Up First

by NPR
48,543
All Genres #13News #3Daily News #2

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 Rachel Martin, 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

Recent Episodes
  • The Sunday Story: How the far right is making voter fraud easier
    Jun 4, 2023 – 38:09
  • India Train Crash, Biden Debt Ceiling Speech, China Tensions
    Jun 3, 2023 – 13:22
  • Senate Passes Debt Ceiling Bill, YouTube Blackout Challenge, Shangri-La Dialogue
    Jun 2, 2023 – 12:51
  • The House Passes Debt Ceiling Bill, GOP Presidential Bids, Hurricane Season
    Jun 1, 2023 – 13:49
  • House Vote on Debt Ceiling, Purdue Pharma Ruling, Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooting Trial
    May 31, 2023 – 13:03
  • Moscow Drone Attack, China's New Space Mission, GOP Candidates In Iowa
    May 30, 2023 – 12:47
  • Debt Ceiling Deal, Turkey Election Results, Ukrainian Counter-offensive
    May 29, 2023 – 13:10
  • The Sunday Story: Stephanie Foo's book has a happy ending
    May 28, 2023 – 26:37
  • US Treasury Debt, Default and Work Requirements, New HIV Data
    May 27, 2023 – 15:25
  • Doctor Abortion Case, Texas AG Impeachment, Turkey Election
    May 26, 2023 – 13:00
  • Ukraine's Delayed Offensive, IVG Reproduction, Preparing for Debt Default
    May 25, 2023 – 14:28
  • DeSantis Announcement, U.S.-China Relations, Debt Ceiling Impact
    May 24, 2023 – 15:13
  • Treasury Prioritizes Bills, Colorado River Deal, TikTok Sues Montana
    May 23, 2023 – 15:11
  • Debt Ceiling Talks, Senator Tim Scott 2024 Bid, Columbus OH Curfew
    May 22, 2023 – 14:11
  • The Sunday Story: Parched
    May 21, 2023 – 42:21
  • Saturday, May 20, 2023
    May 20, 2023 – 14:54
  • G7 Summit, Arab League, Disney Vs. DeSantis
    May 19, 2023 – 13:18
  • Discord Leak, Pakistan Crisis, Montana TikTok Ban
    May 18, 2023 – 13:19
  • Biden in Japan, Abortion Pill Ban, Ukraine Latest
    May 17, 2023 – 13:20
  • AI Hearing, Christianity in America, Philadelphia Mayoral Race
    May 16, 2023 – 12:56
  • Turkey's Tight Election, Nakba 75th Anniversary, North Carolina Abortion Bill
    May 15, 2023 – 12:59
  • The Sunday Story Presents: Buffalo Extreme
    May 14, 2023 – 45:37
  • New Twitter CEO, Unrest in Pakistan, Texas Power Struggle
    May 13, 2023 – 13:17
  • After Title 42, Turkey Elections, Pandemic Learning Loss
    May 12, 2023 – 12:36
  • End of Title 42, George Santos Charged, EPA Power Plant Rules
    May 11, 2023 – 13:02
  • Trump Verdict, Pakistan Protests Khan's Arrest, Debt Ceiling Negotiations
    May 10, 2023 – 13:26
  • White House Debt Ceiling, Russia Victory Day, Teens & Social Media
    May 9, 2023 – 13:23
  • Texas Mall Shooting, Title 42 Ending, Trump Trial
    May 8, 2023 – 14:11
  • The Sunday Story: So you want to be an influencer?
    May 7, 2023 – 20:52
  • Coronation Ceremony, Empty Office Spaces Hit Banking, Utah Age Law
    May 6, 2023 – 16:00
  • Proud Boys Convicted, NYC Subway Killing, Coronation of King Charles III
    May 5, 2023 – 12:35
  • Alleged Kremlin Drone Attack, Sudan Humanitarian Crisis, SCOTUS Low Approval
    May 4, 2023 – 12:51
  • Texas Massacre Suspect, Nation's Report, Fed Interest Rates
    May 3, 2023 – 12:30
  • Writers' Strike, Debt Ceiling, SCOTUS Ethics Hearing
    May 2, 2023 – 12:51
  • First Republic Bank Buyout, Sudan Evacuations, Writers Strike
    May 1, 2023 – 13:02
  • The Sunday Story: American parole and one man's case for freedom
    Apr 30, 2023 – 28:33
  • Russian Strikes, Venezuela Democracy Crisis, California Flooding
    Apr 29, 2023 – 14:17
  • Biden Migration Plans, E. Jean Carroll Testimony, Fox Without Tucker Carlson
    Apr 28, 2023 – 12:50
  • Debt Ceiling Standoff, Disney Sues DeSantis, Montana Bars Transgender Lawmaker
    Apr 27, 2023 – 13:30
  • South Korea's President In Washington, McCarthy's Debt Ceiling Bill, Sudan Conflict
    Apr 26, 2023 – 13:08
  • Biden Presidential Bid, Trump Civil Trial, Tucker Carlson Leaves Fox
    Apr 25, 2023 – 13:03
  • Sudan Evacuations, Pittsburgh Synagogue Trial, SCOTUS Poll
    Apr 24, 2023 – 12:55
  • The Sunday Story: Two kindergartners, torn apart by war
    Apr 23, 2023 – 23:42
  • Supreme Court on Mifepristone, Evacuating Sudan, Ukraine Latest
    Apr 22, 2023 – 14:29
  • Uncertainty Over Abortion Pill, Sudan Violence, Mexican Cartel Indictments
    Apr 21, 2023 – 12:48
  • White House Abortion Fight, Debt Ceiling Proposal, Children's Vaccines
    Apr 20, 2023 – 13:33
  • Fox Settles With Dominion, Abortion Pill Case At SCOTUS, Pentagon Data Leaker Hearing
    Apr 19, 2023 – 12:44
  • Sudan Fighting, Debt Ceiling, Tax Day
    Apr 18, 2023 – 14:39
  • Sudan Clashes, Alabama Shooting, Dominion Vs Fox News Trial
    Apr 17, 2023 – 13:16
  • The Sunday Story: The unspoken rules of hip-hop
    Apr 16, 2023 – 24:33
Recent Reviews
  • Original Minimalist
    terrible voice
    Enjoyable if Noel, Steve or David are speaking. Otherwise the voice embellishment ruins the content. I stopped following
  • Kodaverdian
    Increasingly and Obviously Biased
    This podcast has become increasingly and obviously left leaning and biased. Steve in particular consistently sounds bitter and sarcastic when it pertains to any partisan matters. I have listened this is show daily for years now, but it has become increasingly difficult to do so. Dwayne and Leyla are great. Really hope they continue to host this podcast.
  • Noodlechef12
    No one cares about the debt ceiling
    Literally no person I have ever met cares about the debt ceiling. I’m going to unsubscribe if you keep including debt ceiling coverage as a top three story. It’s fine to include it in your hours long morning show. But no person is coming to Up First to hear about the actual most boring topic that no regular person is talking about on the planet.
  • EROaggie
    Great summaries of top news events
    I'm not sure why, but I kinda enjoy the little chitchat Steve Inskeep and Michel Martin have before diving into the news. In addition to that, I truly appreciate their prompt news updates.
  • RileyCLE
    best news podcast
    Up First is clear, concise, and informative. I used to listen to The Daily by the NYT, but I always came away feeling uninformed by the conservative and transphobic takes they spewed. I appreciate that Up First has some levity at times, it feels less stuffy than some other news podcasts. This is a petty aside but I hate the forced dramatic cadence of Michael Bubaro and other NYT hosts. This podcast flows and the hosts don't seem to consider it their personal stage. Most of all, the news is well researched and includes LOCAL JOURNALISTS! Thank you NPR for accompanying my morning joe.
  • Kristina in STL
    Long time listener growing frustrated by ever clearer bias
    I have been listening to and supporting NPR and Up First for years. There are so many great things about it - the international coverage among them. But I’m growing increasingly frustrated by the clear left lean. I had rejected that criticism by others, but now notice it with regularity. Up First doesn’t cover or glosses over things like the Durham Report after years of coverage contrary to what the report found. I listen to Up First everyday and never heard them correct the record. This breeds distrust. At this time, I continue to listen because I like getting top headlines in one place. But I would like the show to examine itself and decide if it really wants to be neutral. I hope the choice is yes.
