A straightforward look at the day's top news in 20 minutes. Powered by ABC News. Hosted by Brad Mielke.
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The Start Here podcast is an essential listen for anyone looking to stay informed on the latest news and current events. Hosted by Brad Mielke, this podcast offers a comprehensive overview of the top stories of the day, providing listeners with a well-rounded understanding of what's happening in the world. With its informative and engaging format, Start Here succeeds in delivering serious reporting alongside more lighthearted and quirky stories, making it a unique and enjoyable listening experience.
One of the best aspects of Start Here is its ability to strike a balance between serious news coverage and more light-hearted content. Brad Mielke has a talent for weaving together important headlines with interesting and offbeat stories, ensuring that listeners are not only well-informed but also entertained. This combination allows for a more engaging listening experience that keeps audiences coming back for more.
Additionally, Start Here excels in providing unbiased reporting on major news topics. In an era where media outlets often cater to specific political ideologies, it's refreshing to find a podcast that prioritizes journalistic integrity over political fidelity. The ABC News team behind Start Here consistently delivers objective viewpoints on current issues, giving listeners the opportunity to form their own opinions based on accurate information.
While there are many positive aspects to Start Here, it's important to note that some may find the show's humor and lightheartedness inappropriate for serious news coverage. While Brad Mielke's sly humor adds personality and charm to the podcast, some listeners may prefer a more traditional approach to news reporting without jokes or comedic interludes.
In conclusion, The Start Here podcast is a must-listen for anyone seeking a balanced and informative overview of the day's top headlines. With its unique combination of serious reporting and entertaining storytelling, this podcast keeps listeners engaged while keeping them up-to-date on current events. Whether you're looking for comprehensive news coverage or simply want to start your day off with a fun and informative podcast, Start Here is a fantastic choice.

Artificial intelligence company Anthropic appears poised to ignore a deadline from the Pentagon to fully integrate its systems with the military. Hillary Clinton sharply criticizes the House Oversight Committee's handling of a closed-door deposition. And American officials confirm some of the men shot off the Cuban coastline were from the U.S. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With missile threats growing, Iran and U.S. negotiators meet in Geneva. A shoot-out at sea raises questions about vessels near Cuba. And documents suggest that Jeffrey Epstein managed to hide evidence from investigators for more than a decade. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Trump pitches his economic agenda in the State of the Union address as polls show many Americans remain skeptical. Texas Rep. Tony Gonzales says he will not resign over allegations of an affair with a staffer despite calls from fellow Republicans to do so. And, a snowball fight in New York City sparks an NYPD investigation after two officers get caught in the crossfire. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Facing his worst approval ratings as president, Donald Trump prepares to pitch Americans on his vision for a second year in office. British police arrest a former government official after emails showing his correspondence with Jeffrey Epstein. And Americans in Mexico hunker down as cartel violence rages. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After a monumental ruling cancelling much of his tariff policies, President Trump vows to press forward with new import taxes. A man is killed after trespassing into Mar-a-Lago with a gun and a gas canister. And drug cartels are violently stamping their authority on Mexican towns after a kingpin was killed by police. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is arrested and later released on suspicion of misconduct in public office after documents emerge between the former prince and the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The U.S. military continues its buildup of warships in the Middle East as President Trump pushes Iran to make a deal. And outrage grows over a massive sewage leak in the Potomac River. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Police believe nine people have died after an avalanche in California. President Trump's “Board of Peace” prepares to meet in Washington, despite being dismissed by European allies. And as artificial intelligence data centers sprout up in American towns, residents are taken aback by the consequences. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Negotiators from Iran and the U.S. emerge from nuclear talks with words of optimism, despite fears of military strikes if they fail. Civil rights icon Jesse Jackson dies at 84. And London police are cracking down on an increasingly prevalent problem: public phone-snatchings. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A federal judge orders the White House to restore a slavery exhibit at Independence National Historic Park in Philadelphia. A father goes on trial in Georgia after allegedly gifting his son an assault-style rifle used in a mass shooting. And President Trump presses for voting reform that would create national voter ID laws. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With its funding withheld by Congress, the Department Homeland Security goes into shutdown mode. Secretary of State Marco Rubio gives an address stressing unity with Europe, despite increasing friction. And an Olympic curling kerfuffle begs the question: how much officiating does a sport really need? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Trump administration walks back a landmark EPA decision to regulate greenhouse gas emissions and fight climate change. As lawmakers struggle to reach a deal on DHS funding, immigration officials in Minneapolis say the enforcement operation that sparked the debate will end. And, a federal judge says the Pentagon trampled on Sen. Mark Kelly's First Amendment rights for punishing him over the "illegal orders" video. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A dispute between the FAA and the Pentagon over a military laser leads to the closure of airspace in El Paso, Texas. Attorney General Pam Bondi hits back at lawmakers as she faces questions about the DOJ's handling of the Epstein files. And bodycam video is released in the case of a U.S. citizen shot five times by a Border Patrol agent. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A person is detained in the Nancy Guthrie investigation after the FBI releases new surveillance images. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick admits he visited Jeffrey Epstein's island, but denies any wrongdoing as some lawmakers call for his resignation. And a library on the border between the U.S. and Canada is feeling the effects of President Trump's agenda. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As Ghislaine Maxwell refuses to answer questions from Congress, federal files reveal a new characterization of how much Donald Trump knew about Jeffrey Epstein's misdeeds. Cuba tells airlines they won't be able to refuel in Havana, as US sanctions lead to an oil shortage. And drugmaker Novo Nordisk sues compound pharmacy Hims & Hers over copied weight loss drugs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The White House deletes a racist social media post from the president's account, after vociferously defending it. The Guthrie family adjusts its language in messages to potential kidnappers. And Bad Bunny's Super Bowl Halftime Show sends a stark message, both inside and outside the United States. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The family of Nancy Guthrie have begun publicly pleading with would-be kidnappers to clarify any demands. The release of Jeffrey Epstein emails upend public life in the United Kingdom, with pressure building on Prime Minister Keir Starmer. And the Olympic opening ceremonies are about to get underway in Italy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The White House announces 700 of its nearly 3,000 agents will be leaving Minneapolis, while Congress begins debating conditions for DHS funding. Ukrainians are desperately trying to rescue what they describe as children “stolen” by Russia. And a booming “prediction market” volunteers, unprompted, to offer free groceries in the backyard of its potential regulators. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

An American fighter jet shoots down an Iranian drone. Arizona authorities examine a slew of tips in the apparent abduction of Savannah Guthrie's mother. And more federal prosecutors resign in protest near Minneapolis. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As President Trump calls for Republicans to “nationalize” voting processes, sources say the president was actively involved in an FBI raid on election offices. The Rafah border crossing opens to some Gazans desperate to flee. And inside a Las Vegas home, authorities discover what they say might be a dangerous biological lab. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

An avalanche of Jeffrey Epstein documents raises new questions about his relationships with the world's elite. A 5-year-old boy has been sent back to Minneapolis with his father after spending days in a migrant detention center. And reports of a $500 billion investment in a Trump-backed crypto fund prompt concerns about conflicts of interest at the White House. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A potential shutdown looms as Democrats pressure the Department of Homeland Security for reforms. President Trump cites debunked conspiracy theories over the 2020 election, sparking concerns over more election office raids. And Ukrainians find themselves in freezing conditions after an attack on energy infrastructure. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Federal agents carry out a search warrant on Fulton County election offices in Georgia, leaving with ballots from the 2020 election. The Department of Homeland Security claims the border agents who shot Alex Pretti have been placed on administrative leave, contradicting claims from a Border Patrol commander that they're still in the field. And more American colleges are realizing they've been scammed by “ghost students.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

An initial report from the Department of Homeland Security claims that two different agents fired their weapons in the shooting that killed Alex Pretti. Death estimates in Iran skyrocket, with American military assets now lingering nearby. And while TikTok has settled ahead of a massive tech trial, many users do not seem happy with a recent American takeover. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the face of bipartisan backlash, President Trump recalls Border Patrol commander-at-large Greg Bovino from Minneapolis. Minnesota officials mount a court challenge to the Trump administration's presence on the streets. And dozens of states are recovering from an icy winter storm. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Another demonstrator has been killed by federal agents in Minneapolis - and several videos seem to contradict the Trump administration's initial claims. Revelations about Alex Pretti's concealed carry permit spark a debate over Second Amendment rights at protests. And congressional Democrats threaten a potential government shutdown over ICE funding. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Former Special Prosecutor Jack Smith defends his investigation into President Trump to Congress. “Sinners” sets a new record for Oscar nominations. And a code-breaker claims he's solved the Zodiac case – and that it's connected to another famous murder. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Speaking to leaders in Switzerland, President Trump gives up on a military takeover of Greenland. Jurors acquit a Uvalde, Texas police officer on all charges of child endangerment. And the Supreme Court seems likely to rule against President Trump's attempt to oust Federal Reserve board member Lisa Cook. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Trump is set to speak at the World Economic Forum after threatening European allies who have defended Greenland. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey are subpoenaed by the DOJ. And closing arguments begin in the trial of a former Uvalde school officer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Trump sends a late-night text to the Norwegian prime minister, suggesting his Nobel Peace Prize snub justifies military action in Greenland. One year after a measles outbreak in Texas, the U.S. could lose its “elimination status” from the World Health Organization. And China reveals data showing its birth rate plummeted last year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Pentagon has ordered 1,500 active duty troops to be ready to potentially deploy to Minneapolis, sources tell ABC News. President Trump threatens tariffs against European countries who oppose his plans for Greenland. And Prince Harry heads to the U.K. to testify in his lawsuit against the publishers of the Daily Mail. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Trump threatens to send in federal troops through the Insurrection Act amid heated clashes between protesters and ICE. Venezuela's opposition leader offers up her Nobel Peace Prize in an Oval Office meeting. And more than a dozen college basketball players are charged in an alleged point-shaving scheme to fix games. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After evacuating a military base over concerns of violence, President Trump backs down on military threats to Iran. Diplomats from Denmark and Greenland describe disagreements with the White House. And the FBI raids a reporter's home. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A human rights group estimates more than 2,000 Iranians have been killed since protests began sweeping the nation. Federal prosecutors resign rather than investigate the victim of a shooting that sparked escalating protests. And Hollywood star Timothy Busfield is booked on child sex abuse charges. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Several GOP lawmakers express skepticism about a federal investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. Thousands of nurses go on strike in New York City. And the futures of transgender athletes hang in the balance in today's Supreme Court hearing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In a stunning escalation, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell says he's facing a criminal investigation by a vindictive Trump administration. Anti-ICE protests sweep across hundreds of American cities. And President Trump openly considers military action against Iran amid violent crackdowns. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As protests grow across Minnesota and the country, Oregon officials confirm another shooting during an immigration enforcement operation. Several Republican senators send a rebuke to the Trump Administration over Venezuela. And anti-regime protests spread across Iran. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Outcry mounts over a fatal ICE shooting in Minnesota. The U.S. seizes a Russian-flagged oil tanker in the North Atlantic. And the White House doubles down on plans to acquire Greenland. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the wake of a Venezuela raid, Trump Administration officials openly discuss expanding their focus to countries like Colombia and Greenland. The case against a Uvalde police officer goes to trial. And one year after the Los Angeles fires, communities are watching lots sold off to corporate bidders. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nicolas Maduro and his wife face charges in American court. Financial markets react to President Trump's designs on Venezuela's oil supply. And Minnesota Governor Tim Walz drops his re-election bid amid accusations of fraud in his state's daycare programs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With Nicolas Maduro in an American jail cell, Trump Administration officials oscillate on what it would mean to “run” Venezuela. Anti-Maduro activists consider whether to support the American operation. And we'll get you caught up on the stories you missed over the holidays. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In a special edition, ABC's Pentagon reporter Luis Martinez and Latin America reporter Matt Rivers break down the U.S. military's strikes on Caracas and the capture of leader Nicolas Maduro. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this annual fan-favorite special, the Start Here team revisits their favorite “One Last Thing” stories of 2025. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices