NPR News

A tale of two couches: The first, pictured recently in the New York Daily News, is where NBA supernova Jeremy Lin reportedly spent nights — perhaps battling Linsomnia — before erupting into a game-changing beast and leading the New York Knicks to a euphoric win streak.

Weekend Edition Sunday host Rachel Martin talks to NPR education reporter Claudio Sanchez about the huge rise in public college tuition as states face a budget squeeze.

The mayor of Rhode Island's largest city is calling on the city's tax exempt hospitals and universities to chip in and help Providence stay out of the red. From member station Rhode Island Public Radio, Ian Donnis reports on how this has made for a sharp battle between Providence and its Ivy League university.

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RACHEL MARTIN, HOST:

Weekend Edition Sunday host Rachel Martin speaks with Paul Audley, the president of Film L.A., about the new bright green bike lane on Spring Street in Los Angeles. The shade of green, and the placement of the bike lane have angered film crews, who normally use the street as a stand-in for metropolitan areas around the country, and for several eras.

Weekend Edition Sunday host Rachel Martin speaks with NPR's Quil Lawrence in Kabul about efforts at reconciliation between the Afghan government and the Taliban.

The national average for unleaded gas has risen to $3.50 a gallon only three times in history. This year's rise to that threshold is the earliest ever, and the Department of Energy suggests that prices could near $5 a gallon by the start of the summer driving season. Weekend Edition Sunday host Rachel Martin talks with Phil Flynn of the futures brokerage PFGBEST.

Weekend Edition Sunday host Rachel Martin speaks to Peter Straughan, one of the screenwriters of the film, Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy. The current remake of John le Carre's spy novel is nominated for a best-adapted screenplay Oscar.

The United States has reportedly started talks with the Taliban about reconciling before the 2014 NATO pullout from Afghanistan. Afghan President Hamid Karzai says his government is involved, a claim the Taliban deny. Weekend Edition Sunday host Rachel Martin talks with U.S. Special Envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan, Marc Grossman.