• How the war on drugs helped stock our grocery store shelves

  A few decades ago, finding blueberries in a grocery store out of season was a rarity. Not so much these days, due to an initiative in South America aimed at curtailing cocaine production.

  • Erika Beras
• 

  Pope Francis I has died. What happens now?

  On Monday morning in Rome Cardinal Kevin Farrell Camerlengo or Cardinal Chamberlain of the Holy Roman Church announced the death of Pope Francis I.That was followed some 17 hours later by the rite of ascertainment. A formal acknowledgement of Francis' death...and the transfer of his body to his coffin. And it's one a few of the many centuries-old rituals that will play out over the next several days as the church mourns Pope Francis.There will be the mourning of the faithful as Francis' body lies in St. Peter's Basilica. A funeral, where Francis will be remembered by his fellow priests, followers and world leaders. Then, the Conclave where the College of Cardinals will meet to choose his successor.Pope Francis has died at 88. Now the church has to chart a course without his leadership. Who will be his successor, and what path will he choose? For sponsor-free episodes of Consider This, sign up for Consider This+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.Email us at considerthis@npr.org.

• 40 years ago, New Coke was introduced

  Fans of Classic Coke mark the 40th anniversary of the travesty that was New Coke, released On April 23, 1985.

  • Scott Simon

• Researchers were surprised to find some medieval books covered in seal skins

  12th century French monks used animal skins to bind and cover their books. One group of books covers didn't look at all like the others. Protein fingerprint and DNA analysis revealed them to be not local cows or sheep, but seals from as far away as Greenland. The find highlights the extent of medieval trade.

  • Matthew Cloutier
• 

  History shows revoking Harvard's tax status won't be easy — or fast

  A presidential effort to revoke Harvard University's tax-exempt status could run up against a number of challenges, including violating federal law.

  • Jonaki Mehta

• Journalist Joy-Ann Reid revisits the legacy and marriage of Medgar and Myrlie Evers

  Reid's book, Medgar and Myrlie, tells the stories of the civil rights leader from Mississippi and his wife, who became an activist after Medgar's 1963 assassination. Originally broadcast Feb. 7, 2024.

  • Terry Gross
• 

  The artist behind 'the worst' Trump portrait defends her work

  The painting, which was commissioned by Republicans, has hung in Colorado's state Capitol since 2019. Trump follows other U.S. presidents who weren't flattered by their depictions.

  • Emma Bowman
• 

  Word of the Week: The swashbuckling origins and evolution of 'filibuster'

  Sen. Cory Booker's record-breaking Senate speech wasn't technically a filibuster, but it still put the word in focus. Here's what to know about its history, from the swashbuckling to the stonewalling.

  • Rachel Treisman

• Researchers unearth rare King Arthur sequel

  Researchers have discovered a manuscript of one of the oldest versions of the story of King Arthur. How did they find and decipher it?

  • Matthew Cloutier

• 'The Indicator From Planet Money' explains why tariffs are back

  A brief history of U.S. tariffs: How they came into fashion, fell out of fashion, are now back again and why economists aren't too happy about it.

  • Darian Woods

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