Episodes

  • Wisconsin Supreme Court Race, Florida's Special Elections, Trump's Trade War

    Wisconsin Supreme Court Race, Florida's Special Elections, Trump's Trade War
    Apr 1 2025
    A Wisconsin Supreme Court election has become the most expensive judicial race in American history. Democrats are vying to pick up Congressional seats held by Republicans in two Florida special elections. And, investors are bracing for more turbulence, as President Trump prepares to unveil the next phase in his trade war.

    Want more comprehensive 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 Acacia Squires, Russell Lewis, Rafael Nam, Lisa Thomson and Alice Woelfle.
    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
  • President Trump Third Term, Smithsonian Executive Order, Myanmar Earthquake

    President Trump Third Term, Smithsonian Executive Order, Myanmar Earthquake
    Mar 31 2025
    President Trump declines to rule out the possibility of serving a third term in office as the Constitution stipulates a two-term limit. The executive order "Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History" seeks to influence the Smithsonian Institution and the monuments and memorials overseen by the Department of the Interior. And, the death toll in Myanmar is rising as the window to find survivors following Friday's earthquake closes.

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    Today's episode of Up First was edited by Krishnadev Calamur, Clare Lombardo, Ryland Barton, Lisa Thomson and Alice Woelfle. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Nia Dumas and Chris Thomas. We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis and our technical director is Carleigh Strange.

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    12 mins
  • Gambling with Memes

    Gambling with Memes
    Mar 30 2025
    What do Moo Deng the pygmy hippo, social media sensation Hawk Tuah, and the President of the United States all have in common? They've all inspired highly valuable, highly volatile memecoins. The memecoin began as a sort of joke cryptocurrency, but it soon became very real.

    On today's episode of The Sunday Story, we turn to our friends at NPR's Planet Money to help us understand the phenomenon of memecoins. What are they, and how did they go from a one-off joke to a speculative frenzy worth tens of billions of dollars? Who are the winners and losers in this brazen new market?

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    29 mins
  • Myanmar Quake, Who Pays Tariffs, E.O. Impacts On Arts

    Myanmar Quake, Who Pays Tariffs, E.O. Impacts On Arts
    Mar 29 2025
    A powerful earthquake struck Southeast Asia Friday, killing more than 1,000 people. New tariffs come into effect in days, with American consumers likely paying for them. President Trump's executive actions targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion are having effects on arts and culture across the country.

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    17 mins
  • ICE Student Arrests, HHS Cuts, Stefanik Nomination Pulled, China Trade City

    ICE Student Arrests, HHS Cuts, Stefanik Nomination Pulled, China Trade City
    Mar 28 2025
    The Trump administration has revoked hundreds of visas of foreign students, including PhD student Rumeysa Ozturk who was detained on the street by ICE agents. The Trump administration plans to cut 20,000 jobs from the Department of Health and Human Services. President Trump pulls Elise Stefanik's nomination for UN Ambassador to keep her in the House, protecting the GOP's razor-thin majority. And, NPR looks at how U.S. tariffs are putting pressure on Chinese businesses, with some raising prices and others making trade-offs to stay competitive.

    Want more comprehensive 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 Eric Westervelt, Jane Greenhalgh, Jason Breslow, Reena Advani, Arezou Rezvani and Mohamad ElBardicy.
    It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Milton Guevara, Aowen Cao, Nia Dumas and Christopher Thomas.
    We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis, and our technical director is Carleigh Strange.
    Our Executive Producer is Jay Shaylor.

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    17 mins
  • Intelligence Officials Testify, Trump's Auto Tariffs, DOGE Access

    Intelligence Officials Testify, Trump's Auto Tariffs, DOGE Access
    Mar 27 2025
    A group chat among top U.S. national security officials discussing airstrikes in Yemen has been made public, sparking outrage and raising questions about the Trump administration's handling of classified information. President Trump imposes a 25% tariff on car imports to boost U.S. manufacturing, but auto industry leaders warn it could raise prices and disrupt markets. And, the Department of Government Efficiency's access to sensitive personal data from multiple federal agencies is sparking legal battles over privacy and security.

    Want more comprehensive 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 Anna Yukhananov, Brett Neely, Ryland Barton, Arezou Rezvani and Mohamad ElBardicy.
    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
  • Intel Hearing On Group Chat, Return To Office Mandate, Black Sea Deal

    Intel Hearing On Group Chat, Return To Office Mandate, Black Sea Deal
    Mar 26 2025
    President Trump's top intelligence officials face tough questions from lawmakers after a group chat security breach involving secret war plans and a journalist. Federal workers are being called back to the office, but some are finding chaotic conditions, including assignments to storage units. And, the U.S. brokers a deal to allow safe passage through the Black Sea, but Russia demands sanctions relief before it takes effect.

    Want more comprehensive 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 Anna Yukhananov, Brett Neely, Ryland Barton, Arezou Rezvani and Mohamad ElBardicy.
    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
  • War Plans Group Chat, Alien Enemies Act, U.S. Greenland Visit

    War Plans Group Chat, Alien Enemies Act, U.S. Greenland Visit
    Mar 25 2025
    A national security breach reveals that U.S. military plans were accidentally shared in a group chat on a commercial app, including a journalist. The Trump Administration faces legal challenges over deporting Venezuelan migrants under a centuries-old law, while the White House invokes state secrets privilege to block a court inquiry. And, Second Lady Usha Vance's controversial visit to Greenland raises questions about the U.S. government's intentions amid ongoing diplomatic tensions.

    Want more comprehensive 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 Andrew Sussman, Eric Westervelt, Roberta Rampton, Janaya Williams and Mohamad ElBardicy.
    It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Nia Dumas and Christopher Thomas.
    We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott, and our technical director is Carleigh Strange

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    13 mins