Good morning and happy New Year's Eve, A. Oh, that's right. It's that time of year. You too, Michelle.

So are you going to stay up until midnight to welcome 2026 in? I clock into work at midnight, so I will be a sleep until then.

Well, not until then, right? No, I guess up until then. Up until then. Okay, yeah, no, me neither. What was I thinking? No, me neither. But it being the last day of the year, this is also the last day of NPR's end-of-year fundraising campaign. Yeah, that's right. And it's not too late to end the year on a high note and invests in a public service that matters to you. Public radio is about to enter its first full year without federal funding. So we really do need your support now more than ever.

Yeah, and thank you so much if you're already an NPR Plus supporter or if you already made a year-end donation.

So many listeners have stepped up and shared their stories of why they support public radio like Wren and South Carolina who says,

I started listening to NPR against my will as a young teen. My dad would

have it on in the kitchen in the morning and for my ride to school. Hmm, that sounds familiar.

Now, as an adult, I follow the same ritual in a world of shouting. NPR as a calm, steady voice.

Thanks for helping to raise me. Well, Wren, you sound like a wonderful human being. It sounds like we did a great job raising you. I mean, doesn't it? Yeah, yeah. And your support means so much, and we'll keep on doing our best to be that calm voice moving forward in 2026. You can join the community of public radio supporters today by signing up for NPR Plus. Yeah, signing up unlocks a bunch of perks, such as bonus episodes and a lot more from across

NPR's podcast.

And you can support public media while you listen.

Join us at plus.npr.org.

The U.S. carried out its first known strike inside Venezuela.

There was a major explosion in the dock area where they load the boats up with drugs.

President Trump says it sends a message to Nicolas Maduro, but critics warn it could escalate

the conflict.

Ari Martinez, that's Michelle Martin, and this is up first from NPR News.

In Iran, protests over the economy are spreading.

Security forces are cracking down as anger over inflation and sanctions boil over.

So is this a short-lived protest or the start of something bigger?

And flu cases are surging across the U.S., with millions already sick and hospitals bracing for more.

A new strain is spreading fast and fewer people are getting vaccinated, which makes

...