Epstein Conspiracies, US Drug Manufacturing, Student Loan Overhaul

Many Palestinians have been killed by Israeli military fire as they try to get food aid, the Trump administration is in court pushing Harvard University to comply with its demands, and lawmakers in Texas are heading into a special session to try to redraw voting districts for Congress.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, Steve Drummond, Ben Swasey, Janaya Williams and Alice Woelfle. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Nia Dumas and Christopher Thomas. We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott. And our technical director is Carleigh Strange.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

It's been five years since George Floyd was murdered, yet for many Black families, the fear remains unchanged. In this episode of The Sunday Story, Ayesha Rascoe sits down with Ryan Ross and his teenage son Gavin to discuss "The Talk" — the painful but necessary conversation Black parents have to prepare their children for encounters with police. From childhood memories of Tamir Rice to fatherly rules for surviving traffic stops, we take a look at how Black parents explain to their sons how to navigate interactions with law enforcement.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

The Justice Department has asked a federal judge to unseal more records relating to Jeffrey Epstein, but will this satisfy conspiracy theorists? President Trump is using tariffs to put pressure on pharmaceutical companies to move production back to the U.S. The recently signed spending and tax law includes major changes to the student loan system. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Act now to ensure public media remains free and accessible to all. Your donation will help this essential American service survive and thrive. Visit donate.npr.org now.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

House Republicans passed a rescissions bill taking back $9 billion in funding for public media and foreign aid. President Trump says he intends to sue the Wall Street Journal after they published an article about his relationship with the late financier Jeffrey Epstein, and President Trump was diagnosed with a common medical condition affecting the veins in his legs.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 Gerry Holmes, Padma Rama, Jane Greenhalgh, Janaya Williams and Ally Schweitzer. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Nia Dumas and Christopher Thomas. We get engineering support from David Greenburg. Our technical director is Carleigh Strange. And our Executive Producer is Jay Shaylor. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Senate Republicans voted to take back billions of dollars in funding for foreign aid and public broadcasting, President Trump has been threatening to fire Fed chair Jerome Powell before his term ends next year, and Israel launched airstrikes into Syria's capital of Damascus. 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 Gerry Holmes, Dana Farrington, Miguel Macias, Janaya Williams and Mohamad ElBardicy.It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Nia Dumas and Christopher Thomas.We get engineering support from David Greenburg. And our technical director is Carleigh Strange. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Escalating import tariffs are beginning to show up in the prices that consumers pay. The President has backtracked on his promise to release government's files on sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, and the Senate has approved a cut of more than one billion dollars for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting – which provides money to NPR, PBS and their member stations.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 Rafael Nam, Brett Neely, Gerry Holmes, Janaya Williams and HJ Mai. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Nia Dumas and Christopher Thomas. We get engineering support from David Greenburg. And our technical director is Zo van Ginhoven. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

President Trump threatened Russia with heavy tariffs if a ceasefire deal with Ukraine is not reached by September, and he promised Ukraine billions of dollars worth of military equipment. The Supreme Court ruled that the Trump administration can continue to dismantle the Education Department, and the President is facing backlash from his supporters over his handling of the so-called Epstein files.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 Ryland Barton, Lauren Migaki, Megan Pratz, Janaya Williams and Ally Schweitzer. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Nia Dumas and Christopher Thomas. We get engineering support from Damian Herring. And our technical director is Carleigh Strange.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

President Trump sent letters to leaders of the European Union and Mexico threatening to impose higher import sanctions. The President has expressed frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin and says he will cut a deal coordinating arms shipments to Ukraine. And, as flood recovery efforts continue in central Texas, the magnitude of the disaster is coming into clearer focus.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 Miguel Macias, Ryland Barton, Russell Lewis, Janaya Williams and Lisa Thomson. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Nia Dumas and Christopher Thomas. We get engineering support from Damian Herring. And our technical director is Zo van Ginhoven. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

The Trump administration is pushing to bring manufacturing back to America. But what happens when one multinational company actually tries to set up shop in Small Town, USA? Today we bring you the Planet Money story of how a battery factory ignited a political firestorm over what kind of factories we actually want in our backyard. And what happens when the global economy meets small town democracy.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy