PBS News Hour

News and Public Affairs Series / 9 Seasons

Millions of Americans turn to PBS for the solid, reliable reporting that has made PBS News Hour one of the most trusted news programs in television.

Watch: S2025 E17

57m 46s

Dangerous winds pick up as crews battle devastating LA fires

9m 46s

Dangerous wind conditions are picking up speed and threatening to spread devastating fires in Southern California. Four of the major fires have burned through more than 62 square miles. At least 25 people have died, nearly 30 more are missing and several communities have been reduced to ash. Geoff Bennett discussed more with California State Fire Marshal Daniel Berlant.

News Wrap: Biden defends legacy on world stage in address

5m 37s

In our news wrap Monday, President Biden defended his legacy on the world stage during an address at the State Department, the White House proposed export limits on computer chips used in artificial intelligence, China's exports grew sharply as companies rushed to lock in orders ahead of Trump's return and at least 100 people mining in South Africa died after being trapped underground for months.

Ambassador says Canada prepared for any scenario with Trump

6m 22s

America’s close relationship with Canada is on full display in California where Canadian firefighters and water-dropping airplanes are helping with the wildfires. The assistance comes at a unique time as President-elect Trump is threatening to impose tariffs on Canadian imports and is dismissively calling Canada the 51st state. Amna Nawaz discussed more with Canadian Ambassador Kirsten Hillman.

What makes Greenland a strategic polar outpost

6m 24s

President-elect Trump’s allies in Congress proposed a new bill dubbed ‘Make Greenland Great Again.' It's meant to expedite a negotiation process with Denmark, which protects Greenland’s autonomy, given Trump's repeated desire to buy the Arctic territory. Greenland’s prime minister said that while the massive island is not for sale, Greenland would work with the U.S. Nick Schifrin reports.

Roger Carstens reflects on bringing detained Americans home

7m 55s

Roger Carstens' work over the last five years as the special envoy for hostage affairs has led to the release of American hostages held by other countries. He was also part of the team that negotiated Brittney Griner’s freedom and a complex deal that led to the release of Evan Gershkovich, Alsu Kurmasheva and Paul Whelan from Russia. Amna Nawaz sat down with Carstens to discuss his efforts.

Hegseth hearings to begin amid sexual misconduct accusations

7m 20s

Confirmation hearings for several President-elect Trump’s nominations will begin this week. Pete Hegseth, the pick to lead the Defense Department, will face questions about a number of misconduct allegations that have surfaced against the former Fox News host. White House Correspondent Laura Barrón-López discussed more with Gretchen Carlson, a former Fox anchor and co-founder of Lift Our Voices.

News Wrap: Biden, Netanyahu speak amid Gaza ceasefire talks

2m 17s

In our news wrap Sunday, Biden and Netanyahu spoke by phone amid signs of progress in Israel-Hamas ceasefire talks, efforts are underway for Syria to re-engage with other nations, South Korea’s suspended president will not attend the first hearing of his impeachment trial, and Nobel winner Malala Yousafzai urged Muslim leaders to back efforts to make gender-based discrimination a crime.

What ancient ice from Antarctica tells us about the climate

2m 54s

Scientists say they have tapped into an extraordinary archive of the Earth’s climate in the ice deep beneath Antarctica. They hope it will help them understand both how the climate changed in the past, how it’s changing now and how it may change in the future. John Yang reports.

As recovering addicts age, many face health care struggles

6m 46s

The graying of America is being reflected in the nation’s drug crisis. Even as overdose deaths drop, millions of aging former drug users are living with long-term health challenges exacerbated by their previous substance use. We hear from a number of people in recovery about their experiences, and Ali Rogin speaks with Wall Street Journal health reporter Julie Wernau for more.

What to know about this winter’s surge of viral illnesses

5m

According to the CDC, the number of people going to doctors with illnesses the flu, RSV and COVID is surging. Epidemiologist Katelyn Jetelina joins John Yang to discuss why this year’s sick season is hitting Americans hard and what to know about other viruses in the headlines right now.

Los Angeles area schools suffer damage, closures from fires

6m 12s

Firefighters are racing to contain the wildfires ravaging the Los Angeles area during a lull in the winds, which are set to strengthen again Sunday night. The Los Angeles Unified School District is the second-largest in the nation, with 500,000 students, and all of its campuses have been closed since Thursday. John Yang speaks with Alberto Carvalho, the district’s superintendent, for more.

Why vertical video series are taking off on mobile phones

6m 8s

Most of the video entertainment we watch these days isn’t at the movies, on TV or even on a computer — it’s on a smartphone. To cater to these changing habits, companies are turning out bite-sized soap operas for phone viewing. Ej Dickson, a senior writer at New York Magazine covering culture, joins Ali Rogin to discuss.

Formaldehyde is everywhere, but poses dangers to our health

5m 39s

The chemical formaldehyde is found just about everywhere, including in composite lumber, plastics, paints and glues used in many homes and offices. This past week, an EPA evaluation said it poses “an unreasonable risk” to human health. A ProPublica investigation found that it causes far more cancer than any other airborne pollutant. John Yang speaks with lead reporter Sharon Lerner for more.

News Wrap: Biden awards Pope Francis with Medal of Freedom

1m 54s

In our news wrap Saturday, Biden awarded Pope Francis with the Presidential Medal of Freedom with distinction, special counsel Jack Smith resigned from the Justice Department, and singer Sam Moore of the 1960s duo Sam & Dave died at age 89 from complications following surgery.

How to protect your health from hazards of wildfire smoke

3m 35s

Vast plumes of smoke and ash from the California wildfires are threatening the health of people miles away, and has led both the Biden administration and Los Angeles County to declare public health emergencies. Ali Rogin speaks with Dr. Russell Buhr, assistant professor of medicine and health policy at UCLA, to learn more.

Residents reel from Los Angeles fires as death toll rises

6m 21s

The desperate battle between firefighters and wildfires in the Los Angeles area has entered its fifth day, with more evacuations underway as high winds threaten more lives and homes. Officials say 11 deaths from the fires have been confirmed so far and at least 13 people are missing. Stephanie Sy reports from Malibu.

Jake Sullivan reflects on Biden's foreign policy legacy

10m 8s

On Monday, President Biden will give a farewell speech at the State Department focused on his foreign policy legacy. Ahead of that address, Nick Schifrin sat down with one of the key architects of Biden's foreign policy, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, to discuss his time in the administration and where the U.S. stands on the world stage as Trump prepares to take office.

LA reflects wildfire destruction while looking to future

7m 43s

Firefighters are making some progress in the battle against a series of catastrophic wildfires in the Los Angeles area. More than 10,000 structures have been damaged or destroyed and at least 10 people have been killed. There's still danger ahead as winds are expected to pick up once again this weekend. Stephanie Sy reports.

Climate created 'perfect storm' for fires, researcher says

4m 58s

Prolonged drought and powerful Santa Ana winds set up extreme conditions that have fueled the devastating wildfires in the Los Angeles area. Those conditions were compounded by climate change. According to NOAA and NASA, the ten warmest years on record have all occurred in the past decade. Geoff Bennett and Daniel Schmidt of NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies discussed the implications.

News Wrap: Maduro sworn after Venezuela's disputed election

5m 48s

In our news wrap Friday, Venezuelan President Maduro was sworn in for a third term following a disputed election, the White House extended protections for hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans and El Salvadorans living in the U.S., the Israeli military struck targets in Yemen after Houthis launched drones at Israel and the Biden administration announced sanctions against Russia's energy sector.

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