30 Best NPR News Podcasts
NPR News Podcasts
Here are 30 Best NPR News Podcasts worth listening to in 2026. Subscribe in one place on FeedSpot Reader.
Export Contact List Play All1. Up First from NPR
Play
Website Apple Spotify YouTube
NPR's Up First is the news you need to start your day. The three biggest stories of the day, with reporting and analysis from NPR News — in 10 minutes. Available weekdays at 6:30 a.m. ET, with hosts Leila Fadel, Steve Inskeep, Michel Martin and A Martinez. Also available on Saturdays at 9 a.m. ET, with Ayesha Rascoe and Scott Simon. On Sundays, hear a longer exploration behind the headlines with Ayesha Rascoe on 'The Sunday Story,' available by 8 a.m. ET. Subscribe and listen, then support your local NPR station at donate.npr.org...MORE Hosts Steve Inskeep, Leila Fadel, Michel Martin, A Martinez, Ayesha Rascoe, Scott Simon, Rachel Martin
Producer/Network NPR
Email ****@npr.org
Estimated listeners
Apple Rating 4.5/5Apple Reviews 54.5KFacebook 7.8MTwitter 45.5KInstagram 8.1M Avg Length 16 min Format Short form Get Email Contact Get access to full database of 2.7M podcastsCreate podcast lists, export in spreadsheet or CSV file with email contacts and start your podcast outreach in minutes.Sign Up for Free with Email Continue with Google
2. Behind The Headlines
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Website Apple Spotify YouTube
Behind the Headlines is a new one-hour, weekly public radio program featuring conversations about the local and regional news of the week. Providing analysis of the latest local and regional and cultural issues, Behind the Headlines is hosted by Express News Group editors Bill Sutton and Joseph P. Shaw. To bring listeners a diversity of perspectives, voices and views, each week Sutton and Shaw will host a rotating panel of esteemed guest journalists and colleagues, from a robust collection of East End, Long Island, and regional news and public affairs outlets. Confirmed participating organizatMORE Hosts Bill Sutton, Joseph P. Shaw
Producer/Network WLIW-FM
Email ****@wliw.org
Estimated listeners
Apple Rating 4.7/5Apple Reviews 12Facebook 7.8MTwitter 8.2MInstagram 8.1M Avg Length 52 min Format Long form Get Email Contact
3. Listen Local
Play
Website YouTube
The Listen Local podcast delivers the most recent KAZU produced local news and information features directly to your device.
Host Erika Mahoney
Producer/Network KAZU
Email ****@kazu.org
Estimated listeners
Apple Rating 4.9/5Apple Reviews 8Facebook 7.8MTwitter 8.2MInstagram 8.1M Avg Length 4 min Format Bite size Get Email Contact
4. NPR News Now
Play Watch Video
Website Apple Spotify YouTube
The latest news in five minutes. Updated hourly.
