Podcast: Up First

Air travel is stressful enough–and then there are people who can pay to jump the queue. How do some people get ushered straight to the front of the airport security line, while others find themselves waiting? The answer lies in the rise of a private company, CLEAR. Today on The Sunday Story, we look at how CLEAR inched its way into airport security. What actually happens when public and private interests try to coexist?Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

A federal appeals court ruled that most of President Trump’s tariffs are illegal, but is holding off enforcing the decision until October. Also, Texas lawmakers are on track to pass further restrictions aimed at reducing the use of abortion medication. The bill would allow members of the public to file lawsuits against the medicine’s providers. And Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. says he will release new dietary guidelines, but will they change the nation’s eating habits?Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

The father of the eight-year-old boy who has killed in the shooting at Annunciation Church and School in Minneapolis has spoken publicly about his son. A top advisor to Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been selected to serve as acting Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And, the leaders of North Korea, China and Russia will gather together for the first time at a Chinese military parade in Beijing next week.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 Daniel Burke, Diane Webber, Kate Bartlett, Lisa Thomson and Adam Bearne. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Nia Dumas and Christopher. We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott. Our technical director is Carleigh Strange. Our Executive Producer is Jay Shaylor.And our special thanks to our colleagues at WWNO for hosting us this week, especially operations director Garrett Pittman and news director Ryan Vasquez.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Investigators in Minneapolis are working to determine why a heavily armed 23-year-old opened fire at a Catholic school on Wednesday morning. The new Director of the Center for Disease Control has been fired less than a month after being sworn into the job. And, NPR reporters spoke with more than two dozen former senior Biden administration officials for a behind the scenes look at the discussions that shaped U.S. policy towards Israel’s war in Gaza.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 Cheryl Corley, Jane Greenhalgh, Andrew Sussman, Lisa Thomson, and Adam Bearne. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Nia Dumas and Chris Thomas. We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott. And our technical director is Carleigh Strange.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook’s attorney has plans to file a lawsuit challenging President Trump’s bid to remove Cook from her position. The Democratic National Committee wraps up its first major gathering since President Trump’s return to the White House. And, music superstar Taylor Swift is engaged to football player Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs.

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 Dana Farrington, Megan Pratz, Jacob Ganz, Hazel Cills, Lisa Thomson and Adriana Gallardo. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Nia Dumas and Chris Thomas. We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott. And our technical director is Carleigh Strange. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

President Trump has moved to fire a member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve. The President has also taken action to eliminate cashless bail and expand the role of the National Guard as part of his crackdown on crime in Washington, DC. And, Kilmar Abrego Garcia has been taken into custody and faces deportation to Uganda. 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 Padma Rama, Rafael Nam, Eric Westervelt, Lisa Thomson and HJ Mai.It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Nia Dumas and Mansee Khurana.We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott. And our technical director is Carleigh Strange. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

President Trump threatens to send the National Guard to Chicago. The Justice Department has released transcripts of an interview with Ghislaine Maxwell, a longtime accomplice of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. And, President Trump will meet with the president of South Korea in Washington for a summit on trade and security. 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, Ryland Barton, Lisa Thomson and HJ Mai. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Nia Dumas, and Mansee Khurana.We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott. And our technical director is Carleigh Strange. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, state officials in Louisiana saw an opportunity to transform New Orleans public schools, many of which they considered "failing." Twenty years later, we look at one of the biggest experiments in U.S. public education and whether the move to charter schools was a success.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

The Justice Department released transcripts and recordings of their recent talks with convicted sex trafficker and Jeffrey Epstein partner Ghislaine Maxwell yesterday. Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell signals the Fed may start interest rates cuts soon. After nearly two weeks of stepped-up arrests and federal law enforcement presence in the nation’s capital, many immigrants are afraid to attend church, worried they could be detained and deported.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

A UN-backed panel of experts says there is famine in northern Gaza, the Justice Department is expected to deliver a first batch of files from its Jeffrey Epstein investigation to the House Oversight Committee and California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a California redistricting plan today to counter Texas Republicans.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 Jason Breslow, Emily Kopp, Acacia Squires, Arezou Rezvani and Mohamad ElBardicy. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Nia Dumas and Christopher Thomas. We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott. And our technical director is David Greenburg. Our Executive Producer is Jay Shaylor.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Israel plans to call up 60,000 reservists for a new Gaza City offensive, even as Hamas says it has accepted a ceasefire deal. U.S. and European officials are drafting security guarantees for Ukraine. And Hurricane Erin is flooding North Carolina's Outer Banks and forcing evacuations as it tracks up the East Coast.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 Ryland Barton, Andrew Sussman, Susanna Capelouto, Adriana Gallardo and Mohamad ElBardicy. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Destinee Adams, and Christopher Thomas. We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott. And our technical director is Carleigh Strange. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Six governors are sending National Guard troops to Washington, D.C. to back President Trump's crime crackdown there. European leaders weigh the options for a ceasefire and security guarantees for Ukraine. And the Texas Legislature appears on the verge of redrawing congressional districts that will help Republicans in the midterm elections, as requested by Trump.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 Martha Ann Overland, Tara Neil, Ryland Barton, Acacia Squires, Olivia Hampton and Mohamad ElBardicy. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Nia Dumas and Christopher Thomas. We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott. And our technical director is Carleigh Strange.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

President Trump plots his next steps to broker an end to Russia's war on Ukraine after White House meetings. We look at the Kremlin's view on the peace talks. And California lawmakers seek to overhaul the state's congressional map to counter a Trump-backed move in Texas to gain an edge in the 2026 midterms.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 Roberta Rampton, Ryland Barton, Acacia Squires, Olivia Hampton and Adriana Gallardo. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Nia Dumas and Christopher Thomas. We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott. And our technical director is Carleigh Strange.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

President Trump will host Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders at the White House. Israelis protest to demand a hostage deal as the military and government leaders pursue plans to occupy Gaza City. And growing number of National Guard troops are on their way to the nation’s capital.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 Jason Breslow, Ryland Barton, Russell Lewis, Olivia Hampton and Adriana Gallardo. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Nia Dumas and Christopher Thomas. We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott. And our technical director is Carleigh Strange.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Maintaining a long-term romantic relationship is hard work. There are good times and there are bad and sometimes couples just grow apart over time. But in the new horror movie Together, growing apart is not an option for Millie and Tim. Starring real-life couple Alison Brie and Dave Franco, Together explores the idea of codependency in a horrific way as the couple becomes literally attached to each other. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke for more than three hours after landing at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, Friday for a summit on Ukraine. Now Trump returns to continuing controversy over his attempts to clamp down on Washington, D.C.,; Democratic pushback against his redistricting demands; and ongoing questions about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

President Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin meet in Anchorage today for a high-stakes summit about Ukraine. We take a look at how the talks are being perceived from Moscow, and from Kyiv.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 Roberta Rampton, Ryland Barton, Olivia Hampton and Adam Bearne. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Nia Dumas and Christopher Thomas. We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott. And our technical director is Carleigh Strange.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Military escalations have taken place in Ukraine in recent days, even as President Trump prepares to meet Russian leader Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday. A new El Paso immigration detention center billed as the country's largest will start accepting migrants this weekend. And President Trump will host this year’s Kennedy Center Honors.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 Ryland Barton, Alfredo Carbajal, Jay Vanasco, Olivia Hampton and Adam Bearne. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Nia Dumas and Christopher Thomas. We get engineering support from David Greenburg. And our technical director is Carleigh Strange.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

The White House tempers expectations of a breakthrough during the Trump-Putin summit. The Trump administration says unhoused people who refuse to leave "encampments" or accept mental health help could be fined or jailed. And U.S. core inflation remains high.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 Andrew Sussman, Gigi Douban, Rafael Nam, Olivia Hampton and Adam Bearne. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Nia Dumas and Christopher Thomas. We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott. And our technical director is Carleigh Strange. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

President Trump asserts federal control over Washington D.C., police force. European leaders will meet with Trump before a U.S. - Russia summit. Ford plans to invest billions of dollars into a plant in Kentucky to prepare to build a new, cheaper electric truck.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 Gigi Douban, Ryland Barton, Kara Platoni, Olivia Hampton and Adam Bearne. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Destinee Adams, and Christopher Thomas. We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott. And our technical director is Carleigh Strange. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy