Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Cuban Cigar Comeback, Saint Serra, and an Addiction Vaccine
As of this morning, trade and travel restrictions on Cuba are eased. That means the country’s most coveted exports -- cigars -- are on their way back. But are they all they’re cracked up to be? Also, a look at the life of Father Junipero Serra, who created California’s mission system and now will be canonized by Pope Francis.
By Barbara Bogaev • • 52m ListenOur trade embargo and travel restrictions on Cuba were loosened as of today. That means Cuban cigars could be on their way back -- but are they all they’re cracked up to be? Then, Pope Francis has announced his plans to canonize Father Junipero Serra, the founder of California’s mission system. We look at his controversial life and legacy. Next, there’s a vaccine in the works for addiction. Could it work? In our weekly film segment, we look at what’s new at the box office after the Oscar blitz. And finally, the strange story of a bull named Toystory and what his life says about the dairy industry.
In this episode
5 storiesNew Cuba Rules and Cuban Cigars
The trade embargo and restrictions on Americans traveling to Cuba have been loosened as of today. United Airlines already announced plans to ask for permission to establish direct service to Havana.
Read the story10 minSaint Serra?
Pope Francis announced yesterday that he plans to canonize Father Junipero Serra, the founder of California’s missions, as a saint. Anyone who grew up in California and did their fourth-grade mission project knows of Serra. His life story is taught in classrooms; and streets, schools and freeways all over the state are named after him.
Read the story8 minVaccines for Addiction
There’s probably no place in the world with more 12-step meetings than Southern California. In fact, drug dependency is a huge problem everywhere in the U.S. The National Institute on Drug Abuse estimates addiction costs the economy more than $600 billion a year. For decades, scientists have been working to find a “cure” for addiction.
Read the story8 minSnipers, Best Men, and Black Hats
We’re emerging from our post-Oscar-nominations hangover today, and ready to talk about new releases. We talk about what’s new at the box office in our weekly film segment.
Read the story13 minAn Obit for a Very Special Bull
He was a giant in his field, known around the world simply by his first name: Toystory. And he was the most prolific bull in the world. Toystory sired more than 500,000 offspring in his lifetime, an incredibly high number by industry standards. Why was he so special, and what do his life and death tell us about the dairy industry?
Read the story7 min
