NPR's Weekend Edition Puzzle Celebrates 50 Years

Listener Nell Newton Impresses with Ice Cream Flavor Knowledge

Apr. 19, 2026 at 11:52am

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An abstract close-up image of melting rainbow-colored ice cream scoops in a waffle cone, captured with dramatic high-contrast studio lighting to create a glitzy, high-fashion aesthetic.The vibrant colors and textures of ice cream flavors take center stage in this conceptual illustration celebrating the NPR puzzle's enduring appeal.Florence Today

NPR's Ayesha Rascoe hosts the weekly puzzle segment with Will Shortz, puzzle editor of The New York Times and puzzlemaster of WEEKEND EDITION. This week's winner is Nell Newton, a Unitarian Universalist minister from Austin, Texas, who demonstrated impressive knowledge of ice cream flavors to solve the puzzle.

Why it matters

The NPR puzzle segment is a beloved weekend tradition that has entertained and challenged listeners for decades. Newton's performance highlights the program's enduring popularity and the intellectual engagement it fosters among its dedicated fanbase.

The details

Newton, who has been playing the puzzle for about five years, quickly solved a series of ice cream flavor-related clues posed by Shortz. The puzzles required identifying flavors based on wordplay, anagrams, and other linguistic tricks. Newton's quick thinking and broad knowledge of ice cream impressed host Rascoe, who noted Newton's unique background as both a minister and martial arts instructor.

  • The puzzle segment aired on the April 19, 2026 episode of WEEKEND EDITION.
  • The deadline for submitting answers to the next week's puzzle is Thursday, April 16, 2026 at 3 p.m. Eastern.

The players

Will Shortz

The puzzle editor of The New York Times and puzzlemaster of WEEKEND EDITION.

Nell Newton

A Unitarian Universalist minister from Austin, Texas who won this week's puzzle challenge.

Ayesha Rascoe

The host of NPR's WEEKEND EDITION program.

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What they’re saying

“It just came as a flash. Didn't have to puzzle it out. It was like, it's an Accord - accordion - Ioniq.”

— Nell Newton, Puzzle Winner

“I feel thrilled and so happy. This was so much fun. Thank you.”

— Nell Newton, Puzzle Winner

What’s next

Next week's puzzle will be announced on the April 26, 2026 episode of WEEKEND EDITION. Listeners have until Thursday, April 23 at 3 p.m. Eastern to submit their answers online at npr.org.

The takeaway

The NPR puzzle segment continues to engage and delight listeners with its blend of wordplay, trivia, and intellectual challenge. Nell Newton's performance demonstrates the program's ability to attract a diverse audience, from ministers to martial artists, united by a love of puzzles and language.