Producer/Network NPR
Email ****@npr.org
Estimated listeners
Apple Rating 4.2/5Apple Reviews 14KFacebook 7.8MTwitter 1.8KInstagram 8.1M Avg Length 5 min Format Bite size Get Email Contact
5. SDPB News
Play
Website Apple
Daily news roundup from SDPB News
Host Patrick Williams
Producer/Network SDPB
Email ****@sdpb.org
Estimated listeners
Apple Rating 4.5/5Apple Reviews 27Facebook 6KTwitter 8.7KInstagram 4.2K Avg Length 12 min Format Short form Get Email Contact
6. Coffee Table
Play
Website Apple
Coffee Table is KBBI's local interview program that airs live from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Wednesday mornings. Now available as a podcast after the show airs!To listen to Coffee Table episodes prior to Oct. 13, 2021, visit https://www.kbbi.org/show/coffee-tableMORE Hosts Jay Barrett, Desiree Hagen
Producer/Network KBBI AM 890
Email ****@kbbi.org
Estimated listeners
Apple Rating 5/5Apple Reviews 2Facebook 5.4KTwitter 187Instagram 1.4K Avg Length 60 min Format Long form Get Email Contact
7. Points North
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Website Apple Spotify
Points North is an award-winning podcast about the land, water, and inhabitants of the Great Lakes. Through narrative, sound-rich journalism that is deeply rooted in a sense of place, each episode entertains, informs, and surprises listeners everywhere.MORE Host Dan Wanschura
Producer/Network Interlochen Public Radio
Email ****@interlochen.org
Estimated listeners
Apple Rating 5/5Apple Reviews 227Facebook 7.8MTwitter 8.2MInstagram 8.1M Avg Length 22 min Format Medium form Get Email Contact
8. Firing Line with Margaret Hoover
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Website Apple Spotify YouTube
Author, feminist, gay rights activist and political commentator Margaret Hoover leads a rigorous exchange of ideas with America's political and cultural newsmakers. In the spirit of William F. Buckley Jr.'s iconic 'Firing Line,' Hoover engages with thought leaders on the pivotal issues moving the nation forward. New podcast episodes drop weekly, and sometimes more, featuring bonus content you won't hear on TV.MORE Host Margaret Hoover
Producer/Network Firing Line With Margaret Hoover
Email ****@gmail.com
Estimated listeners
Apple Rating 4.9/5Apple Reviews 182Facebook 10.9KInstagram 32K Avg Length 47 min Format Long form Get Email Contact
9. Disrupted
Play Watch Video
Website Apple Spotify YouTube
Disrupted is about the changes we all encounter and the forces driving those changes. Some disruptions spark joy and possibility. Others move us to take action and re-evaluate our world. But the show isn't just about those disruptions; it's about embracing them, exploring new perspectives, and feeling more connected to ourselves and our communities. Host and political scientist Khalilah Brown-Dean creates a place where changemakers come together to help us see the world differently and challenge us to grow together.Visit ctpublic.org/disrupted for more! MORE Host Dr. Khalilah L. Brown-Dean
Producer/Network Connecticut Public
Email ****@ctpublic.org
Estimated listeners
Apple Rating 4.7/5Apple Reviews 22Facebook 20.9KTwitter 32.6KInstagram 20.7K Avg Length 48 min Format Long form Get Email Contact
10. Minnesota Now
Play
Website Apple Spotify
Live, down to earth, unscripted interviews that aim to connect, inform and entertain. Real people share real stories with MPR News host Nina Moini. It's journalism that doesn't take itself too seriously and puts people first.MORE Host Nina Moini
Producer/Network Minnesota Public Radio
Email ****@mpr.org
Estimated listeners
Apple Rating 4.7/5Apple Reviews 45Facebook 288.5KTwitter 42.7KInstagram 217.5K Avg Length 18 min Format Short form Get Email Contact
11. The NPR Politics Podcast
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Website Apple Spotify YouTube
Every weekday, NPR's best political reporters are there to explain the big news coming out of Washington and the campaign trail. They don't just tell you what happened. They tell you why it matters. Every afternoon. Political wonks - get wonkier with The NPR Politics Podcast . Your subscription supports the podcast and unlocks a sponsor-free feed. Learn more at plus.npr.org/politicsMORE Producer/Network NPR
Email ****@npr.org
Estimated listeners
Apple Rating 4.4/5Apple Reviews 26.6KFacebook 7.8MTwitter 8.2MInstagram 8.1M Avg Length 20 min Format Short form Get Email Contact
12. KVNF Regional Newscast
Play
Website
Tune in weekdays after Morning Edition and during All Things Considered for regional news from KVNF.
