Weekend Edition Sunday features interviews with newsmakers, artists, scientists, politicians, musicians, writers, theologians and historians. The program has covered news events from Nelson Mandela's 1990 release from a South African prison to the capture of Saddam Hussein.
Weekend Edition Sunday debuted on January 18, 1987, with host Susan Stamberg. Two years later, Liane Hansen took over the host chair, a position she held for 22 years. In that time, Hansen interviewed movers and shakers in politics, science, business and the arts. Her reporting travels took her from the slums of Cairo to the iron mines of Michigan's Upper Peninsula; from the oyster beds on the bayou in Houma, La., to Old Faithful in Yellowstone National Park; and from the kitchens of Colonial Williamsburg, Va., to the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated.
In January 2012, Rachel Martin began hosting the program. Previously she served as NPR National Security Correspondent and was part of the team that launched NPR's experimental morning news show, The Bryant Park Project. She has also been the NPR religion correspondent and foreign correspondent based in Berlin.
Every week listeners tune in to hear a unique blend of news, features and the regularly scheduled puzzle segment with Puzzlemaster Will Shortz, the crossword puzzle editor of The New York Times.
Weekend Edition Sunday is heard on NPR Member stations across the United States and around the globe via NPR Worldwide. The conversation between the audience and the program staff continues throughout the social media world.
-
NPR's Ayesha Rascoe talks with Ali Vaez of the International Crisis Group about Iran's objectives in launching what Tehran said was a retaliatory drone and missile strike against Israel.
-
NPR's Ayesha Rascoe talks with the Brookings Institution's Natan Sachs about how Israel's possible responses to the overnight attack by hundreds of Iranian drones and missiles.
-
NPR's Ayesha Rascoe talks with singer-songwriter Maggie Rogers about friendships, divinity studies, and the music from her new album, "Don't Forget Me."
-
NPR's Ayesha Rascoe talks with David and Nathan Zellner about their new, absurd film "Sasquatch Sunset," which is about a family of sasquatches.
-
U-S electricity demand is growing and many utilities plan to generate more power from fossil fuels like natural gas. That's testing the Biden administration's signature climate policy.
-
How many porta-potties does it take to relieve the Boston Marathon? A look at the "potty math" behind keeping thirty thousand runners and numerous spectators comfortable.
-
NPR's Ayesha Rascoe plays the puzzle with Scott Manas of Miami, Florida and puzzle master Will Shortz.
-
One Sudanese poet's words reflect the pain and the loss of a year of devastating war in Sudan.
-
The Willy Wonka experience in Scotland went viral for all the wrong reasons. It's having an unlikely comeback in LA. NPR's Ayesha Rascoe talks about it with Kirsty Paterson, who plays an Oompa Loompa.
-
Amid an attack by Iran, President Biden vows continued support for Israel and House leaders say they'll take up an aid package this week.