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The black lung crisis deepens in Appalachia
Aug 9, 2026 · 38m
Rates of black lung disease amongst Appalachia’s coal miners are at the highest they’ve been in 50 years. Recent data shows that a third of veteran miners have the disease. The epidemic is also striking younger workers, too. On The Sunday Story, Howard Berkes investigates the devastating human cost on Appalachian families, decades of regulatory failures, and why life-saving protections from toxic silica dust remain stalled in federal court. 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.
A New Attorney General, Profiting Off Immigration Detention, Hollywood Merger
Aug 8, 2026 · 15m
Todd Blanche squeaks past a confirmation vote from the Senate. Private prison companies are making record profits from ICE detentions. Regal Cinemas announces support for the mega merger of Paramount and Warner Brothers. 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. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy
Trump to Limit Birthright Citizenship, Hormuz Deal, Iran War Fallout
Aug 7, 2026 · 12m
The Supreme Court struck down the last attempt by the president to limit birthright citizenship. Now President Trump is trying again. This time with two executive orders that are narrower in scope. Iran has released details of an agreement it is finalizing with Oman, to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The critical waterway wouldn’t be open to American and Israeli ships. And Trump’s public messaging about what happens next in Iran is simply not matching reality. 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 U
Hormuz Negotiations, Michigan Senate Race, Trump Talks Economy
Aug 6, 2026 · 13m
President Trump has claimed several times that a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz is close. Now Iran is saying it too, but in a deal that is being negotiated directly with Oman. Progressive Democrat Abdul El-Sayed eked out a primary victory for a Michigan Senate seat. He now faces former GOP Congressman Mike Rogers in November. And President Trump traveled to Las Vegas, where he claimed the economy was fine and blamed Democrats for high prices. 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 wa
Primary Election Results, US Missile Stockpiles Running Low, New Flu Vaccine
Aug 5, 2026 · 13m
Votes in Michigan’s highly anticipated Democratic Senate primary are still being counted. But what do the results in Tuesday's other races tell us about November's election? The U.S military is running short of ammunition. NPR has learned that the Army is running out of long-range attack missiles. And the Food and Drug Administration is deciding whether to approve the first flu vaccine using mRNA technology. 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 Larry Kaplow, Andrew Sussman,
Blanche and the DOJ, Michigan Primaries, Spokane Wildfires
Aug 4, 2026 · 13m
The Senate Judiciary Committee votes today on Todd Blanche’s nomination for attorney general. What concerns lawmakers about the record of the president’s former personal lawyer? And five states hold primaries today. Voters in Michigan must decide between two Democrats vying for a Senate seat. What does the race reveal about the direction of the Democratic party? Plus, a man is arrested on arson charges in connection to one of the wildfires ripping through Spokane, Washington. Want more analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter. To
Blanche Rescinds 'Anti-Weaponization Fund', Iran Strikes Off, Midwest Primaries
Aug 3, 2026 · 13m
Todd Blanche, President Trump’s nominee for attorney general, is rescinding an order to create a $1.8 billion fund for Trump’s political allies. Is that enough to persuade senators who blocked his nomination to back him? And President Trump is backing off additional attacks on Iran as negotiations resume today. Why is Trump willing to give diplomacy another go? Also, are progressive candidates poised to win big in this year's midterm election? Upcoming primaries may offer clues. Want more analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter.
Trump attacks DSA candidates as 'communists.' Will it stick?
Aug 2, 2026 · 26m
President Trump has repeatedly warned that the communists are coming for America. And he’s not talking about China or North Korea. He’s talking about Democratic Socialists like Zohran Mamdani and recent Congressional candidates. This week on The Sunday Story, we bring you a conversation from our colleagues at The NPR Politics Podcast. They argue that as the midterms near, crying “communism” may be a key Republican strategy. They discuss whether there’s any legitimacy to the claim, what Republicans hope to achieve by making it, and whether voters will be convinced. Support public media with
Truth Social Paid Access, Colorado River Cuts, FIFA's Faceplant
Aug 1, 2026 · 15m
The president’s media company is offering investors early access to his Truth Social feed for up to $100,000 a month. Arizona, California, and Nevada share steep cuts to Colorado River water over the next decade. FIFA's plan to sell stakes in the World Cup collapses. 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. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy
Trump Says Hamas Will Disarm, Blanche Faces GOP Pushback, Economic Outlook
Jul 31, 2026 · 13m
President Trump claims to have reached a breakthrough in efforts to disarm Hamas in Gaza. Hamas says it will only give up its weapons if Israel withdraws first. On the domestic front, Trump floated the idea of temporarily withdrawing his nominee for attorney general until two Republicans holdouts leave office. And a new report from the Commerce Department shows that economic growth slowed in the second quarter. 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, Kate Bart
US and Iran Trade Strikes After Brief Pause, Fauci Pleads The Fifth, New Asylum Rule
Jul 30, 2026 · 14m
The U.S. launched a wave of airstrikes on Iran overnight. This was in retaliation to a foiled surprise attack on U.S. forces in Jordan. Dr. Anthony Fauci repeatedly invoked the Fifth Amendment during a contentious Senate hearing on Wednesday. And a new Trump administration rule is making it even harder to seek asylum. 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, Amina Khan, Anna Yukhananov, HJ Mai and Alice Woelfle. It was produced by Ziad Buch and Nia Dumas. Our d
Trump Has 'Productive' Talks With Zelenskyy And Netanyahu, France Wildfires
Jul 29, 2026 · 13m
President Trump hosted two foreign leaders at the White House on Tuesday. Both, Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu and Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy, are dealing with war at home. While Trump’s relationship with Netanyahu has been increasingly strained, his ties with Zelenskyy have steadily improved. And in France, raging wildfires have force hundreds of thousands of people to flee their homes.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, Tina Kraja, HJ Mai a
Trump Meets Zelenskyy And Netanyahu, TPS Update, Political Corruption
Jul 28, 2026 · 15m
President Trump is meeting with two world leaders separately at the White House on Tuesday. Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu are seeking Trump’s support amid ongoing conflicts. Hundreds of thousands of Haitians and thousands of Syrians who are in the U.S. legally are facing deportation. And new research shows that an increasing number of Americans say corruption is a problem in politics.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, Cheryl
Seattle Shooting, Iran War Pause, Midterm Elections
Jul 27, 2026 · 13m
At least three people are dead after a shooting at a food festival in Seattle. Four others are injured, including a 2-year-old boy. Police say a suspect is in custody, while another is on the loose. After nearly two weeks of intense airstrikes, the U.S. and Iran have paused their attacks and started exchanging messages again. And with fewer than 100 days left until election day, some key races across the country are heating up. We'll take a look at the current state of play. Want more analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter. To
‘We want to ride’: the 1978 protest that sparked the disability rights movement
Jul 26, 2026 · 24m
Thirty-six years ago, the Americans with Disabilities Act was signed into law, guaranteeing civil rights for millions of Americans. But the movement that made that day possible began years earlier. One pivotal victory was won by a small, often-forgotten group of activists in Denver known as the "Gang of 19." On The Sunday Story, NPR’s Joseph Shapiro and Colorado Public Radio’s Stephanie Wolf trace the history of the disability rights movement—from the protests that secured accessible public transit to the modern-day fight to protect the hard-won right to live independently. See pcm.adswizz.
White House Correspondents’ Dinner, Ukraine hits Russian Retailer, India Protests
Jul 25, 2026 · 16m
A recap of President Trump’s hour-long speech at the rescheduled White House Correpondents’ Dinner. Ukrainian drones have targeted Russia’s airfields and oil refineries and are now going after Wildberries, Russia’s large e-commerce retailer. Young people’s protests in India over entrance exams have resulted in the resignation of the country’s education minister today. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy
Saudi Oil Tankers Attacked, Trump's New Tariffs, Wisconsin Police Shooting
Jul 24, 2026 · 12m
Oil topped $100 a barrel for the first time in two months after Iran-backed Houthi rebels struck two Saudi tankers in the Red Sea, opening a new front in the shipping war as President Trump says he's weighing a massive attack on Iran. One of Trump's global tariffs expired overnight and he replaced it within the hour with a new one hitting 59 countries and the European Union, built on a different legal argument after the Supreme Court threw out his last batch. And people in Madison, Wisconsin gathered to remember Corey Ruiz, who police shot and killed Wednesday after they say he pulled a knife
Saudi Uranium Enrichment Deal, Trump Defends Iran War, GOP Congress Out Of Sync
Jul 23, 2026 · 13m
Saudi Arabia is getting American nuclear reactors and a path to enrich its own uranium, the same technology the U.S. has spent months bombing Iran to stop, which has Israel warning about a nuclear arms race. President Trump is asking Americans to be patient about what the war is costing them, promising Iran will pay for itself the way he claims Venezuela has, but his own supporters are getting harder to convince as gas prices climb again. And the House heads home for a month today after cramming in four big bills on the way out, none of which the Senate is likely to take up as written, even th
Trump Receives Fallen Troops, Hegseth Grilled On The Hill, Arizona Primary Results
Jul 22, 2026 · 13m
President Trump travels to Dover Air Force Base today to receive the bodies of service members killed in the Iran war, as he insists Iran is desperate for a deal. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth got a grilling from both parties on Capitol Hill as he asked for billions more to fund a war Congress never voted to authorize, with 18 troops now dead and nearly 500 wounded. And Arizona has picked its candidates for the fall, with Trump ally Andy Biggs, who tried to overturn the 2020 election, winning the Republican nomination for governor and setting up what could be one of the closest races in the c
Iran And Yemen's Houthis Blockade, Hegseth On Capitol Hill, Arizona Primary Day
Jul 21, 2026 · 13m
The war between the U.S. and Iran keeps widening as Yemen's Houthi rebels announce a blockade of Saudi Arabia that would choke off another key oil route, even as Iran signals it may be open to talks. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth heads to Capitol Hill today to ask lawmakers for a nearly 90 billion dollar funding boost for the war with Iran, in a rare chance for senators to question him after the Pentagon admitted 100 troops were wounded in the past two weeks and hasn't briefed reporters since May.And it's the last day of primary voting in Arizona, a swing state that's become ground zero for e
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Blanche and the DOJ, Michigan Primaries, Spokane Wildfires