Up First from NPR

Today on The Sunday Story host Ayesha Rascoe heads to Westchester County, in upstate New York to meet with The New York Times Crossword editor Will Shortz. The two sit down at the table tennis center Will owns to talk about how he became the Puzzlemaster on Weekend Edition Sunday, his love for all things puzzles and how recently, in his seventies, he has finally found love in his personal life as well.

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Hamas released 24 hostages Friday as Israel freed 39 Palestinian prisoners. Another exchange is expected today. Anti-immigrant sentiment fuels looting and vandalism in central Dublin. Why "buy now pay later" plans are expected to grow even more common this holiday season.

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A four day cease-fire takes effect between Israel and Gaza ahead of the possible release of 50 hostages for 150 Palestinian prisoners. Progressive prosecutors across the country face resistance from police departments that see them as soft on crime. And a journalist remembers the impact Rosalynn Carter had on journalism related to the often neglected subject of mental health.

Up First is produced by Ana Perez, Claire Murashima, and Chad Campbell. Our editors are Michael Sullivan, Barrie Hardimon, and Diane Webber. We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott and Josephine Nyounai. And our technical director is Carleigh Strange.

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Israel says the release of 50 hostages in Gaza in return for 150 Palestinians will not start before Friday. Retailers forecast a record numbers of shoppers over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. Protesters rally against a new, police training facility in Atlanta.

Up First is produced by Ana Perez, Claire Murashima, and Chad Campbell. Our editors are Michael Sullivan, Emily Kopp, Susanna Capeluto. We get engineering support from Gilly Moon, Phil Edfors, and Kwesi Lee. And our technical director is Stacey Abbott.

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Israel and Hamas agree to a deal involving the release of some hostages in exchange for a multi-day cease-fire. Sam Altman returns to OpenAI as CEO after days of turmoil at the artificial intelligence company. And Wisconsin's Supreme Court hears a case related to gerrymandering in the state.

Up First is produced by Ana Perez, Claire Murashima and Chad Campbell. Our editors are Didi Schanche, Uri Berliner and Ben Swayse. We get engineering support from Phil Edfors and Arthur Laurent. And our technical director is Stacey Abbott.

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Ukraine enters winter with stalled front lines and uncertainty over the West's continued support for its war with Russia. Migrants set up camps in the tiny border town of Jacumba, California without basic necessities or support from aid organizations. And tens of millions of travelers prepare to take to the skies as Thanksgiving nears.

Up First is produced by Ana Perez, Chad Campbell and Claire Murashima. Our editors are Michael Sullivan, Andrea DeLeon, and Russell Lewis. We get engineering support from Carleigh Strange and Arthur Laurent. And our technical director is Stacey Abbott.

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Officials discuss a possible deal related to the release of some hostages in Gaza in exchange for a pause in fighting. Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter dies at 96 in Plains, Georgia. And Javier Milei wins Argentina's presidential run-off.

Up First is produced by Ana Perez, Chad Campbell and Claire Murashima. Our editors are Susanna Capelouto, Michael Sullivan and Tara Neill. We get engineering support from Carleigh Strange and Arthur Laurent. And our technical director is Stacey Abbott.

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In 2011, NPR correspondent Howard Berkes noticed an anomaly in the sidebar of a government report on the Upper Big Branch mine disaster in West Virginia. It suggested that there was an extraordinarily high rate of black lung disease among the coal miners who'd been killed in the explosion. And it set him on a decade-long investigation to understand the cause of a hidden epidemic, the toll it took on miners and their families, and why government agencies had failed to prevent it.

You can find more of Howard's landmark reporting on black lung disease on the episode page.

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Israeli troops are evacuating Al-Shifa Hospital now that it's under their control. A maverick politician could become Argentina's next president. Why would a movie studio decide against releasing a movie it's already finished?

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Israel says it is uncovering an intricate network of tunnels used by Hamas in Gaza. Members of United Auto Workers approve a contract negotiated by the union. And prosecutors in Guatemala say they intend to bring charges against President-elect Bernardo Arevalo.

Up First is produced by Ana Perez and Shelby Hawkins. Our editors are Michael Sullivan, Emily Kopp and Tara Neill. We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott and Arthur Laurent. Our technical director is Carleigh Strange. Our show director is Ziad Buchh. And our executive producer is Erika Aguilar.

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