  • 😉💙🙃
    21 May 2023
    The fountains that draw on aquifers is worse than using Lake Mead, once these underground waters are extracted there is no replenishment. A depressing podcast…
  • Grateful Listener76
    Pronunciation
    I listen to this podcast daily and for me it’s the best way to keep informed. I would like add however, that the pronunciation of Hiroshima is Hee-Row-Shee-Mah not Hih-Rosh-Shimah.
  • JJBB4444
    Excellent journalism
    I like getting a daily dose of NPR‘s top news stories. It’s interesting to hear their take and prepares me for the day. Thanks!
  • Shireen Bora
    Great with my morning coffee
    Love the presenter and the overall tone, wish you would give a little more light to the illegal occupation of Palestinian Territories when covering it like you do when mention the illegal occupation of Ukrainian territories for example, but overall love the content
  • sporkitover
    My love for the show is fading
    I’ve l’ve listened to NPR for decades and always appreciate the relatively neutral approach to the news. And so I’ve loved and appreciated this podcast for the same reasons. Lately though, I’m noticing a lot more “color commentary” from the hosts and it’s a turnoff. It’s not that I even disagree with their comments, I could just want more reporting headlines and less commentary.
  • Bschora
    I have loved you, but…
    What is with the high-pitched cheery voices of news and ad people? Example, Ayesha Rascoe’s voice makes my shoulders go into my ears. This is a show-stopper. What are they teaching in school? That a high-pitched, whiny, nasal voice wins listeners? Or that everyone should celebrate their own tonal quality? Please. Autotune that stuff. This may be a personal preference, but I can’t listen to it.
  • Modlibrep
    Too Biased - Only cover news that fits their views
    You covered the allegations on George Santos which is great, but nothing on the allegations against the Biden family that just dropped? Once again, please do better and cover all news, not just what you want to cover.
  • CaliNate101
    Way too much of an agenda for this to be considered public radio
    Imagine only covering the indictment of a no name, non-committee house member and totally ignore the news of the House committee laying out evidence of Biden family payoffs.
  • soon2BexBWEfan
    Day and Date Titles
    Please go back to titling the core news episodes with the day and date. It’s hard to tell the difference between the core episodes and the bonus content.
  • rocioburton
    Can we stop giving attention to mass shootings??
    Every time we cover these stories it sensationalizes another shooting. People see that they can get attention. There is almost never any happy news reported anymore. Unsubscribing.
  • Troglodyte 1
    Deceptive race bating news
    You failed to mention that Mr Neely had an arrest warrant for assaulting a 67yo woman and 40 other arrests. But you portray him as a beloved street performer. Also fails to say that one of the other people restating Mr Neely was black. Failed to mention what led up to the restaurant… Report the entire story stop cherry picking.
  • anteojosrosa
    State Run Media
    Some of the most biased news out there. NPR is basically Newsmax of the left. I listen to this podcast mainly to keep up to date on Democrat party talking points, as this network is the unofficial the press office of the deep state regime. I grew up listening to NPR thinking it was just straight news, and maybe back then it was. However now the extreme progressive orthodoxy is unmistakable. Look no further than their failure to report on the Hunter Biden story… not only did they refuse to report on it, they bought into the bogus narrative that it was “Russian disinformation” and seemed quite proud of themselves for being useful idiots. They have become everything Americans used to despise, a press that faithfully regurgitates everything handed to them by the uniparty regime.
  • History Teacher 9
    It matters
    The killer was Not a Texas Man! He was an ILLEGAL. It matters. Please tell the whole story
  • vitaman.c
    It’s totally leaning left
    I am an immigrant and my English teacher suggested to listen to npr. I thought i was listening to news but they have political agendas behind what they report. It took me a long time to realize that.
  • Ari cooks
    Tvrvrbtb
    Severe r
  • with all due respect
    Gentle suggestion from center-right
    I like the show and listen regularly. I don’t mind the left-center orientation of NPR. There is an inconsistent pattern however that reveals an unhealthy bias. When you cover immigration ( I’m very pro-immigrant…married one) you counter your already left-center orientation with opinions from “immigrant-advocates.” When you cover abortion you refuse to refer to opponents by their preferred name (I know even the AP Style Guide builds in a prejudice for “anti-abortion, rather than “pro-life”) It grates on the ears of fair-minded centrists when you set stories up this way. I hope you’re not merely out to please your most ardent listeners/fan service instead of challenging them with the real nuance in stories that concern important topics like immigration and abortion. People in fact do disagree on these and other issues in good-faith. NPR should platform issues honestly and with a proper view from the other side. Not everyone is a Trumper on the right, but it sure is easy for liberal news institutions to disregard criticism under that assumption. Be better NPR! Thanks for the show.
  • Great unmasks geisha
    liberal bias is too much
    I say this as a long time listener and someone who has only ever voted for democrats The liberal bias is too much Over the years ,it became increasingly obvious they were just reporting one side stories. More recently, it has turned into active propagandizing of a narrative. It has gotten to the point where I just turn it off mid episode. The reason I listen to NPR is to hear unbiased nonpartisan news. I am not asking for bothsidesism. Please just report the relevant facts and don’t push a narrative.
  • pippapippappp
    No climate change coverage
    Not sure how you decide what to cover, but the topics are often unimportant. I deleted the podcast on earth day when there was no mention of climate change. Consistently disappointed.
  • ByeFelicia777
    Mostly Informative
    As a black woman, I didn’t like hearing about all the killings of unarmed black people by police as just a simple number without other facts. We all know that there might be more that goes into each of those cases then simply counting it as a number of wrong doing. This is divisive and it takes more than a 5 minute segment to properly and accurately report on that. I do enjoy getting the latest of what’s going on, but I always have to double check for partisanship. If you’re looking for a good center focused podcast this isn’t it. I usually listen to this and then try to listen to two conservative news outlets just to get the non-bias news. They play rants of tucker Carlson and just mention that don lemon was fired as well but don’t also play some unattractive rants from him as well. Definitely a sounding board for Democratic Party and helps demonize the Republican Party but does help tell you some things in the news.
  • KevM_D
    Left Wing Propaganda
    After years of putting up with the extreme Left Wing bias, I finally became fed up and stopped listening. It’s really too bad because the format of the show is great. It’s ruined by the blatant bias.
  • idelgado
    Up First en Español
    Long time listener, first time reviewer. Absolutely LOVED hearing A Martinez do the intro in Spanish today. Latinx presente! Keep up the great work, NPR!!! Edit: 100% here for Steve Inskeep’s goofy intros.
  • Jbica001
    NPR went Left!
    NPR has chosen a side when it’s supposed to be fair and balanced. Host clearly push a left narrative and seems more sympathetic to liberals while demonizing Conservatives. I only listen to hear how they spin the failed agenda of the Biden Administration. Update: about the Tennessee school shooting, NPR refuses to cover the fact that the shooter was Transgender and targeted the school with detailed plans. Instead they make the story about gun control to fit their narrative. Disgusting! In the Akron Ohio police shooting, they leave out the fact that the gun was found in the car and had been used to fire an police during a car chase. Federal Funding needs to be cut from NPR !!!
  • Flaco8956
    Ayesha Rascoe
    has an annoying voice, other than that I enjoy the podcast
  • Lefty Land
    Come on NPR
    Ayesha is the worst. She doesn’t use proper English. Her voice is sing songy. The twang is beyond irritating I expect a lot more from NPR.
  • -/ben/-
    Nonsense
    Propaganda
  • Loganfool
    New EPA Rules
    I can’t even remember anything about the story. That cutesy Woopsie up-and-down little girl voice was so irritating. There is no place for this kind of drama in News. Are you serious or is this a cartoon? The Voice is also a disgrace to women. If you want to be serious, you need to get rid of this person.
  • communitynewspodcast
    NPR
    has all my favorite radio shows and podcasts. I would love to hear Paul and Sasha from the podcast Community News by Paul and Sasha host some of your shows though.
  • MahaloEva
    NPR- Home for News & Important Info
    NPR has a variety of informative story type podcasts/shows and news programming. I love the wide selection. It saddens me that we’ve lost several due to the budget cuts. Inflation has cost all. We, the every day funders, can no longer support what we once could. Even those who spent much to support these nonprofit news organizations - whether or not they agreed with them- find their coffers have shrunk or depleted as well. We, America, are more than Americans. We are those who come here to work for their families abroad! We are those who are starving to feed are families right here! But we should no long be those who sell to the highest bidder no matter what country they’re from. We must care to plant well right here. Just like NPR has done. NPR places great value in the work and those who do it! We should as well!
