Up First from NPR

Best Friends and Life Partners

What was the biggest thing that changed for you this year? We’ll go first: our host Ayesha Rascoe bought a house with her best friend! Now the two of them are living together and platonically coparenting five kids under the same roof. The seed of this idea actually came from a conversation Ayesha had last year, when she sat down with NPR producer and editor Rhaina Cohen to talk about her book, "The Other Significant Others: Reimagining Life with Friendship at the Center [https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250333025/theothersignificantothers]." In the book, Rhaina shares stories about friends who own homes together, raise kids with each other, and care for each other in old age. At the end of the year, when so many of us are reflecting on personal milestones and relationships, we’re sharing Ayesha and Rhaina’s conversation again. Because so much is possible when you choose to put friendship at the center of your life. This interview originally aired on February 11, 2024. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices] NPR Privacy Policy [https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy]

Health Care Subsidies, Flooding In Washington, DOJ Under President Trump

Health care subsidies are set to expire at the end of this year. Millions of Americans face price hikes but can Congress reach a deal to alleviate the pain? Historic flooding hits part of the Pacific Northwest, we’ll have the latest from Washington. Plus, a look at the U.S. Justice Department under President Trump.  Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices] NPR Privacy Policy [https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy]

Zelenskyy and Peace Promises, Abrego Garcia Release, Indiana Rejects Redistricting

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he’s willing to hold elections if the US and other allies help ensure security. Is that a promise Trump can make as he pushes Ukraine to surrender territory to Russia? Also, Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a man illegally deported by the Trump administration in March and eventually returned, is now free from immigration custody. Plus, Republicans in Indiana have rejected a redistricting proposal. President Trump successfully pushed other states to redraw their congressional maps to help Republicans win next year’s midterm elections, so why did Indiana’s Republicans break with the president? Want more analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe [https://www.npr.org/newsletter/news] to the Up First newsletter. Today’s episode of Up First was edited by Kate Bartlett, Anna Yukhananov, Larry Kaplow and Alice Woelfle. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Nia Dumas and Christopher Thomas. We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott. Our technical director is Carleigh Strange Our Executive Producer is Jay Shaylor. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices] NPR Privacy Policy [https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy]

ACA Vote, Fed Cuts Interest Rates, US-Venezuela

With Obamacare health insurance subsidies set to expire this month, millions of Americans are bracing for massive increases in healthcare costs. Also, the Federal Reserve’s decision to cut interest rates may help the job market but hurt efforts to wrangle inflation. Will the central bank continue slashing rates into 20-26? Plus, the Trump administration says it’s seized an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela. Want more analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe [https://www.npr.org/newsletter/news] to the Up First newsletter. Today’s episode of Up First was edited by Diane Webber, Rafael Nam, Andrew Sussman and Alice Woelfle. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Nia Dumas and Christopher Thomas. We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott. Our technical director is Carleigh Strange. Our Deputy Executive Producer is Kelley Dickens. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices] NPR Privacy Policy [https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy]

Trump Economy, Federal Reserve December, Afghan Fighters' Struggles

President Trump insists the economy is thriving. So, how does he explain why so many voters view the economy negatively? Also, the Federal Reserve considers whether to cut interest rates today. Will concerns over inflation keep rates as is or will unemployment worries prompt another cut? Plus, the unraveling of the Afghan man accused of gunning down two National Guard members. How are other Afghans in the US who fought for the CIA navigating the stress and despair that commonly haunt frontline soldiers? Want more analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe [https://www.npr.org/newsletter/news] to the Up First newsletter. Today’s episode of Up First was edited by Rebekah Metzler, Rafael Nam, Luis Clemens, Alice Woelfle, and Arezou Rezvani. It was produced by Kaity Kline, Nia Dumas and Christopher Thomas. We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott. Our technical director is Carleigh Strange And our Supervising Producer is Michael Lipkin. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices] NPR Privacy Policy [https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy]