Key Highlights
- NPR’s Sunday Puzzle featured a challenge on state postal abbreviations.
- Kevin Tenney of Denver, Colorado, won the puzzle with perfect accuracy.
- The challenge involved familiar two-word phrases or names where each word began with letters from state abbreviations.
- Will Shortz and Ayesha Rascoe hosted the segment, discussing last week’s winning answer as well.
Entertainment Evening: NPR’s Puzzle Challenge
NPR listeners and puzzle enthusiasts tuned in on November 9, 2025, to participate in Will Shortz’s Sunday Puzzle. This engaging segment of Weekend Edition challenges participants with a series of familiar two-word phrases or names where each word starts with the same state postal abbreviation.
State Abbreviations Meet Common Phrases
The challenge began with Florida: a sudden rush of water down a streambed, leading to the answer “flash flood.” Wisconsin’s aid in seeing the road when it rains was easily solved as “windshield wiper.” Louisiana’s deep-blue gem with a Latin name was identified by Kevin Tenney as “lapis lazuli,” showing his keen puzzle-solving skills. California’s Christmas tree decoration you can eat, Indiana’s tricky thing to learn with a car, and other state-related clues were swiftly answered.
Winning the Puzzle
Kevin Tenney of Denver, Colorado, demonstrated his mastery of this week’s challenge by correctly answering all the questions. His speed and accuracy impressed both Ayesha Rascoe and Will Shortz. Tenney’s win was celebrated with a surprise for his family, including two children who listen to the show every Sunday morning.
Future Challenges
To keep listeners engaged, Will Shortz announced a new challenge from Mark Scott of Seattle: interchanging the first and last letters of famous actress names to get advice on fermenting milk. Participants are encouraged to submit their answers by November 13, 2025, at 3 p.m. Eastern time.
This entertaining segment not only tests knowledge but also brings families together for a shared experience. Kevin Tenney’s victory highlights the excitement and camaraderie that puzzle challenges can foster among enthusiasts and their loved ones.
