Up First from NPR

Federal immigration agents are pulling back from Minnesota after months of aggressive immigration enforcement that led to thousands of arrests, weeks of protests, and the fatal shooting of two U.S. citizens. Congress is racing to fund the Department of Homeland Security before a shutdown, with Democrats demanding changes to immigration enforcement and negotiations still stalled. And the Environmental Protection Agency is scrapping the legal basis for regulating greenhouse gas emissions from cars and trucks. 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 Eric Westervelt, Jason Breslow, Kara Platoni, Mohamad ElBardicy, and Alice Woelfle. It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Nia Dumas. Our director is Christopher Thomas. We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis. Our technical director is Carleigh Strange. Our Executive Producer is Jay Shaylor. (0:00) Introduction (01:55) ICE Leaving Minnesota (05:48) DHS Funding Deadline (09:31) EPA Vehicle Emissions Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Attorney General Pam Bondi clashed with lawmakers during a Capitol Hill hearing dominated by questions about the Justice Department’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files. President Trump’s tariff agenda faces a rare Republican pushback in Congress, even as the White House argues the policy is bringing money into the United States. And a new jobs report shows stronger hiring to start the year, but revised data suggests the labor market was far weaker in 2025 than previously believed. 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 Anna Yukhananov, Rebekah Metzler, Rafael Nam, Mohamad ElBardicy, and Alice Woelfle. It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Nia Dumas. Our director is Christopher Thomas. We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis. Our technical director is Carleigh Strange. Our deputy Executive Producer is Kelley Dickens. (0:00) Introduction (02:07) Bondi's Heated Hearing (06:04) Pushback On Trump's Tariffs (09:54) Revised 2025 Jobs Report Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

The FBI released door camera footage from the home of Nancy Guthrie, the 84 year-old mother of Today Show host Savanah Guthrie who's been missing for ten days. President Trump meets with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss Israel’s security, as the White House signals possible progress in nuclear talks with Iran. And immigration officials defend enforcement tactics on Capitol Hill while lawmakers remain divided ahead of a Friday deadline to fund the Department of Homeland Security. 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, Anna Yukhananov, Emma Bowman, Kate Bartlett, Mohamad ElBardicy, and Alice Woelfle. It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Nia Dumas Our director is Christopher Thomas. We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis. Our technical director is Simon-Laslo Janssen. Our Supervising Producer is Michael Lipkin. (0:00) Introduction (01:58) Guthrie Door Camera Footage (05:29) Trump & Netanyahu Meet On Iran (09:11) DHS House Hearing Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Congress has until Friday to reach a deal to fund the Department of Homeland Security, with negotiations stalled over Democratic demands to overhaul immigration enforcement. Britain’s prime minister Keir Starmer is fighting to hold onto power after new revelations show he hired a Washington ambassador with ties to Jeffrey Epstein, triggering calls for him to step down. And Savannah Guthrie issues another emotional plea for her missing mother as a ransom deadline passes and investigators say they still have no suspects in the disappearance. 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, Kate Bartlett, Miguel Macias, Mohamad ElBardicy and Alice Woelfle. It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Nia Dumas. Our director is Christopher Thomas. We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis and our technical director is Carleigh Strange. Our Supervising Senior Producer is Vince Pearson. (0:00) Introduction (01:54) DHS Funding Negotiations (05:40) UK Epstein Fallout (09:27) Latest on Guthrie Investigation Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

The search for Nancy Guthrie, the mother of Today show co-host Savannah Guthrie, enters a second week as her family says they’ve received a message from the people who took her and investigators continue to look for suspects. Ghislaine Maxwell is set to be questioned by members of Congress about Jeffrey Epstein, his crimes, and the powerful figures connected to him, even as she continues to challenge her own conviction. And the Seattle Seahawks win Super Bowl 60, beating the New England Patriots 29-13, using a dominant defense to secure the franchise’s second championship. 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 James Doubek, Megan Pratz, Russell Lewis, Mohamad ElBardicy, and Adriana Gallardo. It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Ava Pukatch. Our director is Christopher Thomas. We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis. Our technical director is Carleigh Strange. (0:00) Introduction (01:58) Guthrie Investigation (05:37) Ghislaine Maxwell Deposition (09:30) Seahawks Win Super Bowl LX Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

