President-elect Joe Biden warns the economy is stalling and the nation needs a stimulus bill to get through the coming "dark winter." Unwilling to wait, Colorado throws an economic lifeline to struggling individuals and businesses. Promising vaccines are leading the way out of the pandemic.

Saturday, December 5th, 2020

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 by 6 a.m. ET, with hosts Leila Fadel, Steve Inskeep, Michel Martin and A Martinez. Also available on Saturdays by 8 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 NPR's reporting by subscribing to Up First+ and unlock sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org/upfirst

News

Daily News

Protests against the war in Gaza on college campuses now stretch from coast to coast. The United Kingdom is ready to pay a country thousands of miles away to take its unwanted refugees. And a years-long labor battle at Starbucks reaches the U.S. Supreme Court, which could set a precedent for future union building efforts.

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 Alfredo Carbajal, Emily Kopp, Nick Spicer, Ally Schweitzer and Ben Adler. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Ben Abrams and Nina Kravinsky. We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis, and our technical director is Stacey Abbott.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

Campus Protests Spread, UK Asylum Law, Starbucks at SCOTUS

Opening arguments begin today in Manhattan: the People of the State of New York vs Donald J. Trump. As the House passed foreign aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan over the weekend, it tucked in a bill that threatens the future of Tiktok in the U.S. And the U.S. Supreme Court takes up homelessness – specifically, the question of whether people can be punished for sleeping outside.

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 Krishnadev Calamur, Julia Buckley, Catherine Laidlaw and Ben Adler. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Ben Abrams and Nina Kravinsky. We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott, and our technical director is Zac Coleman.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

Trump Opening Arguments, TikTok Bill, SCOTUS Homelessness

Historical markers dot the American landscape. They are on the sides of roads, in parks, rest areas, in the middle of nowhere. They purport to offer a glimpse into the past, marking a moment or place of significance worth remembering. But a year-long investigation by NPR's Laura Sullivan found some of these markers present a fractured and confused telling of the American story. Some share humor and joy but many present a version of history that's been distorted or outright fictionalized with offensive lies.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

The Sunday Story: Off The Mark, an NPR investigation into America's historical markers

Congress is expected to vote Saturday on aid for U.S. allies over the objections of some Republicans. Volkswagen workers at a Tennessee plant have voted overwhelmingly to join the United Auto Workers. There are new guidelines to safeguard melatonin overuse by children.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

Congress Votes On Aid, Auto Workers Vote On Unionizing, New Melatonin Guidelines

Less than a week after Iran launched air strikes into Israel, Israel appears to have responded. New York City police raided a college campus and arrested more than 100 students protesting the war in Gaza. And 12 New York City residents now hold Donald Trump's fate in their hands.

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 Mark Katkov, Larry Kaplow, Dana Farrington and Ben Adler. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Ben Abrams and Nina Kravinsky. We get engineering support from Arthur Laurent, and our technical director is Zac Coleman.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

Saturday, December 5th, 2020

Download our free app to listen on your phone