• Daycare Fraud Claims Fallout, Epstein Files Mess, Swiss Nightclub Fire
    Jan 2 2026
    Somali-run day care centers in Minnesota report threats and vandalism after a viral right-wing video accusing them of fraud prompts federal action with nationwide consequences.
    The Justice Department misses its deadline to release the Epstein files, fueling confusion and conspiracy theories as heavily redacted and unreliable documents trickle out.
    And Switzerland begins days of mourning after a deadly New Year’s Eve fire rips through a crowded nightclub at a ski resort, killing dozens and injuring many more.

    Want more 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 Luis Clemens, Dana Farrington, Miguel Macias, Mohamad ElBardicy, and Alice Woelfle.

    It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Kaity Kline and Christopher Thomas.

    We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott. And our technical director is David Greenburg..

    Our Executive Producer is Jay Shaylor.

    (0:00) Introduction
    (01:54) Daycare Fraud Claims Fallout
    (05:31) Epstein Files Mess
    (09:27) Swiss Nightclub Fire

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    13 Min.
  • Healthcare Subsides Expire, Trump and Minnesota, Mamdani Takes Office In NYC
    Jan 1 2026
    Health insurance costs jump for millions after pandemic-era Affordable Care Act subsidies expired overnight.
    The Trump administration freezes child care funding nationwide after targeting Minnesota over unproven fraud claims tied to Somali-run day care centers.
    And New York City’s new mayor, Zohran Mamdani, is sworn in at midnight as he prepares to take office.

    Want more 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 Carrie Feibel, Cheryl Corley, Andrea De Leon, Mohamad ElBardicy, and Alice Woelfle.

    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.

    Our deputy Executive Producer is Kelley Dickens.

    (0:00) Introduction
    (02:33) Healthcare Subsidies Expire
    (05:53) Trump and Minnesota
    (10:06) Mamdani Takes Office in NYC

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    13 Min.
  • U.S. Strikes Inside Venezuela, Iran Protests, Flu Cases Surge
    Dec 31 2025
    President Trump confirms the first known U.S. strike inside Venezuela, saying it targets drug trafficking as critics warn it risks escalation.
    Iranian authorities shut down cities and security forces move in to contain growing protests as anger over inflation and sanctions boils over.
    And the flu is spreading fast across the U.S., with a new strain driving cases higher just as vaccination rates slip and hospitals brace for what’s next.

    Want more 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 Rebekah Metzler, James Hider, Rebecca Davis, Mohamad ElBardicy, and Alice Woelfle.

    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.

    Our Supervising Producer is Michael Lipkin.

    (0:00) Introduction
    (03:30) U.S. Strikes Inside Venezuela
    (07:25) Iran Protests
    (11:22) Flu Cases Surge

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    15 Min.
  • Trump Pushes Hamas Disarmament, Ukraine Peace Talks, A Year Of DOGE
    Dec 30 2025
    President Trump doubles down on demanding Hamas disarm after meeting with Israel’s prime minister, and warned Iran not to rebuild its nuclear program.
    Ukraine’s president presses the White House for decades-long U.S. security guarantees as part of a proposed peace deal with Russia.
    And a year after DOGE’s push to shrink government, agencies are smaller, spending is higher, and millions of Americans’ data remains in play.

    Want more 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 Ruth Sherlock, Anna Yukhananov, Mohamad ElBardicy, and Alice Woelfle.

    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.

    Our Supervising Senior Producer is Vince Pearson.

    (0:00) Introduction
    (03:13) Trump Pushes Hamas Disarmament
    (07:25) Ukraine Peace Talks
    (10:45) A Year Of DOGE

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    14 Min.
  • Trump Zelensky Meeting, Netanyahu Mar-a-Lago Meeting, Rough Year For Poverty Aid
    Dec 29 2025
    President Trump and Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy signal momentum on peace talks, but fighting continues and key disputes remain.
    Israel’s prime minister is in Mar-a-Lago today as pressure mounts over Gaza, Iran, and what comes next in Trump's ceasefire deal.
    And anti-poverty groups warn funding chaos is forcing cuts just as more Americans need help.

    Want more 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, Miguel Macias, Catherine Laidlaw, Mohamad ElBardicy, Adriana Gallardo.

    It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Nia Dumas and Christopher Thomas.

    We get engineering support from Simon-Laslow Jansen. And our technical director is Carleigh Strange.


    (00:00) Introduction
    (03:26) Trump Zelensky Meeting
    (07:17) Netanyahu Mar-a-Lago Meeting
    (10:53) Rough Year For Poverty Aid

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    14 Min.
  • A New Chapter, Later in Life
    Dec 28 2025
    At the end of every year, many of us resolve to make small changes in our lives. But what would it take to make a radical change–and can it still be done if you’ve reached retirement age? Today on The Sunday Story, WBUR reporter Anthony Brooks shares stories about people he’s met who’ve done just that.


    To hear more of Anthony’s reporting on people who reinvented themselves late in life, check out his series "The Third Act."


    This interview originally aired on January 19, 2025.

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    25 Min.
  • The Second Trump Administration, South America Shifts Right, Time For Sports
    Dec 27 2025

    NPR’s Ron Elving has been thinking about the state of U.S. politics since President Donald Trump returned to power. Also, several countries in South America elected conservative and even far right leaders in 2025, marking a political and ideological shift in the region. And, we’ll have the highlight reel from the year in sports.

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    18 Min.
  • U.S. Strikes ISIS In Nigeria, The Year In Congress, Holiday Spending
    Dec 26 2025

    President Trump has announced the U.S. launched a number of strikes against Islamic State militants in northwestern Nigeria. Congress started 2025 with an ambitious legislative agenda, but 12 months later has ceded much of its power to President Trump and has passed a record low number of bills. And, shoppers spent a record amount of money this holiday season even as polling finds Americans are feeling glum about the economy.

    Want more 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 Gerry Holmes, Jason Breslow, Emily Kopp, Lisa Thomson and Alice Woelfle.

    It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Nia Dumas and Christopher Thomas.

    We get engineering support from David Greenberg. Our technical director is Carleigh Strange.

    And our Executive Producer is Jay Shaylor.

    (00:00) Introduction
    (02:00) U.S. Strikes ISIS In Nigeria
    (05:40) The Year In Congress
    (09:28) Holiday Spending

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    13 Min.