  • KhwNatick
    Great listening
    I love the weekly podcast for its brevity and have really been enjoying the Sunday stories, too. You never know what you’re going to get and the topics are always interesting.
  • ChefTheron
    Common Sense Coverage
    Today is Easter Sunday April 9 2023 and today’s The Daily podcast reminded why I became a New York Times digital subscriber. Excellent coverage of the RNC convention. Thank you!
  • Brkroon
    Democratic Party issues covered more favorably.
    Obviously state run media
  • forbiddenpalnet
    Wasted platform
    This podcast should be hours long. It should cover every story reported by NPR. I’m never going back to radio. I will never tune in or pay during endless fundraising. You should run adds to help pay for all the stations and run all the stories. Welcome to the future it’s just starting now.
  • Nh0715
    Enough
    I’ve been listening to this podcast for 8+ years first thing in the morning. The both sideism on HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES in Palestine is disgusting. I can no longer support a podcast that frames an apartheid state as a Palestine vs israel problem. This is an israel problem. Shame on you
  • Froggydex (iPhone)
    It’s a morning go-to!
    I listen to Up First as a part of my morning routine. It is informative and provides good insight I to the top stories of the day. My morning would be incomplete without it!
  • Suzannekmoses
    Top of my Daily list!
    I listed to Up First first thing in the morning as I get ready for work, it leaves me feeling informed and prepared!
  • Idahomama11
    Nifty!!
    My fam listens to this everyday and get a lot of our info on news from it. Great way to listen to the news with my kids💥🍕
  • Bdblankster
    Not up first anymore
    I enjoy the actual podcast, but the name is deceiving. This podcast used to be released very early, but it is really inconsistent lately. I used to enjoy getting a quick news update on my drive to work at 6:30 AM EST, but the new episode is rarely uploaded by then now.
  • Lizf99
    Upload earlier
    I used to be able to listen every day before work (I start at 7). Now it gets released so late I have to find other news podcasts to listen to.
  • Grapes Rule
    Way to start the day
    This is really up first for me every day. Love the journalists. NPR covers the world.
  • bailindsey
    Avid Up First Listener
    Up First is a great way to start my day. The reporting is excellent and unbiased. Thankful for the addition of Ayesha Roscoe. Ms. Roscoe is a great reporter and has a delightful voice and manner. Super grateful to hear Michel Martin has joined the team. Ms. Martin is an exceptional journalist.
  • Fooofooocuddlypoops
    Not so hard hitting news
    With everything going on in the world, you’d think they’d always have something hard hitting to cover, but boy do these folks play soft. The Tik Tok discourse for example really showed what social media company NPR really backs and it’s the name of one of the biggest sponsor they have…Facebook. Just white noise for things like the fed increasing interest rates to levels equal to the 2008 financial crisis. It’s almost like a huge institution like capital one is also a sponsor…just another neo liberal organization posing under the guise of being leftist.
  • R. Giskard Reventlov
    Almost Unsubscribed This Morning
    Woke up to NPR’s Up First being behind a subscription paywall. While searching for a reason why this was happening, they must have corrected the issue and just included an advertisement for their subscription service. I do not believe this was accidental. NPR’s ability to quickly turn it into an advertisement rather than a paywall seems disingenuous. Always loved and supported NPR. But if this happens again, I’ll have to unsubscribe due to a breach of trust.
  • Nelly4228
    My go to news review
    Reporters definitely lean left, but overall it’s one of the better news summaries of the day.
  • Jfhhinrm
    Interview real experts and keep your story straight
    Very frustrating to listen to Up First coverage on agricultural issues. Up First needs to interview agriculture experts when doing these stories. Food prices are not going to be effect for the next two months from these floods, try they will be effected in 6-9 months from now. Additionally, California is not the bread basket state. It’s a bit annoying to listen to these episodes and in one, Up First says that Silicon Bank did not fall within the banking regulations that were removed then now say that it was the removal of these regulations that caused this collapse and not inflation. When in fact it was the Fed increasing interest rates due to inflation that caused the back to take actions which then triggered a run on itself.
Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork on this page are property of the podcast owner, and not endorsed by UP.audio.