Doctor Atomic
Fifty years after the U.S. tested the first atomic bomb, science and art collide in a new opera about that pivotal moment in history. Weekend America host Barbara Bogaev talks with science correspondent Rebecca Roberts about Doctor Atomic and the birth of the bomb.

My Dad's a Winner
When the 2005 Nobel Prizes are awarded next week, the focus will be on the winners and their achievements, but their families have shared the journey as well. Weekend America host Bill Radke talks to the children of two winners -- Lindsey Richland, daughter of Robert Engle and David Seaborg, son of Glenn T. Seaborg -- about having a father who made history.

Jazz Picks: Brad Mehldau Trio
Jazz critic Nate Chenin checks out the new release from pianist Brad Melhdau and his interpretation of the Beatles' She's Leaving Home.

The Prison Inside
If Gennifer Choldenko had to pick a metaphor for her sister's life, it would be Alcatraz. Her sister Gena was autistic, trapped in an internal prison with no means of escape. It inspired her to write a children's book called Al Capone Does My Shirts, about a young boy growing up with an autistic sister. Weekend America host Barbara Bogaev talks with Choldenko about living in the shadow of autism. Then, Barbara gets a parent's perspective from Susan Senator. Her book, Making Peace with Autism, shares her experiences in raising an autistic son.

Weekend Weather / Hometown Happenings
Weekend America's John Moe takes a look at the weather and Saturday happenings all across the country.

Sharing Bob Dylan
This week, a new documentary on Bob Dylan premiered on public television. Dylan is notoriously media shy but speaks candidly about his career in this Martin Scorsese production. Many fans are happy to finally hear about his life in his own words, but one fan wishes it had never happened.

Murder in a Small Town
Forty years ago, Truman Capote put a small town on the map when he wrote his classic story of a real crime called In Cold Blood. The book changed journalism and inspired writers who followed in his footsteps with a new genre called literary non-fiction. The town of Holcomb, Kansas, has lived with the legacy ever since. Last year, a class of journalism students from the University of Nebraska returned to Holcomb. Weekend America host Barbara Bogaev talks with a journalism teacher Susan Gage and student Melissa Lee. To get a fresh perspective, Weekend America host Bill Radke talks with a forensics expert about how the case would be handled today given recent legislation and the use of DNA evidence.

Death of a Hollywood Icon
Fifty years ago this week James Dean died on a California highway. The 24-year-old actor had only three major films under his belt, but decades later, fans still make the pilgrimage to the site where he crashed his sports car in Central California. Host Bill Radke retraces Dean's last ride with Chris Epting, author of the book James Dean Died Here: The Locations of America's Pop Culture Landmarks.

Jazz Picks: Robert Glasper
Jazz pianist Robert Glaser has a new album and the influence of hip hop can be heard on many of the tracks. Jazz critic Nate Chinen checks out a new cut from his album, Canvas.

Chain of Influence
In the latest of a series that connects people and their influences, Weekend America host Barbara Bogaev talks to female writers about the people and works that inspired them. The chain begins with Lan Samantha Chang, the new director of the prestigious Iowa Writers Workshop.

Weekend Weather / Hometown Happenings
Weekend America's John Moe takes a look at the weather and Saturday happenings all across the country.

Radio To Go
There are thousands of podcasts available on the Web — music shows, business programs, public radio. American Public Media technologist Chris Spurgeon talks about the phenomenon of podcasting and brings in a few of his favorites.

Liftoff in Albuquerque
Weekend America goes to the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta in New Mexico. Producer Angela Taylor goes up, up and away at the world's largest ballooning event and describes the view from the clouds.