Episodes

  • Trump's Whiplash Foreign Policy, Iran War Escalates, Graham Platner Drops Out

    Trump's Whiplash Foreign Policy, Iran War Escalates, Graham Platner Drops Out
    Jul 9 2026
    President Trump keeps swinging between threats and flattery, calling Iran's leaders rational and smart three weeks ago and scum this week, and he's a similar tactic with NATO allies, going from freeloaders to friends in a single summit.
    The U.S. struck Iran for a second straight night, hitting some 90 military targets near the Strait of Hormuz, and Iran fired back at American bases in Kuwait and Bahrain, putting Israel's military on full readiness and leaving the region bracing for more.
    And Graham Platner has suspended his Senate campaign in Maine, still denying the rape allegation that brought him down, and now Democrats have until the end of the month to pick someone new for a race they think they can win.

    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, Tina Kraja, Jason Breslow, Mohamad ElBardicy and Alice Woelfle.

    It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Nia Dumas

    Our director is Christopher Thomas

    We get engineering support from Eowyn Fain and our technical director is Damian Herring.

    Our deputy Executive Producer is Kelley Dickens.

    (0:00) Introduction
    (01:58) Trump's Whiplash Foreign Policy
    (05:31) Iran War Escalates
    (09:10) Graham Platner Drops Out

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    12 mins
  • Iran Ceasefire Over, Platner Replacements Emerge, Olympic Committee Lifts Russia Ban

    Iran Ceasefire Over, Platner Replacements Emerge, Olympic Committee Lifts Russia Ban
    Jul 8 2026
    President Trump declared the ceasefire with Iran over at the NATO summit this morning, after the two sides traded heavy strikes overnight.
    Maine Democrats appear ready to move on from Graham Platner, who still hasn't said whether he'll drop his Senate bid after an accusation of sexual assault he denies, as party leaders scramble to line up a replacement before a fast-approaching deadline.
    And the International Olympic Committee has lifted its ban on Russia, opening the door to the 2028 Los Angeles Games even as Russian missiles kill civilians in Ukraine, a decision that has Ukrainians furious.

    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 Miguel Macias, Rebekah Metzler, Megan Pratz, Jennifer Portman, Alice Woelfle, and Mohamad ElBardicy.

    It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Nia Dumas

    Our director is Christopher Thomas.

    We get engineering support from Eowyn Fain. Our technical director is Damian Herring.

    Our Supervising Producer is HJ Mai.

    (0:00) Introduction
    (01:58) Iran Ceasefire Over
    (05:35) Platner Replacements Emerge
    (09:27) Olympic Committee Lifts Russia Ban

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    13 mins
  • Platner Pressured To Drop Out, NATO Summit In Turkey, US Out Of World Cup

    Platner Pressured To Drop Out, NATO Summit In Turkey, US Out Of World Cup
    Jul 7 2026
    Maine Democrat Graham Platner is facing growing calls to drop out of his Senate race after Politico published a former girlfriend's allegation of sexual assault, which he denies, in a blow to a party that saw the seat as key to retaking the Senate.
    NATO leaders are gathering in Turkey with President Trump among them, as he presses allies to spend more on their own defense while they look for reassurance that the U.S. still stands behind the alliance.
    And the U.S. men’s team’s World Cup run is over after a 4-1 loss to Belgium in the round of 16, capping Team USA's tournament full of promise and political controversy.

    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 Tina Kraja, Jason Breslow, Russell Lewis, Alice Woelfle, and Mohamed ElBardicy

    It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Nia Dumas

    Our director is Christopher Thomas.

    We get engineering support from Eowyn Fain. Our technical director is Damian Herring.

    And our Supervising Senior Producer is Vince Pearson.

    (0:00) Introduction
    (01:51) Platner Pressured To Drop Out
    (05:54) NATO Summit In Turkey
    (09:34) US Out Of World Cup

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    14 mins
  • Holiday Weekend Politics, Iran Mourns Supreme Leader, US Vs Belgium World Cup Drama

    Holiday Weekend Politics, Iran Mourns Supreme Leader, US Vs Belgium World Cup Drama
    Jul 6 2026
    America celebrated its 250th birthday against a backdrop of deep division, with white nationalists marching in Washington DC, counter protesters filling the Mall, and President Trump delivering a speech attacking Democrats as communists.
    Huge crowds are marching through Tehran for the funeral of Iran's former supreme leader as U.S.-Iran talks sit frozen until the mourning ends, while Israel's prime minister heads to Washington to talk with President Trump about Iran and the shaky ceasefires in Lebanon and Gaza.
    And the U.S. faces Belgium tonight in the World Cup, but the bigger story is off the field, after President Trump called FIFA's president about a red card and the American player's suspension was suddenly lifted.

    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 Kelsey Snell, Tina Kraja, Russell Lewis, Mohamed ElBardicy and Lindsay Totty.

    It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Ben Abrams.

    Our director is Christopher Thomas.

    We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott and Eowyn Fain. Our technical director is Damian Herring.

    (0:00) Introduction
    (01:55) Holiday Weekend Politics
    (06:47) Iran Mourns Supreme Leader
    (10:27) US Vs Belgium World Cup Drama

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    15 mins
  • The growing movement to secede from Illinois and become the 51st state

    The growing movement to secede from Illinois and become the 51st state
    Jul 5 2026
    Two hundred and fifty years ago, the Declaration of Independence was signed, marking the birth of a new nation. But if you read the Declaration closely, it’s not just about creating something new; it’s about ridding itself of something unwanted. It’s a break-up text, announcing secession from the British Crown. Today, that same spirit is fueling a modern-day movement in Illinois.

    A growing number of rural counties want to secede from Illinois and create a 51st state called “New Illinois.” Driven by frustration over the dominance of Chicago politics, they are organizing for a new future. This week on The Sunday Story, reporter Connor Towne O'Neill takes us inside the movement to split Illinois, and the challenges facing a modern secessionist movement in the land of Lincoln.


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    28 mins
  • July 4th Events Curtailed, The Week in Politics, A Funeral For Iran’s Supreme Leader

    July 4th Events Curtailed, The Week in Politics, A Funeral For Iran’s Supreme Leader
    Jul 4 2026
    President Trump’s speech at Mount Rushmore turns dark. Despite the heat, Americans are finding ways to celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary. Two former Trump allies want to start a new political party. And after four months, Iranians officially mourn Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamanei, killed in Israeli/U.S. airstrikes.

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    15 mins
  • July 4th Heat Wave, Russian Strikes On Ukraine, Future Of Democratic Party

    July 4th Heat Wave, Russian Strikes On Ukraine, Future Of Democratic Party
    Jul 3 2026
    The United States turns 250 tomorrow, but a brutal heat wave is already forcing cities to cancel parades and fireworks, and Washington D.C. will decide this morning whether the public can even attend its July Fourth events.
    Russia hit Kyiv with one of the deadliest strikes of the war overnight, firing nearly 600 missiles and drones that killed at least 27 people, Moscow says it's payback for Ukraine's attacks on its oil facilities.
    And Democrats are hoping to take back the House this fall, but infighting is getting in the way as progressive upsets energize blue-city voters while raising doubts about whether that message plays in the places the party actually needs.

    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, Tina Kraja, Jason Breslow, Mohamed ElBardicy and Alice Woelfle.

    It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Nia Dumas.

    Our director is Christopher Thomas.

    We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott. Our technical director is Zac Coleman.

    And our Executive Producer is Jay Shaylor.

    (0:00) Introduction
    (01:50) July 4th Heat Wave
    (05:11) Russian Strikes On Ukraine
    (09:03) Future Of Democratic Party

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    12 mins
  • Trump's Crypto Earnings, Democratic Socialists Rising, USA Advances In World Cup

    Trump's Crypto Earnings, Democratic Socialists Rising, USA Advances In World Cup
    Jul 2 2026
    President Trump and his family brought in more than a billion dollars last year, much of it from cryptocurrency ventures that have dwarfed his real estate business and raised questions about potential conflicts of interest.
    Democratic socialists scored another big win in Colorado as Melat Kiros upset longtime Congresswoman Diana DeGette in the Democratic primary, the latest in a string of progressive victories that Republicans are already using to paint the whole party as too extreme.
    And the U.S. men’s team advanced to the World Cup round of 16 with their first knockout win in 24 years against Bosnia-Herzegovina, though they’ll be without their top scorer after a red card in a match played under dangerous heat in the East.

    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 Jan Johnson, Russell Lewis, Jason Breslow, Alice Woelfle and Mohamed ElBardicy

    It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Nia Dumas.

    Our director is Christopher Thomas.

    We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott. Our technical director is Zac Coleman.

    And our deputy Executive Producer is Kelley Dickens.

    (0:00) Introduction
    (01:54) Trump's Crypto Earnings
    (05:43) Democratic Socialists Rising
    (09:26) USA Advances In World Cup

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    13 mins