PBS News Hour

News and Public Affairs Series / 9 Seasons

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Watch: S2025 E21

55m 47s

Biden pardons veterans convicted under military gay sex ban

5m 43s

President Biden announced pardons for former U.S. service members who were convicted under a military law, repealed in 2013, that banned gay sex. The move would potentially cover thousands of veterans who were forced out of the military because of their sexual orientation. Geoff Bennett discussed the decision with Lindsay Church, executive director of Minority Veterans of America.

Christian communities face growing political divide

11m 48s

More than a quarter of Americans now claim no religious affiliation, a finding from the Pew Research Center. That makes the so-called “nones” the largest bloc of Americans. Judy Woodruff reports that for white Christians, the once-dominant group by far, there’s also been a growing political divide within communities as faith has receded. It’s for her latest installment of America at a Crossroads.

Draft opinion mistakenly posted by the Supreme Court

3m 37s

The Supreme Court handed down two opinions Wednesday but left some of the most politically fraught cases for the final days of its term. One left undecided for now is focused on abortion and a ban in Idaho. But we may have clues about how the justices will decide the case after a document was mistakenly posted. John Yang reports on how the mistake happened and what it could mean for the court.

The chances of a prisoner swap as Gershkovich's trial begins

9m 23s

For the first time since the Cold War, a journalist has gone on trial in Russia for espionage. The Wall Street Journal’s Evan Gershkovich appeared in court accused of working on behalf of the CIA. The White House calls the trial a sham and the charges against Gershkovich fiction. Nick Schifrin discussed more with Angela Stent, author of “Putin's World: Russia Against the West and with the Rest.”

Experts provide insights on border situation ahead of debate

9m 27s

Immigration has become a flashpoint this election cycle and is expected to be a key issue in Thursday’s debate between President Biden and Donald Trump. Laura Barrón-López has on-the-ground perspectives of the situation at the southern border from Sheriff Mark Dannels of Cochise County, Arizona, and immigration attorney Jennifer Babaie, who works with asylum seekers in El Paso.

New HIV shows promise in preventing infections in trials

6m 24s

The long fight against HIV/AIDS may get a potent new weapon. A new drug, taken by injection twice a year, shows great promise in preventing new HIV infections and would ease the treatment process since patients currently have to take daily medication. It could have far-reaching impacts, especially in lower-income countries that are facing rising new infection rates. William Brangham reports.

Judges block Biden's latest attempt to reduce student debt

6m 24s

Decisions by two federal judges put key parts of President Biden’s plans for easing student loan payments on hold and in doubt. The program offers a way to lower monthly payments and get some debt forgiveness. More than 8 million are enrolled but these rulings put those key features on pause. William Brangham discussed more with Danielle Douglas-Gabriel. It's for our series, Rethinking College.

Why fewer young men are choosing to pursue college degrees

7m 13s

College enrollment among young Americans has been declining over the past decade. That decrease is mostly driven by fewer young men pursuing degrees. A Pew Research study finds about one million fewer young men now enrolled in college compared to 2011. Geoff Bennett took a closer look at why for our series, Rethinking College.

Surgeon general declares gun violence a public health crisis

5m 42s

An advisory from the U.S. surgeon general says gun violence is an urgent public health crisis. Citing rising deaths of young people and mental health impacts, the report argues for an approach to stem gun violence similar to tobacco-related and motor vehicle deaths. Amna Nawaz discussed more with Dr. Emmy Betz, an emergency room physician and director of the Firearm Injury Prevention Initiative.

News Wrap: Israel court says ultra-Orthodox can be drafted

7m

In our news wrap Tuesday, Israel's Supreme Court ruled the military must draft ultra-Orthodox Jewish men for mandatory service, Kenya's president vowed to maintain calm after protesters stormed the nation's parliament, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for two Russian officials and a New York judge partially lifted the gag order on Donald Trump from his hush money trial.

UNICEF chief on the hunger crisis afflicting children

5m 32s

A high risk of famine persists across the Gaza Strip with 96 percent of people there facing high levels of acute food insecurity. In Sudan, there is growing evidence that the civil war, now in its second year, is creating the world’s largest hunger crisis with an estimated 24 million children left especially vulnerable. Geoff Bennett discussed more with UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell.

A look at how the PBS News/NPR/Marist Poll is conducted

8m 29s

The presidential campaign has kicked into high gear as President Biden and Donald Trump prepare to meet for their first 2024 debate on Thursday. The two men have been locked in a tight race for months and no other candidates reached the required polling threshold to be on the stage. Lisa Desjardins takes a closer look at how polls work with our partners at the Marist Poll.

Assange pleads guilty in U.S. case in deal to gain freedom

11m 5s

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, a brave whistleblower to his allies and a national security threat to his critics, is on the verge of being a free man. Assange is pleading guilty and will be sentenced to time served, allowing him to return to his native Australia. Nick Schifrin reports and has two views on the plea deal from Jamil Jaffer and Trevor Timm.

Netanyahu says 'intense' phase of Gaza war will end soon

6m 38s

Israel indicated it's close to ending what it called the “intense” phase of its operations in Gaza, and would soon transition to a new stage of the war. That word came as Israel’s defense minister met with senior U.S. officials in Washington and as the U.S. and Israel continued a public spat over weapons deliveries. Nick Schifrin reports.

Loss of major water source threatens Great Plains farming

8m 16s

In the heart of the country, Great Plains farmers and ranchers produce a quarter of all U.S. crops and 40 percent of its beef. But they rely on a resource that has been slowly drying up, water. Stephanie Sy reports from Kansas for our series on the impact of climate change, Tipping Point.

Cyberattack disrupts business at thousands of car dealers

6m 25s

Thousands of car dealers across North America have been forced to revert to pen and paper after a software company they rely on was hit by several cyberattacks. The outage has not only caused delays and inconveniences for customers, but has also raised major concerns about whether sensitive data was compromised. William Brangham discussed more with Chris Krebs of Sentinel One.

Trump vows to defund schools requiring vaccines for students

6m 28s

On the campaign trail, Donald Trump again vowed to shut down the Education Department and endorsed a Louisiana law mandating the display of the Ten Commandments in public schools. He has also pledged to cut funding to schools with vaccine requirements. Laura Barrón-López discussed that with Dr. Paul Offitt, a pediatrician and a professor of vaccinology at the University of Pennsylvania.

N.Y. primary reflects Democratic divide over Israel support

2m 49s

As voters head to the polls in three states Tuesday, the Israel-Hamas war has become a key issue in one New York congressional primary. It’s a race that reflects the divide in the Democratic Party over U.S. support for Israel. Geoff Bennett reports.

Amy Walter and Francesca Chambers on debate expectations

8m 8s

Amy Walter of the Cook Political Report with Amy Walter and Francesca Chambers of USA Today join Geoff Bennett to discuss the latest political news, including a look ahead to this week's presidential debate between President Biden and Donald Trump, a preview of Democratic primaries races in New York and the political stakes of what has happened in the two years since Roe v. Wade was overturned.

'Monuments of Solidarity' highlights activism in art

7m 11s

An artist, activist, community builder and teacher. LaToya Ruby Frazier's art-making ideas come together in her first retrospective exhibition. Jeffrey Brown has a look for our series, Art in Action, exploring the intersection of art and democracy and for our ongoing arts and culture coverage, CANVAS.

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