News & Politics
Weekend America on News & Politics
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Fleet Week in New York City
It's Fleet Week in the Big Apple, the setting for the latest installment of our Weekend Pass series -- stories about time off in the military. Reporter Kelly McEvers checked out how New Yorkers take to men and women in uniform -- and found the soldiers, sailors and Marines a lot more philosophical than you might expect.
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An Aging Indy, Paying for Luggage
Our panel takes on the pressing issues and absurd moments of the week that was: "New Yorker" cartoonist Bob Mankoff, Yale English professor Amy Hungerford and conservative commentator Tara Setmayer.
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A Hopeful Spirit's 90th Birthday
Presidents Day Weekend was a big weekend for Tracy Friedman, who flew from Los Angeles to her hometown of Milwaukee to celebrate her father's 90th birthday. It was a great celebration, and Friedman reflecting on his remarkable and youthful resilience.
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This Weekend in 1968: Political Plays to the Silent Center
This weekend in 1968, Republican presidential candidate Richard Nixon gave a radio address that became a pivotal moment in American politics. Nixon emphasized that most Americans did not stage political protests or riots -- and he tried to make himself the candidate for these Americans.
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McCain's Rosy Future, Corpses Down the Drain
Our panel of non-experts tackle the weighty issues of this weekend: John Ridley, who writes the "Visible Man" blog for NPR.org; author David Rakoff, whose latest book is "Don't Get Too Comfortable"; and "A Red State of Mind" author Nancy French.
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Bun B, Solo Without Pimp C
For nearly two decades, Bun B performed with his partner Pimp C as the Houston hip hop group UGK. They're one of the longest-running groups in hip-hop history. But Pimp C's death in December changed things forever. Now Bun B's out with a new CD, and he talks to Michael May about what's next.
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Bike Maintenance Tips
Commuters are taking a good hard look at bicycles as an alternate means of transportation. To make sure they get those rusty old bikes rolling, we're going to take a look at bike maintenance and repair.
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Not So Bezerkeley After All
The Bay Area city of Berkeley is often mocked as "Bezerkeley" or called the "People's Republic of Berkeley." But a new exhibit showcases all the firsts that the rest of the nation eventually emulated: police academies, gourmet coffee and brewpubs. So what's next? Krissy Clark sifts the past for a peek at the future.
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Compelled to Help in China
Joy Portella, a Seattle native, works for Mercy Corps, an international aid organization. She's currently in China doing her part to help folks recover from Monday's devastating 7.9-magnitude quake, and talks to Desiree Cooper about what motivates her to keep working amid the death and chaos.
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This Weekend in 1968: The Legacy of Resurrection City
Forty years ago on this weekend in 1968, people began arriving in Washington, D.C., as part of the Poor People's Campaign -- the last movement organized by the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., before he was assassinated. The organizers of that movement remember what was lost, and what was gained.
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Questioning Our Religious Leaders
Our pastors, priests, rabbis, imams and shamans can sometimes say some outrageous things their congregations don't agree with. Just ask Sen. Barack Obama about the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, or Sen. John McCain about John Hagee. Our listeners sent in their own stories of outrageous moments in religion, and how it influenced their own spiritual journey.
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My Motorcycle Momma
Tomorrow is Mother's Day, and we wanted to share some stories about that special lady in our lives. Producer Sanden Totten shares this tale about growing pains -- specifically, his mom's growing pains as she neared the big milestone of turning 50. She did what a lot of folks do in a midlife crisis: she got a motorcycle.
