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.
-
The Israeli military has carried out its first airstrikes in Gaza since a ceasefire began more than a week ago after accusing Hamas of attacking Israeli troops.
-
NPR's Don Gonyea talks to author, Catherine Mayer, about the significance of Prince Andrew giving up his royal titles after Jeffrey Epstein allegations against him refuse to fade.
-
You may have heard kids say "six, seven". We unpack what's behind the latest slang making waves in playgrounds and online.
-
The remnants of a typhoon have forced over a thousand people to evacuate from rural villages in Western Alaska. Many of those leaving are Alaska Native people with generations-long connections to the land.
-
Scientists have known for decades that many animals use the Earth's magnetic field for navigation. It's less clear how they do it. A new study suggests earthworms may be a good way to figure it out. (This story first aired on All Things Considered on October 15, 2025.)
-
Scientists have known for decades that many animals use the Earth's magnetic field for navigation. It's less clear how they do it. A new study suggests earthworms may be a good way to figure it out. (This story first aired on All Things Considered on October 15, 2025.)
-
Crowds of protestors gathered in cities and towns across the nation on Saturday to protest against President Trump. And there is no sign of a breakthrough to end the government shutdown.
-
Across the United States on Sunday, from Boise to Baltimore and San Diego to St. Louis, scores of people showed up to challenge President Trump and his administration as part of the "No Kings" protests.
-
Across the United States on Sunday, from Boise to Baltimore and San Diego to St. Louis, scores of people showed up to challenge President Trump and his administration as part of the "No Kings" protests.
-
Thousands of Kaiser Permanente health care workers went on strike last week. NPR's Don Gonyea speaks to John August, a labor expert, about the growing number of strikes in the industry.