Weekend Edition Sunday : About
Airs Sundays at 8am on 93.9 FM and AM 820
When Weekend Edition Sunday debuted on Jan. 18, 1987, NPR's morning and evening newsmagazines were extended to seven days a week. Conceived as a cross between a Sunday newspaper and CBS'Sunday Morning with Charles Kuralt, the program has featured interviews with newsmakers, artists, scientists, politicians, musicians, writers, theologians and historians as well as news events including Nelson Mandela's 1990 release from a South African prison and the capture of Saddam Hussein.
Susan Stamberg was the original host of the show. Liane Hansen replaced her in 1989. Her travels took her from the slums of Cairo to the iron mines of Michigan's Upper Penninsula; 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. Since September 2011, the show has been hosted by Audie Cornish.
Every week, nearly 3 million listeners tune in to hear a unique blend of news, features and our regularly scheduled puzzle segment with Will Shortz, the crossword puzzle editor of The New York Times and Weekend Edition's puzzlemaster.
Weekend Edition Sunday is heard on nearly 600 NPR stations across the U.S. and around the globe via NPR Worldwide. It is also a pioneer in using new technology and social media platforms to create a conversation between the audience and its staff that enriches the show every week.
http://www.npr.org/programs/weekend-edition-sunday/
Show Staff
Latest Stories from Weekend Edition Sunday
Last updated: Saturday, February 09 2013 11:40 AM
Security Conference Yields No Big Steps Forward In Syria Conflict
Sunday, February 03 2013 01:00 PM
The crisis in Syria is the focus of a security conference in Germany this weekend, and for the first time, a leader of Syria's opposition sat down with officials from Russia and Iran. Both of those countries are key allies of the Syrian regime of Bashar Assad. While no concrete proposals emerged from the talks, they might signal a new sense of purpose. NPR's Kelly McEvers reports.
Gearing Up For Super Bowl XLVII
Sunday, February 03 2013 01:00 PM
Sunday is the Super Bowl, and NPR's Mike Pesca is covering the big game from New Orleans. He talks with Weekend Edition Sunday host Rachel Martin about the controversies ahead of the game, and provides some analysis of the two teams.
Mayors Of Border Cities Watching Immigration Debate Closely
Sunday, February 03 2013 01:00 PM
The fate of this round of immigration reform will be decided by lawmakers on Capitol Hill, but the effects will be felt in cities and towns across all 50 states. Particularly those on the U.S.-Mexico border. Weekend Edition Sunday host Rachel Martin speaks with two mayors with an up-close view of the immigration debate: John Cook, the mayor of El Paso, Texas, and Raul Salinas, the mayor of Laredo, Texas.
For Many Returning Vets, 'Moral Injury' Just As Difficult
Sunday, February 03 2013 01:00 PM
For a veteran returning home from Afghanistan or Iraq, the mental trauma of having killed someone can be just as devastating as physical injury. The Department of Veterans Affairs has called the problem "moral injury," but some vets think that phrase minimizes the horror of killing. Last week, Timothy Kudo, a former Marine captain, wrote an opinion piece for The Washington Post about grappling with moral injury. He shares his experiences with Weekend Edition Sunday host Rachel Martin.
Unconcealed Guns Can Unsettle, But They're Often Legal
Sunday, February 03 2013 01:00 PM
Charlottesville, Va., has been buzzing this past week. On January 27, a man walked into a supermarket with a loaded rifle. The cops were called, but no charges were filed, because Virginia allows you to carry an unconcealed weapon nearly anywhere. The guy carried a note, saying he was exercising his first and second amendment rights. This story originally aired on All Things Considered on Jan. 30, 2013.
Week In Politics: Hagel's Rough Day
Sunday, February 03 2013 01:00 PM
Last week, former Sen. Chuck Hagel faced a very critical confirmation hearing in his quest to become the next secretary of defense, and President Obama and a bipartisan group of senators made the pitch for immigration reform. Weekend Edition Sunday host Rachel Martin speaks with NPR's Mara Liasson about the week in politics.
A Couple's Fight For Tighter Gun Control
Sunday, February 03 2013 01:00 PM
Mark Kelly is a retired Navy captain and the husband of the former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. Kelly and Giffords recently created a political action committee, called Americans for Responsible Solutions PAC, which is advocating new gun control measures. Their efforts are a response both to the recent shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., and the 2011 shooting in Tucson, Arizona that severely wounded Giffords. Weekend Edition Sunday host Rachel Martin speaks with Kelly about his advocacy for additional gun control.
Winging It: Picking Apart A Super Bowl Staple
Sunday, February 03 2013 01:00 PM
This weekend, Super Bowl spreads across the country will almost surely feature chicken wings. Should they be they slathered in buffalo sauce or fried to a crisp? Or both? Dan Pashman, the host of the podcast, The Sporkful, tells Weekend Edition Sunday host Rachel Martin that there are still some misconceptions about wings.
Kris Kristofferson On Writing For — And Outliving — His Idols
Sunday, February 03 2013 10:32 AM
The legendary songwriter discusses happening into a music career, hearing his songs performed by his friends and the new album Feeling Mortal.
Panetta: 'My Mission Has Always Been To Keep The Country Safe'
Sunday, February 03 2013 10:11 AM
As he prepares to leave his job, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta reflects on his years of service. It's a career that has included 16 years in Congress, stints as White House chief of staff, and as the head of the CIA, where he oversaw the controversial drone program.
From A Land Where Music Was Banned — To Carnegie Hall
Sunday, February 03 2013 10:03 AM
The Taliban tried to ban all music in Afghanistan. But now, 48 young Afghans — boys and girls — make up an orchestra that is coming to the U.S. to perform at a couple of the most prestigious venues in America.
Tackle 'Yards' To Make A Touchdown
Sunday, February 03 2013 09:27 AM
In recognition of the Super Bowl, the key word is "yards." You will be given some categories. For each one, name something in the category beginning with each of the letters Y, A, R, D and S. For example, if the category were "Girls' Names," you might say Yvonne, Alice, Rachel, Donna and Sally.
For Lisa Loeb, Life Is 'No Fairy Tale,' And That's OK
Friday, February 01 2013 09:50 PM
Singer-songwriter Lisa Loeb burst onto the pop scene in the mid-'90s, and since then has released children's albums, books and even had stints on reality TV. Her new album, No Fairy Tale, is her first adult album since 2004.
Making Up A History For The 'Dutch Mona Lisa'
Friday, February 01 2013 07:38 PM
Vermeer's famous Girl With a Pearl Earring has returned to the United States for the first time since 1995. Very little is known about the painting, so in honor of the visit, The Guardian newspaper asked its readers to come up with a backstory for the mysterious girl.
'Fresh Off The Boat' And Serving Up Asian Culture
Tuesday, January 29 2013 03:58 PM
Restaurateur and food personality Eddie Huang spent time as a lawyer and a stand-up comic before getting into the food business. In his new memoir, Fresh Off The Boat, he talks about food, family, hip-hop and growing up Asian in America.
About Weekend Edition Sunday
When Weekend Edition Sunday debuted on Jan. 18, 1987, NPR's morning and evening newsmagazines were extended to seven days a week. Conceived as a cross between a Sunday newspaper and CBS'Sunday Morning with Charles Kuralt, the program has featured interviews with newsmakers, artists, scientists, politicians, musicians, writers, theologians and historians as well as news events including Nelson Mandela's 1990 release from a South African prison and the capture of Saddam Hussein.
Hosted by Audie Cornish