Up First

With cases and deaths rising nationwide, Dr. Deborah Birx says the coronavirus has entered a "new phase." Presumptive democratic nominee Joe Biden is close to naming a running mate. Plus, what the successful SpaceX landing means for space exploration.

This month marks the 30th anniversary of the Americans With Disabilities Act, which is considered to be the most important civil rights act since the 1960s. This bonus episode of Up First is brought to you by NPR's history podcast Throughline. Hosts Ramtin Arablouei and Rund Abdellfatah look back at the making of this movement, the history of how disability came to be seen as a civil rights issue, and what the disability community is still fighting for 30 years later.

Coronavirus economic aid talks continue through the weekend. The U.S. and countries emerging from poverty have the most COVID-19 cases. Hurricane Isaias passes the Bahamas and heads for the U.S.

As millions of Americans watch their supplemental unemployment checks disappear, we take stock of economic wins and losses this week. The Trump administration is sending COVID-19 data to a new place, and there are major glitches. And finally, the Census Bureau is ending its canvassing program a month early. Will that change its count?

The Commerce Department released an economic report for the last quarter. It details the sharpest economic contraction in modern American history. After weeks of standoffs with protesters, federal agents are stepping back in Portland. And finally, after almost 6 hours testifying in front of Congress, what more do we know about big tech and antitrust?

Executives from Amazon, Apple, Facebook and Google testify before Congress, Attorney General William P. Barr visited the Capitol on Tuesday to deliver his first congressional testimony in more than a year. And Steve Inskeep reports from Ashtabula County, Ohio.

The Republicans have reached a deal on coronavirus relief, but it could mean much less unemployment money for Americans. Can they convince Democrats? Major League Baseball is already postponing games due to COVID-19 infections. And do we need another lockdown to beat COVID-19?

Republicans unveil their relief plan, protesters and federal agents continue to clash in Portland, Oregon, and the country remembers John Lewis, a civil rights icon.

For decades, Democrats and Republicans competed to be tougher on crime. And few places were "tougher" than Republican-dominated Oklahoma. But that's changing. Politicians across the U.S. are starting to re-examine — and to some extent, reverse — how they think about long sentences and prisons. It all might be about morals ... but it's definitely about money. On this bonus episode of Up First, NPR's economics podcast Planet Money takes us to Oklahoma, to watch a state change its mind about...

Courts are boosting police and Trump administration efforts to shut down protests in Portland, Ore, and Seattle. Federal pandemic aid measures are ending and lawmakers have yet to agree on what comes next. After the number of COVID-19 cases skyrocketed, Arizona is seeing a small but steady decline.

As the United States crashes past its four millionth coronavirus case, President Trump cancels the Jacksonville part of the Republican National Convention. Following a decision to close the Chinese consulate in Houston, Texas, the Chinese government will close a U.S. consulate in Chengdu, China. The DOJ will charge four Chinese researchers with visa fraud.

President Trump has announced a new initiative to send federal agents and money to support state and local police in cities like Chicago and Albuquerque. Republicans reach an agreement on the relief package, what's next for the package? And finally, California has now reported more COVID-19 cases than any other state.

With cases up and approval ratings down, Trump changes course on the pandemic. Meanwhile, many universities are revising their pandemic opening plans as well. And finally, are federal agents in Portland, Oregon and elsewhere acting legally?

150 federal agents are deploying to Chicago as a part of President Trump's plan to quell violence and unrest in U.S. cities. Two new coronavirus vaccines are closer to large scale trials. And Florida teachers head to court, saying an order mandating them to teach five days a week in classrooms goes against the State Constitution.

Lawmakers are back on the hill negotiating the next trillion dollar relief package for the struggling economy. Meanwhile, COVID-19 cases surge in 40 states. Finally, an update on the clash between protesters and police in Portland, Oregon.

In this bonus episode of Up First, Rough Translation host Gregory Warner examines a holiday tradition in the Netherlands. Resolving conflict through consensus is a Dutch tradition. But how do you find compromise when it comes to racism? This episode looks at a controversial Dutch character Black Pete, and how Black Lives Matter may have helped change the holiday season in the Netherlands forever.

Rep. John Lewis, whose life-long civil rights activism has inspired several generations to fight racial injustice, has died of pancreatic cancer. Also, U.S. retail sales may be up, but it doesn't mean we're in an economic recovery. And a new Trump Administration rule for reporting coronavirus data has states and hospitals scrambling.

U.S., U.K., and Canadian intelligence agencies are warning that the Russians have been hacking into companies working to develop a coronavirus vaccine. The CDC said it would release new guidelines for school reopenings. And then it didn't. How are schools reacting? And finally, why are doctors still over-prescribing opioids?

The Trump administration is diverting data collection away from the CDC. Major political figures, business tycoons, and celebrities were hacked on Twitter. And finally, Mary Trump's new memoir on the family that created the 45th President.

President Trump announced an end to the United States' special relationship with Hong Kong. He also weighed in on the national debate about race and policing. Admiral Brett Giroir says the US can perform 100 million coronavirus tests a month by September, but will that be enough? And finally, after a three month delay, taxes are due today. Does the IRS have the resources to process them during the pandemic?