U.S. and Iranian envoys have held talks aimed at averting possible U.S. strikes on Iran. Debates over immigration enforcement are front and center in a Texas primary contest. Plus, it’s a busy weekend for sports fans with the 2026 Winter Olympic Games and the Super Bowl. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Before President Donald Trump’s first term, he was in a “tight spot” financially, according to New Yorker writer David Kirkpatrick. At the start of his second term, Kirkpatrick says, Trump was in an “even tighter” spot. But six months later, Trump’s financial situation had substantially improved. Kirkpatrick has done a full accounting of the money, that’s flowed into the Trump family coffers. Kirkpatrick says even using the most conservative estimates, the Trumps have made almost $4 billion dollars “off of the presidency,” in just about a year. Today on The Sunday Story, we turn to our friends at NPR’s Planet Money to help us understand how President Trump and his family have found ways to profit from the presidency. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

The U.S. and Iran begin high-stakes talks in Oman today over Tehran’s nuclear program, If they can't reach a deal, President Trump could launch a military strike from the large military force assembled in the Middle East. Lawmakers now have just one week to fund the Department of Homeland Security, as Democrats release a detailed list of demands to overhaul how immigration enforcement officers operate. And the FBI confirms a ransom letter in the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the mother of Today show co-host Savannah Guthrie, as investigators search for answers and her family pleads for proof she is alive. 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 Andrew Sussman, Jason Breslow, James Doubek, Mohamad ElBardicy, and Alice Woelfle. It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Nia Dumas. Our Director is Milton Guevara. We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis. Our technical director is Stacey Abbott. Our Executive Producer is Jay Shaylor. (0:00) Introduction (02:12) US-Iran Talks Begin (05:36) Dem List of DHS Demands (09:24) Search For Nancy Guthrie Continues Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

White House Border Czar Tom Homan says 700 federal agents will be leaving Minnesota after months of aggressive immigration enforcement, protests, and the killing of two U.S. citizens by federal agents. A new NPR/PBS/Marist poll finds most Americans now say ICE has gone too far, as the Trump administration shifts its tone on immigration enforcement. And the last remaining nuclear arms control treaty between the United States and Russia, the New START Treaty, is set to expire, raising new fears about unconstrained nuclear competition. 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 Eric Westervelt, Dana Farrington, Robbie Griffiths, Mohamad ElBardicy, and Alice Woelfle. It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Nia Dumas Our Director is Christopher Thomas. We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis. Our technical director is Carleigh Strange. Our deputy Executive Producer is Kelley Dickens. (0:00) Introduction (01:58) Partial Drawdown in Minnesota (05:36) NPR Poll: Trump and ICE (09:18) Nuclear Treaty Expires Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Congress ended the shutdown but now faces a tight deadline to fund the Department of Homeland Security, with Democrats and Republicans far apart over immigration enforcement reforms after two U.S. citizens were killed by federal agents in Minnesota. Russia has resumed heavy strikes on Ukraine’s power grid during extreme cold, despite President Trump saying Vladimir Putin agreed to pause attacks, putting new strain on fragile diplomatic efforts. And President Trump is calling for the federal government to “take over” elections in some states, escalating concerns among election officials about interference ahead of the midterms. 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 Anna Yukhananov, Miguel Macias, Ben Swasey, Mohamad ElBardicy, and Alice Woelfle. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Nia Dumas, and Christopher Thomas. We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis. Our technical director is Carleigh Strange. Our Supervising Producer is Michael Lipkin. (0:00) Introduction (01:52) DHS Funding Negotiations (05:27) Russia Attacks Ukraine Power Grid (09:26) Nationalizing Elections Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

A partial government shutdown enters its fourth day as House Republicans weigh whether to back a Senate deal that would reopen most agencies while giving Congress two weeks to negotiate changes to immigration enforcement. The U.S. is set to reopen nuclear talks with Iran, as regional powers push diplomacy even while President Trump warns military action remains on the table. And investigators in Arizona say 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie, the mother of Today show host Savannah Guthrie, may have been abducted from her home as an urgent search continues. 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 Jason Breslow, James Hider, Miguel Macias, Martha Ann Overland, Mohamad ElBardicy, and Alice Woelfle. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Nia Dumas and Christopher Thomas. We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis. Our technical director is Carleigh Strange. Our Supervising Senior Producer is Vince Pearson. (0:00) Introduction (01:54) Government Shutdown Day 4 (05:31) US-Iran Nuclear Talks (09:06) Guthrie Investigation Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

A partial government shutdown is under way after Congress missed its funding deadline, with lawmakers advancing a plan to reopen most agencies while negotiations over Homeland Security and immigration enforcement continue. A federal judge ruled the Trump administration can keep its immigration enforcement surge in Minneapolis going, even as plans to draw down agents haven’t materialized and residents see ongoing arrests and protests. And President Trump says the performing arts center built as a memorial to President John F. Kennedy will close for two years for a massive renovation. 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 Anna Yukhananov, Russell Lewis, Mohamad ElBardicy and Adrianna Gallardo. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Ava Pukatch and Christopher Thomas. We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis. Our technical director is Carleigh Strange. (0:00) Introduction (01:54) House Shutdown Vote (05:34) Minneapolis Immigration Operations (09:16) Trump Kennedy Center Closure Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

President Trump has a vision for the American workforce. Forget expensive college educations. His eye is on the skilled trades. The U.S. Department of Labor has adopted the slogan “Make America Skilled Again.” But who gets to be part of this renaissance? Since the 1980s, women have made small but meaningful gains in the construction trades. Now there are concerns that President Trump’s campaign to end diversity, equity and inclusion will stall that progress — setting back both women and the construction industry. Today on the Sunday Story, we ask how women fit into this administration’s vision of this skilled trades future. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

The Justice Department has released its final tranche of the Epstein files - we'll look at what they have and haven't included. And, the U.S. in a partial government shutdown again, although this is one is expected to be shorter than the record-breaking shutdown that happened during the fall. Plus, another winter storm is hitting the U-S this weekend, this time, hitting parts of the Southeast. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Senate leaders strike a short-term funding deal to keep most of the government running, but a partial shutdown now looks imminent as the House remains out until next week. Border Czar Tom Homan suggested a possible drawdown of federal immigration agents in Minnesota, only for President Trump to later say there would be no pullback at all, as arrests and protests continue on the ground. And the FBI seizes hundreds of thousands of ballots and election records from Fulton County, Georgia, as the Trump administration escalates scrutiny ahead of the midterms. 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 Anna Yukhananov, Gigi Douban, Ben Swasey, Mohamad ElBardicy, and Alice Woelfle. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Nia Dumas, Ava Pukatch and Christopher Thomas. We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis. Our technical director is Carleigh Strange. Our Executive Producer is Jay Shaylor. (0:00) Introduction (01:53) Senate Funding Deal (05:38) Border Czar in Minnesota (09:51) Georgia Election Ballots Ceased Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Senate Democrats are threatening a partial government shutdown unless Republicans agree to new limits on immigration enforcement by Friday's deadline. A protest at an ICE family detention center in South Texas turned confrontational as demonstrators demanded the release of a five-year-old boy and his father taken from Minnesota and held at the facility hundreds of miles away. And despite pressure from President Trump to lower interest rates, the Federal Reserve is holding steady to fight lingering inflation and rising 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 was edited by Kelsey Snell, Susanna Capelouto, Rafael Nam, Mohamad ElBardicy, and Alice Woelfle. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Nia Dumas, Ava Pukatch and Christopher Thomas. We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis. Our technical director is Stacey Abbott. Our deputy Executive Producer is Kelley Dickens. (0:00) Introduction (01:58) Senate Funding Vote (05:41) ICE Family Detention Protest (10:28) Fed Holds Interest Rates Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

