Up First from NPR

The Pentagon is losing experienced leaders under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, raising concerns about depleted weapons stockpiles and the military’s ability to manage a prolonged war with Iran.
President Trump says Venezuela isn't ready for elections, while his Energy Secretary signs new oil deals in Caracas with the unelected government.
In Massachusetts, jurors in the Lindsay Clancy trial told the judge they are deadlocked after five days of deliberations, raising the possibility of a mistrial in the case of a mother accused of killing her three children.

Want more analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter.

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Today’s episode of Up First was edited by Andrew Sussman, Tara Neill, Carmel Wroth, Mohamad ElBardicy, and Alice Woelfle.

It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Nia Dumas.

Our director is Christopher Thomas.

We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis and Patrick Murray. Our technical director is Carleigh Strange.

And our deputy Executive Producer is Kelley Dickens.

(0:00) Introduction
(01:57) Pentagon Exodus Under Hegseth
(05:41) Venezuela Oil and Democracy
(09:23) Clancy Trial Deadlocked

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The U.S. launched a second day of strikes on Iran after Tehran tried to put sea mines in the Strait of Hormuz, with Iran firing back at American bases across the Gulf and claiming an American strike hit a wedding.
Trump is under pressure to bring down gas prices before the midterms, touting a Venezuela oil deal and a meeting with energy executives even though neither is likely to deliver relief by November.
And in Massachusetts, Senator Ed Markey held off a younger primary challenger while other races tested whether Democratic voters want to keep incumbents or push the party further left.

Want more analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter.

Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org.

Today’s episode of Up First was edited by Tina Kraja, Rebekah Metzler, Megan Pratz, Mohamad ElBardicy, and Alice Woelfle.

It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Nia Dumas.

Our director is Christopher Thomas.

We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis. Our technical director is Carleigh Strange.

And our Supervising Producer is Reena Advani.

(0:00) Introduction
(01:58) War In Iran Ramps Up
(05:43) Trump Pressured By Gas Prices
(09:26) Massachusetts Primary Results

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The Supreme Court is allowing construction on the White House ballroom to continue, handing President Trump a victory on the emergency docket without deciding whether the project is legal.
Army Secretary Dan Driscoll has resigned after 18 months on the job amid growing tension with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, part of a wider churn at the Pentagon as the war with Iran continues.
Finance ministers from the world’s biggest economies are meeting in North Carolina, where the U.S. is pressing them to tighten the squeeze on Iran even as some countries question whether Washington is a source of stability or instability.

Want more analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter.

Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org.

Today’s episode of Up First was edited by Anna Yukhananov, Andrew Sussman, Rafael Nam, Mohamad ElBardicy, and Alice Woelfle.

It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Nia Dumas.

Our director is Christopher Thomas.

We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis. Our technical director is Carleigh Strange.

And our Supervising Senior Producer is Vince Pearson.

(0:00) Introduction
(01:59) SCOTUS Allows Ballroom Construction
(05:49) Army Secretary Resigns
(09:35) G20 Summit in North Carolina

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President Trump announced a new oil partnership that would give the U.S. majority control of more than 65 billion barrels of Venezuelan reserves, even as the deal raises questions about Washington’s goals for democracy there.
The U.S. and Iran exchanged fire for the first time in nearly a month after American forces struck Iranian rocket launchers near the Strait of Hormuz and Iran retaliated against U.S. bases in Jordan and the UAE.
The House is back for one week with midterms approaching, aiming to keep the government funded through Election Day while Republicans look for a message that can cut through high prices and an unpopular president.

Want more analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter.

Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org.

Today’s episode of Up First was edited by Dana Farrington, Willem Marx, Mohamad ElBardicy and Adam Bearne.

It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Nia Dumas.

Our director is Christopher Thomas.

We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis. Our technical director is Carleigh Strange.

(0:00) Introduction
(01:57) Trump Venezuela Oil Deal
(05:42) US & Iran Renew Strikes
(09:23) House Back From Recess

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Country singer and rapper Shaboozey is probably best known for his features on Beyonce’s “Cowboy Carter” album, or for his viral, chart-topping single, “A Bar Song (Tipsy).” Now he has returned to the scene with a new, star-studded record about an outlaw out to avenge her father’s death. 

It’s a genre-defying concept album that fuses hip hop with country, spoken-word and ballads – and that features Jamie Foxx, Kehlani, Leon Bridges, Gunna and Sam Elliott. On The Sunday Story, Shaboozey joins Ayesha Rascoe to talk about the inspiration – and intentions – behind “The Outlaw Cherie Lee & Other Western Tales.”

Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org.

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An unusually strong El Niño is disrupting the weather around the globe, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr's anti-vaccination crusade is muddled after two deaths from measles complications, and it's been six ugly months since the U.S. and Israel launched a war with Iran. Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org.

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The flood disaster on the Nepal-Tibet border is far worse than first known, with hundreds now dead and more than a thousand missing, including dozens of Americans, as a lake swelling behind the debris raises fears of a second flood and rescuers race to reach survivors.
Federal Reserve chairman Kevin Warsh gives a speech in Wyoming today after disappointing investors last month with talk of curbing inflation, leaving markets eager to know what he'll actually do about high prices.
And a federal judge is weighing whether President Trump can put his name on the Kennedy Center, where the board wants a sign up within two weeks calling it restored by Trump, even though a court already ruled that renaming the memorial takes an act of Congress.

Want more analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter.

Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org.

Today’s episode of Up First was edited by Tina Kraja, Rafael Nam, Steve Drummond, Mohamad ElBardicy, and Alice Woelfle.

It was produced by Julie Depenbrock and Nia Dumas.

Our director is Christopher Thomas.

We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis. Our technical director is Carleigh Strange.

And our Executive Producer is Jay Shaylor.

(0:00) Introduction
(01:56) Nepal-Tibet Flood Rescue
(05:56) Fed Chair Speech
(09:50) Kennedy Center Renaming Hearing


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President Trump has spent the week picking fights with Iran, China, Canada and even his own party, putting Republicans on the ballot in a tough spot ahead of the midterms.
Meta has agreed to settle with states that accused it of making its apps addictive for kids, paying up to 17 billion dollars and agreeing to change how Facebook and Instagram work for minors.
A glacier collapsed on the border of Nepal and Tibet and unleashed a catastrophic flood that buried whole villages in mud and left hundreds missing.

Want more analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter.

Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org.


Today’s episode of Up First was edited by Kelsey Snell, Diane Webber, Tina Kraja, Mohamad ElBardicy, and Alice Woelfle.

It was produced by Julie Depenbrock and Nia Dumas.

Our director is Christopher Thomas.

We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis. Our technical director is Carleigh Strange.

And our deputy Executive Producer is Kelley Dickens.

(0:00) Introduction
(02:01) Trump Midterm Pressure
(06:00) Meta Settles In Social Media Case
(09:28) Nepal & Tibet Flash Floods

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Dolly Parton has died at the age of 80 after a recent cancer diagnosis. She is remembered as a country legend who became a true American icon.
Canada is striking back in the trade war with the United States, putting tariffs on $20 billion of American goods starting September 8 after talks with Washington collapsed.
And the Trump administration is moving to revoke nearly 200,000 visas by targeting people who came as tourists and later claimed asylum, though some immigration attorneys question whether it will have any real effect.

Want more analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter.

Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org.

Today’s episode of Up First was edited by Jacob Ganz, Rafael Nam, Alina Hartounian, Mohamad ElBardicy, and Alice Woelfle.

It was produced by Julie Depenbrock and Nia Dumas.

Our director is Christopher Thomas.

We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis. Our technical director is Carleigh Strange.

And our Supervising Producer is Michael Lipkin.

(0:00) Introduction
(01:58) Dolly Parton Remembered
(06:51) Canada Hits US With Tariffs
(10:45) US Visa Revocations

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The Trump administration rolled out what it calls the biggest economic offensive ever aimed at a country, naming 60 targets while warning others to cut ties with Iran or face U.S. sanctions of their own, though the toughest measures are still being held in reserve.
In the Gulf, the UAE has already cut all trade with Iran while other neighbors remain in a difficult position, and China continues to buy the bulk of Iranian oil even as it criticizes the new pressure campaign.
The Supreme Court handed President Trump a temporary win on his effort to restrict mail-in voting weeks before midterm ballots go out, though the legal fight is far from settled and voting by mail still remains an option for now.

Want more analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter.

Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org.

Today’s episode of Up First was edited by James Hider, Kate Bartlett, Ben Swasey, Mohamad ElBardicy, and Alice Woelfle.

It was produced by Julie Depenbrock and Nia Dumas.

Our director is Christopher Thomas.

We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis. Our technical director is Carleigh Strange.

And our Supervising Senior Producer is Vince Pearson.

(0:00) Introduction
(01:56) Trump's Economic D-Day For Iran
(05:35) Gulf Allies React To US Plan
(09:07) SCOTUS Mail-in Voting


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