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Barbara Freese, former attorney general of Minnesota, has written a book that chronicles the rise and fall of coal. She says coal fueled the creation of the British Empire -- and the spread of English -- by stoking the British navy. Her book is Coal: A Human History. Freese speaks with NPR's Steve Inskeep.

Remembering Gregory Hines Tony-winning entertainer Gregory Hines dies of cancer at 57, leaving a legacy as one of the great dancers of his generation. The multi-talented Hines starred on Broadway, and made a significant mark on film and television. NPR's Renee Montagne reports.

Starting next month, the cost of CDs may drop by $4. The world's largest music company, Universal Music Group, plans to cut its wholesale cost to retailers by 24 percent, and will suggest a CD retail price of $12.98. That's down from the current suggested price of $16.98 to $18.98. NPR's Melissa Block talks with music store owner Mike Dreese.

The U.S. Air Force Museum near Dayton, Ohio, is missing hundreds of items from its archives. Experts say many of the items missing from the world's largest and oldest aviation museum, including 13 unarmed bombs, space mission items and an engine mold for the 1903 Wright Flyer, are considered priceless. Hear Ryan Warner of member station WYSO.

Fiet's Vase, a new book by Alison Leslie Gold, documents harrowing and inspiring survival stories from the Holocaust. The book is a compilation of personal accounts from people who have struggled to understand why they survived, when so many others perished. NPR's Susan Stamberg talks to Gold.

Chris Epting writes a guidebook to a broad range of historic and often hysterical American landmarks -- more than 700 in all. James Dean Died Here includes the spot where the young movie icon perished in a car accident, the location of the Brady Bunch house, and the hangar where the final scene of Casablanca may have been shot. Hear Epting and NPR's Steve Inskeep.

Joe Albany was an acclaimed bebop pianist, a band mate of legendary jazz saxophonist Charlie Parker -- and a heroin junkie. In her new memoir, Lowdown: Jazz, Junk, And Other Fairytales From Childhood, author A.J. Albany recalls her turbulent life with her troubled, talented father. Tom Vitale reports.

Composer, arranger and musical director Luther Henderson died this week at age 84 after a long battle with cancer. A lifelong collaborator with Duke Ellington, Henderson also enjoyed a prolific career on Broadway, working on such shows as Ain't Misbehavin', Funny Girl and Do, Re, Mi. Commentator Murray Horwitz has a remembrance.

Gregory Hines, the greatest tap dancer of his generation, dies of cancer at age 57. He grew from a child star to become a Tony-winning Broadway actor who made numerous appearances in movies and television. NPR's Jacki Lyden reports.

Any parent who's tried to get a child to eat something nutritious might want Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer in their corner. Their new CD, Bon Appetit! Musical Food Fun, features catchy songs about good eating habits and the importance of exercise despite lifestyles that don't always promote those goals. The Grammy-nominated duo discuss their latest project with NPR's Bob Edwards.