President Trump takes his economic message to Iowa, trying to refocus on affordability after weeks of distractions ranging from Greenland to Venezuela and fallout from federal shootings in Minnesota. Nearly a year after a deadly midair collision near Washington, D.C., investigators say deep, systemic failures at the FAA allowed known risks to go unaddressed until it was too late. And NPR has obtained documents showing the Trump administration quietly loosened nuclear safety and environmental rules to fast-track new reactors, raising concerns about oversight and public trust. 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, Russell Lewis, Brett Neely, Mohamad ElBardicy, and Alice Woelfle. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Nia Dumas, Ava Pukatch and Christopher Thomas. We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis. Our technical director is Stacey Abbott. Our Supervising Producer is HJ Mai. (0:00) Introduction (01:55) Trump Economic Message (05:43) DC Helicopter Crash Report (10:02) New Nuclear Regulation Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Border Patrol commander Greg Bovino, the public face of the Trump administration’s immigration operations, is no longer leading enforcement efforts in Minnesota after two fatal shootings and escalating legal battles over who gets to investigate them. President Trump heads to Iowa trying to sell his economic agenda, even as backlash grows from within his own party over his immigration crackdown in Minneapolis. And a landmark trial begins in Los Angeles that will test whether major social media companies knowingly designed their platforms in ways that harm kids, a case that could force the tech industry to rethink how its apps are built. 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 Andrea de Leon, Rebekah Metzler, Brett Neely, Mohamad ElBardicy, and Alice Woelfle. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Nia Dumas, Ava Pukatch and Christopher Thomas. We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis. Our technical director is Stacey Abbott. Our Supervising Senior Producer is Vince Pearson. (0:00) Introduction (01:55) Bovino Out of Minnesota (05:57) Trump Refocusing on Economy (09:38) Social Media on Trial Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Protests and a general strike continue in Minneapolis after federal immigration agents fatally shot 37 year-old ICU nurse Alex Pretti during a crackdown, the second ICE related killing in the state this month. Senate Democrats threaten to block funding for the Department of Homeland Security unless Republicans agree to new limits on immigration enforcement, a standoff that could trigger a partial government shutdown. And across the country, states are digging out from a major winter storm that left deadly ice and snow, widespread power outages, and thousands of canceled flights. 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 Eric Westervelt, Krishnadev Calamur, Alfredo Carbajal, Mohamad ElBardicy and Adam Bearne. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Nia Dumas, Ava Pukatch and Christopher Thomas. We get engineering support from Simon-Laslo Janssen. And our technical director is David Greenburg. (0:00) Introduction (01:55) Minnesota ICE Shooting Aftermath (05:44) Senate DHS Funding Vote (09:26) Icy Weather Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Forty years ago, the space shuttle Challenger exploded 73 seconds after liftoff. Seven astronauts were killed, including teacher-in-space Christa McAuliffe. It was a devastating blow to the U.S. space program and a national tragedy for the country. In the days after the explosion, the search for answers began. Two NPR reporters, Howard Berkes and Daniel Zwerdling, focused their reporting on the engineers who managed Challenger’s booster rockets. On February 20, 1986, Berkes and Zwerdling broke a major story, providing the first details of a last-minute effort by those engineers to stop NASA from launching Challenger. In this special NPR documentary, Howard Berkes unfolds an investigation spanning forty years, from those desperate efforts in 1986 to delay the launch, to decades of crushing guilt for some of the engineers, and to the lessons learned that are as critical as ever as NASA’s budget and workforce shrink. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy