8.31.15: Police Militarization, the Reality of Mexican Coke, & Millennial Foodies

We think of Coca-Cola as the quintessential American soda – so why then are so many people embracing a foreign variation on the brand? We explore the myth of a healthier, more authentic brand of coke. Plus, a Millennial author comes up with a counter-intuitive theory about why 20-somethings are so obsessed with taking pictures of their food. And, a report on how and why local law enforcement agencies from Ferguson, Missouri to Keene, New Hampshire have stocked up on armored vehicles and other military gear.  

Listen to the full show. 

Molly Redden is a reporter in the Mother Jones’ Washington bureau. She reviewed hundreds of local law enforcement requests for armored vehicles and other military equipment to find out why they wanted it.

If you think an armored vehicle stands out in a peaceful suburb like Keene, New Hampshire, imagine a federal prison built at the center of a major city.  Roman Mars of the podcast 99% Invisible brought us the story.

You can listen to this story again at PRX.org. 

Anne Gluskerwrote about the complicated past of Mexican Coke for Smithsonian.com, and she spoke with us about how the hubbub around Mexican Coke is based on myth. 

You can also learn more about the history of Mexican Coke at the Smithsonian's American Enterprise exhibition. 

Why are Millennials – some of them anyway - so obsessed with food? Four years ago Eve Turow set out to answer that question and recently released a book about her findings. Word of Mouth producer Molly Donahue brought us the story. 

Since supermarkets started offering pre-packaged cuts of meat, local butchers have been on the decline. But with the rise of foodie culture and a renewed interest in where food is coming from, a new type of class is being offered for “conscious carnivores.” Guy Hand brings us the story.

You can listen to this story again at PRX.org.