Weekend Edition Saturday
Bison graze in a state park in South Dakota.

Bison graze in a state park in South Dakota. Amber Hunt/AP hide caption

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Simon Says

The Bison's Back, But What For?

The National Bison Legacy Act establishes the bison as the national mammal. NPR's Scott Simon muses on the bison's legacy and current significance.

Sweetwater Jaycees surrounding rattlesnakes on Diamondback Day at the Texas state Capitol.

Sweetwater Jaycees surrounding rattlesnakes on Diamondback Day at the Texas state Capitol. John Burnett/NPR hide caption

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U.S.

Amid Much Hissing, Texas Could Impose Ban To Rattle Snake Hunters

Texans are obsessed with the Western diamondback rattlesnake. They catch thousands of them each year for snake festivals. Now, a possible ban of gassing snakes by the state jeopardizes those fiestas.

The Danish String Quartet's new release features British and Danish composers. Violinist Frederik Øland is second from the left; violist Asbjørn Nørgaard is second from the right.

The Danish String Quartet's new release features British and Danish composers. Violinist Frederik Øland is second from the left; violist Asbjørn Nørgaard is second from the right. Caroline Bittencourt/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

toggle caption Caroline Bittencourt/Courtesy of the artist

Deceptive Cadence

The Danish String Quartet's Manifold Vision For Classical Music

"Classical music is many things," says violist Asbjørn Nørgaard. "It can sound like Coldplay. It can sound like heavy metal." The quartet's new album, out now, is called Adès/Nørgard/Abrahamsen.

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Home on the Range Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra
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Riders in the Sky Boston Pops Orchestra
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Some Thomas Zhenya Strigalev
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Garuda Michael Brook
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Airfield Javelin
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Piss Test [Remix] A-Trak, El-P et. al.
Thomas Thwaites says his exoskeleton was meant to help him feel like a goat, as opposed to helping him look like one.

Thomas Thwaites says his exoskeleton was meant to help him feel like a goat, as opposed to helping him look like one. Tim Bowditch/Courtesy of Princeton Architectural Press hide caption

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Author Interviews

When Being Human Got His Goat, This Designer Became One

by NPR Staff

When Being Human Got His Goat, This Designer Became One
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"I've suffered a lot of scars to get where I am," says rapper Mr. Lif, a.k.a. Jeffrey Haynes. His new album, Don't Look Down, is his first in seven years.

"I've suffered a lot of scars to get where I am," says rapper Mr. Lif, a.k.a. Jeffrey Haynes. His new album, Don't Look Down, is his first in seven years. Dom Savini/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Music Interviews

'What Doesn't Kill Us Makes Us Stronger:' Mr. Lif On Music And Healing

by NPR Staff

'What Doesn't Kill Us Makes Us Stronger:' Mr. Lif On Music And Healing
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Ill Mr. Lif
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Bike Messenger Diaries ApSci
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Serenade for the Renegade E.S.T.
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Strange Place for Snow E.S.T.
Sweetwater Jaycees surrounding rattlesnakes on Diamondback Day at the Texas state Capitol.

Sweetwater Jaycees surrounding rattlesnakes on Diamondback Day at the Texas state Capitol. John Burnett/NPR hide caption

toggle caption John Burnett/NPR

U.S.

Amid Much Hissing, Texas Could Impose Ban To Rattle Snake Hunters

Amid Much Hissing, Texas Could Impose Ban To Rattle Snake Hunters
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Martin Martin Mouth Music
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Headset Pell Mell
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Headset
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Star City
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Pell Mell

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The Danish String Quartet's new release features British and Danish composers. Violinist Frederik Øland is second from the left; violist Asbjørn Nørgaard is second from the right.

The Danish String Quartet's new release features British and Danish composers. Violinist Frederik Øland is second from the left; violist Asbjørn Nørgaard is second from the right. Caroline Bittencourt/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

toggle caption Caroline Bittencourt/Courtesy of the artist

Deceptive Cadence

The Danish String Quartet's Manifold Vision For Classical Music

by NPR Staff

The Danish String Quartet's Manifold Vision For Classical Music
Listen· 6:43
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Arcadiana, Op. 12 - VI. O Albion Danish String Quartet
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String Quartet No. 1 - "10 Preludes For String Quartet" - 9 Danish String Quartet

Weekend Edition Saturday