Host Kate Redmond
Email ****@kvnf.org
Estimated listeners
Facebook 7.8MTwitter 8.2MInstagram 8.1M Avg Length 10 min Format Bite size Get Email Contact
13. The Newsroom
Play
Website Apple Spotify
Hosted by WHQR News Director Ben Schachtman, the program will be an opportunity for local officials and reporters -- the people who make news and the people who report it -- to talk about the issues that affect our community. According to host Ben Schachtman, 'Our goal is to have candid, in-depth conversations about the topics that concern our listeners. It will be a chance to dig a little deeper into the news.' From WHQR Public Media in Wilmington, NC. Contact us at ****@whqr.orgMORE Host Ben Schachtman
Producer/Network Benjamin Schachtman
Email ****@whqr.org
Estimated listeners
Apple Rating 5/5Apple Reviews 126Facebook 7.8MTwitter 8.2MInstagram 8.1M Avg Length 43 min Format Long form Get Email Contact
14. KBBI Newscast
Play
Website Apple Spotify YouTube
KBBI's News Department brings you the latest news from Kachemak Bay, the Kenai Peninsula and Alaska. Updated weekday mornings and afternoons.
Host Jeff Lockwood
Producer/Network Simon Lopez, Josh Krohn, Kaylin Holmes
Email ****@kbbi.org
Estimated listeners
Apple Rating 5/5Apple Reviews 1Twitter 187Instagram 1.4K Avg Length 10 min Format Bite size Get Email Contact
15. KVCR Midday News Report
Play
Website Apple Spotify
The 91.9 KVCR Midday News Report features current Inland Empire / southern California stories, with reporting and analysis from KVCR news staff all in under 5 minutes. Available Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Subscribe and listen, and support KVCR at kvcrnews.org.MORE Host Shareen Awad
Producer/Network KVCR 91.9 FM
Email ****@kvcr.org
Estimated listeners
Apple Rating 5/5Apple Reviews 1Facebook 7KTwitter 2.8K Avg Length 5 min Format Bite size Get Email Contact
16. WSIU News Updates
Play
Website Apple Spotify YouTube
WSIU Radio News Updates provides a daily podcast of the top local and state news stories as well as the latest weather information for the southern Illinois region.
Producer/Network Brad Palmer, Leah Lerner, Jeff Williams, WSIU Staff
Email ****@wsiu.org
Estimated listeners
Facebook 3.6KTwitter 2.4KInstagram 767 Avg Length 3 min Format Bite size Get Email Contact
17. The Allegheny Front
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Website Apple Spotify YouTube
Every week, our 29-minute podcast brings you all the environmental news and stories to keep you in the know in Pennsylvania and beyond.
Hosts Kathy Knauer, Kara Holsopple, Julie Grant
Producer/Network The Allegheny Front
Email ****@alleghenyfront.org
Estimated listeners
Apple Rating 4.8/5Apple Reviews 45Facebook 5.6KTwitter 3.9KInstagram 1.8K Avg Length 30 min Format Medium form Get Email Contact
18. KCBX News
Play
Website Apple
The award-winning KCBX Newsroom works to bring you local stories that represent our Central Coast listeners and supporters.
Hosts Rachel Showalter, Beth Thornton
Producer/Network KCBX
Email ****@kcbx.org
Estimated listeners
Apple Rating 5/5Apple Reviews 2Facebook 3.9KTwitter 1.1KInstagram 2.9K Avg Length 2 min Format Bite size Get Email Contact
19. Colorado In Depth
Play
Apple Spotify
A podcast featuring documentary news, storytelling and special reporting from CPR News. Covering Colorado in depth from the plains to the mountains, the Western Slope to the Four Corners.
