Up First from NPR

Gretchen Whitmer is in her final year as governor of the swing state of Michigan. The Democratic governor sat for an interview with NPR's Steve Inskeep and talked about tariffs, the prospects of a female president, and the security of upcoming elections.

Want more comprehensive analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter.

This bonus episode of Up First was edited by Reena Advani. It was produced by Adam Bearne, Kaity Kline and Ziad Buchh. We get engineering support from Robert Rodriguez. Our Executive Producer is Jay Shaylor.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

As world leaders gather in Davos, President Trump escalates pressure on allies with new tariff threats, renewed talk of acquiring Greenland, and plans for a sweeping new “Board of Peace” that could reshape global diplomacy.

Three people die in six weeks at the country’s largest immigration detention center in El Paso, raising urgent questions about medical care, oversight, and the role of private contractors.

And Indiana completes one of the most improbable turnarounds in college football history, capping a perfect season with a national championship win over Miami.

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, Alfredo Carbajal, Russell Lewis, Mohamad ElBardicy, Alice Woelfle.It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Ben Abrams and Christopher Thomas.We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis. Our technical director is Carleigh Strange.And our Supervising Senior Producer is Vince Pearson.(0:00) Introduction
(01:58) Trump's World Stage
(05:51) El Paso Detention Deaths
(09:17) Indiana College Football Champions

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

Minnesota braces for a possible escalation as federal troops stand by amid protests against immigration enforcement and renewed threats to invoke the Insurrection Act.

Tensions rise with European allies as the White House pressures Denmark and other NATO countries over Greenland, prompting warnings of damage to transatlantic relations.

And world leaders are being asked to buy into a new U.S.-led “Board of Peace” for Gaza and other conflicts, with billion-dollar commitments and President Trump at the helm.

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 Padma Rama, Ben Swasey, Gerry Holmes, Mohamad ElBardicy, HJ Mai.It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Nia Dumas and Christopher Thomas.We get engineering support from Simon-Laslo Janssen. And our technical director is Carleigh Strange.(0:00) Introduction
(01:57) Troops Stand By For Minnesota
(05:47) Greenland NATO Tensions
(09:34) Gaza Peace Board

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

L.A. County Public Defender Noah Cox noticed the disturbing trend. Many of his clients seemed to struggle answering even the most basic questions about the crimes they’d been charged with, questions like, “Where were you that day?” It seemed, Cox said, “like they were having troubles related to some sort of intellectual ability.” But when he dug into their records, Cox could see that while many had committed serious crimes, most had never been identified as disabled or offered resources to help with cognitive impairments. So Cox set about to change that. He helped create a new unit in the Los Angeles Public Defender’s Office dedicated to representing people with cognitive disorders.

Today on The Sunday Story a look at the possibilities and challenges of helping those with cognitive impairments stay out of prison and get the resources they need to live productive lives.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

The Justice Department has launched an investigation into Minnesota's Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, alleging that they conspired to impede the work of ICE agents. Plus, an especially harsh winter hits Ukraine, where Russian strikes have taken out power plants, leaving many without heat and electricity. And, a new study finds that the use of generative AI is harmful to the development of children.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy