Weekend Edition Saturday

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Saturday

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Saturday

8:00 am

From civil wars in Bosnia and El Salvador, to hospital rooms, police stations, and America's backyards, National Public Radio's Peabody Award-winning correspondent Scott Simon brings a well-traveled perspective to his role as host of Weekend Edition Saturday.

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Saturday, March 23, 2013

Public Health Campaigning, Like A New Yorker

The latest public health crackdown from New York City's mayor would prevent store owners from publicly displaying tobacco products. This initiative follows an effort to limit the sale of 16-ounce sugary drinks. Host Scott Simon talks with Dr. Thomas Farley, New York City's health commissioner, about the city's role as an incubator for novel public health initiatives.

Senate Passes Budget After Late-Night 'Vote-A-Rama'

It took until the wee hours of this morning, but the United States Senate has passed a budget for the first time in four years. But before senators could vote on the budget itself, they had to work their way through dozens of amendments, in a process known as "vote-a-rama." Host Scott Simon talks to NPR's Tamara Keith, who was following along.

If You're In Los Angeles, Look Up For A Laugh

Kurt Braunohler is a comedian, and he is not immune to a good, dumb joke. In his latest project, funded by donors through Kickstarter, he's hiring a pilot to write "How do I land?" in the sky above Los Angeles at 3:33 p.m. PT on Saturday. Host Scott Simon speaks with Braunohler about the project, and his comedic goal to bring more absurdity to people's lives.

Polling Latinos: What Would It Take To Turn Republican?

Host Scott Simon talks with Gary Segura, co-founder of the polling firm Latino Decisions, about whether Latino voters are more likely to vote Republican if the party backs comprehensive immigration reform. Segura is also a professor of American Politics and chairman of Chicano/a Studies at Stanford University.

From One Author To Another, Letters Of Praise

Host Scott Simon reads some of the best fan mail to authors, written by authors.

Obama Leaves Middle East With Mixed Reviews

President Obama heads home from the Middle East Saturday, after a mixed reception to his four-day visit. Obama spent much of that time in Israel, trying to lay the groundwork to revive the long-stalled peace process with the Palestinians. He also traveled to the West Bank and met with Jordan's King Abdullah. NPR's Scott Horsley has a recap from Amman, Jordan.

Sheer Madness With NCAA Upsets

Host Scott Simon catches up on the NCAA tournament and women's hockey with NPR's Tom Goldman.

Nigeria Mourns The Loss Of Chinua Achebe

Award-winning author Chinua Achebe, sometimes described as the grandfather of modern African literature, died this week at age 82. Host Scott Simon speaks with NPR's Ofeibea Quist-Arcton in Lagos, Nigeria.

Dietary Determination: Under Government Purview?

Host Scott Simon tells us about the new "anti-Bloomberg" law in Mississippi, which bars cities and towns from passing local laws to limit portion sizes. What do you think? Please tell us on Twitter, @NPRWeekend.

Rhymed Wrap: NCAA So Far, In A Poem

NPR's Mike Pesca rhymes his way through the 32 opening-round games of the NCAA basketball tournament.

Resurrected Frog Gives Us Cause To Brood

This week scientists announced they have reproduced the genome of an extinct amphibian, the gastric brooding frog. But animals are more than just their genomes, so NPR's Scott Simon wonders if it's necessary — or kind — to bring them back.

Saturday, March 16, 2013

Ted Cruz: From Texas Underdog To Republican Up-And-Comer

In his short time in the Senate, Tea Party Republican Ted Cruz has already made a mark — and in doing so, he's simply ignored a tradition of new senators being seen, not heard. Cruz's sharp elbows have some colleagues wincing and others hoping he'll run for president.

Letters To My Dead Father

The father of Guffran, then a 9-year-old Iraqi girl, was gunned down in a Baghdad street in 2006 at the height of the war. She continues writing letters to him, just as she did when he was alive. Now, she lives in one room with her mother and brother. She wants to study but faces difficult odds.

Talk Of Zombies Aside, Gun Bills Face Political Reality

Legislation passed by the Senate Judiciary Committee inspired a few extreme examples for and against it. But the battle might just get tougher on the Senate floor, particularly for the proposed assault weapons ban.

Wine Revolution: As Drinkers And Growers, U.S. Declares Independence

Americans aren't just the world's top wine market. Increasingly, they're also producers. The number of U.S. wineries has climbed from 400 to 7,000 since the 1970s. And some of those local wines are "stunning," says wine expert Jancis Robinson.

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Arts & Culture

NPR

Where's Jimmy Hoffa? Everywhere And Nowhere

FBI agents believe they have a credible lead on the whereabouts of Jimmy Hoffa's body. If they're right, it will solve a longstanding mystery, which will also deflate Hoffa's resonance in popular culture.

Food

NPR

The Mystery Of the Ridiculously Pricey Bag Of Potatoes

Did a 10-pound bag of potatoes really cost $15 back in 2008? We get to the bottom of some puzzling numbers in the lawsuit alleging America's potato growers have become a spud cartel.

Politics

NPR

House Passes Bill That Would Ban Abortions After 20 Weeks

The legislation is one of the most far-reaching abortion bills in decades and follows the May murder convictions of Philadelphia abortion doctor Kermit Gosnell. The bill, which would ban nearly all abortions starting 20 weeks after fertilization, is unlikely to ever become law.

Technology

NPR

Amazon Cuts Ties In Minnesota Ahead Of New Sales Tax

Amazon ends the contracts of people and businesses that are paid for sending customers to the retailer. The company has taken similar steps in other states that have passed laws like Minnesota's new sales tax legislation.

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Weekend Edition Saturday

Arts & Culture

Where's Jimmy Hoffa? Everywhere And Nowhere

Food

The Mystery Of the Ridiculously Pricey Bag Of Potatoes

Politics

House Passes Bill That Would Ban Abortions After 20 Weeks

Technology

Amazon Cuts Ties In Minnesota Ahead Of New Sales Tax

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