Producer/Network Colorado Public Radio
Email ****@prx.org
Estimated listeners
Apple Rating 4.6/5Apple Reviews 6 Avg Length 35 min Format Medium form Get Email Contact
20. Growing Forward: Cannabis and New Mexico
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Website Apple Spotify
A podcast exploring the cannabis industry in New Mexico. Hosted by Andy Lyman, reporter at New Mexico Political Report, and Megan Kamerick, correspondent at New Mexico PBS, on-air host at KUNM radio and former business reporter.MORE Hosts Andy Lyman, Megan Kamerick
Producer/Network NMPBS & NM Political Report
Email ****@state.nm.us
Estimated listeners
Apple Rating 5/5Apple Reviews 13Facebook 17.8KTwitter 7K Avg Length 35 min Format Medium form Get Email Contact
21. COVID in L.A.
Play
Website Apple Spotify
Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, we've had a daily segment on AirTalk devoted to bringing you the latest information about COVID-19, vaccines, and how the virus and pandemic have affected the lives of Southern Californians from the doctors, nurses, epidemiologists, and other medical professionals fighting the virus on the frontlines.UPDATE: This podcast is no longer being updated regularly as of April 20, 2022. Should the pandemic situation change, we may release special episodes as needed...MORE Hosts Austin Cross, Sharon Mcnary
Producer/Network LAist Studios
Email ****@scpr.org
Estimated listeners
Apple Rating 5/5Apple Reviews 9 Avg Length 17 min Format Short form Get Email Contact
22. Tracked and Traced
Play
Apple Spotify
You are being surveilled. In the street, at home, on your phone. Police, governments, and corporations are collecting more data than ever before in the name of safety and security. Tracked and Traced asks: Is it worth it? Is it working? Hosted by Natasha T Miller and Antajuan Scott and featuring original reporting from WDET, this 10-episode series takes an in-depth look at how surveillance technology affects you. Join us as we watch the watchers. New episodes released every other week. Tracked and Traced is a production of WDET, Detroit's NPR Station, and Science Gallery at MSU...MORE Producer/Network WDET
Email ****@wayne.edu
Estimated listeners
Apple Rating 4.6/5Apple Reviews 13 Avg Length 39 min Format Medium form Get Email Contact
23. The Disconnect: Power, Politics and the Texas Blackout
Play
Website Apple Spotify
Millions lost power. Hundreds died. How did this happen? KUT's Mose Buchele explores what happened during the worst blackout in Texas history.
Host Mose Buchele
Producer/Network KUT & KUTX Studios
Email ****@kut.org
Estimated listeners
Apple Rating 4.9/5Apple Reviews 301Facebook 7.8MTwitter 8.2MInstagram 8.1M Avg Length 33 min Format Medium form Get Email Contact
24. COVID Brief
Play
Website Spotify
The COVID-19 Brief is a weekly live, call-in show with the Homer Unified Command-The City of Homer, South Peninsula Hospital, AK Department of Public Health, and Kenai Peninsula Borough School District- to update the community on the local Covid-19 situation.MORE Hosts Jay Barrett, Jeff
Email ****@kbbi.org
Estimated listeners
Facebook 5.4KTwitter 187Instagram 1.4K Avg Length 37 min Format Medium form Get Email Contact
25. On Every Main Street
Play
Website Apple Spotify
WDIY presents a weekly program that takes a deeper look into the Greater Lehigh Valley's small, medium and large businesses that might be found 'on every main street.' Hosted by Greg Capogna, On Every Main Street is an opportunity for WDIY listeners to learn more about the people with unique ideas serving the communities in which we live.MORE Host Greg Capogna
Producer/Network WDIY 88.1 FM
Email ****@wdiy.org
Estimated listeners
Facebook 6KTwitter 2.8KInstagram 2.9K Avg Length 26 min Format Medium form Get Email Contact
26. And Another Thing Podcast
Play Watch Video
Website Apple YouTube
Journalists Dara Kennedy and Maya Shwayder speak with people from a wide variety of backgrounds who are dealing with challenges and looking for solutions.
