On Sundays, Weekend Edition combines the news with colorful arts and human-interest features, appealing to the curious and eclectic. With a nod to traditional Sunday habits, the program offers a fix for diehard crossword addicts-word games and brainteasers with The Puzzlemaster, a.k.a. Will Shortz, puzzle editor of The New York Times. With Hansen on the sidelines, a caller plays the latest word game on the air while listeners compete silently at home. The NPR mailbag is proof that the competition to go head-to-head with Shortz is rather vigorous.
Another trademark of Sunday's program is "Voices in the News," a montage of sound bites from the past week, poignant in its simplicity. Hansen also engages listeners in her discussions with regular contributors, who cover a wide range of national and international issues.
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New Zealand's unique birds are at risk of extinction, like the kiwi. So the country is trying to eradicate the invasive species that prey on them. Everyday people are lining up to help. -
Author and illustrator Andrea Cáceres has changed careers, moved countries and built a new home — all alongside her 15-year-old pup, Tobi. Now, he's the main character of her new children's book, Hello, Tobi!, which celebrates their walks in the park. -
We look at the latest in the case against Tyler Robinson, the young man authorities believe is responsible for the assassination of conservative youth leader Charlie Kirk last week in Utah.
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We look at recent upheaval in Nepal, where Gen Z protesters toppled the government, and put the country's first female prime minister in power.
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NPR's Ayesha Rascoe talks to University of Michigan economist Justin Wolfers about the Federal Reserve meeting this week and what the expected interest rate cut could mean for the economy.
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The Trump administration's document about children's health and chronic disease doesn't mention the word "nicotine" once. Tobacco remains the top cause of preventable death in the U.S. -
NPR's Ayesha Rascoe asks Amanda Pascali about her new album, full of her interpretations of traditional Balkan and Mediterranean tunes. It's called "Roses and Basil."
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NPR's Ayesha Rascoe plays the puzzle with WLRN listener Christopher Hoffman, of Wellington, Florida, along with Weekend Edition Puzzle Master Will Shortz. -
Responding to "exploding" demand, a college in Denver now offers a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mariachi music. Students learn music and culture, but also business skills to build viable careers.
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We look at the U.S. strike on a Venezuelan boat earlier this month, which has riled lawmakers, even Republican ones, who say the strike did not follow standard practices and policies.
