor.The U.S. national debt has topped 40 trillion dollars, with the government now spending more on interest than on defense and driving up the cost of everything from mortgages to small business loans.U.S.
Florida Primary Results, US-Canada Tariffs, Meta Trial Begins
Florida Primary Results, US-Canada Tariffs, Meta Trial Begins Aug 19, 2026 798 Alaska, Florida, and Wyoming held primaries last night, with a mixed showing for progressives in Florida, including a surprise win in the Democratic Senate primary.President Trump pushed back new tariffs on Canada by three days after saying the two countries may restart a controversial oil pipeline, though the bigger North American trade deal is still up in the air.A major trial against Meta began
Kushner Netanyahu Gaza Meeting, Iran War Depleting US Military, FL, AK, WY Primaries
Kushner Netanyahu Gaza Meeting, Iran War Depleting US Military, FL, AK, WY Primaries Aug 18, 2026 757 Jared Kushner and Prime Minister Netanyahu met for hours in Jerusalem over the future of Gaza and came out sounding hopeful, though Israel still hasn't committed to the U.S. peace plan that Hamas has already agreed to, with an Israeli withdrawal the main sticking point. The war with Iran is draining America's military and it's being felt across the world, as the U.S. runs low on warships and inter
Relief En Route To USS Lincoln, Ukraine's Drone Barrage On Russia, Kushner Gaza Talks
Relief En Route To USS Lincoln, Ukraine's Drone Barrage On Russia, Kushner Gaza Talks Aug 17, 2026 785 The USS George Washington aircraft carrier is on its way to the Middle East to relieve the USS Abraham Lincoln, which has been at the center of concerns over crew mental health and a lack of fresh food and supplies on the ship.Ukraine launched one of its largest attacks on Russia since the war began, sending more than 800 drones toward Moscow and other areas. At least 20 people have been killed in
Hot Dam: Why beavers are Britain’s new climate heroes
Hot Dam: Why beavers are Britain’s new climate heroes Aug 16, 2026 1595 Four hundred years ago, the last of Britain’s native beavers were hunted to extinction. But in 2009, scientists began a grand experiment to bring the furry, buck-toothed rodents back. They relocated a pair of Norwegian beavers to a remote rainforest in Scotland, hoping they’d become the Adam and Eve of a new line of British beavers. Today on The Sunday Story, NPR’s Lauren Frayer travels from the w
Retail Sales Drop, U.S. Warships in Distress, Accurately Polling the Electorate
Retail Sales Drop, U.S. Warships in Distress, Accurately Polling the Electorate Aug 15, 2026 1038 Paychecks aren't keeping pace with rising prices, and households are feeling the squeeze. Sailors on the ships deployed to the Middle East are straining without enough clean water and fresh food. In the thick of primary season for the midterms, how reliable is polling? Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include sponsor-free listenin
Poor Conditions on USS Lincoln, Economic Warfare on Iran, Ukraine's Drone Campaign
Poor Conditions on USS Lincoln, Economic Warfare on Iran, Ukraine's Drone Campaign Aug 14, 2026 793 Lawmakers want the Pentagon to investigate reports of food shortages, poor sanitation and lack of mental health care for sailors aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, which has been out at sea for nearly 9 months. And the Trump administration says it’s gearing up for economic warfare against Iran. What will it mean for ordinary Iranians already suffocating under high inflation? Plus, Ukraine is using dr
Democrat Ro Khanna’s 2028 pitch: tax the rich, regulate tech | NPR's Newsmakers
Democrat Ro Khanna’s 2028 pitch: tax the rich, regulate tech | NPR's Newsmakers Aug 13, 2026 2737 Congressman Ro Khanna says America needs an “economic realignment.”Fresh off a tour through his birthplace of Pennsylvania, Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., said he is “thinking seriously” about running for president in 2028 — a race he called a “breaking point in America” that could lead to a destructive revolution or a new economic order. “If we don't do something dramatically different, we may break,”
Democratic Party Divide, Lettuce is Saving You Green, Colombia Rescue Efforts
Democratic Party Divide, Lettuce is Saving You Green, Colombia Rescue Efforts Aug 13, 2026 788 Recent primary results were supposed to offer clues on voters’ appetite for progressive candidates. But the results — so far — paint a muddled picture. What does that mean for the party’s midterm strategy? And new inflation numbers are out and lettuce was a highlight. How are the leafy greens impacting the cost of living? Plus, rescue teams in Colombia are racing to find the nearly 500 earthquake

Recommended