Hosts Dara Kennedy, Maya Shwayder
Producer/Network Unknown
Email ****@nepm.org
Estimated listeners
Facebook 17.7KTwitter 6.7KInstagram 10K Avg Length 24 min Format Medium form Get Email Contact
27. The One Oh One
Play
Website Apple Spotify
The One Oh One podcast featured local discoveries, in-depth conversations, and informative stories from the communities along Highway 101 and California's Central and South Coasts. Produced by KCLU, the show examined life and issues from Thousand Oaks to Ventura to Santa Barbara and beyond.The One Oh One won two Regional Edward R. Murrow Awards, the RTDNA 'Best Podcast' award two years in a row, and an L.A. Press Club award for best use of sound.MORE Host Michelle Loxton
Producer/Network KCLU
Email ****@kclu.org
Estimated listeners
Apple Rating 5/5Apple Reviews 33Facebook 5.2KTwitter 3 Avg Length 22 min Format Medium form Get Email Contact
28. All Things Peoria
Play
Website YouTube
All Things Peoria is WCBU's daily newsmagazine, airing weekdays at 5 p.m. This half-hour program shines a light into all corners of Greater Peoria. You'll see the challenges we face from a new angle. And you'll hear from the neighbors you never knew you had.MORE Hosts Tim Shelley, Jody Holtz
Email ****@gmail.com
Estimated listeners
Facebook 6.5KTwitter 2.4K Avg Length 14 min Format Short form Video Podcast YouTube
Get Email Contact
NPR News shows hosts and producers
| Podcaster Name | Role | Podcast Link | Total Episodes | Gender | Twitter Handle | Twitter Followers | Location | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steve Inskeep | Co Host | npr.org/podcasts/510318/up-first | Male | @nprinskeep | 379.4K | Washington, D.C., United States | ||
| Leila Fadel | Co Host | npr.org/podcasts/510318/up-first | Female | @leilafadel | 46.9K | Washington, D.C., United States | ||
| Michel Martin | Co Host | npr.org/podcasts/510318/up-first | Female | @nprmichel | 59.3K | Washington, D.C., United States | ||
| A Martinez | Co Host | npr.org/podcasts/510318/up-first | Male | @amartinezla | 14.2K | Los Angeles, CA, United States | ||
| Ayesha Rascoe | Co Host | npr.org/podcasts/510318/up-first | Female | @ayesharascoe | 99.6K | Washington, D.C., United States | ||
| Scott Simon | Co Host | npr.org/podcasts/510318/up-first | Male | @nprscottsimon | 1M | Washington, D.C., United States | ||
| Rachel Martin | Co Host | npr.org/podcasts/510318/up-first | Female | @rachelnpr | 107K | ID, United States | ||
| Bill Sutton | Co Host | npr.org/podcasts/993839407/behind-the-headlines | 26 | Male | ||||
| Joseph P. Shaw | Co Host | npr.org/podcasts/993839407/behind-the-headlines | 26 | Male | Southampton, NY, United States | |||
| Erika Mahoney | Host | npr.org/podcasts/543479700/k-a-z-u-listen-local-podcast | 1 | Female | @mahoneyeb | Boulder, CO, United States | ||
| Patrick Williams | Host | npr.org/podcasts/1031233995/s-d-p-b-news | 140 | Rapid City, SD, United States | ||||
| Jay Barrett | Host | npr.org/podcasts/1049844525/coffee-table | 7 | Male | ||||
| Desiree Hagen | Host | npr.org/podcasts/1049844525/coffee-table | 7 | Female | ||||
| Dan Wanschura | Host | npr.org/podcasts/993547741/points-north | 1 | Male | @dwanschura | 615 | Traverse City, MI, United States | |
| Margaret Hoover | Host | npr.org/podcasts/1060877256/firing-line-with-margaret-hoover | 28 | Female | @margarethoover | 53.2K | New York City, NY, United States | |
| Dr. Khalilah L. Brown-Dean | Host | ctpublic.org/shows/disrupted | 36 | @kbdphd | 6.6K | United States | ||
| Nina Moini | Host | mprnews.org/shows/minnesotanow | 405 | Female | Minneapolis, MN, United States | |||
| Kate Redmond | Host | npr.org/podcasts/985779910/k-v-n-f-regional-newscast | 59 | |||||
| Ben Schachtman | Host | npr.org/podcasts/984690732/the-newsroom | 1 | Male | @ben_schachtman | Wilmington, NC, United States | ||
| Jeff Lockwood | Host | npr.org/podcasts/1052142404/k-b-b-i-newscast | 1 | Male | ||||
| Shareen Awad | Host | npr.org/podcasts/1033362253/the-midday-news-report | 2 | Female | ||||
| Kathy Knauer | Co Host | alleghenyfront.org/category/fullepisodes | 36 | Female | @af_kathyknauer | Pittsburgh, PA, United States | ||
| Kara Holsopple | Host | alleghenyfront.org/category/fullepisodes | 36 | Female | @karaholsopple | Pittsburgh, PA, United States | ||
| Julie Grant | Co Host | alleghenyfront.org/category/fullepisodes | 36 | Female | @julieigrant | Pittsburgh, PA, United States | ||
| Rachel Showalter | Host | npr.org/podcasts/1058783918/k-c-b-x-news-for-the-central-coast | Female | @rachelshowalt | 196 | Bellingham, WA, United States | ||
| Beth Thornton | Host | npr.org/podcasts/1058783918/k-c-b-x-news-for-the-central-coast | Female | |||||
| Andy Lyman | Host | npr.org/podcasts/1064107268/growing-forward-cannabis-and-new-mexico | ||||||
| Megan Kamerick | Host | npr.org/podcasts/1064107268/growing-forward-cannabis-and-new-mexico | ||||||
| Austin Cross | Host | laist.com/podcasts/covidinla | @austincross | Los Angeles, CA, United States | ||||
| Sharon Mcnary | Host | laist.com/podcasts/covidinla | @kpccsharon | 3.9K | CA, United States | |||
| Mose Buchele | Host | npr.org/podcasts/1004840920/the-disconnect-power-politics-and-the-texas-blackout | Male | @mosebuchele | Austin, TX, United States | |||
| Jay Barrett | Host | npr.org/podcasts/1049844859/c-o-v-i-d-brief | ||||||
| Jeff | Host | npr.org/podcasts/1049844859/c-o-v-i-d-brief | ||||||
| Greg Capogna | Host | npr.org/podcasts/1057799880/on-every-main-street | 1 | Male | ||||
| Dara Kennedy | Host | npr.org/podcasts/1066026063/and-another-thing-podcast | Female | |||||
| Maya Shwayder | Host | npr.org/podcasts/1066026063/and-another-thing-podcast | Female | |||||
| Michelle Loxton | Host | npr.org/podcasts/1047772790/the-one-oh-one | 2 | Female | @michelle_loxton | 458 | Thousand Oaks, CA, United States | |
| Tim Shelley | Host | npr.org/podcasts/1034887659/all-things-peoria | ||||||
| Jody Holtz | Host | npr.org/podcasts/1034887659/all-things-peoria | ||||||
| Brad Palmer | wsiu.org/podcast/wsiu-news-updates | 90 | @wsiuradio | 2.4K | ||||
| Leah Lerner | wsiu.org/podcast/wsiu-news-updates | 83 | @wsiuradio | 2.4K | ||||
| WSIU Staff | wsiu.org/podcast/wsiu-news-updates | 12 | @wsiuradio | 2.4K |
See Also
- Best 60 NPR Podcasts
- Best 100 Popular Spotify Podcasts In United States
- Best 100 California News Podcasts
- Best 70 News Podcasts
- Best 10 Connecticut Political Podcasts
- Best 60 10 Minutes Podcasts
- Best 70 Popular Podcasts
- Best 10 WLIW Podcasts
- Best 45 Popular Apple Podcasts In United States
- Best 40 Illinois News Podcasts