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The Sunday Story

The Sunday Story

Written by: NPR
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 “The Sunday Story” from Up First is where storytelling meets the issues of the day. Hosted by Ayesha Rascoe, “The Sunday Story” is NPR’s weekly news and culture magazine exploring one topic in depth through conversations, interviews and deeply-reported narrative journalism. Publishing every Sunday in the Up First feed.Copyright 2015-2026 NPR - For Personal Use Only Political Science Politics & Government
Episodes
  • The hidden cost of separating 'emotionally disturbed' students

    The hidden cost of separating 'emotionally disturbed' students
    Apr 26 2026
    There’s a category of special education that stands out from the rest. It’s designed for kids who struggle with their emotions and behaviors, known at the federal level as “emotional disturbance.” More than 300,000 students in the U.S. currently have this label. Often, these students are taught in separate classrooms or even separate schools.

    Today on The Sunday Story, reporter Laurie Stern shares how this disability label shaped the life of one student who she followed for nearly two years — and what his experience reveals about how the label can simultaneously support and limit students.

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    38 mins
  • In one Iowa city, public schools compete in the free market. Are students better off?

    In one Iowa city, public schools compete in the free market. Are students better off?
    Apr 19 2026
    Public education used to enjoy strong bipartisan support, but across the country, there’s a growing push to offer students alternatives to traditional public schools. The idea behind “school choice” is that competition improves education. President Trump and Republicans have attacked public education for failing students and for being too “woke,” while Democrats who strongly oppose school choice often dismiss valid criticism of public schools.

    Today on The Sunday Story, NPR education correspondent Cory Turner travels to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to understand how school choice can change a city's education landscape. Are students better served when schools compete in a free market?

    You can find more of Cory's reporting from Cedar Rapids here.

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    32 mins
  • Dozens of Black pilots disappeared during WWII. Who are the men still lost?

    Dozens of Black pilots disappeared during WWII. Who are the men still lost?
    Apr 12 2026
    Dozens of Tuskegee Airmen went missing in action during World War II. Most of them have not been found. Who were these men and what happened to them? In her book, "Forgotten Souls," NPR investigative correspondent Cheryl W. Thompson tells their stories.

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    17 mins
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