Special Series Up First Newsletter All Up First Stories Up First Podcast Morning Edition LISTEN & FOLLOW NPR App Apple Podcasts Spotify Amazon Music iHeart Radio YouTube Music RSS link Sign up for the [TITLE] Newsletter Get perks with [Podcast Title]+ Your support helps make our show possible and unlocks access to our sponsor-free feed.
By
Brittney Melton
Good morning. You're reading the Up First newsletter. Subscribe here to get it delivered to your inbox, and listen to the Up First podcast for all the news you need to start your day.
The conflict in the Middle East shows no signs of slowing down as Israel announced new strikes on western Iran yesterday. Iran's foreign minister has denied President Trump's claim that Iran asked for a ceasefire. The Strait of Hormuz remains closed, cutting off a quarter of oil and natural gas supplies from the rest of the world. Trump is pressuring countries to help reopen it. New Israeli ground operations in Lebanon are also heating up a second front in the war.
Israeli air defense system fires to intercept missiles during an Iranian attack over Tel Aviv, Israel, early Sunday, March 15, 2026. Ohad Zwigenberg/AP hide caption
Senate Republicans are preparing to vote on the president's controversial SAVE Act this week. The bill aims to address a hot-button issue that's close to Trump's heart: non-citizen voting. Trump remains adamant that it's a widespread concern in the U.S., despite a lack of evidence.
Linda Holmes, Pop Culture Happy Hour host, joins the Up First newsletter today to provide key takeaways from last night's Oscars.
It was a very good night for best picture winner One Battle After Another, as well as for Sinners, at the Oscars last night. There were a few surprises (a rare tie), plus some politics, too. Here are our takeaways from the evening:
Check out photos from the red carpet and see the full list of winners.
Stay pop culture savvy by subscribing to the Pop Culture Happy Hour newsletter. Once a week, you'll get NPR's guide to movies, TV, books, music and more.
Westend61/Getty Images It can feel difficult to reclaim your time and attention from your phone when it's designed to keep you scrolling. Life Kit spoke to experts in behavioral science, psychology and technology for real-world advice. Check out these expert-recommended strategies to effectively stay off your phone:
For more tips on how to better stay off your phone, listen to this episode of NPR's Life Kit. Subscribe to the Life Kit newsletter for expert advice on love, money, relationships and more.
Actors gaze up to the sky during JJ'88's "ROOT" in the hip-hop artist and former inmate's documentary/visual album Songs from the Hole. Before the song starts, protagonist and producer James "JJ'88" Jacobs describes meditating on his and others' redemption while incarcerated and in solitary confinement. Courtesy of Netflix hide caption
Songs from the Hole is a powerful visual album and documentary that tells the story of James Jacobs, known as hip-hop artist JJ'88, as he reflects on life within California's prison system. In 2004, at age 15, Jacobs shot and killed a 20-year-old at a party. By 2021, Jacobs had spent more time in prison than outside it. After meeting and befriending Contessa Gayles while she was on assignment for CNN, Jacobs and his producer, Richie Reseda, approached filmmaker Gayles with a bold vision. They wanted to create a visual album that Jacobs had written during his incarceration. The film intertwines Jacobs' letters and recorded phone calls with Gayles and Reseda, showcasing scripts, shot lists and lyrics. The documentary delves into themes of Black boyhood, family ties, faith, crime, forgiveness and redemption, creating a compelling narrative of resilience and hope. Check out these images from the film.
A screenshot from the all-out winner of the 46th annual Razzie Awards, War of the Worlds, starring Ice Cube. Amazon Prime Video hide caption
This newsletter was edited by Suzanne Nuyen.
Sponsor Message
Become an NPR sponsor