Up First from NPR

Hurricane Milton brought a devastating storm surge and high winds to a huge swath of Florida's western Gulf Coast. A view of the Israeli incursion from southern Lebanon. NPR speaks with Black male voters in Detroit about who they support for president. 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 Hannah Bloch, Gigi Douban, James Hider, Russell Lewis, Ally Schweitzer and Alice Woelfe. It was produced by Paige Waterhouse, Christopher Thomas and Ana Perez. We get engineering support from Carleigh Strange and our technical director is Zac Coleman. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Hurricane Milton is expected to be catastrophic when it makes landfall Wednesday. Fourteen attorneys general sue TikTok, saying it places profit over kids' mental health. The EPA issues a rule requiring replacement of all lead pipes within 10 years. 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 Scott Hensley, Russell Lewis, Kara Platoni, Ally Schweitzer and Alice Woelfe. It was produced by Paige Waterhouse, Nia Dumas and Ana Perez. We get engineering support from Carleigh Strange and our technical director is Zac Coleman. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Disaster relief officials try to push back on rampant misinformation about hurricane relief. Why presidential candidates appear on podcasts. And Israelis mark one year after Oct. 7. 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 Hannah Bloch, Megan Pratz, Ally Schweitzer and Alice Woelfe. It was produced by Paige Waterhouse, Nia Dumas and Ana Perez. We get engineering support from Carleigh Strange and our technical director is Zac Coleman. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

This week NPR is reporting on how the war between Israel and Hamas has changed people's lives, one year in. Also, how is the conflict affecting Arab-American voters' attitudes in the swing state of Michigan? 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 Vincent Ni, Arezou Rezvani, Ally Schweitzer and Alice Woelfe. It was produced by Paige Waterhouse, Nia Dumas and Ana Perez. We get engineering support from Carleigh Strange and our technical director is Zac Coleman. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

In the last few years, more than a dozen states have enacted laws that ban almost all abortions. Some include exceptions for rape, incest, and to protect the life of the mother. But a small, vocal group of anti-abortion activists say even these exceptions are morally wrong. They want to see a ban not only on all abortions but also on some fertility treatments, including IVF. They believe an embryo deserves the same rights as any human. On this episode of The Sunday Story from Up First, NPR's Sarah McCammon takes us to a protest outside an IVF clinic and talks to activists who call themselves "abortion abolitionists." These activists say their goal is to turn their beliefs into policy and are heartened by the progress they've made. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Israel attacked northern Lebanon for first time in year-long conflict. Strong job numbers recalibrate the U.S. economic outlook. Rescue efforts struggle to reach mountainous areas. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

The strike by dockworkers on the East and Gulf Coasts is suspended, after the two sides reached a tentative agreement on wages. The Harris campaign tries to show it's on top of October surprises. A federal jury in Memphis convicts three ex-police officers in the beating death of Tyre Nichols. 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 Pallavi Gogoi, Russell Lewis, Roberta Rampton, Ally Schweitzer and Alice Woelfe. It was produced by Iman Ma'ani, Paige Waterhouse, Nia Dumas and Ana Perez. We get engineering support from Robert Rodriguez and our technical director is Zac Coleman. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Prosecutors reveal new details about their election interference case against former President Donald Trump. A defiant Hezbollah offers journalists tours of its bombed-out Beirut stronghold. A federal jury deliberates in the police brutality case against officers accused of killing Tyre Nichols. 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, James Hider, Russell Lewis, Vincent Ni, Ally Schweitzer and Alice Woelfe. It was produced by Iman Maani, Paige Waterhouse, Nia Dumas and Ana Perez. We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis and our technical director is Carleigh Strange. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Israel has promised retaliation after the Iranian missile attack, launched after Israel invaded southern Lebanon. What went right and wrong for the VP candidates in last night's debate. In parts of eastern Tennessee and western North Carolina, efforts to clean up from flooding after Tropical Storm Helene are slow-going. 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 Russell Lewis, Vincent Ni, Megan Pratz, Ally Schweitzer and Alice Woelfe. It was produced by Iman Maani, Paige Waterhouse, Nia Dumas and Ana Perez. We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis and our technical director is Carleigh Strange. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Israel says it has launched a "limited" ground operation into Southern Lebanon, launching a major escalation in its conflict with Hezbollah. Plus, what to listen for during tonight's vice presidential debate. 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 Vincent Ni, Megan Pratz, Ally Schweitzer and Alice Woelfe. It was produced by Iman Maani, Paige Waterhouse, Nia Dumas and Ana Perez. We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott, and our technical director is Zac Coleman. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Lebanon prepares to bury Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. In North Carolina, damage from flooding is "widespread and catastrophic," according to Gov. Roy Cooper. The two candidates for vice president are both veterans. How do their campaigns approach vets' issues? And for NPR's new series on stress reduction, we consider the benefits of "positive reappraisal." 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 Russell Lewis, Vincent Ni, Andrew Sussman, Ally Schweitzer and Alice Woelfe. It was produced by Iman Maani, Paige Waterhouse, Nia Dumas and Ana Perez. We get engineering support from Carleigh Strange, and our technical director is Andie Huether. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Israel's assassination of Hassan Nasrallah — who led Hezbollah for more than 30 years — has been met with mixed reactions in the region. In Israel, there have been celebrations, even as people prepare for the possibility of retaliation. In Ramallah, in the West Bank, streets filled with Palestinians chanting promises to continue resistance against Israel. Nasrallah's death raises questions about who will fill a power void at the top of what the US considers a terrorist organization. For more coverage, and for differing views and analysis of the conflict, go to npr.org/mideastupdates. 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 Denise Couture, Shannan Rhoades, Julia Redpath, Vincent Ni, and James Hider. It was produced by Brent Baughman, Martin Patience, Michael Radcliffe, and Samantha Balaban. Our senior supervising editor is Evie Stone. Engineering support from Neisha Heinis, Arthur Laurent, and Andie Huether. Our technical director is Hannah Gluvna. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Today on The Sunday Story we feature an episode from the NPR podcast Planet Money about the inner workings of the residential solar industry and how the business practices of some companies have soured customers on the promise of this renewable energy. And the team looks into where the residential solar industry is headed in the future. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Hezbollah's leader, Hassan Nasrallah, was killed on Friday, when a series of blasts targeting Hezbollah rip through Beirut. His killing and the attack on the capital signal a major escalation in the fighting between Israel and Lebanon. Plus, Hurricane Helene might've been downgraded to a tropic storm, but it still managed to drench North Carolina - we'll have the latest on the storm's impact. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Hurricane Helene has been downgraded to a tropical storm, but when it made landfall late last night as a Category 4 hurricane, it packed a dangerous one-two punch of high winds and a storm surge. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will address the UN General Assembly in New York on Friday, and the Sudanese army has launched a major offensive to take back the 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 Russell Lewis, Tara Neill, Donald Clyde, HJ Mai and Ally Schweitzer. It was produced by Iman Maani, Nia Dumas and Mansee Khurana. We get engineering support from Carleigh Strange, and our technical director is Andie Huether. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he has a plan to defeat Russia. He's in Washington on Thursday to discuss this plan with President Biden. New York Mayor Eric Adams has been indicted, according to media reports, and Florida braces for the impact of Hurricane Helene. 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 Rebecca Rosman, Andrea de Leon, Russell Lewis, HJ Mai and Ally Schweitzer. It was produced by Iman Maani, Nia Dumas, Brianna Joseph and Mansee Khurana. We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott, and our technical director is Zac Coleman. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

As the conflict between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah intensifies, concern grows about the potential involvement of Iran. Last year, there were a number of issues with the form to get federal student aid. A new investigation is detailing what went wrong with FAFSA, and Missouri executed a man even though the office that worked to convict him says they made a mistake. 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 James Hider, Nicole Cohen, Cheryl Corley, HJ Mai and Ally Schweitzer. It was produced by Iman Maani, Nia Dumas and Mansee Khurana. We get engineering support from Robert Rodriguez, and our technical director is Zac Coleman. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Tens of thousands of people in Lebanon are fleeing from Israeli airstrikes targeting Hezbollah. Vice President Harris wants to make it easier to restore abortion rights. She spoke with Wisconsin Public Radio about her policy priorities, and California is suing ExxonMobil alleging the oil giant knowingly misled the public about the effectiveness of plastic recycling. 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 Vincent Ni, Padma Rama, Robert Little, HJ Mai and Mohamad ElBardicy. It was produced by Iman Maani, Nia Dumas and Mansee Khurana. We get engineering support from Robert Rodriguez, and our technical director is Zac Coleman. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Israel's military has warned people in southern Lebanon to evacuate homes used to store weapons for Hezbollah. This comes after last week's explosion of Hezbollah communication devices and multiple strikes. World leaders gather in New York this week to discuss the biggest geopolitical issues and crisis, and the mayor of Birmingham, Alabama, is calling for action after a mass shooting. 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 Vincent Ni, Tara Neill, Russell Lewis, HJ Mai and Mohamad ElBardicy. It was produced by Iman Maani, Nia Dumas and Julie Depenbrock. We get engineering support from Carleigh Strange, and our technical director is Zac Coleman. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

In Central Asia, the world's youngest desert occupies a basin that once held a vast saline lake. The Aral Sea. Up until the 1960s, the sea spanned more than 26 thousand square miles across two countries. It supported thriving fishing communities along its shores. But then, in the name of progress and development, much of the river water that fed the sea was diverted for agriculture. Now the Aral Sea has all but disappeared, shrunk to about tenth of its original size. The UN Environment Programme has called the Aral Sea's destruction quote "one of the most staggering disasters of the 20th century." On this episode of The Sunday Story, Above The Fray Fellow Valerie Kipnis takes us to the Aral Sea to try to understand what went wrong and whether anything can be done to save the little water that's left. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy