President Trump disputes the CDC director's testimony to congressional leaders on a coronavirus vaccine timeline and masks. Also, the spokesman for the Department of Health and Human Services is taking a leave of absence after he falsely accused government scientists of engaging in "sedition" and "sacrificing lives" for political gain. And, tropical depression Sally is slowly moving inland after it smashed into the coast of Alabama and Florida as a Category 2 Hurricane. Torrential rain brought historic flooding leaving half a million people without power.

Thursday, September 17, 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

Arizona is now the fourth state to bring "fake elector" charges against allies of Donald Trump. The U.S. Supreme Court hears arguments today about whether Trump is immune from criminal prosecution for his official acts as president. And Up First's Steve Inskeep is on a reporting trip in China, where economic pessimism is rising amid frayed U.S. ties.

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 Ben Swasey, Krishnadev Calamur, Reena Advani, Elana Perl, Jan Johnson and Ben Adler. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Ben Abrams, Taylor Haney 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

Arizona Fake Electors, Trump Immunity Arguments, Steve's In China

The New York jury weighing criminal charges against Donald Trump has now heard from the trial's first witness. Elon Musk's Tesla is running into a whole lot of red lights: slumping sales, mass layoffs, and now a 55 percent drop in profits. And more than 100 people who reported being abused by former USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar will share a nearly $140 million settlement. 

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, Emily Kopp, Cheryl Corley, Jan Johnson 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

First Trump Trial Witness, Tesla's Tough Spot, Nassar Victims' Settlement

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

Thursday, September 17, 2020

Download our free app to listen on your phone