Leila Faldin

It was produced by Ziad Butch, Nia Dumas, Ava Pukach, and Christopher Thomas.

We get engineering support from Nisha Hynes.

Our technical director is Carly Strange.

Our deputy executive producer is Kelly Dickens.

Join us again tomorrow.

Good morning, Layla.

Good morning.

How was your Christmas?

It was great.

Exhausting.

So we're almost at the end of 2025.

Hard to believe, right?

Yeah, I mean, it feels like it passed so quickly because it's been a tough year.

Busy year in the news, a tough year for NPR and local stations.

You know, but despite that loss of federal funding for public media, despite continued attacks on the free press, we are still here and we are here for you.

Up first, NPR will keep reporting the news without fear or favor.

Yeah, we're committed to being here, to bringing you the news you need to start your day every morning.

But we need your support now more than ever.

And right now, before the end of the year, it's the best time to make your gift.

Thank you to our NPR Plus supporters who help sustain NPR and to everybody who has already stepped up to donate.