A Martínez
A Martínez is one of the hosts of Morning Edition and Up First. He came to NPR in 2021 and is based out of NPR West.
Prior to NPR, Martínez was the host of Take Two at KPCC in Los Angeles since 2012. During his tenure, Take Two created important forums on the air and through live events that elevated the voices and perspectives of Angelenos, and provided nuanced coverage of the region's challenges including homelessness, climate change and systemic disparities in health and education. He is also a familiar voice to sports-talk radio listeners in Los Angeles as a former host of 710 KSPN's In the Zone, and he was a longtime pre- and post-game show host for the Los Angeles Dodgers and Lakers.
Before he joined KPCC, Martínez had never listened to public radio. He views his path in public radio as proof that public radio journalism can be accessible, relatable and understandable to anyone, regardless of their background or educational pedigree, and says it has changed both his career and his perspective on life.
With a career that has lately been focused on Southern California, Martínez is excited to get to know the rest of the U.S. through Morning Edition.
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Two popular streaming series return Thursday: "The Pitt" and "The Traitors." Pop Culture Happy Hour previews those shows and some of the other big events coming to the small screen in January.
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NPR's A Martinez speaks with journalist Mark Medley about his new book, "Live to see the Day," an exploration of people motivated by nearly impossible goals.
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After nearly 10 years, the Netflix hit "Stranger Things" is ending. The series finale, which clocks in at just over two hours, drops on New Year's Eve.
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NPR's A Martinez speaks with choreographer Doug Varone about his decision to cancel upcoming performances by his dance company at the Kennedy Center.
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Horror films played well at the box office and with critics in 2025 -- in particular, "Sinners" and "Weapons." We revisit the genre's biggest hits and most acclaimed standouts.
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In Rosemead, Lucy Liu plays the role of an ailing mother who takes drastic measures to try to protect her troubled teenage son from himself. Liu also produced the film, based on a true story. -
NPR's A Martinez speaks with Paul McCartney about his new book, "Wings: The Story of a Band on the Run," an oral history of the band McCartney formed after The Beatles broke up.
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In the new Netflix documentary "All the Empty Rooms," CBS News correspondent Steve Hartman visits the undisturbed bedrooms of children killed by gun violence and the families left to grieve.
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Chef Rick Martinez, a James Beard award winner, helped an NPR host recreate a beloved Ecuadorian dish his family ate during Thanksgiving. Here's the recipe. -
Juan Gabriel, one of Mexico's all-time best selling artists, documented his private life for decades. A Netflix series stitches his recordings to paint a portrait of a man who fascinated millions
